Federal Correctional Institution · Texas
Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana is a federal correctional institution in Texas operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The visiting and communication rules below reflect the standard policies that apply to facilities of this type. Always confirm specifics with the facility before traveling.
Days: Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.
Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (visitor processing typically ends at 2:00 PM).
Visit length: Visits run a minimum of one hour; staff may extend to several hours when space allows.
Important: BOP facilities may suspend visiting on short notice for security reasons or weather; always confirm via the facility switchboard 24 hours in advance.
Each adult visitor must complete BP-A0629 "Visitor Information" and be placed on the inmate's approved visiting list before traveling. Until you are approved, the inmate will not be permitted to receive you, even if you arrive during posted hours. Approval is per-inmate, not per-facility — if your loved one is later transferred, the receiving facility will pull your prior background check but may add new requirements.
Identification: A current government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) is required for every visitor age 16 and older.
Children: Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the approved list and present a birth certificate or other proof of relationship.
Allowed items: Vending-machine money up to $40 in coins or small bills (clear plastic bag), one car key, photo ID, infant supplies in clear bag — no phones, cameras, electronics, or food.
Dress code: No revealing clothing, hats, hoodies, athletic wear, denim that resembles staff uniforms, or open-toed shoes; underwire bras may delay screening. Many facilities turn visitors away for dress-code violations even after they have driven for hours, so dress conservatively when in doubt.
Contact during the visit: Brief contact at the start and end of the visit; otherwise visitors and inmates remain seated facing each other.
Mail to inmates at Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana must include the inmate's full committed name and identification number on the first line of the address. Federal facilities now route most personal mail through a Maryland processing center; letters are scanned and delivered electronically to the inmate's tablet. Originals are not forwarded. Use white paper, blue or black ink, and standard #10 envelopes. Polaroids, lipstick, glitter, stickers, glue, and watermarked paper will cause the entire letter to be rejected.
The fastest way to put money on an inmate's account at Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana is through the facility's contracted vendor — typically TRULINCS / CorrLinks (messaging) and ViaPath (phone). Lockbox deposits by mail (cashier's check or money order made payable to the inmate's full name and ID number) are slower but avoid vendor fees. Cash is never accepted by mail. Money sent through online vendors usually posts within 24 hours; lockbox deposits can take 5–10 business days.
Inmates initiate all calls; facilities do not accept incoming calls to inmates. To receive calls you (or the inmate) must set up a prepaid account with the facility's phone vendor and add your number to the inmate's approved call list. Per-minute rates have come down significantly under the FCC's 2024 inmate-calling rules, and 15-minute calls now generally cost under $1.50. Electronic messaging (sometimes called e-messages or "stamps") is offered by most vendors and is typically faster than postal mail, though staff still review every message.
To confirm an inmate is housed at Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. The federal locator at bop.gov/inmateloc covers every BOP-managed facility nationwide.