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FCI Allenwood Low

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Last Updated: July 21, 2025
Address
PO Box 1500, White Deer, PA 17887
Beds
1316
County
Union
Phone
570-547-1990
Fax
570-547-1740
Email
alf-execassistant-s@bop.gov
Mailing Address
PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887

FCI Allenwood is for Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offenders found guilty of a federal crime and sentenced to incarceration in accordance with the Department of Justice Sentencing Guidelines.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for federal low facility.

The phone carrier is Trulincs, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is MoneyGram There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of FCI Allenwood Low
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If your loved one is at FCI Allenwood, InmateAid can help you stay connected. Call the facility directly at 570-547-1990 with any immediate questions.

FCI Allenwood, located in White Deer, Pennsylvania, is a federal correctional institution managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This page provides essential information for those seeking details about inmate services, visitation guidelines, and facility contact information.

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Allenwood Low, located in Pennsylvania as part of the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Allenwood), is a low-security federal prison for male inmates incarcerating about 1000 sentenced offenders.

Inmates here reside in dormitories featuring two and three-person cubicles. Health services cover routine medical and dental care, including physical examinations, emergency treatment, and medication distribution. Inmates can access routine care by submitting a triage form, while emergency medical care is readily available through any staff member.

Psychology services involve intake interviews with psychologists for all inmates. Counseling services are available for addressing personal concerns, along with educational and therapeutic groups focusing on stress and anger management. Mental health medications are provided, and a voluntary treatment program for sex offenders is offered.

The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) is available at FCI Allenwood Low, alongside drug abuse education, non-residential programs, and self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Inmates that qualify for and complete RDAP are eligible to reduce their sentence by one full year.

Education services encompass GED and ESL programs, with successful completion resulting in certificates and commissary credits. Additionally, parenting programs, Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes, and correspondence programs for high school diplomas are provided.

Advanced occupational education programs include Culinary Arts, Office Automation, and Fiber Optics. Vocational training is offered in Computer Internet Computing Core Certification (IC3), while apprenticeship programs cover Cooking and Housekeeping.

The facility's library services include access to legal books and the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library. Typewriters are available, and a copy machine is provided. The leisure library offers newspapers, magazines, and fiction/nonfiction books.

UNICOR operations at the facility focus on producing office furniture. Inmates can spend up to $360 per month on regular and special items through the commissary, including snacks, clothing, and electronics. Over-the-counter medications are also available for purchase, here is a current list and prices of items sold at the commissary in FCI Allenwood Low..

Finally, the Recreation Department offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities such as hobby crafts, music classes, wellness programs, and athletic leagues including basketball, softball, and soccer.

Inmate Locator

Finding a Federal Inmate at FCI Allenwood Low

If you're trying to locate someone in federal custody at FCI Allenwood Low in White Deer, Pennsylvania, the federal system works differently from state and county facilities. The Bureau of Prisons maintains a central inmate locator at bop.gov covering all federal inmates from 1982 forward. The locator is the right starting point, but it doesn't show everyone in federal custody, newly sentenced inmates and those in transit may not appear yet. Call FCI Allenwood Low at 570-547-1990 if the locator doesn't return a result.

Using the BOP Inmate Locator

The BOP locator searches by full name, register number, or BOP number. The register number is an eight-digit identifier assigned at intake and used throughout the inmate's federal sentence. With the register number, the search returns an exact match. Without it, search by name and confirm against age, race, or sentencing details if the name is common. The locator returns current facility, register number, age, race, projected release date, and release status. It does not return charges, court of conviction, or visiting details.

When the Inmate Doesn't Appear in the BOP Locator

A federal inmate may be missing from the locator for several reasons. Newly sentenced inmates spend a designation period in US Marshals custody, often held at a county jail or private contract facility, before being assigned to a BOP institution. During designation, the person is still in federal custody but isn't yet in the BOP system. Designation can take a few weeks to a few months. Inmates in holdover status during transfer may also be temporarily missing. If you can't find someone in the BOP locator and the case is recent, they're likely still in US Marshals custody at a non-BOP facility.

Locating Someone in US Marshals Custody

Pre-designation federal detainees are held by the US Marshals Service, usually at a contracted county jail or regional federal detention center. The Marshals don't operate a public locator. To find someone in Marshals custody, contact the US Marshals Service district office for the federal court handling the case, or call the federal court clerk's office for the district of conviction. The InmateAid inmate search can also locate federal detainees at contracted facilities once the booking is in the facility's public roster.

The Register Number and What It's For

The BOP register number stays with the inmate across every federal facility transfer. State inmate ID numbers do not carry over. The register number is the single most useful piece of information for federal locating, document requests, money transfers, and communication account setup. Once you have it, save it; you'll use it for every federal interaction.

Once You've Located the Inmate

When you confirm the person is at FCI Allenwood Low, set up an inmate phone and Trulincs account, and arrange money transfer through approved BOP channels. For federal facility phone discount plans, money transfer, and mail services, see InmateAid's federal inmate services and call 570-547-1990 to confirm what's available at FCI Allenwood Low.

To confirm current custody status, register number, or recent transfers involving FCI Allenwood Low, call 570-547-1990.

Visitation Information

Allenwood Low - Visiting Hours

  • Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Holidays 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Visiting Information

Frequently Asked Questions About FCI Allenwood Low

  1. What is a federal prison?
      A federal prison is a correctional facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to house individuals convicted of federal crimes. These offenses include drug trafficking across state lines, white-collar crimes, terrorism, bank robbery, and other federal violations. Unlike state prisons, federal prisons operate under standardized regulations and typically have more structured programming.

  2. How do federal prisons differ from state prisons?
      Federal prisons are managed by the BOP and house inmates convicted of violating federal laws, while state prisons house those convicted of state crimes. Federal facilities tend to have more uniform security classifications and rehabilitation programs, while state prisons vary by jurisdiction. Additionally, federal inmates often serve longer sentences with less opportunity for parole, as federal sentencing guidelines are stricter.

  3. What are the security levels in federal prisons?
      The BOP classifies federal prisons into five security levels:

    • Minimum (Federal Prison Camps - FPCs): Low-risk inmates with non-violent offenses, dormitory-style housing, and little supervision.
    • Low (FCIs - Low): More security than camps, with fences, dorm-style housing, and work programs.
    • Medium (FCIs - Medium): Higher security, cell housing, increased staff monitoring, and more restricted movement.
    • High (United States Penitentiaries - USPs): Maximum security, with high walls, armed guards, and strict inmate movement restrictions.
    • Administrative Facilities (ADX, MCC, MDC, FMCs): Used for medical care, high-risk inmates, or those requiring extreme isolation (e.g., ADX Florence Supermax).
  4. What is ADX Florence, and why is it considered the most secure prison?
    ADX Florence, also known as the “Alcatraz of the Rockies,” is a supermax facility in Colorado that houses the most dangerous federal inmates, including terrorists and high-profile criminals. It has 23-hour solitary confinement, soundproof cells, and minimal human interaction to prevent escapes or inmate violence.

  5. Can federal inmates earn early release?
      Federal inmates can reduce their sentences through good conduct time (GCT), participation in rehabilitation programs, and the First Step Act. However, unlike state prisons, parole was eliminated from the federal system in 1987, meaning inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being released on supervised release.

  6. How do phone calls work in federal prisons?
      Federal inmates can make outgoing calls only to approved numbers using the Corrlincs system, managed by providers such as GTL (ViaPath) and Securus or the BOP itself. Calls are limited to 15 minutes per call and 300 minutes per month, with costs varying between $0.06 to $0.21 per minute depending on the location. Using a LOCAL number gets the six-cents-per-minute rate. Get a local number from InmateAId for only $5.00. All calls are monitored and recorded, except for attorney-client calls.

  7. Can federal inmates send and receive mail?
      Yes, inmates can send and receive mail, but all non-legal mail is screened for contraband. Books, magazines, and newspapers must be shipped directly from an approved vendor like Amazon or InmateAid. Legal mail is not read but may be inspected in the presence of the inmate.

  8. What are the visitation rules for federal prisons?
      Visitation is allowed, but visitors must be pre-approved and follow strict guidelines, including dress codes, behavioral rules, and security screenings. Some institutions offer non-contact visits (separated by glass), while others allow contact visits with limited physical interaction. Visits can be terminated if rules are violated.

  9. How do family members send money to federal inmates?
      Funds can be deposited into an inmate’s account using Western Union, MoneyGram, or the BOP’s online deposit system called Trulincs. Family members can also send postal money orders to the Federal Bureau of Prisons centralized processing facility in Des Moines, Iowa.

  10. Do federal prisons provide healthcare?
      Yes, federal prisons provide basic medical, dental, and mental health care, with certain facilities designated for serious medical conditions (FMCs – Federal Medical Centers). Emergency treatment may require transfer to an outside hospital, and some medications are restricted based on security concerns.

  11. Do federal inmates have access to education and work programs?
      Yes, federal prisons offer GED programs, college correspondence courses, and vocational training. Inmates can work through UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries), earning $0.12 to $1.15 per hour for jobs in textiles, manufacturing, or recycling. Participation in these programs can also help reduce sentence time under the First Step Act.

  12. What happens if an inmate breaks the rules in a federal prison?
      Disciplinary actions range from loss of privileges (phone, commissary, visitation) to solitary confinement (SHU - Special Housing Unit). More serious infractions can lead to criminal charges or additional prison time.

  13. Can federal inmates transfer to a different facility?
      Transfers can happen for security reasons, medical needs, overcrowding, or disciplinary actions. Inmates may also request a transfer closer to family, but approval depends on the BOP’s evaluation.

  14. What kind of food do federal inmates receive?
      Federal prisons follow National Menu guidelines, providing three meals per day, including vegetarian and religious dietary options. Some facilities allow inmates to purchase snacks and specialty foods from the commissary.

  15. Can federal inmates own personal property?
      Inmates are allowed limited personal items such as eyeglasses, religious materials, and authorized hygiene products. Commissary purchases may include headphones, radios, and writing supplies.

  16. Do federal inmates have internet access?
      No, federal inmates do not have direct internet access. However, they can use Trulincs, a secure email system, to communicate with approved contacts. Emails are monitored and cost approximately $0.05 per minute of usage time.

  17. Are federal prisons overcrowded?
      Many federal prisons operate above capacity, leading to shared cells, increased inmate tensions, and limited access to rehabilitation programs. Overcrowding is a major concern, prompting calls for criminal justice reform and alternative sentencing.

  18. What happens when a federal inmate is released?
      Inmates are usually transferred to a halfway house or placed on supervised release to help reintegrate into society. They may receive job placement assistance, housing referrals, and continued mental health treatment if needed.

  19. Can federal inmates vote?
      No, federal inmates cannot vote while incarcerated. However, voting rights may be restored after release, depending on the state’s policies regarding felon disenfranchisement.

Ask The Inmate

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