FCC Petersburg
Hopewell, VA· MXR Region
About FCC Petersburg
FCC Petersburg (Petersburg) is a minimum-security Federal Correctional Institution located in Hopewell, Virginia 23860. This facility houses adult male federal inmates in a minimum-security environment, currently operating with specialized populations as indicated by its zero general population count. As a minimum-security facility, Petersburg typically serves inmates who are nearing release or those with non-violent offenses who pose minimal security risk.
The facility operates under the Bureau of Prisons Mid-Atlantic Regional Office and provides standard federal correctional services. While specific program data is limited, minimum-security facilities like Petersburg generally offer work programs, educational opportunities, and pre-release preparation services. The facility does not offer the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), which individuals with substance abuse treatment needs should consider when planning their incarceration strategy.
Located in Hopewell, Virginia, Petersburg provides reasonable access for families visiting from the Mid-Atlantic region. The facility can be reached via email at PEX-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov for official inquiries. Prison Professors can help individuals and their families prepare for their time at Petersburg by providing comprehensive guidance on federal prison policies, self-surrender preparation, and strategies for making the most of their incarceration experience.
Contact & Location
Mailing Address (Inmates)
INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBERPetersburg1100 River RoadHopewell, VA 23860Do NOT send money to an inmate using this facility's address. All funds must be sent to the processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Population & Housing
Total population: 0
Programs & Education
Program information for this facility is being compiled.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
RDAP Not Available
FCC Petersburg 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.
Medical Care
Medical care level information is being compiled.
Standard BOP Medical Services
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Have questions about medical care at FCC Petersburg? Share your experience on your Prison Professors profile to help others prepare.
Share Your ExperienceSelf-Surrender Guide for FCC Petersburg
Minimum security · Federal Correctional Institution · Hopewell, VA
If you've been designated to self-surrender, it's natural to feel anxious. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect so you can arrive prepared and focused. Thousands of people have been through this process — and the more prepared you are, the smoother your transition will be.
Preparing for Self-Surrender
Contact Petersburg staff at PEX-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov well in advance of your surrender date to confirm reporting instructions, required documentation, and specific arrival procedures. Arrive early in the day (typically between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM) on your designated surrender date, as processing can take several hours.
What to Bring
Bring your surrender paperwork, government-issued photo ID, Social Security card, and any court-ordered documentation. You may bring limited personal items including a wedding ring, religious medallion, and prescription medications in original pharmacy bottles. Bring a small amount of cash (under $300) for your commissary account. Do NOT bring electronics, jewelry beyond a wedding ring, weapons, drugs, or any contraband items.
First 24-48 Hours
Expect a thorough intake process including medical screening, fingerprinting, photographing, and assignment of your registration number. You'll receive facility orientation materials, basic hygiene items, and bedding. During orientation, you'll learn facility rules, daily schedules, and available programs. Medical staff will review your health history and current medications.
Prison Professors' Tips
Prison Professors recommends preparing mentally and emotionally months before surrender. Develop a positive mindset focused on personal growth, maintaining family relationships, and preparing for successful reentry. Create a support system of family and friends who understand your situation and can provide encouragement throughout your incarceration.
Emotional Preparation
The first few days are often the most challenging emotionally. Prepare yourself and your family for this adjustment period. Maintain regular communication with loved ones and focus on establishing routines that will serve you well throughout your sentence.
Before You Surrender
- Get your affairs in order: power of attorney, finances, family arrangements.
- Confirm your surrender date and time with your attorney.
- The facility may send a surrender letter with specific instructions — follow them exactly.
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID.
- Arrive on time — arriving late can result in a warrant for your arrest.
- Consider having someone drive you. Your vehicle cannot remain at the facility.
What to Bring
Most facilities allow very little on surrender day. Wear simple, comfortable clothing — you'll change into facility-issued clothing upon arrival.
Generally Allowed
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Legal documents related to your case
- Prescription medications in original pharmacy containers with a valid prescription
- A small amount of cash (typically $20–$50, deposited to your commissary account)
- Plain wedding band (no stones)
- Religious medallion
Do NOT Bring
- Cell phone or electronics
- Excess clothing or luggage
- Food or beverages
- Jewelry beyond a plain wedding band
- Weapons of any kind
What to Expect on Arrival
Processing: fingerprints, photographs, medical screening, and intake interview.
You'll receive facility-issued clothing, bedding, and hygiene items.
Orientation program (typically 1–2 weeks) covering facility rules, daily schedule, and expectations.
You'll be assigned a housing unit, a counselor, and a register number if you don't already have one.
The first few days are the hardest — this is completely normal.
First Week Tips
- Be respectful and observe before acting. Take time to learn the culture.
- Learn the daily schedule immediately — meals, count times, recreation, work call.
- Set up your commissary account and phone list as soon as possible.
- Reach out to your counselor for questions about programs, visiting, and mail.
- Start thinking about programming: education, vocational training, RDAP if applicable.
Preparing to surrender at FCC Petersburg? Create your free Prison Professors profile to start documenting your journey and access resources from others who've been through this process.
Recreation
Standard BOP recreation information for a minimum-security facility. Actual offerings at FCC Petersburg may vary.
Outdoor Recreation
Recreation yards at FCI facilities are enclosed and supervised. Outdoor recreation is available during structured periods — typically mornings, afternoons, and weekends. Men move to the yard during designated call-outs, and the schedule may vary by housing unit.
- Walking and jogging track
- Basketball courts
- Handball/racquetball courts
- Bocce ball
- Horseshoe pits
- Softball field
- Soccer field
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
- Music room (instruments available at some facilities)
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)
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 FCC Petersburg's Recreation Department for the current schedule.
Work Assignments & UNICOR
Work Assignments
All medically able inmates at FCC Petersburg 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.
Work assignments at FCC Petersburg are performed within the facility perimeter.
Common Work Assignments
Standard institutional work assignments pay between $0.12 and $0.40 per hour. Pay grades are determined by position and 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
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 FCC Petersburg 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.
Commissary
Commissary information for this facility is being compiled.
Communication
Staying connected with a loved one at FCC Petersburg 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 FCC Petersburg 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 FCC Petersburg 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.
Traditional mail remains one of the most reliable ways to stay in touch with someone at FCC Petersburg. All correspondence must include the inmate's full legal name and register number on the envelope and letter.
Contact the facility for the correct inmate mailing address.
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 FCC Petersburg. 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 FCC Petersburg directly to confirm whether video visiting is currently offered and how to schedule a session.
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