- Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- Minnesota
- 320-245-2262
- Official Website
- Featured
Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) – Sandstone'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-Sandstone is a federal prison located at 2300 CR 29 in Sandstone, MN. This federal low 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 320-245-2262.
The Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone (FCI Sandstone) is a low-security United States federal prison for male offenders in Sandstone, Minnesota. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BoP), a division of the US Department of Justice.
Not generally acknowledged by the BOP, FCI Sandstone also includes a separate high-security wing complete with electric fences and gun towers. This unit, informally known as the "snitch unit" houses high-security inmates who have informed on others and would be in jeopardy among the general population. The inmates in this unit are completely segregated from the other Sandstone inmates, although they are served by the same staff.
FCI Sandstone is located approximately 100 miles northeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul and 70 miles southwest of Duluth, Minnesota.
Notable inmates include Tim Allen, TV actor and comedian who plead guilty to drug trafficking in 1979 after being caught with 1.4 pounds of cocaine at an airport in Michigan. Marc Dreier a disbarred attorney who pleaded guilty in 2009 to securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering for bilking hedge funds and investors of over $700 million. Dreier's story was featured on the CNBC television show American Greed is now serving a 20-year sentence. Mike Danton a former National Hockey League player and Canadian citizen; convicted in 2004 of conspiracy to commit murder for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his agent, David Frost. David Brankle a serial bank robber; pleaded guilty in 2004 to robbing 43 banks in six states in 2002 and 2003, stealing over $175,000; Brankle's story was featured on the CNBC television program American Greed now serving a 21-year sentence. Rigoberto Yanez-Guerrero the chief operator of the Arellano-Felix drug cartel in Mexico City between 1995 and 2001; directed the shipment of 5 to 10 tons of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico en route to the United States now serving a 16-year sentence.
Housing: Inmates are housed in dormitories, which are divided into two-person cubicles.
Health Services: Health services at FCI Sandstone include episodic visits for new or recurring medical or dental symptoms through a sick call system, chronic care management for chronic and infectious diseases through enrollment in chronic care clinics for regular care, routine dental care, medical and dental emergency care for injuries and sudden illness, age-appropriate preventive care to promote optimal health and functional status, prescription glasses, and medications.
Psychology Services: Psychology services at FCI Sandstone include screening, assessment, and treatment of mental health problems, individual and group counseling, psycho-educational classes, self-help and supportive services, and referral to Health Services for medical treatment of mental illness. The Department offerings include Values Training and other voluntary groups. Consultation, crisis intervention-type counseling sessions, relaxation training sessions, self-study, and meditative techniques are available.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP): FCI Sandstone houses a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Drug abuse programs, a Drug Abuse Education course, a Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP) and groups for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are also available.
Education Services: FCI Sandstone provides literacy, GED, and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) programs. Incentive awards are provided to recognize inmates making satisfactory progress and successfully completing the literacy (i.e., GED and ESL) program. Inmates may also receive incentives for progressing to various levels in the GED or ESL programs. Graduation ceremonies recognize GED, ESL, and Occupational Education completions. Adult Continuing Education (ACE) courses and a parenting program are also available. High school diplomas and post-secondary programs are available through paid correspondence programs.
Vocational Training: FCI Sandstone offers vocational training in Auto and Building Trades.
Apprenticeship: FCI Sandstone offers apprenticeships in Culinary and Welding.
Library Services: Leisure libraries offer inmates a variety of reading materials including periodicals, newspapers, fiction, nonfiction, and reference books. Inmates are provided access to legal materials and an opportunity to prepare legal documents. The TRULINCS Electronic Law Library provides inmates access to case law, prison policy, federal rules of court, and other information of a legal nature. A copying machine and typewriters are available for inmate use.
UNICOR: The FCI Sandstone UNICOR facility produces clothing and textiles, and handles services.
Commissary: Inmates can spend up to $360.00 per month in the commissary. A bi-weekly spending limitation is used at FCI Sandstone. A wide variety of items are available for inmate purchase, including radios, MP3 players, food, drinks, ice cream, clothing, and shoes.
Recreation: Leisure activities at FCI Sandstone include organized and informal games, sports, physical fitness, table games, hobby crafts, music programs, intramural activities, social and cultural organizations, and movies. Art activities include paintings and sketches rendered in pastels, crayons, pencils, inks, and charcoal. Hobbycraft activities include leatherwork, clay, mosaics, crochet, knitting, etc. Wellness programs include screening, assessments, goal setting, healthy living, diabetic education, fitness/nutrition prescriptions, and counseling.
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.
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.
visitation Info
Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) – Sandstone Low – Visiting Hours
- Monday 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Saturday 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Sunday 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Holidays 8:30am – 3:30pm
