Federal Detention Center, SeaTac

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Last Updated: July 09, 2024
Address
2425 S 200th St, Seattle, WA 98198
Beds
900
County
King
Phone
206-870-5700
Fax
206-870-5717
Email
set-execassistant-s@bop.gov
Mailing Address
PO Box 13900, Seattle, WA 98198

FDC SeaTac 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 maximum (FDC) 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 Federal Detention Center, SeaTac

You can support your loved ones at FDC SeaTac on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 206-870-5700.

FDC SeaTac, located in Seattle, Washington, 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 Detention Center, SeaTac (FDC SeaTac), managed by the BOP, serves as an administrative-security prison catering to a diverse population of male and female inmates. This includes those who have been sentenced, individuals awaiting trial, detainees pending immigration proceedings, and holdover inmates. Noteworthy personalities housed at FDC SeaTac have included Colton Harris-Moore, famously known as the "Barefoot Bandit," and Clayton Roueche, a prominent figure associated with the United Nations gang.

Within the facility, comprehensive medical and dental services are provided, encompassing routine care, emergency medical attention available around the clock, and specialized treatments such as dentures and partials. The psychological well-being of inmates is also addressed through a range of services, including crisis intervention, individual counseling sessions, and group therapy sessions focusing on anger management, stress coping mechanisms, and trauma recovery for vulnerable populations like female inmates with histories of abuse.

Although FDC SeaTac doesn't host a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), inmates have access to educational resources such as drug education classes and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP). Furthermore, educational opportunities extend to GED and ESL programs, empowering inmates to enhance their academic qualifications. Access to legal materials through the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library ensures that inmates can pursue legal research and prepare their defense effectively.

Women in prison are often the primary or sole caregivers of children before incarceration. For offenders who will give birth during their incarceration, there are two programs offered to assist these mothers before, during, and after childbirth; these include Mothers and Infants Together (MINT) and the Residential Parenting Program (RPP). The MINT Program is a community residential program that aims to assist offenders during the last two months of pregnancy. Eligible inmates are transferred to a Residential Reentry Center and remain there for up to three months after birth to bond with their children before returning to the institution to complete their sentence. Inmates may be permitted to stay longer. The Program Statement, Female Offender Manual, is the agency's primary policy addressing the management of incarcerated women. The agency also issued an Operations Memorandum requiring all female sites to provide five types of feminine hygiene products to inmates free of charge.

FDC SeaTac operates a commissary that provides numerous items for inmate purchase. Inmates are not limited to the amount of money they may spend at any one time, but may not spend more than $360.00 per month. Inmates are permitted to shop once a week on their designated shopping day where inmates can purchase various items, adhering to a monthly spending limit. Here is a list and prices of items sold at the commissary in FDC SeaTac. Recreational activities are integral to the facility's programming, offering a diverse array of options including aerobics, hobby crafts, and wellness programs, both indoors and outdoors. Special events and tournaments are organized on federal holidays, fostering a sense of community and engagement among the inmate population. In summary, FDC SeaTac not only fulfills its administrative and security functions but also endeavors to provide holistic care and support to its diverse inmate population through a range of educational, medical, psychological, and recreational services.

Medical and dental sick call, physical examinations, chest x-rays, TB tests, medications, chronic care, urgent medical and dental care, routine care, and dentures and partials are all provided at FDC SeaTac. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day.

Psychology services at FDC SeaTac include crisis intervention, suicide prevention, brief individual counseling, bibliotherapy (self-help reading material), medication referrals, and forensic evaluations (for applicable inmates). Group counseling services are also periodically available for designated inmates. Groups have been offered in anger management, stress management, coping skills, and dealing with trauma (which includes female inmates with histories of physical and/or sexual abuse).

Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP): FDC SeaTac does not house a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), but referrals can be made to institutions which do provide RDAP. The facility does provide a Drug Education Class and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP).

FDC Seatac provides GED and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) programs. High school diplomas and post-secondary programs are available through paid correspondence programs. The Education Department maintains a mobile leisure book cart in all housing units, including the Special Housing Unit (SHU). The carts are rotated bi-weekly. The Education Department also provides a wide variety of magazines and newspapers (English and Spanish) that are distributed to the units. The law library is contained in an electronic law database accessible via computer workstations in each unit. Most legal materials can be located by performing a search on the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library database.

Recreation Services: Indoor and outdoor activities are available, including aerobics, ping pong, hobby craft classes, chess club/chess class, wellness and nutrition programs, screenwriting class, movies, and abs class. There are 10 federal holidays in which additional activities are offered. During these specific holidays, special tournaments are held (e.g., bingo, card tournaments, pool, ping pong, basketball, and volleyball).

Admissions and Orientation (A&O) Handbook - This document provides you with general information about the institution, programs, rules, and regulations that you will encounter during your confinement. Familiarizing yourself with this information and knowing your responsibilities will help you to adjust to institutional life.

Inmate Locator

Federal Detention Center, SeaTac 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

SeaTac - Visiting Hours

  • Monday 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Friday 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Saturday 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
  • Sunday 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
  • Holidays 7:30 am – 2:30 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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