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Federal Prison Preparation
Checklist

Everything a defendant and family needs to do before surrender day — legal, financial, communication, and family readiness. Built from our consultants' front-line experience.

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Pre-Surrender: Legal & Documents
  • Execute a durable power of attorney before surrender date
  • Finalize healthcare proxy and medical directives
  • Update or create a will and review beneficiary designations
Pre-Surrender: Finances & Employer
  • Arrange bill pay automation for all recurring obligations
  • Notify employer or arrange leave of absence per HR policy
  • Open or verify access to a joint account for family use
Day One: What to Bring & Intake Expectations
  • Arrive at the designated BOP facility at the correct time
  • Bring only approved items — no jewelry, no watches, no cash
  • Understand the intake medical screening process
Communication: TRULINCS & Visitation
  • Compile approved contacts list before surrender (name, address, phone)
  • Understand TRULINCS email system and funding process
  • Submit visitation application for all approved family visitors

+ 25 more items across 5 categories

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Pre-Surrender: Legal & Documents
Pre-Surrender: Finances & Employer
  • Set up automated bill payments for mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, and loans
  • Open or verify access to a joint bank account for family use during incarceration
  • Notify employer; arrange formal leave of absence or resignation per HR policy
  • Fund inmate commissary account in advance
    Family can deposit via BOP Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRUFACS) or money order.
  • Settle or arrange payment plans for outstanding debts to avoid collection actions
  • Review and adjust all insurance policies (health, life, auto, property)
Day One: What to Bring & Intake Expectations
  • Arrive at the correct BOP facility at the designated surrender time
    Typically before 2 PM. Confirm the exact address — some facilities have multiple entry points.
  • Bring only BOP-approved items: no jewelry, no watches, no cash, no electronics
  • Understand the medical intake screening — disclose all medications and conditions
  • Bring a printed list of approved contacts' full names and addresses
    You will need this to set up TRULINCS email and phone accounts on day one.
  • Expect a waiting period — intake processing can take 4–8 hours
Communication: TRULINCS, Phone & Visitation
  • Compile a full approved contacts list before surrender (full legal name, address, relationship)
  • Understand TRULINCS: email system, funding via GettingOut or TouchPay, message limits
  • Complete the BOP Visitor Registration forms for all family members who plan to visit
  • Set up phone account via Securus or ICSolutions; fund the account before surrender
  • Understand mail rules: all mail is opened and inspected; no staples, no stickers, no glitter
  • Confirm specific facility visitation hours and dress code requirements for family visitors
Family Prep: Children, Finances & Support Network
  • Have age-appropriate conversations with children about the situation
    Age 5–8: simple and concrete. Age 9–12: factual but reassuring. Teens: honest, include them in planning where appropriate.
  • Designate a primary caregiver and backup caregiver for children
  • Create a monthly household budget that accounts for reduced income
  • Identify and connect with a support network: family, church, community organizations
  • Research family support resources: Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Prison Policy Initiative
  • Consider counseling for family members, especially children, before and after surrender
First 30 Days: Commissary, Schedule & Programming
  • Learn the commissary shopping schedule and approved item list for your facility
  • Request work assignment through your unit team as early as possible
    Work assignments affect daily schedule, FSA time credits, and program access.
  • Enroll in evidence-based recidivism reduction (EBRR) programs to earn FSA time credits
    Every day of programming counts toward potential early transfer to home confinement.
  • Learn the facility's count schedule and movement rules — this governs your entire day
  • Meet with your unit case manager within the first two weeks to understand your sentence computation
  • Research RDAP eligibility (Residential Drug Abuse Program) — can reduce sentence up to 12 months
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