Self-Surrender Checklist

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Self-Surrender Checklist is a comprehensive guide for individuals preparing to self-surrender to a federal prison facility. This actionable checklist covers financial, legal, medical, and personal preparations that should be completed before reporting to serve a federal sentence.

Overview

Self-surrendering to federal prison is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. However, proper preparation can significantly reduce anxiety and help ensure a smoother transition. This checklist consolidates best practices from self-surrender procedures, financial planning, and practical advice from those who have been through the process.

The time between sentencing and surrender date varies—sometimes weeks, sometimes months. Use whatever time you have wisely to complete as many of these tasks as possible.

Timeline Overview

Timeframe Priority Tasks
Immediately after sentencing Obtain all legal documents, begin financial planning, notify employer
4-8 weeks before Mail magazine subscriptions, order commissary items, complete medical/dental appointments
2-4 weeks before Finalize power of attorney, set up commissary account, prepare contact lists
1 week before Final medical appointments, pack permitted items, confirm surrender logistics
Day of surrender Arrive on time with required documents, wear appropriate clothing

Financial Preparation

Freeze Your Credit

Before surrendering, freeze your credit with all three bureaus to prevent identity theft while incarcerated:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

Important: Give your PINs to a trusted family member or attorney so they can unfreeze your credit if needed while you are incarcerated.

Commissary Account Setup

Send money to your commissary account before you arrive. You will need funds immediately for:

  • Phone calls and email (Corrlinks)
  • Hygiene items beyond the basics provided
  • Commissary food to supplement meals
  • Stamps for mail

Recommended amount: $300-$500 to start

Methods to send money:

  • Western Union (check your facility's website for instructions)
  • Postal money order sent to the Bureau of Prisons (include your federal inmate number)
  • Bring cash when you surrender (will be deposited to your account)

Your facility's website will have specific instructions for sending funds. Visit the facility index to find your designated institution.

Financial Documents and Access

  • Grant power of attorney to a trusted person for financial matters
  • Set up automatic bill payments for recurring expenses
  • Provide bank account access to trusted family member
  • Document all account numbers, passwords, and PINs (store securely)
  • Address any outstanding debts or payment plans
  • Understand restitution payment requirements and timing
  • Consult with your attorney about when restitution payments begin

Essential Documents to Organize

  • Copy of judgment and commitment order
  • Pre-sentence investigation report (PSR)
  • Surrender letter with date, time, and location
  • Federal inmate number (register number)
  • High school diploma or GED certificate (bring a copy—without it you may be required to take GED classes)
  • Attorney contact information
  • Copies of all legal documents (give originals to attorney or family)

Medical Preparation

Before You Leave

  • Complete a full physical examination
  • Complete a dental examination and any necessary dental work (prison dental has very long waits)
  • Obtain copies of all medical records
  • Get a 90-day supply of current prescriptions (you cannot bring medication, but records help continue treatment)
  • Complete any scheduled surgeries or procedures
  • Get updated eyeglasses or contact lens prescription
  • Complete any vaccinations (hepatitis, flu, etc.)

Medical Documentation

Bring written documentation from your doctor for any of the following:

  • Current medications and dosages
  • Medical conditions requiring ongoing treatment
  • Physical restrictions (cannot sleep on top bunk, cannot do heavy lifting, etc.)
  • Need for extra pillows due to back/neck issues
  • Need for medical mattress
  • Dietary requirements (allergies, diabetes management, etc.)
  • Mental health treatment history and current needs

Important: Prison medical staff may not honor requests without proper documentation. Get everything in writing from your physician.

Substance Use Considerations

If you currently use any substances, begin weaning off before surrender:

  • Reduce alcohol consumption gradually
  • Work with doctor to taper off sleeping pills if possible
  • Address any substance dependencies with medical supervision
  • Understand that you will be drug tested upon arrival and randomly thereafter

Communication Setup

Contact List Preparation

Prepare a comprehensive contact list with:

  • Full names
  • Mailing addresses (for letters)
  • Email addresses (for Corrlinks approval)
  • Phone numbers (for phone system approval)

Important:

  • Make multiple copies of this list
  • Mail one copy to yourself at the facility before you arrive
  • Bring one copy with you
  • Leave one copy with family

Help Family and Friends Prepare

  • Provide your facility mailing address to everyone who may write
  • Explain the phone and email systems (calls limited to 15 minutes, 300 minutes per month)
  • Explain the visitation approval process (can take 4+ months for non-family)
  • Send visitor approval forms to friends who will need to be approved
  • Explain mail rules (what can and cannot be sent)

Pre-Order Subscriptions

Magazine and newspaper subscriptions take 4-8 weeks to arrive. Order before you leave:

  • Magazine subscriptions (sent directly from publishers)
  • Newspaper subscriptions
  • Create an Amazon wish list for books (family can send directly)

Personal Affairs

Family and Dependents

  • Arrange childcare and custody matters
  • Establish communication schedule with children
  • Create calendar for children marking contact days and release date
  • Discuss decision-making authority with spouse/partner
  • Prepare pets for your absence (rehome or arrange care)
  • Notify school and relevant parties about children's situation

Employment and Professional

  • Notify employer (timing depends on your situation)
  • Address professional licenses or certifications
  • Arrange for business matters to be handled
  • Understand employment restrictions upon release

Personal Property

  • Store or sell vehicles
  • Address housing/lease situations
  • Store valuable personal property securely
  • Cancel unnecessary subscriptions and memberships
  • Forward mail to trusted person
  • Provide someone access to your home for emergencies

What to Wear and Bring

Day of Surrender Clothing

Wear these items—you may be allowed to keep them:

  • Plain white wireless sports bra (women)
  • Plain white cotton underwear
  • Plain white cotton socks
  • Plain white tennis shoes (some facilities allow you to keep these)

The clothes you wear will be sent home to your designated person. Don't wear anything valuable.

Items You Can Bring

  • Government-issued photo ID (driver's license)
  • Prescription eyeglasses or reading glasses
  • Wedding band without stones (plain gold or silver)
  • Small religious medal without ornate stones
  • Contact list with addresses, emails, and phone numbers
  • Medical documentation and doctor's notes
  • Legal documents (surrender letter, etc.)
  • Small amount of cash (will be deposited to your account)

Items You CANNOT Bring

  • Cell phones or electronics
  • Medications (will be confiscated)
  • Credit cards or checkbooks
  • Jewelry (except plain wedding band and small religious medal)
  • Clothing beyond what you are wearing
  • Food or beverages
  • Books or magazines (have these mailed instead)

Physical Preparation

Get in Shape

Physical fitness will help you:

  • Cope with stress and anxiety
  • Sleep better
  • Adjust to physical work requirements
  • Take advantage of recreation facilities
  • Establish an exercise routine before you leave
  • Learn exercises that don't require equipment
  • Improve your cardiovascular endurance

Eat Well Before You Leave

  • Enjoy your favorite foods while you can
  • Begin adjusting to simpler, less varied meals
  • Take vitamins to build up your health

Mental and Emotional Preparation

Understand What to Expect

Emotional Preparation

  • Accept that the first few weeks will be difficult
  • Identify healthy coping strategies
  • Consider speaking with a therapist before surrender
  • Connect with support groups like White Collar Support Group
  • Read recommended books about the prison experience

Set Goals

  • Identify skills you want to learn
  • Plan books you want to read
  • Consider fitness goals
  • Think about certificates or programs you want to complete
  • Plan how to maintain relationships

Day of Surrender

Final Checklist

  • Arrive at designated time (not early, not late)
  • Have someone drive you (they cannot accompany you inside)
  • Bring only permitted items
  • Wear plain white undergarments
  • Have your ID and legal documents ready
  • Say your goodbyes before entering
  • Take a deep breath—you will get through this

What Happens Next

Upon arrival, you will:

  1. Be processed and have your identity verified
  2. Change into prison-issued clothing (your clothes will be mailed home)
  3. Undergo a strip search
  4. Complete intake medical screening
  5. Be fingerprinted and photographed
  6. Receive your prison ID card
  7. Be assigned to a housing unit
  8. Receive orientation materials

For detailed information about the surrender process, see Self-Surrender Procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: How much money should I bring or send to my commissary account before surrendering?

It is recommended to have $300-$500 available in your commissary account when you arrive. You can bring cash when you surrender (it will be deposited to your account), send money via Western Union beforehand, or mail a postal money order to the Bureau of Prisons. You will need funds immediately for phone calls, email access, hygiene items, and commissary food. Check your designated facility's website for specific instructions on sending money.



Q: What clothing should I wear when self-surrendering to federal prison?

Wear plain white cotton undergarments (wireless sports bra for women, underwear, and socks) as you may be allowed to keep these. Some facilities allow you to keep plain white tennis shoes. The rest of your clothing will be sent home to your designated person, so do not wear anything valuable. You will be given prison-issued clothing upon arrival.



Q: Should I freeze my credit before going to federal prison?

Yes, freezing your credit with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) is strongly recommended to prevent identity theft while you are incarcerated and unable to monitor your accounts. Give your freeze PINs to a trusted family member or attorney so they can unfreeze your credit if needed. This simple step can prevent significant financial problems during your incarceration.



Q: Can I bring my prescription medications when I self-surrender?

No, you cannot bring medications into the facility—they will be confiscated. However, you should bring detailed medical documentation from your doctor listing all current medications, dosages, and medical conditions. This documentation helps ensure continuity of care. See the prison doctor (called "sick call") as soon as possible after arrival to arrange for your medications through the prison medical system. Only generic versions of medications are provided.



Q: How do I set up communication with family before going to prison?

Prepare a comprehensive contact list with names, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Mail a copy to yourself at the facility before you arrive, bring a copy with you, and leave a copy with family. Contacts must be approved before you can email or call them, which can take time. Give your facility's mailing address to family and friends so they can write to you immediately.



Q: What documents should I bring when self-surrendering?

Bring your government-issued photo ID, surrender letter with date/time/location, your federal register number, and medical documentation for any conditions. Also bring a copy of your high school diploma or GED—without proof of education, you may be required to take GED classes. Leave copies of all important legal documents with your attorney or a trusted family member.



Q: How far in advance should I send magazine subscriptions before prison?

Order magazine and newspaper subscriptions 4-8 weeks before your surrender date, as this is typically how long it takes for the first issue to arrive. Subscriptions must be sent directly from the publisher to your facility address (include your register number). You can also create an Amazon wish list for books, which family and friends can use to send you reading material.



Q: Why should I complete dental work before self-surrendering?

Prison dental services have extremely long wait times, often over a year for routine cleanings or cavity fillings. More complex procedures may not be available, and tooth extraction is often the preferred solution for dental problems. Complete all necessary dental work before surrendering to avoid painful problems while incarcerated.



Q: What happens to my belongings when I self-surrender?

The clothing you wear when surrendering will be mailed home to a person you designate. You cannot bring personal belongings, electronics, or valuables. Before surrendering, arrange for trusted people to handle your property, forward your mail, and manage your affairs. Give power of attorney to someone who can handle legal and financial matters on your behalf.



Q: How can I prepare my children for my incarceration?

Be honest with children in an age-appropriate way about where you are going. Create a calendar marking when they can expect calls or visits and when you will return. Establish custody and care arrangements. Write letters before you leave that can be given to them on special occasions. Maintain consistent communication through calls, emails, and letters. Many facilities have visitation areas with games and toys for children.


See Also

References



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