MI DOC - Chippewa Correctional Facility (URF)

You can support your loved ones at URF on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 906-495-2275.

Located at 4269 W M-80 in Kincheloe, MI, URF carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. URF offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on MI DOC - Chippewa Correctional Facility (URF) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Established in 1989, the URF stands as a robust correctional institution catering exclusively to male offenders aged 18 and older. The facility is divided into two sections: the East and West sides, each equipped to accommodate prisoners across varying security levels.

The East side boasts three Level II housing units, each with 240 beds, offering a structured environment for prisoners. Additionally, there's a Level IV housing unit with 192 beds, a Level I unit accommodating 120 individuals, a segregation unit with 96 beds, and a 22-bed detention unit. On the West side, which was formerly the Straits Correctional Facility, dormitory-style Level II housing is available, comprising eight housing units with 140 beds each. The facility infrastructure includes essential components such as an administration building, maintenance department, and warehouse. Furthermore, health care, food service, and program/school facilities are strategically located on both the East and West sides of the institution.

Programming at Chippewa Correctional is comprehensive, encompassing academic and vocational instruction, work assignments, access to general and law library services, group counseling, substance abuse treatment, horticulture, recreational and religious programs, and cognitive behavior restructuring initiatives. The facility prides itself on offering a diverse range of self-help programs, including AA/NA meetings, Substance Abuse (Phase II) counseling, and cognitive restructuring programs such as Thinking for a Change and Violence Prevention, aiding prisoners in managing anger and making informed decisions. Moreover, Chippewa collaborates with Michigan Leader Dogs for the Blind, where trained prisoners raise and train puppies destined to become guide dogs for visually impaired individuals, embodying the rehabilitative nature of animal care.

The religious diversity of the prison population is recognized and accommodated, with provisions made for various faiths. Leisure activities play a vital role in promoting engagement and personal development among prisoners, offering opportunities for recreation, hobby crafting, music, writing, poetry, and art programs.

Prisoners at URF receive comprehensive on-site medical, dental, and mental health care. While routine medical needs are addressed within the facility, serious issues are referred to the department's Duane L. Waters Health Care facility in Jackson, and emergencies are promptly directed to local hospitals.

Security measures at Chippewa Correctional Facility are stringent, with a perimeter fortified by a double chain-link fence equipped with sensor alarms, concertina wire, security cameras, and a response vehicle. These measures underscore the facility's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both prisoners and staff within its confines.