Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) - Butner I

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
North Carolina
PO Box 1000, Butner, NC 27509
919-575-4541
Official Website

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Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) – Butner I's comprehensive information to help guide you through the federal prison process, specifically on how to remain connected to your inmate while they are incarcerated.

The FCI-Butner-I is a federal prison located at 1 Old 75 Hwy in Butner, NC. This federal medium security prison is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to hold inmates who have been convicted to and sentenced for a federal crime through the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

Locate all federal inmates here. If you would like to speak with a case manager or counselor, call 919-575-4541.

The Federal Correctional Complex, Butner I Medium (FCC Butner I) is a medium-security United States federal prison for men and is part of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the US Department of Justice. This facility currently holds 720 inmates.

FCC Butner is about 25 miles northwest of Raleigh, the state capital. It includes the Bureau's largest medical complex, which operates a drug treatment program and specializes in oncology and behavioral science.

The complex consists of four facilities:

Federal Correctional Institution, Butner Low (FCI Butner Low): a low-security facility.
Federal Correctional Institution 1, Butner Medium (FCI 1 Butner Medium): a medium-security facility.
Federal Correctional Institution 2, Butner Medium (FCI 2 Butner Medium): a medium-security facility
Federal Medical Center, Butner (FMC Butner): a facility which houses inmates of all security levels with health issues.

The complex lies on the county line between Durham County to the west and Granville County to the east.

Notable inmates include Carmine Persico serving 139 years Mafia figure; former Colombo crime family Boss; convicted in 1986 of murder, loansharking, bribery and extortion, all in aid of racketeering, in order to control and profit from the concrete industry in New York City. John Walker was the former Chief Warrant Officer for the US Navy; pleaded guilty to espionage in 1986 for selling classified documents to the Soviet Union died in custody in 2014 while serving a 30-year sentence. Co-conspirator Jerry Whitworth is also serving a life sentence. John Connolly the former FBI Agent; convicted in 2002 of racketeering conspiracy for aiding Irish Mob figure Whitey Bulger; currently serving a 40-year sentence in a Florida state prison for the murder of a witness. The co-founder of the Cali Cartel Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela now serving a 30-year sentence for importing cocaine. Lee Farkas the former Chairman of Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corporation; convicted in 2011 of fraud for masterminding a $2.9 billion scheme that led to the 2009 collapse of Colonial Bank; the story was featured on the CNBC program American Greed now serving a 30-year sentence. Samuel Israel was the founder of the now-defunct Bayou Hedge Fund Group; pleaded guilty in 2008 to defrauding investors of $400 million; attempted to fake his own suicide to avoid prison; the story was featured on the CNBC television program American Greed. Jonathan Pollard the former intelligence analyst for the United States government. In 1987, as part of a plea agreement, Pollard pleaded guilty to spying for and providing top-secret classified information to Israel. He was sentenced to life in prison for violations of the Espionage Act.

Housing: Inmates are housed in two-person cells.

Health Services: Inmates receive a medical screening upon arrival at FCI Butner Medium 1. Inmates are then scheduled for routine physical examinations, laboratory studies, physical and dental examinations, and assessment of any health needs. Sick call, dental call, emergency care, medications, chronic care, physical examinations, periodic health screenings for HIV, TB, colon cancer (for inmates over 50 years of age), diabetes and cholesterol screening (for inmates over 45), and vaccinations as recommended are available to the inmate population. Other preventive health services may be available based on the inmate’s age and needs.

Psychology Services: The FCI Butner Medium 1 Psychology Department offers both individual therapy and group treatment options. On the group side, inmates can participate in anger management, stress management, and other programs. FCI Butner Medium 1 also has a fully staffed Mental Health Hospital with full-time psychiatrists who are medical doctors and can be seen by appointment after referral by a psychologist. The facility also has a Mental Health Step Down Program for inmates with serious mental health issues who need to develop functional skills.

Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP): FCI Butner Medium 1 does not house a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). It does offer Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the Drug Education Program, and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP).

Education Services: FCI Butner Medium 1 offers GED and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) courses to inmates. Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes are also available. High school diplomas and post-secondary programs are available through paid correspondence programs.

Advanced Occupational Education: FCI Butner Medium 1 offers advanced occupation education in Automotive Electrical, Culinary Arts, Drivetrain, Engine Repair and Undercarriage, Office System Technology (OST), Carpentry, Electrical, and Automotive Technology.

Vocational Training: FCI Butner Medium 1 does not offer any vocational training programs aside from its advanced occupational training and apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeship: FCI Butner Medium 1 offers an apprenticeship in Commercial Cleaning.

Library Services: FCI Butner Medium 1 has a legal and leisure library available to inmates six days a week. The leisure library has numerous books and other reading materials available, including magazines, newspapers, career planning, multicultural studies, parenting, fiction, and nonfiction selections. The law library is located in the Education Department, which contains a variety of legal reference materials for use in preparing legal papers.

Commissary: The commissary is available to prisoners to shop only once per week on their assigned shopping day. The monthly spending limit for inmates is $360. Inmates can purchase a number of items, including food, beverages, electronics, shoes, and more.

Recreation: Recreation programs at FCI Butner Medium 1 include indoor and outdoor activities, and range from individualized arts and crafts programs to intramural team sports such as baseball, basketball, and volleyball. Physical fitness, weight reduction, hobby craft, and musical programs are also available to inmates.

Admissions and Orientation (A&O) Handbook – This document provides you with general information about the institution, programs, rules, and regulations that you will encounter during your confinement. Familiarizing yourself with this information and knowing your responsibilities will help you to adjustment to institution life.

Commissary List – In 1930 the Department of Justice authorized and established a Commissary at each Federal institution. The Commissary provides a bank type account for your money & for the procurement of articles not issued regularly as part of the institution administration. Funds deposited by your family, friends, or other sources are stored in your commissary account that we maintain.

List and prices of items sold at the commissary in FCI Butner Medium I

Legal Activities – This document outlines the procedures for access to legal reference materials and legal counsel and the opportunities that you will be afforded to prepare legal documents while incarcerated.

Inmate Legal Activities

visitation Info

Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) – Butner I Medium – Visiting Hours

Monday 2:30pm – 8:00pm
Friday 2:30pm – 8:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 3:00pm
Sunday 8:30am – 3:00pm
Holidays 8:30am – 3:00pm