McDowell Federal Correctional Institution

McDowell Federal Correctional Institution is a medium security institution that opened in 2010.  The prison also has a minimum security prison camp located near the FCI.  The prison can be found in McDowell, West Virginia on a 344 acre lot.  The institution is actually located on land that used to be a surface mine.  FCI McDowell holds only male offenders, with a current inmate population of 1,280 inmates.  Of the total inmate population, 1,213 inmates are incarcerated at the FCI and 67 at the camp.  Although the prison currently has only 1,280 inmates, the institution was designed to hold a maximum of 1,854 offenders.  The FCI has 1,726 beds for inmates, while the camp has 128 beds.  The FCI has 3 housing units for the general population.  These housing units are divided into two wings that are two-story.  These 3 housing units are composed of two-person cells.  In addition to general housing units, the FCI also has a Special Housing Unit.  The satellite camp has just one unit for housing, which follows a dormitory style housing unit.  

At FCI McDowell, prisoners are given many opportunities to better themselves and work towards a law abiding lifestyle.  Both the institution and camp offer a variety of education courses.  Education courses include the General Education Development, English as a Second Language, Special Learning Needs, and vocational training.  Vocational courses include carpentry, masonry, and electric.  These vocational courses are run by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and give inmates an opportunity to experience hours of live work.  In addition to educational programs, FCI McDowell also has numerous recreation programs available.  Inmates who participate in recreation will experience activities such as team sports, arts and crafts, music, and religious services.  

Visiting Hours at McDowell Federal Correctional Institution:

• Visits to the institution of FCI McDowell will take place on Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  Visits to the camp will occur on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
• Visitors must come by 2:00 P.M. otherwise they will not be processed for visitation. 
• For inmates in the Special Housing Unit, visitation will occur on Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays from 8:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M. as well as 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
• Outdoor visitation is permitted at the satellite camp.
• An offender can have up to 5 visitors at once, exclusive of infants.  
• The FCI visiting room has a maximum capacity of 298 people, while the camp visiting area can hold up to 117 people.  As the visiting room crowds, visits will be terminated.
• Physical contact is permitted at the beginning and termination of each visit, however this physical contact must be under good taste.
• Food or drink may not be brought into the facility.  Vending machines are available to provide visitors with refreshments. 
• Visitors may bring the following items into the facility:
  • Small, clear plastic bag no larger than 8" x 12"
  • Up to $20.00 in one-dollar bill denominations
  • Photo identification
  • Life supporting medications
• Visitors may bring the following infant care items into the facility:
  • 2 diapers
  • 1 unopened package of baby wipes
  • 1 change of clothing
  • 2 clear baby bottles
  • 1 container of sealed baby formula
  • 2 unopened jars of baby food
  • 1 receiving blanket
  • 1 clear drinking cup

Physical Address:

McDowell Federal Correctional Institution
101 Federal Drive 
Welch, West Virginia 24801

Telephone:

(304)-436-7300

Inmate Mailing Address:

For the FCI:

Inmate Name, ID Number
McDowell Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 1009
Welch, West Virginia 24801

For the Camp:

Inmate Name, ID Number
McDowell Federal Correctional Institution Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 1009
Welch, West Virginia 24801