Federal custody operates differently from county jail and state prison. Your loved one enters a nationwide system with facilities hundreds of miles away, weeks-long designation delays, mandatory background checks for visits, and uniform communication protocols.

In this guide, we’ll cover Bureau of Prisons facilities serving Los Angeles-area inmates, inmate location procedures, money transfer requirements, visiting approval processes, and communication systems.

When you understand how it works, it means fewer surprises, faster approvals, and consistent contact.

Distance matters most. Federal inmates serve sentences nationwide — not locally. The Designation and Sentence Computation Center in Grand Prairie, Texas assigns facilities based on security classification, program needs, medical requirements, and bed availability. Proximity ranks low. Expect separation.

Understanding the Federal System

Federal inmates serve sentences in Bureau of Prisons facilities nationwide — often hundreds of miles from home. BOP designates inmates based on security classification, program needs, medical requirements, and bed availability. Proximity to family is considered but not guaranteed. The federal system operates 122+ facilities nationwide with uniform policies, unlike state systems that vary by jurisdiction.

Designation Delays

After sentencing, inmates remain in U.S. Marshals custody — not BOP — for 3-8 weeks during processing. The Designation and Sentence Computation Center in Grand Prairie, Texas assigns facilities. Families cannot contact DSCC directly. During this period, check the BOP Inmate Locator daily at www.bop.gov/inmateloc to track location changes.

Federal Sentences Run Longer

Good conduct time reduces sentences by roughly 15% (up to 54 days per year). Federal parole was abolished in 1987. First Step Act time credits can accelerate halfway house placement for program participants. Most federal inmates serve 85% of their sentence.

Federal Facilities in Los Angeles County

Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles (MDC Los Angeles)

535 N Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Main: (213) 485-0439
Security: Administrative (all levels)
Population: Male and female pretrial detainees, holdovers, short sentences

MDC Los Angeles houses approximately 700 inmates in downtown LA adjacent to federal courthouses. Opened December 1988, this administrative facility primarily holds pretrial detainees awaiting proceedings plus inmates serving short sentences. The five-floor facility uses rooms with wooden doors rather than traditional cells.

Mailing Address:
Inmate Name & Register Number
MDC Los Angeles, Metropolitan Detention Center
P.O. Box 1500
Los Angeles, CA 90053

Visiting Schedule

Varies by housing floor—Sunday visits 8:00 AM-1:00 PM for 5 North; weekday visits 2:30-8:00 PM for specific floors. Weekend visits follow odd/even system based on fifth digit of register number. Odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9) visit first and third weekends; even numbers (0,2,4,6,8) visit second and fourth weekends. Maximum 90 minutes per visit, 3 visitors at once. Call (213) 485-0439 before traveling to confirm schedule.

Dress Code Prohibits: Clothing resembling inmate uniforms, see-through or revealing clothing, shorts, strapless tops, hats, watches (including smartwatches), underwire bras, jeans with holes.

Programs: GED, ESL, drug education, AA/NA. Does not offer Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Level 2 medical care, mental health services, 24-hour emergency care.

Related Resource: Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles

Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island (FCI Terminal Island)

1299 Seaside Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731
Main: (310) 831-8961
Security: Low
Population: Male offenders (approximately 1,100 inmates)

FCI Terminal Island operates as low-security facility near LA Harbor between San Pedro and Long Beach. Established June 1938, this facility offers RDAP and Dual-Diagnosis RDAP for inmates with substance abuse issues and co-occurring mental health disorders.

Mailing Address:
Inmate Name & Register Number
FCI Terminal Island, Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3007
San Pedro, CA 90733

Visiting Hours

Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and federal holidays from 7:00 AM-1:00 PM only. No visiting Tuesday-Friday. Processing begins 6:30 AM; no new visitors processed after noon. First-come, first-served basis with 100-person capacity. Visiting follows odd/even register number schedule—odd fifth digit visits odd calendar days; even fifth digit visits even calendar days. Maximum 4 visitors including children.

Identification Required: Valid state driver’s license or federal compliant ID (REAL ID, passport, government-issued ID) for visitors 16+. Visitors under 16 need parent/guardian accompaniment and signed BP-629 form.

Strict Dress Code: No sleeveless garments, athletic wear, spandex, shorts, skirts above knee, khaki/tan/brown clothing (resembles inmate uniforms), jeans with holes, plain white t-shirts, open-toe shoes (including flip flops and sandals), heeled footwear, watches of any kind, underwire bras. Violators denied entry.

Programs: Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), psychology services including trauma-informed care, educational programs, vocational training. Care Level 2/3 medical facility with 15-bed Short Stay Unit for ambulatory care. UNICOR metal factory employs inmates.

Directions from I-110: Take exit for Vincent Thomas Bridge to Terminal Island (Route 47), cross bridge, take Ferry Street exit right, turn left at light onto Ferry Street, turn right at second light (Terminal Way), continue as road curves left to become Seaside Avenue, follow to institution entrance. Limited parking.

Nearby Federal Facilities Within Visiting Distance

Federal Correctional Complex Victorville

13777 Air Expressway Boulevard, Victorville, CA 92394
Distance: 84-85 miles northeast of downtown LA (1.5 hours)

Victorville complex comprises three male facilities plus one female minimum-security camp, making it the closest federal facility to Los Angeles after the two in LA County. Built on former George Air Force Base.

USP Victorville: High security, male offenders, (760) 530-5000

FCI Victorville Medium I: Medium security, male offenders (approximately 1,400), (760) 246-2400, P.O. Box 3725, Adelanto, CA 92301. Offers BRAVE Program for first-time male offenders age 32 or younger with 60+ month sentences.

FCI Victorville Medium II: Medium security, male offenders (approximately 1,265), (760) 530-5700, P.O. Box 3850, Adelanto, CA 92301.

Satellite Prison Camp: Minimum security, female offenders (approximately 250), P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301. First BOP female inmates attending community college as of January 2025.

LA-area inmates frequently designated to Victorville due to proximity, multiple security levels, and location within Central California judicial district. Call 603-342-4000 to confirm visiting schedules before traveling.

Related Resource: USP/FCI Victorville

Federal Correctional Complex Lompoc

Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA
Distance: 148-175 miles northwest of LA (2.5-3 hours)

Lompoc complex includes multiple facilities serving LA-area inmates, particularly those with lower security classifications or needing specialized programs.

FCI Lompoc (Low Security): 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, male offenders, offers RDAP, vocational training in landscape technology.

FCI Lompoc II (Low Security): Male offenders with satellite camp.

USP Lompoc: 3901 Klein Boulevard, Lompoc, CA 93436, medium security (despite USP designation), male offenders, 11 housing units, UNICOR electronics/plastics facility. Does not offer RDAP.

Satellite Prison Camps: Two minimum-security camps at complex (USP Lompoc Camp at 3705 West Farm Road).

General inquiry phone: 603-342-4000. Confirm visiting schedules before departure. Complex adjacent to Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Related Resource: FCI Lompoc

Additional Southern California Facilities

FCI Mendota: Mendota, Fresno County, 220-250 miles north of LA, medium security, male offenders. Eastern District of California jurisdiction.

Related Resource: FCI Mendota

FCI Phoenix (Arizona): Phoenix, AZ, 375 miles east (6 hours), (623) 465-9757, medium security with satellite camp, male offenders. Visiting Saturday/Sunday/Monday/federal holidays 8:00 AM-3:00 PM.

FCC Tucson (Arizona): Tucson, AZ, 480 miles east, includes USP Tucson (high security with only high-security Sex Offender Management Program in BOP) and FCI Tucson (medium security).

LA-area inmates may be designated to these facilities based on security level, program needs, or bed availability.

Locating Federal Inmates

BOP Inmate Locator: www.bop.gov/inmateloc

This database updates daily and contains all federal inmates from 1982-present. Search by name or eight-digit register number. The locator provides name, register number, age, race, sex, release date, and current location.

Location Status Meanings:

Facility name: Current location
“IN TRANSIT”: Being moved between facilities
“RELEASED”: No longer in BOP custody
“Regional Office”: Serving concurrent state sentence in state prison
“Community Corrections Management”: In contract halfway house

Release Date Notations:

Date shown: Projected release if sentenced
“UNKNOWN”: Pretrial, not yet sentenced, or civil commitment

BOP holds only federal inmates—those convicted of violating federal laws. The bureau has no information about state or county inmates. For pre-1982 records, contact National Archives Records Administration.

Contact for Locator Issues:
Federal Bureau of Prisons, Attn: Inmate Locator
320 First St. NW, Washington, DC 20534

Visiting Approval Process

Federal visiting requires advance approval through background checks. Processing typically takes 2-6 weeks.

Step 1: Inmate receives Visitor Information Form (BP-A0629) upon facility arrival, completes their portion, mails to potential visitors.

Step 2: Potential visitor completes form with full name, address, date of birth, phone, relationship to inmate, Social Security Number (optional but recommended), criminal history disclosure, background check authorization.

Step 3: Return completed form to inmate’s facility address.

Step 4: BOP conducts background checks—especially at administrative and higher security facilities. Checks include law enforcement databases and NCIC.

Step 5: Unit Team reviews application. Unit Manager approves or denies. Inmate notified of decision—inmate’s responsibility to inform visitor.

Maximum 20 visitors on approved list. Immediate family members documented in Pre-Sentence Report may be approved faster. Visitors denied if incomplete information submitted, prior criminal convictions without proper authorization, or background reveals security concerns.

All visitors 16+ must present valid government-issued photo ID: Driver’s license, state ID, military ID, passport, or U.S. government ID. Minors under 16 require adult accompaniment.

Inmates can modify visiting lists once monthly through Unit Team.

Trust Fund Deposits: Sending Money to Inmates

Critical: Wait until inmate physically arrives at BOP facility before sending money. Funds sent during U.S. Marshals custody may be lost.

Three approved methods—never send to facility address:

Method 1: MoneyGram ExpressPayment

Online: www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/paybills
Phone: 1-800-926-9400

Receive Code: 7932
Account Number: Eight-digit register number + last name (no spaces)—Example: 12345678DOE
Company Name: Federal Bureau of Prisons
City & State: Washington, DC
Beneficiary: Inmate’s full committed name
Maximum: $300 per transaction

Posts within 2-4 hours if sent 7 AM-9 PM EST; by 7 AM next morning if sent after 9 PM. Processed 7 days weekly including holidays.

Method 2: Western Union Quick Collect

Online: www.send2corrections.com
Phone: 1-800-634-3422 (option 2)
Mobile App: “Send2Corrections” (Apple/Google Play)

Account Number: Eight-digit register number + last name (no spaces)—Example: 12345678SMITH
Code City: FBOP, DC
Attention: Inmate’s full committed name

Same posting times as MoneyGram.

Method 3: U.S. Mail

Mailing Address:
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Inmate’s Full Committed Name
Eight-Digit Register Number
P.O. Box 474701
Des Moines, IA 50947-0001

Acceptable only: Money orders, U.S. government checks, certified/cashier’s checks, bank drafts.
Not accepted: Cash, personal checks.

Write inmate’s name and register number on money order AND envelope. Include return address. Processing holds: 15 days for non-U.S. postal money orders, 45 days for foreign instruments.

Commissary spending limit: $360 monthly (excluding special purchases).
Contact BOP Trust Fund: (202) 307-2712, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM ET weekdays.

Communication with Federal Inmates

Phone System

Rates (effective January 1, 2025): $0.06/minute audio calls, $0.16/minute video calls—FCC-mandated rates.

Monthly limits: 300 minutes standard; additional 100 minutes November/December. First Step Act participants receive 300 free minutes monthly; others pay from commissary accounts. Individual calls limited to 15 minutes.

All calls monitored and recorded except attorney calls under proper procedures. Notice posted at phones. No three-way calling, call forwarding, or conference calls permitted.

Inmates establish approved phone list (maximum 30 numbers) during admission. Calls funded through commissary account using prepaid system. Provider: Value Added Communications (VAC). For prepaid accounts: domestic 1-800-913-6097, international 00+1-972-535-0549.

Beware phone scams: BOP never calls families requesting money. Report scams to Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357.

TRULINCS Email System

Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System enables electronic messaging through www.corrlinks.com. Available at all BOP-operated facilities (not contract facilities).

Setup Process: Inmate adds contact to approved list (maximum 30). After staff approval, automated invitation sent to contact’s email. Contact accepts invitation within 10 days (can be re-sent). Both parties consent to monitoring.

Features: Text-only messages (no attachments), 13,000-character maximum (approximately 2 pages), all messages monitored and screened. Inmates pay small fees from commissary; free for families. No internet access for inmates—closed system.

Check spam folders if invitation not received. CorrLinks support available at website.

Mail Procedures

General mail: All incoming mail opened and inspected. Maximum size 8″ x 10″. No limit on page count.

Can send: Letters on plain white paper, photos on plain white or photo paper (no Polaroids).

Cannot send: Cash, personal checks, food, cosmetics, stationery, envelopes with metal clasps, stamps, obscene materials, business correspondence.

Special mail (legal mail): From attorneys, marked properly, opened only in inmate’s presence, contents privileged.

Publications: Books, magazines, newspapers must come directly from publisher or approved vendor—not from individuals.

Address Format:
Inmate’s Full Name & Register Number
Facility Name
P.O. Box [facility-specific]
City, State ZIP

Federal Sentencing and Designation

Upon sentencing, Bureau of Prisons—not the court—determines where offenders serve time. Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC) in Grand Prairie, Texas makes all placement decisions. Families and inmates cannot contact DSCC directly.

Timeline Expectations

After sentencing, inmates remain in U.S. Marshals custody 3-8 weeks during processing. DSCC receives documents from court, probation office, and marshals. Within 3 days of receiving complete documentation, DSCC completes initial security classification and designation (longer if medical review needed).

Security Classification Determines Custody Level

Minimum Security (Federal Prison Camps): Dormitory housing, limited perimeter fencing, lowest staff ratios, nonviolent offenders with less than 10 years remaining.

Low Security (FCIs): Double-fenced perimeters, mostly cubicle housing, moderate supervision.

Medium Security (FCIs): Reinforced double fencing, cell housing, stronger security.

High Security (USPs): Secured perimeters with walls or reinforced fences, multiple guard towers, highest staff-to-inmate ratios, close control.

Administrative: Special missions including pretrial detention (MDC/FDC), medical facilities, extremely dangerous inmates (ADX Florence).

Designation Factors

Security needs matching custody classification, medical/mental health care level, program needs (substance abuse treatment, education), proximity to release residence (goal: within 500 miles but not guaranteed), bed space availability, judicial recommendations (considered but not binding), separation needs, victim/witness protection.

No specific designation timeline. Depends on receipt of all sentencing documents and evaluation complexity. Check Inmate Locator daily.

Transfer Process and Family Notification

BOP transfers inmates for security, programming, medical treatment, proximity to home, bed space management, or separation needs. Unit Teams initiate transfer requests; DSCC evaluates and approves.

Critical: BOP does not routinely notify families of facility-to-facility transfers. Inmates may receive little advance notice due to security requirements. Pending transfer sites and dates not disclosed to anyone—even with inmate authorization.

Track Transfers: Check Inmate Locator daily. “IN TRANSIT” status shown during moves. Money in trust fund travels with inmate automatically. Visiting lists must be reprocessed at new facilities. Phone lists typically transfer but verify. Mail sent to old address forwards temporarily.

Victim Notification System (VNS): Registered crime victims receive notifications of furloughs, halfway house transfers (3-6 months pre-release), release, and death. Call 1-866-365-4986. Families not automatically enrolled—only registered victims/witnesses.

Residential Reentry Centers (halfway houses): Pre-release custody placement typically 3-6 months before final release (up to 12 months under First Step Act). Located near projected release area.

What Families Should Do Immediately

Within 24-48 Hours of Sentencing

Check BOP Inmate Locator daily at www.bop.gov/inmateloc. Register number (eight digits) assigned and appears in system within days to weeks. Record full legal name (no nicknames), date of birth, case number, sentencing date.

During Designation Period (Weeks 1-6)

Gather contact information for visiting/phone/email lists: full names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers for up to 30 people. Immediate family members documented in Pre-Sentence Report may visit before formal approval.

Do not send money until inmate physically arrives at BOP facility—not during U.S. Marshals custody. Verify location in Inmate Locator first.

Once Location Known

Find facility information at www.bop.gov/locations. Review facility’s visiting regulations, mail procedures, phone policies, and institutional handbook. Start writing letters immediately using proper address format with register number. Wait for inmate’s first phone call (typically within 3-7 days of facility arrival).

Begin visiting approval process by completing BP-A0629 form when inmate sends it. Processing takes 2-6 weeks. Plan first visit only after approval confirmed.

For TRULINCS email: Wait for invitation from CorrLinks after inmate adds you to approved contact list and staff approves. Accept invitation within 10-day validity period.

Key Differences from State and County Systems

Geographic Distance: Federal facilities nationwide—inmates often placed hundreds of miles from home. State inmates typically remain within state. Transfers between federal facilities more common.

Jurisdiction: Federal inmates violated U.S. Code. Common offenses: drug trafficking (46%), weapons violations, white-collar crimes, immigration violations, fraud, counterfeiting. State inmates violated state laws—typically higher percentage of violent crimes.

Sentencing: Federal sentences generally longer with mandatory minimums. Good conduct time up to 54 days per year (roughly 85% time served). Federal parole abolished for offenses after November 1, 1987—supervised release follows prison term. Most states retain parole.

Communication: Federal system standardized nationwide. Phone rates FCC-regulated ($0.06/minute). TRULINCS email system uniform across BOP-operated facilities. Centralized money deposit system. State/county systems vary significantly by jurisdiction with different providers, rates, and procedures.

Inmate Locator: Federal system has centralized national database updated daily. State systems require checking each state’s separate database—no national system.

Visiting: Federal requires background checks with NCIC database searches. Standard approval process (BP-A0629 form). Minimum 4 hours monthly by law (most facilities provide more). No conjugal visits permitted. State procedures vary widely.

Designation: Centralized at DSCC. Standardized custody classification nationwide. State systems decentralized with state-specific classification.

Transfers: Federal families not routinely notified. Must check Inmate Locator to track movements. State notification policies vary.

Programs: Federal offers First Step Act Evidence-Based Recidivism Reduction programs with time credits toward early halfway house placement. Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) reduces sentences. Education and vocational training Department of Labor certified. Program availability varies widely in state systems.

Contact Information and Resources

Bureau of Prisons Central Office

320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534
Main: (202) 307-3198
Trust Fund Questions: (202) 307-2712 (8:00 AM-4:30 PM ET weekdays)
Website: www.bop.gov

Western Regional Office (Covers Southern California)

Family Support Email: BOP-RSD-SupportAndAdvocacy-S@bop.gov
Use this email for questions about loved ones in Western Region facilities including all Southern California federal prisons.

Key BOP Web Resources

Inmate Locator: www.bop.gov/inmateloc
Facility Information: www.bop.gov/locations
Visiting Information: www.bop.gov/inmates/visiting.jsp
Communications: www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp
Policy Statements: www.bop.gov/policy

CorrLinks (TRULINCS email): www.corrlinks.com

Money Transfer Services

Western Union: 1-800-634-3422 (option 2), www.send2corrections.com
MoneyGram: 1-800-926-9400, www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/paybills

Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC)

Email: GRA-DSC/PolicyCorrespondence&AdminRemedies@bop.gov
Note: Does not provide specific pending designation information for security reasons.

Family Advocacy Organizations

FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums): www.famm.org—Sentencing reform, family support, inmate communication via CorrLinks.

Prison Fellowship: www.prisonfellowship.org, 1-800-552-6435—Christian-based support, Angel Tree program for children of incarcerated parents.

National Resource Center on Children & Families of the Incarcerated (Rutgers): nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu—Directory of programs nationally, resources for children.

National Re-Entry Resource Center: csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc—Primary source for re-entry information, housing, employment, benefits eligibility.

Victim Notification System: 1-866-365-4986 for registered crime victims to receive notifications.

Legal Resources

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL): “How to Navigate the Federal Prison System” comprehensive guide available at www.nacdl.org.

Federal Public Defender Directory: www.fd.org

Important Reminders

Verify current information. Facility policies update periodically. Call facilities directly before traveling for visits. Review facility-specific institutional supplements on BOP website.

Patience required. Federal system moves slowly. Designation, visiting approval, and transfer timelines uncertain. Most processes take longer than expected.

Security restrictions. Families cannot receive information about pending transfers, transport dates, or designation decisions for security reasons. Check Inmate Locator daily for location updates.

Documentation. Keep copies of all court documents, money transfer receipts, visiting approvals, correspondence. Record register number accurately—required for all transactions.

Communication monitoring. All phone calls recorded (except attorney calls). All email messages screened. All general mail inspected. Content can result in disciplinary action.

No contact during transport. Expect communication gaps when inmates move between facilities. Phone access unavailable during transit. Mail forwards to new facility.

Western Region family support available. Contact BOP-RSD-SupportAndAdvocacy-S@bop.gov for questions about Southern California facilities.

Federal custody presents unique challenges for families—long distances, strict procedures, extended timelines. Understanding the system, maintaining regular communication within BOP rules, and utilizing available resources helps families support loved ones effectively while they serve federal sentences.

Published October 3, 2025.