28 C.F.R. § 511.12 Procedures for searching visitors.
Title 28 - Judicial Administration
(a) The Warden shall post a notice outside the institution's secure perimeter advising all persons that it is a Federal crime to bring upon the institution grounds any weapons, intoxicants, drugs, or other contraband, and that all persons, property (including vehicles), and packages are subject to search. A person may not use either a camera or recording equipment on institution grounds without the written consent of the Warden. (b) The Warden may require visitors entering the institution from outside the secure perimeter to submit to a search: (1) By electronic means (for example, walk-through and/or hand-held metal detector). (2) Of personal effects. The institution ordinarily provides locker space for personal effects not taken into the visiting room. (c) The Warden may authorize a pat search of a visitor as a prerequisite to a visit when there is reasonable suspicion that the visitor possesses contraband, or is introducing or attempting to introduce contraband into the institution. (d) The Warden may authorize a visual search (visual inspection of all body surfaces and cavities) of a visitor as a prerequisite to a visit to an inmate in a low and above security level institution, or administrative institution, or in a pretrial or in a jail (detention) unit within any security level institution when there is reasonable suspicion that the visitor possesses contraband or is introducing or attempting to introduce contraband into the institution. (e) The Warden may authorize a breathalyzer or urine surveillance test or other comparable test of a visitor as a prerequisite to a visit to an inmate when there is reasonable suspicion that the visitor is under the influence of a narcotic, drug, or intoxicant. As stated in §511.14, the visitor may refuse to take the test, but the visit will not be allowed. (f) A pat search, visual search, or urine surveillance test is to be conducted by a person of the same sex as the visitor. A pat search, visual search, urine surveillance, or breathalyzer test shall be conducted out of the view of other visitors and inmates. [49 FR 44057, Nov. 1, 1984, as amended at 51 FR 26126, July 18, 1986; 56 FR 4159, Feb. 1, 1991; 59 FR 5925, Feb. 8, 1994; 63 FR 11818, Mar. 10, 1998]
Title 28: Judicial Administration
PART 511—GENERAL MANAGEMENT POLICY
Subpart B—Searching and Detaining or Arresting Persons Other Than Inmates
§ 511.12 Procedures for searching visitors.
