FCI Oxford

From Prisonpedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
MALE
Gender
LOW
Security Level
~1,050
Population (Dec. 2025)

Federal Correctional Institution, Oxford (FCI Oxford) is a low-security United States federal prison for male inmates located in Oxford, Wisconsin. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. Located in Adams County, approximately 60 miles north of Madison, the facility opened in 1973 and has housed numerous notable inmates including former Illinois Governor George Ryan and former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski.

Overview

FCI Oxford is a low-security federal correctional institution housing male offenders. As of December 2025, the facility houses approximately 1,050 inmates. The main institution features one- and two-person cells organized across four housing units. The facility formerly operated an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp, which was closed in 2024.

The institution is part of the Bureau of Prisons' North Central Region and falls within the Western District of Wisconsin. Its proximity to major Midwestern cities, particularly Chicago (approximately 180 miles away), has historically made it a common designation for white-collar offenders and politicians from Illinois.

History

Establishment and Early Years

FCI Oxford opened in 1973 as a federal correctional institution. The facility was established to serve the Bureau of Prisons' need for additional capacity in the Midwest region.

Satellite Camp Addition

In 1985, a minimum-security satellite camp was added adjacent to the main institution. The camp housed approximately 80-100 male inmates and provided labor support to the main institution as well as off-site work programs.

Mission Change (2023)

On June 21, 2023, the Bureau of Prisons announced that FCI Oxford would transition from a medium-security to a low-security institution. This reclassification, implemented under BOP Director Colette Peters, was designed to:

  • Alleviate the Bureau's growing need for low-security beds
  • Support the First Step Act by housing individuals closer to their release communities (within 500 miles)
  • Prepare individuals for successful reentry into their communities

FCI Oxford was the fourth facility to undergo such a mission change, following FCI Memphis, FCI Estill, and FCI Estill Satellite Camp.

Satellite Camp Closure (2024)

In June 2024, the Bureau of Prisons suspended operations at the FCI Oxford satellite camp. The closure was part of a broader BOP initiative addressing critical staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and limited budgetary resources. Inmates from the camp were transferred to other facilities, while staff were reassigned to the main FCI Oxford institution. The main prison continues to operate normally.

Programs and Services

Drug Treatment Programs

FCI Oxford offers comprehensive substance abuse treatment options:

  • Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) - intensive 9-month program with potential sentence reduction of up to 12 months
  • Drug Abuse Education Program
  • Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP)
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Educational Programs

The facility provides various educational opportunities:

  • Literacy programs
  • GED preparation and testing
  • English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) courses
  • Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes
  • Parenting education programs
  • High school diploma programs
  • Post-secondary correspondence courses

The TRULINCS Electronic Law Library, located in the Education Department, provides inmates access to legal materials for research and document preparation.

Vocational Training

FCI Oxford offers several vocational training programs and apprenticeships:

  • Certified Production Technician
  • Culinary Arts
  • Carpentry apprenticeship
  • Dental Assistant apprenticeship
  • Maintenance Repair (formerly at camp)
  • Painting (formerly at camp)
  • Stationary Engineering (formerly at camp)
  • Wastewater Treatment (formerly at camp)
  • Welding (formerly at camp)

Mental Health Services

All inmates receive an intake interview with a psychologist. Mental health services include:

  • 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention
  • Individual counseling for family, interpersonal, adjustment, or personal concerns
  • Educational and therapeutic groups (stress management, anger management)

Health Services

Health services cover routine medical and dental care, including physical examinations, emergency treatment, and medication distribution. Inmates can access routine care by submitting a triage form, while emergency medical care is available through any staff member.

Notable Inmates

FCI Oxford has housed several high-profile inmates, particularly politicians and public figures from the Chicago area:

Name Offense Sentence Dates at FCI Oxford Notes
George Ryan Racketeering, bribery, fraud, tax fraud 6.5 years November 2007 - February 2008 Former Illinois Governor (1999-2003). Transferred to FCI Terre Haute after Oxford stopped housing inmates over 70. Released July 2013. Died May 2025.
Dan Rostenkowski Mail fraud 17 months 1996-1997 Former U.S. Congressman (D-IL), Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee. Pardoned by President Clinton in 2000. Later joked about receiving "my Oxford education."
George Papadopoulos Making false statements to FBI 14 days November 26 - December 7, 2018 Former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser. Pardoned by President Trump in December 2020.
Jesus Cortez Zambrano Murder 27 years Current Serving lengthy sentence for murder conviction.

Notes from Alumni

We have not yet heard any notes or tips from alumni of FCI Oxford. Have something you'd like to contribute? Log in above and then tap Edit at the top of this page to get started.

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

Location & Visitation

Contact Information

Type Information
Phone 608-584-5511
Fax 608-584-6314
Email [email protected]

Location

Physical Address:

FCI Oxford
County Road G & Elk Avenue
Oxford, WI 53952

Mailing Address (Inmates):

Inmate Name, Register Number
FCI Oxford
P.O. Box 1000
Oxford, WI 53952

FCI Oxford is located in Adams County, in central Wisconsin, approximately 60 miles north of Madison and 180 miles northwest of Chicago. The facility is accessible via Interstate 39, exiting at County Road G.

Visitation

Visiting Hours:

  • Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Friday: 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Visits can last up to five hours, depending on the visitor's arrival time and facility capacity. All visitors must be pre-approved before visiting an inmate during authorized hours.

There are many specific rules and procedures to be aware of when visiting. 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.

Sending Money

Important: Do NOT send money to inmates at the facility address. All funds sent through the mail must be addressed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons processing center:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Inmate Name, Register Number
P.O. Box 474701
Des Moines, IA 50947-0001

See Also

References


Retrieved from "https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=FCI_Oxford&oldid=4873"