FCI Petersburg Low and Satellite Camp

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Last Updated: March 18, 2024
Address
1100 River Rd, Hopewell, VA 23860
Beds
1175
County
Prince George
Phone
804-733-7881
Fax
804-863-1510
Email
pet-execassistant-s@bop.gov
Mailing Address
PO Box 1000, Petersburg, VA 23804

FCI Petersburg Low 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 Low | 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 Petersburg Low and Satellite Camp

You can support your loved ones at FCI Petersburg Low on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 804-733-7881.

FCI Petersburg Low, located in Hopewell, 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, Petersburg Low (FCI Petersburg Low), situated in Virginia as part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex (FCC), houses low-security male inmates alongside a satellite prison camp for minimum-security offenders. Located in Prince George County, 25 miles southeast of Richmond, Virginia, it provides housing in dormitories or two-person cells within six housing units, with most lacking air conditioning.

Healthcare services at FCI Petersburg Low encompass sick calls, medications, medical and dental emergencies, routine dental care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, physical examinations, and mandatory HIV testing. Inmates request medical attention through a triage form.

Counseling and treatment groups, including stress and anger management, are offered quarterly. The Religious Services Department provides the Life Connections Program for inmates seeking personal growth. The facility houses a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) and offers various other drug abuse programs and support groups.

Educational opportunities cover GED, ESL, Adult Continuing Education (ACE), and parenting programs, with vocational training available in Carpentry, Machinist, and Masonry. Apprenticeships in various fields are also offered. The facility boasts a general library, an Inter-Library Loan Program, and access to legal materials through the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library.

UNICOR at FCI Petersburg Low aids in release preparation by providing inmates with marketable job skills. Inmates can use funds in their account for commissary purchases, phone accounts, TRU-Units, and other transactions. Recreation facilities include a gymnasium, outdoor pavilion, athletic fields, and various courts, with structured activities and hobby craft programs available.

Inmate Locator

FCI Petersburg Low 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

Petersburg Low and Camp Minimum - Visiting Hours

  • Friday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • 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

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