FDC Philadelphia is a United States federal detention center in downtown Philadelphia, PA which holds male and female prisoners of all security levels. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the US Department of Justice. Most prisoners held at FDC Philadelphia have pending cases in US District Court for the applicable District of Pennsylvania.
The building is a massive tower constructed as a high security/close custody facility for the intake and processing of federal offenders preparing for their upcoming court case. The safety of inmates is closely monitored 24/7. Inmates are restricted in their movement between floors and are always in restraints during the change of location within the building. Dangerous escapes attempts have not been successful. There is limited recreation and no access to the outside.
How do I find my family member's BOP Register Number?
The BOP Register Number is an eight-digit number assigned at federal intake. It appears in the BOP online inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc and on all BOP correspondence. You need this number - not the state booking number - for phone accounts, money deposits, and mail at any BOP facility.
Can I choose which federal facility my family member is sent to?
No. The BOP's Designation and Sentence Computation Center makes all facility placement decisions based on security level, program needs, and population capacity. Proximity to family is considered but is not the primary factor. If the designation creates serious hardship, your family member can request a transfer through their case manager - but transfers are not guaranteed and take time.
Does federal prison have parole?
No. Federal parole was abolished in 1987 for offenses committed after November 1, 1987. Almost all current federal inmates are serving determinate sentences. Release is based on the sentence imposed at sentencing minus good time credits and First Step Act earned time credits. Most federal inmates transition through a Residential Reentry Center (halfway house) before full release.
What is RDAP and does my family member qualify?
RDAP is the Residential Drug Abuse Program - a 500-hour cognitive behavioral treatment program for federal inmates with documented substance use history. Completion qualifies eligible inmates for up to 12 months off their sentence plus earlier halfway house placement. Your family member should apply through their unit team as soon as they arrive at their designated facility. Waitlists can be long. Read InmateAid's RDAP guide for full eligibility details.
What should I do if I am concerned about my family member's safety or treatment at FDC Philadelphia?
Contact FDC Philadelphia at 215-521-4000 immediately with specific concerns. If you do not receive a satisfactory response, escalate to the BOP Regional Office overseeing this facility. For serious concerns involving safety, medical treatment, or civil rights violations, the BOP Office of Inspector General and the Federal Public Defender's office are additional resources. Document everything in writing.
Federal sentences are long. The system is complex and often impersonal, and the distance from home makes everything harder. What stays consistent through all of it is this: contact matters, programs matter, and having someone on the outside who is paying attention and who knows how the system works makes a measurable difference in how someone navigates a federal sentence.
InmateAid was built for this. We have been inside it. Use us.