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Can I visit an inmate in the evening or weekends?
All BOP facilities have visiting hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; and most of the 105 facilities have visiting hours at other times during the week. Each prison can set up evening hours, if necessary. Ask the family member inmate you plan to visit to tell you what the hours are for the federal prison where he or she is located.

The law requires an inmate to get at least four hours of visiting time per month. In many cases, the prison can provide more. The prison Warden can decide to limit the visitation length or number of who can visit at once if visitation room overcrowding is an issue. Sometimes the prison may have to limit visiting per inmate to one day on a weekend, because it is the most popular time to visit.

Prisons try to allow for families' special circumstances, such as the distance you have to travel or health problems. Staff can help with directions, including how to get there by public transportation when available; but there is no Government payment or reimbursement for transportation. Again, call the prison before you travel for a visit.

Want to send mail to a family member or federal prison inmate?
To find mailing information for all BOP federal prison inmate mailing addresses click here.

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Minimum Security
Minimum security institutions are often referred to as Federal Prison Camps or FPCs. They have dormitory housing and limited or no fencing around the perimeter of the facility. Minimum security prisons generally have a low staff-to-inmate ratio and are work-and program-oriented. A good portion of these minimum security institutions are located near larger prisons or on military bases, since the work and programs are designed to have inmates serve the labor needs of the prison or military base.

Low Security
Low security Federal Correctional Institutions or FCIs have double-fenced perimeters, mostly dormitory or cubicle housing, and strong work and program components. The staff-to-inmate ratio in these institutions is higher than in minimum security facilities.

Medium Security
Medium security FCIs (and USPs designated to house medium security inmates) often have double fences with electronic detection systems (strengthened perimeters), mostly cell-type housing, a wide variety of work and treatment programs, an even higher staff-to-inmate ratio than low security FCIs. They have even greater internal controls.

High Security
High security institutions, also known as United States Penitentiaries (USPs), are usuallt secured by walls and reinforced fences. The have both multiple and single occupant cell housing, the highest staff-to-inmate ratio, and close control of federal inmate housed there.

Correctional Complexes
Many Bureau of Prisons institutions belong to Federal Correctional Complexes (FCCs). At FCCs, institutions with different missions and security levels are located in close proximity to one another. The Federal Correctional Complexes increase efficiency through the sharing of services, allows staff to gain experience at institutions of many security levels, and improve emergency procedures by having more resources within close distances.

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