FCI Terminal Island (low-security)
Federal Correctional Institution, Terminal Island (FCI Terminal Island) is a low-security United States federal prison for male inmates located in San Pedro, California. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. The facility is located on Terminal Island in Los Angeles Harbor.
Overview
⚠️ Facility Closing: On November 25, 2025, the Bureau of Prisons announced that FCI Terminal Island is suspending operations due to deteriorating infrastructure. Director William K. Marshall III cited "chunks of concrete" falling from underground steam tunnel ceilings, calling the closure "absolutely necessary" for safety. Nearly 1,000 inmates will be transferred to other federal facilities over the coming weeks.
FCI Terminal Island is a low-security correctional institution that opened in 1938. Originally built as a federal detention center for immigration cases, it has evolved into a prison known for housing both general population inmates and those in the Sex Offender Management Program (SOMP).
The facility is unique in its island location within Los Angeles Harbor, providing a scenic setting unusual for a federal prison. The prison occupies part of Terminal Island, which is connected to the mainland by bridges. An April 2024 engineering assessment identified over $110 million in critical repairs needed over the next 20 years.
Notable Inmates
FCI Terminal Island has housed several high-profile inmates:
- Sam Bankman-Fried - FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder, convicted of fraud and money laundering. Currently serving a 25-year sentence.
- Michael Avenatti - Celebrity attorney known for representing Stormy Daniels, convicted of wire fraud, extortion, and tax fraud. Currently serving approximately 14 years.
- Al Capone - Infamous gangster, served the final years of his federal sentence here in the 1930s.
- Charles Manson - Cult leader, briefly held here.
- Timothy Leary - Psychologist and LSD advocate, served time in the 1970s.
- G. Gordon Liddy - Watergate conspirator, served part of his sentence here.
Notes from Alumni
- Reddit user u/xxam925 advised an inmate designated to Terminal Island in r/ExCons (2021): "Low security is camp snoopy compared to anything else. Barely any politics and SO much more freedom. Basically a bedtime and counts and that's it."
- Reddit user u/prisoner256 described Terminal Island in the same thread: "Terminal Island seems like such a bizarre place...like a Fortnite location. Being so close to the city, it probably will be loud & hot whether you're inside or outside."
- Prison consultant Kyle Sandler told Fortune (2025) that Terminal Island is "cushier" than FCI Victorville, the medium-security facility where Sam Bankman-Fried was previously held.
Please remember that experiences are unique and may not reflect today's experience.
Location & Visitation
Location
Physical location: SAN PEDRO, CA 90731
Mailing address: 1299 SEASIDE AVENUE, SAN PEDRO, CA 90731
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
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)