BOP Program Statement 5524.01 § 9

Staff must take precautions to prevent illegal substances from entering Bureau institutions.

This includes the possibility that a visitor may conceal an illegal substance(s) in a body cavity, or

by oral consumption, which is expelled after gaining entrance to the institution.

Furthermore, delivery of an illegal substance(s) can occur directly to an inmate or other person or

may be concealed on the institution grounds for later retrieval by an inmate or other person.

Consequently, to protect the safety, security, and orderly operation of Bureau institutions, a

confirmed positive test result for an illegal substance(s) may satisfy the reasonable suspicion

standard, warranting further investigation, searches, controlled visitation, or denied visitation.

Consistent with the Program Statement Searching, Detaining, or Arresting Visitors to Bureau

Grounds and Facilities, Wardens must assess every situation in which a visitor produces a

confirmed positive test on its own merits in reaching a final decision. Additionally, Wardens

possess broad discretion to require pat/vehicle searches as a prerequisite for visitation, controlled

or non-contact visits, or a complete denial of visitation.

5524.01 5/7/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 9

a. Pat or Visual Searches. Refer to the Program Statement Searching, Detaining, or

Arresting Visitors to Bureau Grounds and Facilities for additional guidance.

b. Vehicle Searches. Refer to the Program Statement Searching, Detaining, or Arresting

Visitors to Bureau Grounds and Facilities for additional guidance.

c. Controlled/Non-Contact Visitation. Visitors producing a confirmed positive test result may

be subject to restricted visiting in accordance with the Program Statement Visiting Regulations,

which allows the Warden to authorize controlled or non-contact visitation.

d. Denied Visitation. Visitors producing a confirmed positive test result may be denied entry

into the institution in accordance with the Program Statement Searching, Detaining, or

Arresting Visitors to Bureau Grounds and Facilities. Denial of visitation must be authorized

by the Warden or designee.

Confirmed positive tests that result in denial of visitation will be handled as follows:

 First Occurrence. The visitor will be required to submit to a pat and/or vehicle search at the

Warden’s discretion. If the visitor submits to the search with negative results, the Warden

may allow the visit to occur in either a controlled or non-contact area. Refusal or failure to

submit will result in the denial of the visit. The visitor may seek reentry after 48 hours.

 Second Occurrence. The visitor's visiting privilege will be suspended for 30 days.

 Third Occurrence. The visitor's visiting privilege will be suspended for 90 days.

 Fourth and Subsequent Occurrences. The visitor's visiting privilege will be suspended for

180 days.

Another institution may use a visitor’s previously confirmed positive test results from one

institution as a foundation for increasing the consequences of the same inmate visitor

incrementally, as indicated above.

e. Explanations to Visitors. Staff authorized to deny a visit must explain carefully and

professionally to the visitor that they tested positive for the presence of an illegal substance, and

the resulting consequences. When denying visitation, staff must also observe the following

procedures.

If visiting is denied, the visitor will be given a completed BP-A0732, Ion Spectrometry Device –

Notice of Denied Visitation form. This form also instructs the visitor how to appeal a denial of

visitation to the Warden. See Section 12 of this program statement for information regarding

appeals.

Visitors must be reminded the device tests only for the presence, and not the use, of illegal

substances.

5524.01 5/7/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 10

Visitors must not be informed of the type of substance for which they tested positive. This is to

prevent the visitor from fabricating a physician's verification that attempts to justify the presence

of the particular substance.

Staff must not explore or discuss with visitors the possible source(s) from which contact with an

illegal substance(s) may have occurred. Staff may inform visitors, however, that the device is

calibrated to register positive test results only at levels greater than would normally be

encountered through casual contact.

f. Documentation. Complete and accurate documentation is vital to the program's integrity.

The following documentation must be completed and retained following every visitor's positive

confirmation test for an illegal substance(s).

 Ion Spectrometry Device - Positive Alarm Log (BP-A0731, Page 1). This includes

recording pertinent information as defined on the form and attaching the device's relevant

computer printouts.

 Positive Alarm History (BP-A0731, Page 2). Once completed, this includes the visitor's

prior history of confirmed positive test results, if any, obtained from the Inmate Visiting

Computer Program. Attach the visitor’s BP-A0732, Ion Spectrometry Device – Notice of

Denied Visitation to this form.

 Inmate Visiting Computer Program Comments Section. Ensure appropriate entry noting

the date, time, positive alarm, and consequence resulting from each positive test.