Visits are Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If your family member is an inpatient, you need Unit Team and Clinical Director approval before you visit.
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FMC Butner holds general population visits on Saturday, Sunday, and all federal holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitor processing stops 30 minutes before the session ends, so you need to arrive before 2:30 p.m. On weekend mornings, processing also pauses at 9:15 a.m. while staff conduct the 10:00 a.m. count. Because FMC Butner is a medical center, visiting sometimes works differently than at a standard federal prison. If your family member is admitted as an inpatient, a standard visiting room visit may not be possible. Contact the Unit Team first to request the visit and get Clinical Director approval before you travel. No advance appointment is needed for general population visits, but you must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Federal Holidays | 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Monday (SHU only) | 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and noon to 2:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday through Friday | No general population visitation |
Processing stops 30 minutes before the session ends. If you arrive after 2:30 p.m. on a weekend or holiday, you may not be admitted. On weekends, processing also pauses at 9:15 a.m. to clear the 10:00 a.m. count. If you arrive during this window, wait in your vehicle until processing resumes.
These hours come from BUX 5267.09A, the FCC Butner Visiting Regulations effective April 1, 2026. Unlike some BOP facilities, FMC Butner does not impose a visit point system. There is no cap on the number of visits general population inmates can receive. Call (919) 575-3900 before any trip to confirm nothing has changed.
This is the most important difference between visiting FMC Butner and visiting a standard federal prison. When a person is admitted to the hospital ward as an inpatient, the standard visiting process does not automatically apply.
How inpatient visits work:
Visits may be denied if:
Call ahead every time you plan to visit an inpatient. Conditions can change quickly. Making the trip without confirmation can mean a wasted visit.
Up to 3 adults (age 16 and older) may visit at one time. There is no limit on the number of children under 16. To visit, you must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list. If you are not already approved, the inmate submits a visitor request form to the unit team. Allow time for the background check to clear before your first visit.
FMC Butner is located on the FCC Butner campus in Butner, NC 27509. From I-85 North, take exit 189, then go left on Central Avenue, right on Veazy Street, and left on Old Highway 75. The FMC is approximately one mile ahead on the third right. The first right is LSCI Butner, the second is FPC Butner, and the third is FMC Butner. Do not turn too early.
Transportation options (verified numbers from BUX 5267.09A):
Hotels are available in the Durham and Henderson, NC areas for families traveling from out of state.
All visitors age 16 and older must present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include:
Expired IDs are not accepted. Altered IDs are not accepted. If you have a medical device that affects metal detector screening (pacemaker, orthopedic implant), bring a physician’s letter explaining it.
The dress code at FMC Butner is strictly enforced. Staff may turn you away or ask you to change before admitting you.
Not allowed:
Allowed items you may bring inside:
For infants 3 years old and under: You may bring formula, diapers, baby food, a receiving blanket, and a pacifier. Strollers are not permitted inside.
All visitors pass through security screening before entering the visiting area:
Visitors who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs are denied entry. Attempting to bring in contraband is a federal crime.
Children under 16 may visit without counting toward the adult visitor limit. They must stay with their approved adult at all times. All children must wear appropriate footwear inside the facility.
Minors not accompanied by a parent: If someone other than the child’s parent or legal guardian is bringing a minor to visit, contact FMC Butner at (919) 575-3900 before the visit. The BOP may require a notarized permission form from the non-incarcerated parent or guardian, along with the child’s birth certificate.
Bringing drugs, alcohol, weapons, or other unauthorized items into a federal prison is a federal felony. Anyone caught attempting to do so will be detained and referred for prosecution. You cannot hand anything to the inmate or accept anything from them during the visit without prior written approval from staff.
Attorneys visiting a client at FMC Butner are not subject to the same visitor list process as personal visitors, but must contact the facility in advance to schedule. Attorney-client calls and visits are confidential and not recorded.
Special visits outside normal hours, for clergy, long-distance family, or other circumstances, must be requested in advance through the unit team and approved by the Warden or designee.
Use the send money guide to make sure the inmate has funds for commissary and phone calls between visits. You can also send letters and photos by mail, or stay in touch through phone calls and CorrLinks email.
6 of 14 questions
General population visits are Saturday, Sunday, and all federal holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Processing stops at 2:30 p.m., so arrive before then. Call (919) 575-3900 to confirm hours before you travel.
VisitationCall (919) 575-3900 and ask to speak with the Unit Team before you make any travel plans. Inpatient visits require a request to the Unit Team, and the Clinical Director must approve the visit. Only immediate family is normally allowed in the inpatient area. The visit may happen in the hospital ward or in the standard visiting room depending on whether the inmate can be moved.
VisitationYes. If the inmate has an infectious disease, is in a psychotic or emotional episode, or is otherwise not in condition to receive visitors, the Clinical Director may deny or postpone the visit. Always call ahead before traveling to confirm the visit is approved.
VisitationNo appointment is needed for general population visits, but you must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Inpatient visits are different and do require advance approval from the Unit Team and Clinical Director. New visitors need to wait for their background check to clear before the first visit.
VisitationUp to 3 adults (age 16 and older) may visit at the same time. There is no cap on children under 16. For inpatient visits, only immediate family is normally permitted in the hospital ward.
VisitationA valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID all work. Expired or altered IDs are not accepted.
VisitationWear modest, non-khaki, non-camouflage clothing. Shorts and skirts must be knee length or longer. No sleeveless tops, open-toe shoes, form-fitting or see-through clothing, or outerwear in the visiting room. No watches, hats, or sunglasses. The dress code is strictly enforced.
VisitationYou can bring up to $20 in coins in a clear plastic bag no larger than 8 by 6 by 2 inches. Paper currency is not allowed. Follow staff instructions on how vending machine purchases work during the visit.
VisitationOn Saturday and Sunday, processing pauses at 9:15 a.m. so staff can clear the 10:00 a.m. count. Visitors who arrive during this window wait in their vehicles until processing resumes. This is standard BOP procedure.
VisitationYes. Children under 16 do not count against the adult visitor limit. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is bringing a minor, contact FMC Butner at (919) 575-3900 in advance. A notarized permission form from the non-incarcerated parent may be required.
VisitationYes. Inmates in the Special Housing Unit can receive visits on Mondays (except federal holidays) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and noon to 2:00 p.m. Call (919) 575-3900 to confirm before traveling.
VisitationFrom I-85 North, take exit 189, go left on Central Avenue, right on Veazy Street, and left on Old Highway 75. FMC Butner is about one mile ahead on the third right. The first right is LSCI Butner, the second is FPC Butner, and the third is FMC Butner. Call (919) 575-3900 for directions if needed.
VisitationUse the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/ to confirm the person is still assigned to FMC Butner. You can also call (919) 575-3900. Inmates can be transferred with little notice, so always verify before making a long trip.
VisitationNo. Unlike some BOP facilities, FMC Butner does not use a visit point system that limits the number of visits. General population inmates can receive visits every weekend and on federal holidays.
VisitationConfirm they are still here before you make the trip. BOP inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/.
View ArticleMoneyGram code 7932 or Western Union FBOP DC. Funds cover commissary and phone calls.
View ArticleViaPath TRUFONE at $0.21 per minute. Fund the commissary so they can call you.
View ArticleSend letters and photos to Federal Medical Center, P.O. Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509.
View ArticleSearch for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 8, 2026.