Metropolitan Correctional Center, Chicago

You can support your loved ones at MCC Chicago on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 312-322-0567.

When a loved one is in federal prison, they need more than just visits or calls due to their generally longer sentences. This webpage offers insights into MCC Chicago procedures, helping you provide the best support possible. From sending magazines to exploring distance learning options, this guide has all you need to assist your loved one effectively.

The Metropolitan Correctional Center, Chicago (MCC Chicago), stands as a pinnacle of federal prison architecture, housing both male and female inmates across all custody levels awaiting court proceedings or serving short sentences in the Northern District of Illinois. As a maximum-security facility, it operates under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, ensuring strict adherence to federal regulations and standards.

One of the striking features that distinguishes MCC Chicago from other federal prisons is its unique design. The building, shaped like a right triangle, extends 28 stories into the sky, with each cell equipped with a slit window measuring 5 inches wide by 7 feet long. This geometric marvel also boasts a rooftop exercise yard, accessible every other day for two-hour intervals, providing inmates with vital outdoor recreation opportunities. Additionally, access to the gym is granted once or twice a week, promoting physical well-being and fitness among the incarcerated population. The library, a sanctuary of knowledge and entertainment, offers inmates access to books and movies twice weekly, fostering intellectual stimulation and leisure activities.

Notable inmates who have passed through the walls of MCC Chicago include high-ranking members of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, Alfredo Vasquez-Hernandez and Tomas Arevalo-Renteria. Charged with supplying Chicago with staggering quantities of cocaine, their presence underscores the facility's significance in combating organized crime. The list of inmates also includes individuals like Kevin Trudeau, an author and infomercial personality, and Thomas Zajac convicted for detonating a pipe bomb at the Salt Lake City Public Library. Even Piper Kerman, the author of "Orange Is the New Black," experienced the final stages of her prison sentence within MCC Chicago's confines.

However, MCC Chicago's history is not devoid of security breaches. In December 2012, convicted bank robbers Kenneth Conley and Joseph "Jose" Banks executed a daring escape, rappelling down the prison's exterior using a makeshift rope crafted from bedsheets. Their successful breakout, the first from a secure federal correctional facility in years, highlighted vulnerabilities in the prison's security protocols. Despite their initial evasion, both escapees were swiftly recaptured by the FBI and subsequently transferred to Florence ADX, the infamous supermax facility in Colorado.

Within MCC Chicago, inmates are housed in a combination of cells and dormitories, ensuring varied living arrangements suited to different security needs. The Health Services Unit offers comprehensive medical care, including dental services, laboratory testing, and preventive health screenings. Psychology services are also available, encompassing evaluations, group therapy sessions, and emergency psychological care when needed.

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 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.

Educational opportunities abound within MCC Chicago, with programs ranging from literacy and GED classes to ESL instruction and parenting courses. Inmates also have access to a well-stocked library, equipped with legal materials and leisure reading materials. Commissary services provide inmates with essential items and snacks, fostering a sense of autonomy and personal responsibility.

Recreation remains a cornerstone of life at MCC Chicago, with recreational equipment available in housing units and scheduled activities to promote physical fitness and well-being. Hobby craft classes offer inmates the chance to engage in creative pursuits, fostering a sense of accomplishment and skill development.

In sum, MCC Chicago stands as a bastion of justice and rehabilitation, offering a blend of security, amenities, and programs aimed at fostering the well-being and eventual reintegration of its diverse inmate population into society.