What to bring, leave behind, and wear on surrender day.
DISCLAIMER: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Policies vary by facility. Confirm requirements with your attorney and the specific facility before surrender day. Updated April 2026.
Bring almost nothing. Everything you bring will be inventoried, most of it will be confiscated and stored or mailed back to your family at your expense. The BOP will provide clothing, bedding, and basic hygiene. Your goal is to walk in with the minimum required items and nothing that could cause delays or problems at intake.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid government-issued photo ID | Driver’s license or state ID. Required for check-in. You will not get this back until release |
| Surrender paperwork | Your surrender letter from the U.S. Marshals or the Court, specifying date, time, and facility. Carry the original |
| Prescription medications | In original pharmacy containers ONLY. Maximum 30-day supply. The label must match your name. BOP medical will take custody and re-issue through Health Services. Bring the prescription itself if you have it |
| Eyeglasses or contact lenses | You may keep prescription eyeglasses. Contact lens policies vary — some facilities allow them, others issue glasses only. Bring your prescription on paper |
| Legal documents | Sentencing documents, Judgment in a Criminal Case, PSR (if you have a copy), any legal papers your attorney recommends. These go into your legal property |
| Small amount of cash | $20–$40 maximum. This will be deposited into your commissary account during intake. Some facilities accept no cash — confirm in advance |
| Wedding band (plain) | A plain wedding band (no stones, no engravings beyond names/dates) is typically allowed. Policies vary. Confirm with the facility |
| Religious medallion | A small religious medallion on a chain may be allowed. Must meet facility guidelines for size and material. Confirm in advance |
These items should travel with you to the facility but stay with whoever is driving you. Do NOT bring them inside.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Wallet (minus your ID) | Credit cards, debit cards, and excess cash will be confiscated and mailed back |
| Cell phone | Will be confiscated immediately. Leave it with family |
| Keys (house, car) | Give to family before walking in. You won’t need them for a while |
| Watch and jewelry (except plain wedding band) | All jewelry beyond a plain band is confiscated |
| Belt | Most belts are not allowed. Wear pants that fit without one |
| Hoodie or jacket with hood | Hooded garments are prohibited at most facilities |
| Any electronic device | No tablets, e-readers, MP3 players, calculators |
| Do Wear | Do NOT Wear |
|---|---|
| Plain, simple clothing — khakis or jeans, plain t-shirt or button-down | Anything that resembles BOP uniform (solid khaki top + bottom) |
| Comfortable shoes (sneakers or slip-ons) | Steel-toe boots (these look institutional and may be confiscated) |
| Underwear and socks you don’t mind losing | Expensive or sentimental clothing |
| Weather-appropriate outerwear without a hood | Any clothing with offensive graphics, gang affiliations, or drug references |
| Orange, bright red, or camouflage clothing | |
| Open-toe shoes or sandals |
★ KEY POINT: Your surrender-day clothing will be inventoried, stored, and eventually mailed back to your family or held until release. Wear something simple that you don’t care about. Some people wear clothing they want mailed to family as a keepsake.
| Task | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Write down every important phone number | 1 week before | You will not have your phone inside. Memorize or write on paper: family, attorney, case manager (if known), bail bondsman, employer. You need these for your TRULINCS approved contact list |
| Send money to commissary | 3–5 days before | Via Western Union, MoneyGram, or the facility’s approved method. Money takes 24–72 hours to post. Having funds available on Day 1 matters |
| Set up TRULINCS phone access | 1 week before | Contact the phone provider for your facility and register your home phone number so your loved one can call you from Day 1 |
| Mail a letter to yourself at the facility | 2–3 days before | Address it to: [Your Name], [Register Number], [Facility Address]. Receiving mail in the first week is a morale lifeline |
| Arrange power of attorney | 2+ weeks before | If not already done, give a trusted person legal authority to handle bills, mortgage, car payments, children’s school paperwork, and financial matters while you’re away |
| Arrange transportation | 1 week before | Have a family member or friend drive you. Do not drive yourself — your car will need to be removed from the facility parking lot |
| Talk to your children | Age-appropriate, 1 week before | Explain what is happening in language they can understand. The Marshall Project and Sesame Street both have resources for this conversation |
⛔ WARNING: Do NOT bring contraband of any kind. No drugs, no weapons, no unauthorized electronics. Introducing contraband into a federal facility is a separate federal crime (18 U.S.C. § 1791) carrying up to 20 years. This includes marijuana, even if legal in your state — federal facilities are federal property.
BRING: ID, surrender letter, medications (original containers), glasses, legal papers, $20–40 cash, plain wedding band
LEAVE IN CAR: Phone, wallet, keys, watch, jewelry, belt, electronics
WEAR: Plain clothes, no hoods, no khaki-on-khaki, comfortable shoes
DO BEFORE: Write down phone numbers, send commissary money, set up TRULINCS, mail yourself a letter, arrange power of attorney, arrange a ride
This checklist is a resource of InmateHelp.org and DrPrison.org. Content by Dr. Patrick Fisher, Ph.D. Updated April 2026.
Report errors: corrections@inmate.us | Family support: help@inmatehelp.org | Consulting: help@drprison.org
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