FCI Beckley (minimum-security camp)

MALE

Gender

MINIMUM

Security Level

~70

Population (Nov. 2025)

No RDAP

FCI Beckley Camp is a minimum-security federal satellite prison camp for male offenders located in Beaver, Raleigh County, West Virginia, approximately 51 miles southeast of Charleston and 136 miles northwest of Roanoke, Virginia. Operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as part of the Mid-Atlantic Region, the camp is adjacent to the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution Beckley, which opened in 1974. Camp residents provide labor support for the main facility and participate in vocational programs to prepare for reentry into society.

Notes from Alumni

• One former resident who served time at Beckley Camp before transferring to Butner Federal Prison Camp shared a positive review: "Beckley Camp was a good camp. They have numerous ways to achieve certificates & a good fitness center with a lot of activities, basketball, softball, handball, & a 1/4 of a mile track to walk or run on. The scenery is awesome with animals that will let you pet them." He added practical advice: "If you have to do time there just keep focused, stay in your lane, & keep your nose clean. Before you know it, it will be time for your release date." Inmate Intake
• On staff relations, the same resident noted: "The guards there are pretty cool, well most of them. They are a select few that tend to ruffle your feathers, but that's their nature. Plus it's their job." Inmate Intake
• Another former resident offered perspective on the experience: "You can make it easy or hard for yourself it's all up to you. I met some good people in there that I'm still friends with. Just because you have to do time doesn't mean that you're a horrible person, you just got caught doing something illegal." He also noted positive medical care: "I had some health problems while I was there & that took good care of me." Inmate Intake
• A DC Corrections Information Council inspection report noted that staff behavior was the most frequently identified concern among survey respondents at FCI Beckley, with residents reporting staff were "unwilling to help" and gave the "run-around."

Please remember that experiences are unique and may not reflect today's experience.

Notable Alumni

Name	Sentence	Offense	Dates
Note: FCI Beckley Camp houses minimum-security, non-violent offenders nearing release. Notable individuals associated with FCI Beckley (such as Steven Warshak, James Kopp, and Eric DeWayne Boyd) were housed at the adjacent medium-security FCI rather than the camp.

History

FCI Beckley opened in 1974 as the Beckley Work Release Center. The facility was reorganized in 1997 and renamed the Beckley Correctional Center. In March 2011, the center expanded into the Jackie Withrow Hospital to incorporate a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (RSAT) on the hospital's grounds.

The main facility is located on 282 acres and is secured by double fences, razor wire, motion detection systems, microwave detection systems, video surveillance, and 24-hour dual roving perimeter patrol. The adjacent satellite camp houses minimum-security offenders who typically have only a short time remaining to serve.

FCI Beckley is the largest medium-security FCI in the Bureau of Prisons that is not part of a federal prison complex. The population has decreased from around 2,200 to approximately 1,700 (including the camp), which staff reported has been better for both residents and employees.

Housing & Facilities

FCI Beckley Camp consists of open-bay dormitories with two-person cubicles. This contrasts with the main FCI, which houses residents in two-person cells within three four-level housing units.

The main facility includes a Special Housing Unit (SHU) that can house up to 143 residents.

Camp Amenities include:

• Fitness center
• Basketball courts
• Softball field
• Handball courts
• Quarter-mile track for walking/running
• Scenic outdoor areas with wildlife

Daily Life

Schedule & Counts

The camp operates on a structured daily schedule with regular counts. Movement between areas follows controlled procedures. The Disciplinary Hearing Officer (DHO) for FCI Beckley rotates between the facility, FCI McDowell, and Federal Prison Camp Alderson.

Work Assignments

All medically-cleared residents must maintain a work assignment or participate in educational courses. Camp residents provide essential labor support for the main facility:

• Food service
• Laundry services
• Facility maintenance

The main FCI houses a UNICOR factory that produces ergonomic chairs and office furniture. The camp does not have its own UNICOR facility.

Programs & Education

Educational Programs

• General Education Diploma (GED)
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Adult Continuing Education (ACE) courses
• Parenting programs
• High school diplomas (through paid correspondence)
• Postsecondary education (through paid correspondence)

Advanced occupational college classes are available through New River Community and Technical College.

The Education Department offers a video library where residents may check out educational videos during scheduled times, covering topics related to health, wellness, leisure, athletics, and sports.

Vocational Training

The camp offers the following advanced occupational education programs:

• Appliance Repair & Refrigeration
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
• Welding

The main FCI offers additional vocational courses including computer applications, electrical, masonry, carpentry, and blueprinting.

There are no apprenticeship programs at either the camp or the main FCI.

Substance Abuse Programs

Important: The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) is not available at the camp. RDAP is offered only at the main FCI Beckley.

Available substance abuse programs include:

• Drug Abuse Education Course
• Non-Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (NR-DAP)
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Psychology Services

Residents have access to psychologists who provide counseling and mental health services. The facility offers:

• Individual and group therapy
• Anger management
• Stress management
• Criminal thinking intervention
• BRAVE Program (Bureau Rehabilitation and Values Enhancement) — A self-improvement program designed for young offenders serving lengthy terms

Psychiatric services are available by referral. Staff reported approximately 350 face-to-face clinical contacts per month, with weekly groups including grief and trauma, anger management, and criminal thinking classes.

Medical Care

FCI Beckley Camp is designated as a Medical Care Level 2 facility, serving patients who are stable outpatients requiring quarterly clinical evaluation.

Medical services include:

• Admission physical examinations
• Medical and dental sick call
• Routine care and physicals
• Emergency medical and dental care (24 hours)
• Prescription medications
• Chronic care clinics

Residents must submit triage forms for non-emergency medical evaluation. At the time of one inspection, the medical staff included two doctors, two nurse practitioners, two physician assistants, and six nurses.

Communication

Telephone

Residents have access to telephone services through TRULINCS. Only outgoing calls are permitted to approved contacts. Calls are monitored and recorded, with exceptions for attorney-client communications.

Email

Electronic messaging is available through the TRULINCS system via Corrlinks. Text-based email allows residents to maintain contact with approved correspondents.

Video Visits

Video visitation services are available through the BOP's approved vendor. Families should schedule video visits in advance.

Mail

General correspondence is permitted with family, friends, and approved contacts. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection. Legal mail is opened only in the recipient's presence.

Mailing Address (Camp):

Resident Name, Register Number

FCI Beckley

Federal Correctional Institution

Satellite Camp

P.O. Box 350

Beaver, WV 25813

Important: Do NOT send money to this address. All funds must be sent to the Federal Bureau of Prisons processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Commissary

Residents may spend up to $360.00 per month at the commissary. Shopping occurs once per week on assigned days. Funds are withdrawn using a commissary card, and residents may also use Form BP-199 to transfer funds for family support or other approved purposes.

Staff Misconduct

• 2024 — Cody Adam Bays (32), a correctional officer at FCI Beckley, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for providing contraband to residents. Between November 2022 and February 2023, Bays smuggled suboxone, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and tobacco into the facility. He also attempted to smuggle fentanyl but suffered a serious overdose after sampling the substance. Bays admitted to receiving approximately $20,800 in payments through cash and financial mobile applications.

• 2016 — Scotty Rose, a physician's assistant at FCI Beckley, was sentenced to two years in prison for unwittingly tampering with an FBI investigation. Rose had previously received reprimands for being "too nice" to prisoners.

• 2015 — Paris Leibelson, a transgender woman incarcerated at FCI Beckley, filed a lawsuit alleging officials failed to protect her from assault, threats, and harassment between late 2013 and early 2014. The lawsuit alleged that prison gangs controlled most dining tables and demanded sexual favors in exchange for allowing her to eat, and that a guard performed an illegal strip search.

Location & Visitation

Location

FCI Beckley Camp is located adjacent to the medium-security FCI Beckley in Beaver, Raleigh County, in southern West Virginia. The facility is part of the BOP's Mid-Atlantic Region and falls within the Southern West Virginia Judicial District.

Address:

FCI Beckley Satellite Camp

1600 Industrial Road

Beaver, WV 25813

Phone: 304-252-9758
Email: [email protected]

Visitation

Camp and FCI visitation hours are the same:

• Saturdays: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Sundays: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Mondays: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Federal Holidays: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Processing Cutoff: At the camp, processing of visitors ceases at 1:30 PM (earlier than the main FCI's 2:00 PM cutoff).

Visitation Points System:

Visits are managed through a point system:

• Residents receive 8 visitation points per month
• Each weekday visit costs 1 point
• Each weekend or holiday visit costs 2 points
• Once points are used, visiting privileges are suspended until the first day of the next month

Requirements:

• Maximum of 5 visitors (including children) per visiting session
• All visitors must be on the approved visitation list
• Valid government-issued photo identification required
• Personal items (wallets, cell phones, bags) must be secured outside the visiting area
• Visitors should contact the institution before visiting to confirm schedule

For complete visiting regulations, see the official BOP page for FCI Beckley.

See Also

• FCI Beckley — The adjacent medium-security federal correctional institution
• Federal Prison Camps — Overview of minimum-security facilities
• BOP Mid-Atlantic Region
• FPC Alderson — Women's minimum-security camp in West Virginia
• FCI Gilmer — Medium-security facility in West Virginia
• USP Hazelton — High-security penitentiary in West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does FCI Beckley allow conjugal visits?

No. FCI Beckley does not allow conjugal visits. The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not permit conjugal visits at any facility regardless of security level. This includes all minimum-security federal prison 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 have no access to conjugal or extended family visits anywhere in the BOP system.

Q: What types of visitation are allowed at FCI Beckley?

FCI Beckley allows contact visits during designated visiting hours, typically on weekends and holidays. Contact visits permit brief embraces at the start and end of visits, but prolonged physical contact is not allowed. All visits occur in supervised visiting rooms. Visitors must be pre-approved through a background check process and must follow dress code requirements. For full details, see the Visiting Policies and Procedures page.