FCI Lompoc II (low-security)
Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc II (FCI Lompoc II) is a low-security United States federal prison for male inmates located in Lompoc, California. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which operates it, is a division of the United States Department of Justice. About 175 miles northwest of Los Angeles, this facility sits adjacent to Vandenberg Space Force Base as part of the larger Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Lompoc).
Overview
Low-security housing for adult males. That's the core mission here. As of 2025, roughly 1,752 inmates live in dormitory-style accommodations at the main institution. There's also an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp that holds about 190 lower-risk offenders.
Throughout its existence, the facility's shifted security levels more than once, operating at various times as high, medium, and now low security. Dormitory living arrangements help inmates connect with work and educational programs more easily than cell-based systems would allow.
The perimeter has two fences with electronic detection systems. Motion sensors and surveillance cameras round out the security picture.
History
It all started with the Army. During World War II, the military ran disciplinary barracks on the grounds of Camp Cooke, a training installation near Lompoc. When the Federal Bureau of Prisons took over in the 1950s, they were working to repurpose closed or underutilized military installations for federal incarceration purposes.
The facility opened in 1970. Back then, it was called Federal Prison Camp Lompoc. By 1990, it'd become the low-security federal prison we know today.
Programs and Services
Drug Treatment Programs
Substance abuse treatment is comprehensive here. FCI Lompoc II offers several options:
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) - A 500-hour course running 9 to 12 months that uses cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Inmates who complete it may qualify for up to one year in sentence reduction.
- Drug Abuse Education Course
- Non-Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (NR-DAP)
Educational Programs
Educational opportunities span basic to advanced levels:
- Literacy programs
- GED preparation
- English-as-a-Second Language (ESL)
- Adult Continuing Education (ACE) courses
- Post-secondary education through correspondence programs
Health Services
Medical and dental care is available. Physical examinations, emergency treatment, and medication distribution happen regularly. What's important is that emergency medical care stays available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Notable Inmates (Historical)
Several high-profile figures have been housed at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex:
- H.R. Haldeman - White House Chief of Staff under President Nixon. He served 18 months for conspiracy and corruption related to Watergate.
- Reed Slatkin - Co-founder of EarthLink who served 14 years on mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy convictions.
- Demetrius Flenory - Co-founder of the Black Mafia Family. He served 30 years for leading a national drug trafficking operation.
- Chi Mak - Former Boeing engineer serving 24 years for conspiracy to commit economic espionage.
Christopher Boyce Escape (1980)
One escape stands out. In 1980, Christopher Boyce was serving 40 years for spying for the Soviet Union when he got out. He found a hidden drainage hole, built a makeshift ladder, and used small scissors to cut through the security perimeter. The nationwide manhunt lasted 20 months before U.S. Marshals and FBI agents tracked him down.
Notes from Alumni
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Location & Visitation
Location
Physical address: 3901 Klein Blvd, Lompoc, CA 93436
The facility sits about 175 miles northwest of Los Angeles, right next to Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 805-735-2771
Visitation
Visiting rules here are specific and detailed. You'll want to know what's expected before you show up. Check out our Visitation Guide for the full breakdown.
For the most current visiting rules and scheduling information, always go straight to the Bureau of Prisons official page for this institution: Official BOP Page.
See also
- Index of Federal Prison Facilities
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)