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.
BOP makes designation decisions in a nationwide system. Under 18 U.S.C. 3621(b), placement should be as close as practicable to the person’s primary residence and, where practicable, within 500 driving miles, subject to beds, security, program and health needs and other statutory factors. A local sentence does not guarantee a local institution.
Understanding the Federal System
BOP has nationwide institutions with national policies and facility-specific supplements. Confirm the actual facility and current visiting, mail and deposit instructions.
Designation Delays
Designation and transport timing vary. A sentenced person may remain in U.S. Marshals custody while records are processed and BOP makes placement arrangements. Pending transport details may be restricted; the public locator does not provide a guaranteed future itinerary.
Federal Sentences Run Longer
Qualifying federal sentences of more than one year, other than life, may earn up to 54 days of good-conduct time per year of the sentence imposed. First Step Act earned time credits are separate and depend on eligibility, participation and application rules. Do not treat “85%” as a universal release calculation. Federal parole was generally abolished for offenses committed after November 1, 1987.
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 is an administrative detention facility in downtown Los Angeles. It holds people in differing case and custody stages; a person’s court appearance or pending transfer does not itself establish eligibility for release.
Mailing Address:
Inmate Name & Register Number
MDC Los Angeles, Metropolitan Detention Center
P.O. Box 1500
Los Angeles, CA 90053
Visiting Schedule
Use the current institution visiting supplement and confirm approval, the housing-unit schedule and any restrictions before traveling.
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
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
Use the current institution visiting supplement and confirm approval, the housing-unit schedule and any restrictions before traveling.
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, (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, (760) 530-5700, P.O. Box 3850, Adelanto, CA 92301.
The Victorville complex includes a women’s camp. BOP’s April 2025 report describes female residents attending community college. Confirm the current camp-mail and visiting destination instead of copying another unit’s P.O. box.
The Victorville complex has separate USP, Medium I, Medium II and camp designations. Confirm the correct institution and use its current phone number and visiting instructions in the official BOP directory.
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 I: 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436; 805-736-4154. It is a separate institution from FCI Lompoc II.
FCI Lompoc II: 3901 Klein Boulevard, Lompoc, CA 93436; 805-735-2771. Confirm its current designation and camp placement in the BOP locator.
Older references to USP Lompoc should be matched to the current FCI Lompoc II designation. Do not count the old and new names as separate active prisons.
Camp housing has its own institution designation and correspondence rules. Match the locator entry to the current BOP facility instructions before mailing.
For Lompoc I call 805-736-4154; for Lompoc II call 805-735-2771. Confirm the institution name before asking about visiting or correspondence.
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. Confirm the current official visiting supplement.
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 generally requires advance approval and a background review. Processing times vary; do not travel until authorization and the facility’s current schedule are confirmed.
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
Before sending funds, verify the person has reached a BOP institution and follow the BOP deposit process. U.S. Marshals detention or a contract facility may use a different process.
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
- Check the current payment vendor’s transaction limit, fee and identifying-information requirements before sending funds.
Electronic deposit posting depends on the vendor, submission time and processing status. Check the vendor’s current terms and confirmation before relying on funds being available.
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 the person’s name and register number on the money order and envelope and include a return address. Use the current BOP national lockbox instructions. BOP may place a hold on certain instruments; a mailed deposit is not an immediate transfer.
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.
Call access, limits, charges and any free-call eligibility depend on current BOP policy and the person’s status. Ordinary personal calls are monitored; approved confidential attorney communication uses a separate process.
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.
Setup process: The incarcerated person requests approval for an electronic messaging contact. The contact receives an invitation and must accept the terms and monitoring notice. Follow the current invitation instructions; a contact request is not approved automatically.
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: The incarcerated person requests approval for an electronic messaging contact. The contact receives an invitation and must accept the terms and monitoring notice. Follow the current invitation instructions; a contact request is not approved automatically.
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
The sentencing court may recommend placement, but BOP makes the designation under the statutory factors. Address placement questions through the appropriate BOP contact or counsel; families cannot select a prison or obtain restricted transport details by calling a local facility.
Timeline Expectations
Designation and transport timing vary. A sentenced person may remain in U.S. Marshals custody while records are processed and BOP makes placement arrangements. Pending transport details may be restricted; the public locator does not provide a guaranteed future itinerary.
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.
Prerelease placement and First Step Act credits have different statutory requirements. Residential reentry center or home-confinement eligibility does not guarantee a particular placement date or shorten every sentence.
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 BOP’s institution directory. Review its visiting regulations, mail rules and handbook. Use the correct name, register number and mailing address. Phone access after arrival depends on intake, account approval and local conditions; do not rely on a fixed first-call date.
Complete the current BOP visiting form when the person and facility instruct you to do so. Wait for approval and check the current schedule before departure.
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: The judgment, prior-custody credit, good-conduct time and any eligible earned time credits affect the person’s calculation. A federal sentence is not governed by county bail or CDCR credit rules.
Communication: National BOP policies are supplemented by facility procedures. TRULINCS text messaging is separate from the telephone system. Check current call access and charges instead of assuming a universal six-cent rate.
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.
Related Los Angeles Area Detention and Correctional Facilities
- Century Regional Detention Facility
- California Institution for Men (CIM), Chino
- California Institution for Women (CIW), Chino
- Inmate Reception Center (IRC)
- California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), Lancaster
- Men’s Central Jail
- Pitchess Detention Center
- Twin Towers Correctional Facility
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)
Use BOP’s current contact directory and the institution’s family-contact instructions. For a case deadline or legal issue, notify counsel separately; an administrative inquiry is not a court filing.
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)
For designation or policy questions, use the current BOP contact directory and the person’s attorney. Pending transport and designation information may be restricted.
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.
Use BOP’s current contact directory and the institution’s family-contact instructions. For a case deadline or legal issue, notify counsel separately; an administrative inquiry is not a court filing.
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.
Direct links for every federal facility covered
| Facility | Detailed guide and official source |
|---|---|
| MDC Los Angeles | MDC family guide; BOP MDC |
| Terminal Island | BOP Terminal Island |
| Victorville | Victorville family guide; USP, Medium I, Medium II |
| Lompoc | Lompoc family guide; BOP contact directory |
| Mendota | Mendota family guide; BOP Mendota |
| Phoenix | BOP institution directory; select FCI Phoenix. |
| Tucson | BOP institution directory; select the USP or FCI Tucson entry. |
Which record answers your question?
| Record | Use |
|---|---|
| Court docket and bond order | Pending charges, hearing dates, required release conditions and payment documents. |
| BOP locator | Public custody location and identifying information; pending transport and every court event may not appear. |
| Institution visiting supplement | Current social-visit approval, identification, unit schedule and property rules. |
| BOP trust-fund instructions | Deposit method, committed name and register number. Personal mail goes to the institution; mailed funds go to national processing. |
Primary sources: 18 U.S.C. 3621(b), First Step Act FAQ, communication and trust funds and Central District bond postings. Information checked October 10, 2026.