Estill Federal Correctional Institution

Estill Federal Correctional Institution is a medium security institution that also contains a nearby minimum security satellite camp on the lot. FCI Estill is located in Estill of Hampton County, South Carolina. The prison is home to about 1,218 male prisoners. Although the FCI has a recommended capacity of 768, the FCI currently holds about 930 offenders. The Camp has around 288 offenders even though the Camp was originally designed to hold just 256 prisoners. The whole facility, including the satellite camp as well, contains 26 buildings which are all constructed out of concrete/masonry. There is a warehouse and Garage, Landscape, and Central Plant (GLCP) located outside the secured section of the prison, however, these buildings are still part of the institution. The FCI has 4 housing units available to the prisoners. Each of these housing units are split into 2 wings. The Camp has 2 housing units, which also each have 2 wings. The Special Housing Unit is located at the institution.

The FCI houses all kinds of criminals, but specializes in the housing of felons who have committed crimes that involve forms of violence. The satellite camp houses prisoners who have not been involved with violent crimes in the past. Some of the 26 buildings at the facility include: a staff training and wellness center, warehouses, a powerhouse and garage, a landscaping facility, and a firing range. The whole prison takes up 250 acres of land.

Estill Federal Correctional Institution has been exposed to several incidents in the past. In 2005, one of the FCI's former correction officers was sentenced to prison after being charged with possession of heroin and the intent to distribute the illegal substance to inmates. After an investigation, it was discovered that the officer was planning to provide one of Estill's prisoners with 5 pounds of heroin because in return the inmate agreed to pay him $100,000. In November of 2009, two inmates at the FCI were involved in a serious quarrel over a game of cards. The 41 year old inmate, Ernesto A. Martin, stabbed the other inmate several times during the card game dispute. As a result, Martin was transferred to Coleman United States Penitentiary for assault and the attempt to murder the other prisoner. A fight broke out in the facility again on May 26, 2011. This fight was much larger than any previous fights at the facility. 9 offenders were transported to the hospital and 2 had severe injuries. Paramedics set up at the prison to treat another 50 prisoners who also faced injuries. Reports from the scene revealed that inmates were beaten with shovels, hoes, and rakes, which led to major injuries such as broken bones.

Visiting Hours at Estill Federal Correctional Institution:

Visiting is organized on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays for the FCI and the Camp. Visitors are welcome from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Fridays. The visiting hours on weekends and holidays are from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
One must be on the prisoner's approved visiting list in order to be an authorized visitor.
Each offender can have up to 4 visitors at a time. This number excludes visitors under 16 years of age.
Visits will be terminated as overcrowding occurs. Visit termination will start to occur as the number of people in the visiting area reaches 218.
Visitors must arrive by 8:00 P.M. on Fridays and by 2:00 P.M. on weekends/holidays.
All visitors 16 years of age and older must provide proper photo identification in order to enter the visiting area.
The following items are the only items allowed into the facility:
- Small, clear change purse/wallet
- Up to $25, in no larger than $5 denominations
- Photo identification
- Necessary medications
- Infant necessities - 5 diapers, baby wipes in a clear plastic bag, 1 change of clothing, 1 infant knit hat, 3 pre-mixed baby bottles, 3 unopened plastic jars of baby food, 1 receiving blanket, 1 plastic spoon, 1 clear plastic sippy cup
Physical contact for the duration of the visit is limited to a brief embrace at the beginning and end of each visit.

Physical Address:

Estill Federal Correctional Institution
100 Prison Road
Estill, South Carolina 29918

Telephone:

(803)-625-4607

Inmate Mailing Address:

Mailing address for inmates at the FCI:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Estill Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 699
Estill, South Carolina 29918

Mailing address for inmates at the Camp:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Estill Federal Correctional Institution Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 699
Estill, South Carolina 29918