FCI McDowell Medium and Satellite Camp

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Last Updated: March 22, 2024
Address
101 Federal Dr, Welch, WV 24801
Beds
1600
County
McDowell
Phone
304-436-7300
Fax
304-436-7318
Email
mcd-execassistant-s@bop.gov
Mailing Address
PO Box 1009, Welch, WV 24801

FCI McDowell 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 Medium | Minimum facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, 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 McDowell Medium and Satellite Camp

You can support your loved ones at FCI McDowell on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 304-436-7300.

FCI McDowell, located in Welch, West Virginia, 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, McDowell (FCI McDowell) is situated in southeastern West Virginia, serving as a medium-security federal prison for male offenders. Operated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), it includes an adjacent satellite prison camp (SCP) for minimum-security male inmates. The facility's housing units are organized into two two-story wings, comprising three housing units with two-person cells each. Additionally, there's a Special Housing Unit, where inmates at the camp reside in dormitories. Despite being within the city limits of Welch, FCI McDowell lies approximately four miles north of the city center in a detached rural area.

Opened in 2011, FCI McDowell is one of the newer federal correctional institutions. Its construction in 2010, at a cost of around $223 million, was met with support from McDowell County residents due to the anticipated job opportunities for the economically challenged county. Initially, inmates assigned to the minimum-security prison camp were immediately engaged in maintenance jobs upon arrival.

In terms of healthcare, inmates at FCI McDowell receive dental calls, sick calls, routine dental care, physical examinations, emergency services, eyeglasses/contact lenses, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic infectious diseases, preventive healthcare services, and medications.

The FCI McDowell Psychology Department offers various services, including individual counseling, educational and therapeutic groups, and a self-help library program. Inmates have access to materials aimed at assisting and motivating them in self-improvement efforts, with certificates awarded upon successful completion of corresponding assignments. A psychiatrist is available for medication-related needs, while voluntary groups conducted by correctional counselors offer alternatives for inmates with personal problems.

While FCI McDowell doesn't house a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), referrals can be made to institutions offering RDAP. The facility provides a Drug Education Class and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP).

Educational opportunities encompass literacy, English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), and parenting programs, with Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes available. High school diplomas and post-secondary programs are accessible through paid correspondence programs.

Vocational training options at FCI McDowell include Carpentry, Masonry, and Residential Wiring, along with an apprenticeship in Dental Assistant. Both facilities offer apprenticeships in Cook, Electrical, HVAC, Plumber, and Teacher Assistant.

The law library at FCI McDowell contains various legal reference materials, including the United States Code Annotated, Federal Reporter, Supreme Court Reporter, and Bureau of Prisons program statements. Inmates also have access to fiction and nonfiction books, newspapers, and magazines.

Commissary spending is limited to $360.00 per month, with weekly purchasing opportunities for items like candy, snacks, food, drinks, clothing, and shoes. Here is a current list and prices of items sold at the commissary in FCI McDowell.

Recreation activities at FCI McDowell encompass indoor and outdoor programs, ranging from arts and crafts to intramural team sports and physical fitness and weight reduction programs, providing inmates with diverse leisure opportunities.

Inmate Locator

FCI McDowell Medium and Satellite Camp is a facility in the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) that publishes the names of the inmates currently in one of their locations nationwide. To begin your search, simply input the exact first and last name of the individual you are looking for. Alternatively, if you possess an eight-digit BOP Inmate ID number (xxxxx-xxx), you can use that for quicker results.

If your search within the federal system proves unsuccessful, InmateAid Inmate Search provides an additional avenue. This database encompasses inmates currently incarcerated in various prisons, jails, and detention centers nationwide. Utilizing this free inmate locator doesn't require any sign-up process, ensuring convenient access for users. This free inmate locator.

If you are looking for someone who has been recently taken into custody, you may access the Arrest Record Search feature, there is a cost for this fresh information

Visitation Information

McDowell Medium and SCP Minimum - Visiting Hours

  • 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

Federal Prisons – FAQs

  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

Connect directly with former inmates and get your questions answered for free. Gain valuable insights from individuals with firsthand experience in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and GEO and CoreCivic-run private prisons. Whether you're seeking advice, clarification, or just curious about life behind bars, this unique opportunity allows you to ask questions or explore answers to previous inquiries from the InmateAid community. Engage in meaningful discussions and get informed perspectives from those who truly understand the system.