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Aerial view of USP McCreary
High SecurityUSPMale+ Satellite Camp

USP McCreary

Pine Knot, KY· MXR Region

Population1,462
BOP RegionMXR

About USP McCreary

United States Penitentiary McCreary (USP McCreary) is a high-security federal prison facility located in Pine Knot, Kentucky, in McCreary County. This male-only institution houses approximately 1,462 inmates, with 1,355 in the main penitentiary and an additional 107 inmates at the adjacent minimum-security satellite camp. As a high-security facility, USP McCreary serves individuals convicted of serious federal offenses who require a more controlled environment.

USP McCreary operates under the Bureau of Prisons' strict security protocols for high-security institutions. While specific program details are limited in available data, the facility provides the standard array of federal prison services including educational opportunities, vocational training, and recreational activities typical of BOP facilities. The institution does not currently offer the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), which may be a consideration for individuals seeking substance abuse treatment during their incarceration.

Located in southeastern Kentucky, USP McCreary may present travel challenges for some families due to its rural location, though the facility maintains standard BOP visiting procedures and communication systems. The institution can be contacted at 606-354-7000 or via email at MCR-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov for official inquiries. Prison Professors can help individuals and families prepare for the realities of serving time at USP McCreary, providing guidance on facility-specific procedures, communication strategies, and maintaining family connections during incarceration at this high-security institution.

Contact & Location

Mailing Address (Inmates)

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBERMcCrearyP.O. BOX 3000Pine Knot, KY 42635

Mailing Address (Staff)

McCreary330 FEDERAL WAYPine Knot, KY 42635
606-354-7000
606-354-7190(Fax)
MCR-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov

Do NOT send money to an inmate using this facility's address. All funds must be sent to the processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.

GPS: 36.685732, -84.390771

Population & Housing

Total population: 1,462

Programs & Education

Program information for this facility is being compiled.

Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)

RDAP Not Available

USP McCreary does not currently offer RDAP.

The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) is the Bureau of Prisons' most intensive substance-abuse treatment program. It is a 500-hour, unit-based program lasting 9 to 12 months, followed by community-based transitional treatment. Participants who successfully complete RDAP may be eligible for up to a 12-month reduction in their sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3621(e).

Facilities that do not offer RDAP may still provide the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP), a less intensive outpatient-style treatment, or the Drug Abuse Education (DAE) course, a shorter psychoeducational program. Both can help demonstrate progress toward rehabilitation but do not qualify for the same sentence reduction as RDAP.

Learn more about RDAPPreparing for RDAP? Start your profile

Medical Care

Medical care level information is being compiled.

Standard BOP Medical Services

Sick Call Process

Inmates request medical attention by submitting a cop-out (Inmate Request to Staff) or a sick call form, typically available in each housing unit. Sick call is held on scheduled mornings — a staff member triages requests and inmates are seen by mid-level providers or physicians based on need.

Emergency Care

All BOP facilities provide 24/7 emergency medical coverage. In a medical emergency, staff will initiate on-site treatment and arrange outside hospital transport if necessary. Inmates should notify any staff member immediately for emergencies.

Dental Services

Routine dental exams are provided on an annual basis, including cleanings and necessary X-rays. Emergency dental care — such as treatment for pain, infection, or trauma — is available on a priority basis. Elective procedures are limited and subject to approval.

Mental Health Services

Each facility has psychology staff who provide individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and mental health evaluations. Inmates can self-refer by submitting a cop-out to the Psychology Department. Inmates on psychiatric medications are monitored regularly.

Medications

Chronic care medications (e.g., blood pressure, insulin, psychiatric meds) are dispensed through a scheduled "pill line." Inmates must report at designated times to receive their medications. Over-the-counter medications are available through commissary; some may be prescribed at no cost.

Co-Pay Information

The BOP charges a $2.00 co-pay for inmate-initiated health care visits. Exemptions apply to follow-up visits requested by medical staff, emergency care, chronic care appointments, mental health contacts, preventive services, and prenatal care. Inmates with insufficient funds are not denied care.

Good to Know

Medical care quality and wait times vary by facility. Inmates with pre-existing conditions should bring documentation of their medical history, current medications, and treating physicians to assist with continuity of care during intake processing.

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Recreation

Standard BOP recreation information for a high-security facility. Actual offerings at USP McCreary may vary.

Outdoor Recreation

High-security facilities have smaller, enclosed recreation yards with controlled movement. Outdoor recreation time is limited to designated periods, and the yard may be closed during counts, inclement weather, or institutional lockdowns. Men are typically released to the yard by housing unit on a rotating schedule.

  • Walking track (within enclosed yard)
  • Basketball court
  • Handball wall
  • Limited pull-up/dip stations

Indoor Recreation

Fitness Equipment

  • Cable weight machines and resistance equipment
  • Stationary bikes and elliptical trainers
  • Stair-steppers

Note on free weights: The BOP removed free weights from most federal facilities in the mid-1990s. Today, the vast majority of facilities offer only cable machines, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercise stations — not free weights.

Activities

  • Table tennis
  • Card and board games
  • Pick-up basketball

Leisure Activities

  • Arts and crafts workshops
  • Hobby craft programs (leatherwork, painting, drawing, crochet)
  • Intramural sports leagues and tournaments
  • Holiday and special-event tournaments
  • Movie nights (typically weekends)

Leisure programming at high-security facilities is more limited and closely supervised. Participation typically requires clear conduct records.

Library

All federal facilities are required to provide access to a law library so that inmates can research legal matters and prepare court filings. Most facilities also maintain a leisure library with fiction, non-fiction, and reference materials.

  • Law library with legal reference materials
  • Access to electronic legal research tools
  • Leisure library (fiction, non-fiction, self-help)
  • Newspapers and magazine subscriptions
  • Interlibrary loan requests (at some facilities)
  • Typewriter or computer access for legal work

Recreation schedules are posted at each facility and vary by season, staffing levels, and institutional operations. Weekend and holiday schedules often differ from weekday routines. Check with USP McCreary's Recreation Department for the current schedule.

Work Assignments & UNICOR

Work Assignments

All medically able inmates at USP McCreary are required to work unless participating in a full-time education or vocational training program. Work assignments are made by the Unit Team based on institutional need, the inmate's skills and background, and current program participation.

Due to the higher security level, all work at USP McCreary is performed within the secure facility perimeter under direct staff supervision.

Common Work Assignments

Food Service
Facilities Maintenance (Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC)
Landscaping & Grounds
Orderly / Janitorial
Laundry
Education Tutor
Recreation Aide
Commissary
Chapel Orderly
Library Aide
Institutional Pay

Standard institutional work assignments pay between $0.12 and $0.40 per hour. Pay grades are determined by position and performance.

Work Performance

Good work performance is factored into program reviews and can positively affect custody classification, housing placement, and eligibility for preferred assignments.

UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries)

UNICOR, also known as Federal Prison Industries (FPI), is a wholly owned government corporation that operates manufacturing and service operations inside federal prisons. UNICOR provides inmates with job training and work experience in real-world industries while producing goods and services for federal agencies.

$0.23 – $1.15 per hour

UNICOR pays significantly more than standard institutional work assignments, making it one of the most sought-after jobs in the federal system.

Products & Services UNICOR May Produce

Furniture & cabinetry
Textiles & clothing
Electronics & cable assemblies
Fleet management & vehicular components
Call center services
Printing & bindery

Application & Waitlist

Inmates must apply for UNICOR positions and there is often a waitlist. Priority is generally given to inmates with court-ordered financial obligations and those nearing release.

Benefits of UNICOR Participation

UNICOR participation is viewed favorably by staff and can positively impact time credits under the First Step Act, custody level reviews, and halfway house recommendations.

UNICOR Availability

Not all federal facilities have UNICOR operations. Contact USP McCreary to confirm current UNICOR availability and operations.

First Step Act Time Credits

The First Step Act (FSA) allows eligible inmates to earn time credits toward early release or transfer to supervised release (halfway house or home confinement) through productive work assignments, educational programs, and vocational training.

10 – 15 days of credit per 30 days

Eligible inmates earn 10 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in Evidence-Based Recidivism Reduction (EBRR) programs or productive activities. Inmates assessed as minimum or low risk earn an enhanced rate of 15 days per 30-day period.

Work assignments — including institutional jobs and UNICOR — count as productive activities under the FSA. Combined with program participation, these credits can meaningfully reduce time served. Eligibility depends on factors including offense type, risk assessment score, and disciplinary record.

Learn More About the First Step Act

Commissary

Monthly Spending Limit

$360.00

Commissary Notes

Over-the-counter medications and postage stamps do not count against the monthly spending limit.

Good to Know

Over-the-counter medications and postage stamps do not count against the monthly spending limit. These items are tracked separately by the Bureau of Prisons.

How to Send Money

Friends and family can deposit funds into an inmate's commissary account through several methods:

  • MoneyGram — Available at retail locations nationwide. Use BOP Inmate Deposit code 7932.
  • Western Union — Send via online, phone, or in-person. Use BOP city code FBOP, DC.
  • U.S. Postal Money Order — Mail to the National Finance Center. Personal checks are not accepted.
  • Online via Trust Fund — Use the BOP's authorized deposit service at bop.gov.

All deposits are processed through the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Des Moines Finance Center. Allow 3–5 business days for funds to appear in the inmate's account.

Communication

Staying connected with a loved one at USP McCreary is important. The Bureau of Prisons offers several ways for inmates and their families to communicate, including email, telephone, traditional mail, and video visiting. Each method has its own rules, costs, and limitations — here is what you need to know.

TRULINCS Email

TRULINCS (Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System) is the BOP's electronic messaging system. It is the primary way inmates at USP McCreary send and receive email. Messages are text-only — no attachments, images, or formatted text.

Cost

~$0.05/min

Format

Text only

Inmates purchase email credits (stamps or units) using funds from their commissary account. They are charged per minute of usage while composing or reading messages. Incoming messages from family members are free for the inmate to receive, but the inmate pays to read and reply.

Getting Set Up

  • The inmate must add you to their approved contact list from inside the facility — family members cannot initiate the connection.
  • Once added, you will receive an email invitation from CorrLinks, the external-facing system that connects to TRULINCS.
  • Create a free CorrLinks account at corrlinks.com and accept the inmate's contact request.

Limitations

  • Text only — no photos, PDFs, or attachments of any kind
  • All messages are monitored and may be read by facility staff
  • Contact list must be approved before messaging can begin
  • Messages may be delayed during facility lockdowns or system maintenance

Telephone

Inmates at USP McCreary can make outgoing phone calls to approved contacts. Calls are placed from designated phones within the housing units during scheduled hours.

300

Minutes / Month

15

Min Per Call

Monitored

& Recorded

  • Most inmates receive 300 minutes per month. Inmates on certain disciplinary statuses may have reduced allotments.
  • Each call is limited to approximately 15 minutes. A warning tone sounds before the call disconnects.
  • All calls are monitored and recorded except those designated as attorney-client privileged communications.
  • Inmates use their commissary account balance to pay for calls. Families can also set up prepaid phone accounts through the BOP's approved telephone provider to reduce per-minute costs.
  • International calls are available but cost significantly more than domestic calls.

Tip for Families

Setting up a prepaid account in advance ensures your loved one can call you as soon as they arrive at the facility. Contact the BOP's telephone provider to establish an account using the inmate's register number.

Mail

Traditional mail remains one of the most reliable ways to stay in touch with someone at USP McCreary. All correspondence must include the inmate's full legal name and register number on the envelope and letter.

Inmate Mailing Address

INMATE FULL NAME, REGISTER NUMBERP.O. BOX 3000Pine Knot, KY 42635

What You Can Send

  • Letters and cards
  • Photographs (standard prints — no Polaroids or instant photos)
  • Newspaper and magazine clippings
  • Books and magazines sent directly from the publisher or an approved vendor (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.)
  • Religious materials

What You Cannot Send

  • Packages (unless pre-approved by staff)
  • Cash, checks, or money orders to the facility
  • Stamps or stamped envelopes
  • Stickers, glitter, or glued items
  • Crayon or marker drawings
  • Perfumed or scented paper

Important

All incoming and outgoing mail is inspected by facility staff. Mail that violates BOP policy will be rejected and returned to the sender. Always include a return address on your envelope.

Video Visiting

The Bureau of Prisons has rolled out video visiting capabilities at many federal facilities, including institutions like USP McCreary. Video visits allow families to see and speak with their loved one face-to-face without traveling to the facility.

  • Conducted through facility-issued tablets or designated video visiting stations within the housing unit.
  • Must be scheduled in advance through the BOP's approved scheduling system.
  • Subject to institutional availability — sessions may be limited during lockdowns, counts, or high-demand periods.
  • Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visiting list to participate in video visits.
  • Video visits are monitored and recorded, similar to phone calls.

Availability Note

Video visiting availability varies by facility and may change based on institutional needs. Contact USP McCreary directly to confirm whether video visiting is currently offered and how to schedule a session.

BOP Communication InfoCorrLinks (TRULINCS Email)

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Frequently Asked Questions

USP McCreary follows standard BOP visiting procedures for high-security facilities, though specific hours may vary. Visitors must be approved through the BOP's visitor application process and should check the facility's current visiting schedule on the BOP website. All visits are conducted under strict security protocols typical of high-security institutions.
Inmates at USP McCreary can be contacted through the BOP's email system (TRULINCS), regular mail, or telephone calls. The facility's phone number is 606-354-7000 for general inquiries. All inmate communications are monitored according to BOP policy, and inmates must have approved contact lists for phone calls and correspondence.
USP McCreary operates a standard BOP commissary where inmates can purchase approved items using funds from their trust accounts. Family members can send money through the BOP's approved methods including online transfers, MoneyGram, or Western Union. Commissary shopping typically occurs on scheduled days based on housing unit assignments.
No, USP McCreary does not currently offer the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Inmates seeking RDAP participation may need to request transfer to a facility that offers this program. The BOP typically requires inmates to complete RDAP applications well in advance of their projected release date.
While specific program details aren't available in the current data, USP McCreary typically offers standard BOP educational services including GED preparation, English as a Second Language classes, and various vocational training opportunities. Inmates should consult with facility staff upon arrival to learn about current program availability and enrollment procedures.
USP McCreary is a high-security facility, meaning it houses inmates who pose significant security risks or have lengthy sentences. This results in more restrictive movement, enhanced security procedures, and limited privileges compared to lower-security facilities. The facility maintains strict protocols for all daily activities and movements.
USP McCreary provides medical care through BOP healthcare services, though specific medical care level details aren't available in current data. The facility maintains medical staff and can coordinate with outside medical providers for specialized care when necessary. Inmates should inform staff of any ongoing medical needs upon arrival.
Transfer requests can be submitted through the facility's case management team, though transfers from high-security facilities are typically granted only for specific reasons such as medical needs, program participation, or security concerns. The BOP considers factors like sentence length, security classification, and program needs when evaluating transfer requests.
USP McCreary is located in Pine Knot, Kentucky, a rural area in McCreary County. The location may require significant travel for many families, so visitors should plan accordingly and consider nearby lodging options. The facility's remote location emphasizes the importance of maintaining communication through approved channels.
Yes, USP McCreary has an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp that houses approximately 107 inmates. The camp operates separately from the main penitentiary with different security procedures and privileges. Inmates may potentially be considered for transfer to the camp based on security classification and behavior.
Daily life at USP McCreary follows strict high-security protocols with scheduled activities, controlled movements, and limited freedoms. Inmates typically participate in work assignments, educational or recreational activities, and meals according to facility schedules. All activities are closely supervised and movements within the facility are restricted.
Prison Professors can provide valuable guidance for individuals and families preparing for incarceration at USP McCreary. Their resources include information about high-security facility procedures, communication strategies, and maintaining family relationships during incarceration. They can help set realistic expectations and provide practical advice for navigating the federal prison system.
USP McCreary follows strict BOP guidelines regarding approved items that can be sent to inmates. Generally, only approved publications and legal materials can be mailed directly to inmates, while other items must be purchased through approved vendors or the commissary. Families should consult the BOP's national policy and facility-specific guidelines before sending anything.
Visits to USP McCreary should be planned well in advance due to the facility's high-security status and potential travel requirements. Visitors must complete the approval process, which can take several weeks, and should coordinate with the inmate regarding available visiting times. The rural location may also require advance planning for travel and accommodations.
The intake process at USP McCreary involves comprehensive security screening, medical evaluation, and classification procedures typical of high-security facilities. New arrivals undergo orientation regarding facility rules, programs, and procedures. The process may take several days or weeks before inmates are assigned to permanent housing units and work assignments.

Have more questions about USP McCreary? Contact us and we'll do our best to help.

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