Correspondence
Committed Name Register Number FCC Complex (Low) P. O. Box 26020 Beaumont, TX 77720 |
Committed Name Register Number FCC Complex (Med) P.O. Box 26040 Beaumont, TX 77720 |
Committed Name Register Number FCC Complex (USP) P. O. Box 26030 Beaumont, TX 77720 |
Committed Name Register Number FCC Complex (SCP) P. O Box 26010 Beaumont, TX 77720 |
There is no mail service on weekends and holidays.
Incoming Correspondence
Incoming Packages
- An Authorization to Receive Package, form BP-331, is authorized and on file with the mailroom. The forms are only issued for release clothing and medical items.
- Any package (mail weighing in excess of 16 ounces is considered a “package”) received at the U.S. Post Office must be clearly marked on the outside of the package, “AUTHORIZED BY BUREAU POLICY.” If the package is not clearly marked, it will be refused and returned to sender. It will not be brought back to the institution. This statement refers to packages from all sources, family members, attorneys, etc. It is the inmate’s responsibility to make notification of this requirement. No magazines, softback books, hardback books, or newspapers can be sent from domestic addresses. They must come directly from a publisher or book store.
- Educational materials – The inmate’s name must appear on a list provided by the education department. All materials will be forwarded to the education department for final approval and distribution.
Incoming Publications
The Warden will reject a publication if it is determined to be detrimental to the security, good order or discipline of the institution, or if it might facilitate criminal activity. Publications which meet one of the following criteria may be rejected:
- It depicts or describes procedures for the construction or use of weapons, ammunition, bombs, or incendiary devices.
- It depicts, encourages or describes methods of escape from correctional facilities or contains blueprints, drawings, or similar descriptions of Bureau of Prisons’ institutions.
- It depicts or describes procedures for the brewing of alcoholic beverages or the manufacture of drugs.
- It is written in code.
- It depicts, describes, or encourages activities which may lead to the use of physical violence or group disruption.
- It encourages or instructs in the commission of criminal activity.
- Materials which are sexually explicit or feature nudity are not authorized. Any material of this type received for an inmate will be rejected by mailroom staff and returned to the sender.
Special Mail
“Special Mail” also includes mail received from the following:
President and Vice-President of the United States, attorneys, members of U.S. Congress, Embassies and Consulates, the U.S. Department of Justice (excluding the Bureau of Prisons but including U.S. Attorneys), other federal law enforcement officers, State Attorney General, Prosecuting Attorneys, Governors, U.S. Courts (including U.S. Probation Officers), and State Courts. For incoming correspondence to be processed under the special mail procedures, the sender must be adequately identified on the envelope, and the front of the envelope must be marked “Special Mail – Open only in the presence of the inmate.”
A designated staff member opens incoming “special mail” in the presence of the inmate. This is usually done by the Correctional Counselor or Case Manager. These items will be checked for physical contraband and for qualification of “Special Mail.” The correspondence will not be read or copied if the sender has actually identified himself/herself on the envelope and the front of the envelope clearly indicates that the correspondence is “Special Mail’ with special instructions to be opened only in the presence of the inmate. Without adequate identification as “Special Mail,” the staff may treat the mail as general correspondence. In this case, the mail may be opened, read, and inspected.
Correspondence Between Confined Inmates
The Unit Manager at each institution must approve of the correspondence if both inmates are housed in federal custody. The Wardens of both institutions must approve of the correspondence if one of the inmates is housed at a non-federal institution.
Rejection of Correspondence
- Matter which is non-mailable under law of postal regulations.
- Information of escape plots, of plans to commit illegal activities, or to violate institution rules.
- Direction of an inmate’s business (prohibited act 408).An inmate may not direct a business while confined.
Notification of Rejection
Receipt of Personal Items
- Unit Manager – release clothing.
- Health Systems Specialist – prosthetic devices, and hearing aids.
- Associate Warden – questionable item or items not covered in the other categories will be submitted to the Associate Warden for a decision.
The department head will inform the inmate of the decision. If the request is approved, the department head will complete the appropriate authorization form. The mailroom officer will not approve any item or package for delivery unless this approval form is on file.
Forwarding Mail
Funds Received Through the Mail
Unauthorized Items Received Through the Mail
Mailing of Inmate Personal Property
Legal Correspondence
Attorney Visits
Legal Material
Attorney Phone Calls
Law Library
Notary Public
Copies of Legal Materials
Individuals who have no funds and can demonstrate a clear need for particular copies may submit a written request for a reasonable amount of free duplication to the attention of theirUnit Team.
Inmate Access to Central File
Inmate Access to Other Documents
Director Bureau of Prisons
ATTN: FOI Request
320 First Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20534
Such a request must briefly describe the nature of records wanted and approximate dates covered by the record. The inmate must also provide his register number and date of birth for identification purposes.
A request on behalf of an inmate by an attorney or any other person for records concerning the inmate must be in writing and submitted to the Central Office address aforementioned. The request should not be mailed to the institution. The request must contain a copy of the inmate’s consent to disclose the requested information.