- Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- Indiana
- PO Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808
- 812-238-1531
- Official Website
- Featured
Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) – Terre Haute'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-Terre-Haute is a federal prison located at 4200 Bureau Rd N in Terre Haute, IN. 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 812-238-1531.
The Federal Correctional Institution, Terre Haute (FCI Terre Haute) is a medium-security United States federal prison for male inmates in Indiana. It is part of the Federal Correctional Complex, Terre Haute (FCC Terre Haute) and is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. The facility also has an adjacent satellite prison camp for minimum-security male offenders.
FCC Terre Haute is located 2 miles south of the City of Terre Haute and 70 miles west of Indianapolis.
FCI Terre Haute has a controversial high-security wing known as the Communication Management Unit (CMU) for inmates who were determined to pose a serious threat if their communications were not severely restricted. The CMU at FCI Terre Haute is a 55-cell unit located in the former death row and was opened in December 2006. Prisoners there are under open and covert audio and video surveillance, and all of their phone calls are monitored except for talks with their attorneys. Prisoners are prohibited from touching family members during tightly controlled visits. All telephone calls and mail are monitored, and inmates are required to conduct all conversations in English unless special permission is arranged for conversations in other languages. Without such strong security, the government claims, inmates would be able to conspire with outsiders to commit terrorist or criminal acts. The Federal BOP created the CMU in response to criticism that it had not been adequately monitoring the communications of prisoners. According to the Bureau of Prisons, "By concentrating resources in this fashion, it will greatly enhance the agency's capabilities for language translation, content analysis, and intelligence sharing," according to the Bureau's summary of the CMU.
When the CMU at FCI Terre Haute opened, 15 of the first 17 inmates were Muslim. In August 2008, 38 prisoners signed up for Ramadan observances. The disproportionate number of Muslims at the CMU led the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to raise a concern about racial profiling. The ACLU also charged that the communication restrictions were unduly harsh for prisoners who are not sufficiently serious security threats to warrant placement in USP Florence ADX, the federal supermax facility in Colorado. In response, according to civil rights lawyers, the Bureau of Prisons started moving in non-Muslims. The group included tax resisters, a member of the Japanese Red Army and inmates from Colombia and Mexico.
Most of the inmates are Arab Muslims convicted of terrorism-related offenses. The CMU population has included men convicted in high-profile post-September 11th cases, as well as defendants from the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1999 "millennium" plot to bomb the Los Angeles airport, and airline hijacking cases from 1976, 1985 and 1996. Also in the CMUs are men who have threatened officials from behind bars, ordered murders using contraband cellphones, or engaged in other communications that officials deem threatening. The population also includes several black Muslims who have been disciplined for alleged radicalization and recruitment while incarcerated for other crimes at other facilities.
Background: FCI Terre Haute is part of the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex (FCC).
Notable infamous inmates include former CIA counterintelligence agent Aldrich Ames is serving a life sentence for espionage, Matthew F. Hale serving a 40-year sentence soliciting an undercover FBI informant to kill Judge Joan Lefkow, Al-Qaeda supporter Farooque Ahmed is serving a 23-year sentence for performing surveillance as part of a bombing plot, NASA consultant and scientist Stewart Nozette is serving a 13-year sentence for attempted espionage, Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari a Saudi Arabian citizen and former Texas resident; convicted in 2012 of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction for collecting bomb-making materials and researching possible targets, including the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush, Earth Liberation Front member Daniel McGowan (released in 2013 after serving 7 years for terrorism conspiracy), Al-Qaeda supporter Rezwan Ferdaus is serving a 17-year sentence for terrorism conspiracy, and Peregrine Financial Group founder Russell Wasendorf is serving a 50-year sentence for stealing $100 from clients over a 20-year period.
Housing: Inmates are housed in cells.
Health Services: Health services include medical and dental sick call, emergency care, medications, annual and bi-annual physical examinations, health promotions and disease prevention program, and diagnosis and treatment of chronic infectious diseases. In order to be evaluated by a health care provider, inmates must submit a triage form. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day.
Psychology Services: All inmates at FCI Terre Haute are screened by Psychology Services staff within 14 days of admission. Psychology services are offered for behavioral and emotional problems. Inmates confined in special housing units are evaluated by a psychologist at least once per month. There are many alternatives for inmates who have mental health problems and desire to correct them, which include self-image groups and other voluntary groups. The facility also offers the STAGES Program for inmates with serious mental illness and personality disorders.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP): Both FCI Terre Haute and the satellite camp house a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). The Drug Education class, the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP), and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are also available.
Education Services: FCI Terre Haute provides GED and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) programs. Parenting, release preparation, and Adult Continuing Education (ACE) programs are also available. High school diplomas and post-secondary programs are available through paid correspondence programs.
Vocational Training: FCI Terre Haute offers Building Trades and Computers vocational training. The camp offers Diesel Mechanic and Computer Applications vocational training.
Apprenticeship: FCI Terre Haute offers an apprenticeship in Baker, Barbering, Cook, Housekeeping, Office Manager, and Tutor. The camp offers Electronic Automotive, Fish Hatchery Worker, and Office Manager.
Library Services: The Reference Library provides nonfiction materials and reference books for inmates pursuing studies in specific areas. Fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, and newspapers are also available. The inmate law libraries are located in the Education Department library and in the Special Housing Unit. They contain a variety of legal reference materials for use in preparing legal papers. Typewriters and a copy machine are also available for inmate use.
UNICOR: The FCI Terre Haute and satellite camp UNICOR facilities handle fleet management and vehicle components.
Commissary: Inmates are permitted to spend up to $360.00 per month in the commissary on items such as food, drinks, electronics, clothing, and shoes. It is customary for inmates to use a laundry bag to carry their purchases back to their housing unit.
Recreation Services: Recreation programs at FCI Terre Haute include indoor and outdoor activities, and range from individualized arts and crafts programs to intramural team sports such as softball, basketball, and volleyball. Physical fitness and weight reduction programs are also available. Hobbycraft programs include activities such as painting, leather, and art.
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) – Terre Haute Medium – Visiting Hours
- Monday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Saturday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Sunday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Holidays 8:00am – 3:00pm
