FCI La Tuna (low-security)

FCI La Tuna is a low-security federal correctional institution located in Anthony, Texas, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It sits in the desert of far west Texas, near the New Mexico border. The facility houses male inmates. As of November 2025, it held approximately 525 inmates. It's part of a larger federal correctional complex that also includes a satellite prison camp, serving as an important component of the Bureau of Prisons' southwestern regional operations.

MALE

Gender

LOW

Security Level

525

Population (Nov. 2025)

No RDAP

History

FCI La Tuna has been a federal correctional facility for several decades, supporting the Bureau of Prisons' mission in the southwestern United States. The remote desert location in west Texas made it a strategic choice for housing federal inmates in low-security custody. The institution's evolved over time, keeping pace with changing correctional standards and adjusting its programs to meet the rehabilitation needs of the inmates it houses.

Programs and Services

The facility offers a range of educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs to help inmates prepare for life after release. It's been recognized for specialized programming, particularly initiatives aimed at first-time federal offenders. These programs stress skill development, educational advancement, and behavioral change to lower recidivism rates among those who take part.

Inmates can access adult continuing education, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, and vocational training programs tied to real labor market needs. That's just the start. Recreational activities, religious services, and counseling programs round out what the institution offers as part of its overall approach to incarceration and rehabilitation.

Housing and Facilities

Low-security institutions like this one use dormitory-style housing units instead of individual cells, following Bureau of Prisons standards for that security level. FCI La Tuna's layout includes housing units, administrative buildings, recreational areas, and educational spaces set up to handle daily operations and programming for its inmate population. Fencing and electronic monitoring systems secure the compound. They're appropriate for a low-security designation. The conditions are less restrictive than higher-security facilities, but the institution still maintains the security protocols it needs.

Location and Visitation

Location

Anthony, Texas is where you'll find FCI La Tuna. It's a small community right on the Texas-New Mexico border in El Paso County. Roughly 20 miles northwest of downtown El Paso, the facility remains accessible to the metropolitan area while keeping the geographic distance that federal correctional institutions typically maintain. The remote location offers operational advantages without cutting off access for staff, visitors, and official transportation.

Physical location: ANTHONY, TX 79821

Mailing address: LA TUNA FCI/SCP, ANTHONY, TX 79821

Visitation

The Bureau of Prisons sets the rules for visitation here, and FCI La Tuna has its own facility-specific protocols on top of that. These rules balance security with keeping family contact possible. Visitors need to follow dress codes, show ID, and get on an approved visitor list before they're allowed in. Visiting hours and scheduling depend on institutional policy and can shift based on operational needs and security concerns.

There's a lot to know before you visit. Dress codes, what you can bring, who can visit, when you can visit. Check our Visitation Guide for the details.

For the latest visiting rules and how to schedule, head to the Bureau of Prisons website: Official BOP Page.

Notes from Alumni

We haven't heard from alumni of FCI La Tuna yet. If you've been incarcerated here and want to share your experience, log in and edit this page to add it.

Keep in mind that experiences vary, and yours might not match what inmates face today.