Visiting a loved one at Federal Correctional Institution Forrest City — a Bureau of Prisons facility at 1400 Dale Bumpers Road, Forrest City, Arkansas — requires advance preparation and a clear understanding of BOP's visiting rules. The federal system has stricter and more specific dress code requirements than many state prisons, and arriving in non-compliant clothing means being turned away. Here is everything you need to know about visiting FCI Forrest City Low and its satellite camp.
Visiting Hours
FCI Forrest City Low and its satellite camp accept visits on the following schedule:
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Federal holidays: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Weekday visits are not offered at FCI Forrest City Low under the standard schedule. All visiting hours are subject to change at the warden's discretion — for example, in the event of an institutional lockdown, severe weather, or security incident. Always call the facility at (870) 630-6000 to confirm the schedule before making the drive to Forrest City, especially if you are traveling from a significant distance.
Getting Approved as a Visitor
Federal inmates at FCI Forrest City must establish a visitor list. The BOP's policy allows inmates to submit visitor requests within five working days of arrival at the facility. Immediate family members — parents, siblings, spouses, and legal guardians — are typically approved without a background check. Friends and extended family generally require a favorable background check and approval from the Unit Manager before they can be added to the list.
Do not plan a visit until you receive confirmation that you are on the approved list. Approval timelines vary, but it can take one to two weeks for the Unit Manager to process non-immediate family requests. The inmate's case manager or unit team can provide the status of a visitor request. Contact the facility at (870) 630-6000 to confirm your status before driving to Arkansas.
Visitor Limits in the Visiting Room
The BOP limits visitors in the visiting room to a maximum of four adults and five children per inmate at any one time. If your group exceeds these limits, some visitors may need to wait outside or return at a later session. Coordinate among family members to stay within these caps, particularly if multiple relatives are traveling together.
What to Bring
The BOP has a specific list of what visitors are permitted to carry into the visiting room. Bring exactly these items and nothing else:
- A clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches
- Up to $25 in cash — bills must be no larger than $5 denomination
- Valid government-issued photo ID (required for all visitors aged 16 and older)
- Essential medication, with prior knowledge of the officer at the entry point
- One coat or jacket
- One car key
- Limited feminine hygiene items as needed
Everything else — wallets, handbags, strollers, newspapers, magazines, toys, electronics of any kind, cell phones, and tobacco products — must be left in your vehicle before entering the facility. Visitors are explicitly not allowed to bring anything to give to an inmate in the visiting room. If you have commissary items or money to transfer, those go through official channels, not the visiting room.
Dress Code: A Detailed List of Prohibited Clothing
The BOP's dress code for FCI Forrest City visitors is detailed and specific. Being unfamiliar with it is not an excuse for entry. The following items are prohibited:
- Shorts of any length
- Transparent or see-through clothing
- Sleeveless tops (tank tops, spaghetti straps)
- Bathing suits
- Mini skirts (skirts must fall below the knee)
- Crop tops or tops exposing the midriff
- Halter tops or backless tops
- Hats or caps of any kind
- Spandex garments
- Sweatpants
- Ripped or torn jeans
- Low-cut or plunging tops
- Hooded garments (hoodies, sweatshirts with hoods)
- Flip-flops
Acceptable alternatives include slacks or full-length pants, modest blouses or button-down shirts, closed-toe shoes or sneakers, and dresses or skirts that fall below the knee. When in doubt, dress conservatively — the facility's standard is modest, professional-adjacent clothing that would be appropriate for a courthouse.
Security Screening
All visitors entering FCI Forrest City pass through standard security screening. This includes metal detection, and may include pat searches and searches of personal property. The BOP requires all visitors to consent to these searches as a condition of entry. Refusing a search means your visit will not proceed.
Conduct During the Visit
Physical contact during BOP visits is typically limited to a brief greeting and farewell embrace or handshake. Prolonged physical contact is not permitted. The visiting room is monitored by staff throughout the visit. Inappropriate conduct — including passing any items to or from the inmate — can result in termination of the visit and removal from the approved visitor list.
If You Have Problems or Questions
The main phone number for FCI Forrest City is (870) 630-6000. For questions about visitor list status, visiting hours, or policy questions, call this number during business hours. The BOP also provides general visitation guidance at bop.gov under "Information for Families."
Many of these services are run by private companies. See how the main providers work, including fees and how to sign up: Securus, ViaPath (GTL). For every phone, video, money, mail, and care-package company, browse our full inmate service provider directory.