FCI Memphis: Complete Guide to Visitation, Mail, and Sending Funds

Table of Contents#

1. FCI Memphis Basic Facility Information
2. FCI Memphis Visitation Rules
3. Sending Mail to Inmates at FCI Memphis
4. How to Send Funds to FCI Memphis Inmates
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Final Pro Tips
7. References

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FCI Memphis Basic Facility Information#

Before you send any communications or schedule a visit, confirm these key details:

• Full physical address: 1101 John A. Denie Road, Memphis, TN 38134
• Main facility phone: (901) 372-2269
• Required identifier for all mail, funds, and visits: Inmate's 8-digit BOP register number (look it up via the BOP Inmate Locator if you do not have it)

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FCI Memphis Visitation Rules#

All visitors must be pre-approved before they can attend an in-person or virtual visit.

1. Visitation Eligibility & Pre-Approval#

• First, ask the inmate to add you to their approved visitor list and send you a BP-230 Visitor Information Form.
• Fill out the form completely and mail it to the inmate's assigned unit team at FCI Memphis. Approval takes 2-4 weeks.
• Eligible visitors include:
  • Immediate family (spouses, children, parents, siblings)
  • Extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, with pre-approval)
  • Friends (with pre-approval)
  • Legal counsel (no pre-approval required, must present bar ID)
• Note: Former felons require special written approval from the warden to visit.

2. Visitation Hours#

• Regular in-person visits: Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Visitor processing ends at 2:00 PM, so you will be turned away if you arrive after this time.
• Federal holiday visits: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (confirm holiday schedules with the facility 48 hours in advance, as hours may change for specific housing units).
• Virtual visits: Available via the BOP Video Visitation System, scheduled 7 days in advance on the BOP website. Visits are 30 minutes long, with a small fee for at-home virtual visits. Out-of-state visitors may request extended 6-hour in-person visits by submitting a written request to the unit team 2 weeks in advance.

3. Dress Code & Allowed Items#

All visitors must pass a metal detector and search before entry.

Approved Dress Code:#

• Modest, casual clothing (shorts/skirts must reach knee length or longer)
• Plain t-shirts, button-downs, or sweaters with no offensive graphics
• Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended
• Religious headwear is allowed after inspection

Prohibited Clothing:#

• Low-cut, tight, see-through, or revealing clothing
• Clothing with gang symbols, profanity, or drug/alcohol references
• Clothing that matches inmate uniforms (khaki, green, or orange)
• Hats, sunglasses, or excessive jewelry (only 1 wedding band and 1 small religious necklace are allowed)

Allowed Items Inside Visitation Room:#

• Government-issued photo ID
• Clear plastic bag with maximum $20 in quarters for vending machines
• Approved medical items (inhaler, EpiPen, prescription glasses)
• Infant care items (max 3 diapers, 1 pack of wipes, 1 sippy cup, 1 thin blanket)
• All other personal items (phones, keys, purses, food, drinks) must be locked in your vehicle.

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Sending Mail to Inmates at FCI Memphis#

All non-legal mail is opened, inspected, and scanned for contraband before delivery. Legal mail from attorneys is opened only in the inmate's presence to confirm no contraband is included, and content is not read.

1. Correct Address Format#

Mail will be returned to sender if addressed incorrectly. Always include the inmate's full legal name (no nicknames) and BOP register number:

[Inmate Full Legal Name], [8-Digit BOP Number]
FCI Memphis
1101 John A. Denie Road
Memphis, TN 38134

For legal mail, mark the envelope clearly with "Legal Mail" and the sending attorney's bar number to receive special handling.

2. Allowed Mail Content#

• Handwritten or typed personal letters (max 10 pages per envelope)
• 4x6 inch printed photos (max 10 per envelope, no Polaroids, no explicit, violent, or gang-related content)
• Plain paper greeting cards (no glitter, pop-ups, music, lamination, or adhesive decorations)
• Paperback books, magazines, and newspapers (must be sent directly from the publisher, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or another verified third-party bookseller; max 3 books per shipment, no hardcover books or used books sent from individual senders)

3. Prohibited Mail Items#

Any items on this list will be confiscated or returned to sender:

• Cash, checks, money orders, stamps, or gift cards
• Food, drinks, candy, or hygiene products
• Glitter, stickers, adhesive labels, or tattoo designs
• Coded content, maps, or sexually explicit material
• Electronics, clothing, or any other physical goods not on the allowed list

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How to Send Funds to FCI Memphis Inmates#

Inmates use their commissary account to purchase food, hygiene products, stationery, over-the-counter medication, and pre-paid phone minutes. The BOP limits individual deposits to $300 per transaction. There are 3 official ways to send funds:

1. Online Deposits (Fastest Method)#

Funds post to the inmate's account within 1-3 hours:

• Western Union Quick Collect: Go to westernunion.com or use the Send2Corrections mobile app, select "Send to an Inmate", choose "Federal Bureau of Prisons" as the facility, enter the inmate's full name and BOP number, use code city FBOP, DC. Pay with a debit or credit card, fees start at ~$5 for deposits up to$50.
• MoneyGram ExpressPayment: Go to moneygram.com or visit a MoneyGram location, select "Pay Bills" > "Correctional Facilities" > "Federal Bureau of Prisons", use receive code 7932, enter the inmate's BOP number and last name. You can pay with cash at a location or with a MasterCard/Visa credit card online. Fees are comparable to Western Union.

2. Postal Money Orders#

No fees except the cost of the money order and stamp, funds post in 7-10 business days:

• Only U.S. Postal Service money orders are accepted (no personal checks, cashier's checks, or third-party money orders)
• Make the money order payable to the inmate's full legal name + BOP register number
• Mail the money order to the BOP's centralized Lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa (not to the facility address):

Federal Bureau of Prisons
[Inmate Full Legal Name]
[8-Digit BOP Number]
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001

• Include your name and return address in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope
• Do not include any letters or other items in the envelope (additional items will be disposed of)
• Never send cash via mail: It will be confiscated with no option for refund.

3. Walk-In Deposits#

You can deposit cash in person at any Western Union or MoneyGram location nationwide using the same codes listed for online deposits. Western Union also accepts phone deposits at 1-800-634-3422 (option 2). Funds post within 24 hours.

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Frequently Asked Questions#

Q: Can I send care packages to an FCI Memphis inmate?#

A: No. Personal care packages from private senders are prohibited. Inmates can purchase approved hygiene, food, and clothing items directly from the facility commissary. The only exception is paperback books sent directly from verified publishers.

Q: Can I receive calls from an FCI Memphis inmate?#

A: Inmates can only make outgoing collect calls or pre-paid calls funded via their commissary account. No incoming calls are allowed at any time.

Q: What happens if my visit is denied?#

A: You will receive a written notice explaining the reason for denial. You can appeal the decision via the BOP's formal grievance process within 15 days of the denial.

Q: How do I confirm if an inmate has received my mail or funds?#

A: Ask the inmate to confirm receipt during your next visit or call. You can also contact the inmate's unit team for updates if there is a significant delay.

Q: Who do I contact about deposit issues?#

A: For questions about a specific deposit, contact BOP staff at 202-307-2712 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET. For MoneyGram or Western Union issues, contact the respective company directly.

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Final Pro Tips#

1. Always double-check the inmate's BOP register number for all mail and fund transfers: Even one digit off will lead to delayed or returned items.
2. Call the facility 48 hours before your scheduled visit to confirm hours, as schedules may shift for facility lockdowns or holiday adjustments.
3. Review BOP policy updates quarterly, as rules for mail and visitation may change without public notice.
4. Never send funds to an inmate on behalf of another person: This violates BOP rules and can lead to loss of visiting privileges for you and disciplinary action for the inmate.

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References#

1. U.S. Bureau of Prisons: FCI Memphis Official Facility Page
2. BOP Program Statement 5264.007: Visitation Policy
3. BOP Program Statement 5265.004: Inmate Mail Policy
4. BOP Program Statement 4280.007: Inmate Commissary and Deposit Policy
5. U.S. Bureau of Prisons: Community Ties - Sending Money
6. BOP Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual: Program Statement 4500.12