Items Permitted at Intake

Items Permitted at Intake refers to the limited personal property that individuals may retain, surrender, or have processed when entering facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Federal intake procedures are governed by national Program Statements that establish uniform standards for safety, contraband control, and administrative consistency. These rules apply to all federal security levels and administrative facilities. Items permitted at intake in federal prison typically include essential medical devices, identification documents, and certain legal materials, while most personal belongings must be inventoried, stored, or mailed out.

Summary

Items permitted at intake in the Federal Bureau of Prisons are defined through BOP Program Statements that restrict property to protect institutional security. All items brought at admission must undergo search, inspection, and documentation. Retainable items form a small category that includes prescription eyeglasses, verified medications, approved medical devices, and legal documents related to current litigation. Identification documents collected at intake are stored in the individual's central file rather than kept in personal possession.

Clothing worn upon arrival is confiscated and replaced with federally issued garments. Cash is deposited into the individual's commissary account and cannot be kept as physical currency. Personal electronics, jewelry (other than a plain wedding band), hygiene products, tobacco, and tools are prohibited. Non-retainable property may either be stored until release or mailed out. These restrictions reflect federal priorities related to contraband prevention and operational uniformity across all institutions.

Procedures and Policy Framework

Federal intake procedures follow centralized rules applicable in all BOP facilities. Individuals arriving at a federal institution enter the Receiving & Discharge (R&D) area, where staff conduct identity verification, medical screening, and a complete inventory of personal property. Officers record each item using Form BP-A0382 or an electronic tracking system. Retainable property is returned after inspection, while all other property is sealed and stored with chain-of-custody documentation.

The BOP issues institutional clothing, footwear, and hygiene kits at intake, eliminating the need for most personal items. Money is counted and deposited into the individual's commissary account via the TRULINCS financial system. Personal electronics, tobacco, food items, sharp objects, and any item that could be modified for concealment or weaponization are prohibited. Printed materials brought to intake are restricted unless classified as necessary legal documents.

Health Services reviews any medication or medical device. Prescription drugs must be verified and are often replaced with institutionally dispensed equivalents. Eyeglasses, orthopedic supports, hearing aids, and approved medical prosthetics generally remain with the individual if they meet safety criteria. Legal property is inspected in the individual's presence to ensure no contraband is concealed. Federal regulations allow individuals to keep legal documents needed for active litigation, subject to volume limits.

Institutional supplements may refine but cannot override national Program Statements. Consistency, documentation, and secure storage are central pillars of the federal intake framework.

Federal Prison Uniforms and Clothing

All individuals in BOP custody wear federally issued clothing. The standard federal prison uniform consists of khaki or tan pants and shirts for general population inmates at most security levels. Some facilities use green uniforms. High-security facilities and special housing units may use orange jumpsuits for identification purposes.

Inmates receive an initial clothing issue that typically includes:

• 3-5 sets of institutional pants and shirts
• Underwear and socks
• One pair of institutional footwear (typically steel-toe boots for work details)
• Seasonal outerwear (jacket, coat)
• Athletic wear for recreation

Personal clothing brought at intake is confiscated, inventoried, and either stored or mailed out. Inmates may purchase additional approved clothing items through the commissary, including underwear, socks, athletic shoes, and sweatshirts, within possession limits defined by institutional policy.

Terminology

Federal intake procedures use standardized terms to describe property categories and administrative actions:

• Intake (Receiving & Discharge) – The admission process in federal prisons where identification, medical screening, and property review occur.
• Retainable property – Items individuals may keep after inspection, including eyeglasses, verified medical devices, and essential legal materials.
• Non-retainable property – Items that must be stored, mailed out, or disposed of due to federal restrictions.
• Contraband – Any prohibited item, including unauthorized objects or permitted items found in non-authorized locations.
• Central file – The administrative file where identification documents and official records collected at intake are stored.
• Inmate commissary account – The account funded by money taken at intake, used for purchases within the facility.
• Medical clearance – A Health Services determination regarding whether a medical item can be safely retained.
• Legal property – Court-related documents; retention is subject to litigation need and storage limits.

These terms maintain consistency across all federal facilities and reduce disputes surrounding property handling, loss claims, or intake-related grievances.

History

Rules regarding items permitted at intake in federal prisons have developed over decades of evolving correctional administration. Early federal facilities operated with inconsistent property standards, allowing individuals to retain varied belongings with limited documentation. As the BOP expanded in the 20th century, national Program Statements introduced uniform procedures, standardized property inventories, and centralized storage to address rising security and administrative needs.

In the 1970s and 1980s, concerns regarding drug smuggling, weapons, and small concealed items led to significant tightening of intake property rules. The BOP adopted detailed contraband definitions and national lists of prohibited items. Medical and religious accommodations also evolved, with policies balancing institutional security against constitutional rights and federal statutes such as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).

Digital inventory systems, barcode property tracking, and enhanced documentation practices were introduced in later decades, improving accuracy and reducing disputes. Judicial decisions involving lost property and legal access contributed to clearer standards regarding legal documents and medically necessary items.

Today, the regulatory framework governing items permitted at intake reflects a mature, national system designed to ensure consistency, safety, and accountability across all federal prisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can you bring to federal prison intake?

Items permitted at federal prison intake are very limited. Retainable items include prescription eyeglasses, verified medications, approved medical devices such as hearing aids and orthopedic supports, and legal documents related to current litigation. A plain wedding band may be permitted. Identification documents are collected and stored in the central file. Cash is deposited into the commissary account. Most personal belongings must be inventoried, stored, or mailed out.

Q: Do federal inmates wear uniforms?

Yes, all federal inmates wear BOP-issued uniforms. The standard federal prison uniform consists of khaki or tan pants and shirts at most facilities, though some use green. High-security facilities and special housing units may use orange jumpsuits. Personal clothing brought at intake is confiscated and either stored or mailed home. Inmates can purchase limited approved clothing items (underwear, socks, athletic shoes, sweatshirts) through the commissary.

Q: What items are prohibited at federal prison intake?

Prohibited items at federal prison intake include personal electronics, jewelry other than a plain wedding band, hygiene products, tobacco, food items, sharp objects, tools, and any item that could be modified for concealment or weaponization. Printed materials are restricted unless classified as necessary legal documents. Clothing worn upon arrival is confiscated and replaced with federally issued garments.

Q: What happens to your money at federal prison intake?

Money brought to federal prison intake is counted and deposited into the individual's commissary account via the TRULINCS financial system. Cash cannot be kept as physical currency. The commissary account is used for purchases within the facility. For self-surrender, individuals are typically permitted to bring up to $200 in cash for this deposit.

Q: Can you bring medication to federal prison?

Yes, but all medications must be verified by Health Services at intake. Prescription drugs must be verified and are often replaced with institutionally dispensed equivalents. Medications should be in original prescription bottles with proper labeling. Medical devices such as CPAP machines, hearing aids, and orthopedic supports generally remain with the individual if they meet safety criteria and have medical clearance documentation.

Q: What happens to your clothes at federal prison intake?

Clothing worn upon arrival is confiscated during the intake process. The BOP issues institutional clothing, footwear, and hygiene kits at intake, eliminating the need for personal items. Non-retainable property including personal clothing may either be stored until release or mailed out to a designated address. All items are documented using Form BP-A0382 or an electronic tracking system.

Q: Can you bring legal documents to federal prison?

Yes, federal regulations allow individuals to keep legal documents needed for active litigation, subject to volume limits. Legal property is inspected in the individual's presence to ensure no contraband is concealed. Legal materials must be related to current court cases or ongoing legal matters. Documents are categorized as legal property and receive special handling protections.

Q: Can you bring a wedding ring to federal prison?

A plain wedding band without stones may be permitted at federal prison intake. Other jewelry is prohibited. The wedding band must meet safety criteria and pass inspection. Jewelry with stones, watches, and other decorative items must be stored or mailed out. Specific policies may vary slightly by institution within BOP guidelines.

See Also

• Self-Surrender Procedures
• Self-Surrender Checklist
• Overview of Federal Prison Medical Intake
• Commissary Operations and Inmate Accounts