FPC Bryan
Federal Prison Camp, Bryan (FPC Bryan) is a minimum-security federal prison for female inmates in Bryan, Texas. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which operates the facility, runs it as a division of the United States Department of Justice. The camp opened in July 1989 and sits on 37 acres roughly 95 miles northwest of Houston and 165 miles south of Dallas.
Overview
This is one of the least restrictive federal facilities. FPC Bryan houses nonviolent female offenders in a minimum-security setting designed for inmates considered low-risk, non-violent, and unlikely to escape. The compound has little to no perimeter fencing, which means inmates can move around fairly freely within the facility.
What sets the place apart is its strong focus on rehabilitation. Instead of the typical prison environment, you'll find a considerably less restrictive atmosphere. Women are housed in four-person dormitory-style rooms, with roughly 200 inmates per dormitory unit.
Programs and Services
Educational Programs
The facility offers several educational opportunities for inmates:
- Adult literacy programs
- GED preparation courses
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Parenting classes
- Various life skills courses
Library Services
Two libraries serve different needs. The leisure library stocks reading materials like periodicals, newspapers, fiction, nonfiction, and reference books. If inmates need something that isn't in the collection, they can request it through the interlibrary loan program.
Canine Companions Program
Here's one of the more interesting programs. FPC Bryan partners with Canine Companions for Independence, allowing inmates to train dogs to become personal assistance animals. It gives them meaningful work while directly helping the community.
UNICOR
The UNICOR call center at FPC Bryan provides work opportunities and job training. These jobs can really help with reentry after release.
Residential Drug Abuse Program
The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) serves inmates with documented substance abuse histories. It's a comprehensive treatment program, and completing it successfully can cut up to one year off an inmate's sentence.
Notable Inmates
Several high-profile cases have brought attention to this facility:
- Elizabeth Holmes - The former Theranos CEO was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy. She's serving an 11-year sentence.
- Jen Shah - Known from "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City," she was convicted of wire fraud conspiracy.
- Ghislaine Maxwell - This sex trafficking conviction case drew considerable attention when Maxwell was transferred to FPC Bryan in 2025. The placement was controversial since sex offenders typically require at least low-security housing.
Notes from Alumni
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Keep in mind that each person's experience is unique and may differ from the facility today.
Location & Visitation
Location
Physical address: 1100 Ursuline Avenue, Bryan, TX 77803
You'll find FPC Bryan at the intersection of Ursuline Avenue and 23rd Street in Bryan, Texas.
Visitation
Visiting has specific rules you'll need to know about. Check out our Visitation Guide for the details.
Always verify current visiting rules and scheduling on the official Bureau of Prisons website: Official BOP Page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does FPC Bryan allow conjugal visits?
No. The Federal Bureau of Prisons doesn't permit conjugal visits at any facility, regardless of security level. This applies to minimum-security camps, low-security FCIs, medium-security facilities, and high-security USPs. Only four state prison systems (California, Connecticut, New York, and Washington) allow conjugal visits for state prisoners. Federal inmates don't have access to conjugal or extended family visits anywhere in the BOP system.
Q: What types of visitation are allowed at FPC Bryan?
Contact visits happen during designated hours, typically on weekends and holidays. You're allowed brief embraces at the start and end of visits, but prolonged physical contact isn't permitted. All visits take place in supervised visiting rooms. Visitors must pass a background check and follow dress code requirements. See the Visiting Policies and Procedures page for full details.
See also
- Index of Federal Prison Facilities
- FPC Alderson - Another women's minimum-security federal prison camp
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)