FCI Danbury (low-security)
Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury (FCI Danbury) is a low-security United States federal prison for male inmates located in Danbury, Connecticut. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. The facility is part of the Danbury Federal Correctional Complex, which includes the adjacent FCI Danbury Satellite Prison Camp.
Overview
FCI Danbury opened in 1940 and is located approximately 60 miles north of New York City. The facility was historically known as a federal prison for women and housed many notable female inmates before being converted to a male facility in 2013.
The prison gained significant pop culture recognition as the inspiration for the Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," based on the memoir by Piper Kerman who served time at the former women's facility.
Notable Inmates
FCI Danbury has housed several high-profile inmates:
Current/Recent:
- Steve Bannon - Former Trump strategist, served a 4-month sentence for contempt of Congress. Reported to FCI Danbury in July 2024 and was released in October 2024.
Historical (Women's Facility Era):
- Piper Kerman - Author of "Orange Is the New Black," served 13 months for money laundering.
- Leona Helmsley - Hotel magnate "Queen of Mean," served 18 months for tax evasion.
- Lauryn Hill - Grammy-winning singer, served 3 months for tax evasion in 2013.
Notes from Alumni
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Location & Visitation
Location
Physical location: DANBURY, CT 06811
Mailing address: 33 1/2 PEMBROKE STATION, DANBURY, CT 06811
Visitation
There are many specific rules and procedures to be aware of when you're considering visiting the institution. Read more on our Visitation Guide.
For full, current visiting rules and scheduling, always check the institution's official page on the Bureau of Prisons website: Official BOP Page.
See also
- Index of Federal Prison Facilities
- FCI Danbury (minimum-security camp)
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods