USP Tucson (high-security)
United States Penitentiary, Tucson (USP Tucson) is a high-security United States federal prison for male inmates located in Tucson, Arizona. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. USP Tucson is the only high-security federal prison in Arizona and is part of the Tucson Federal Correctional Complex, which also includes the USP Tucson Satellite Prison Camp.
Overview
USP Tucson opened on February 5, 2007, on a 640-acre property approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Tucson, near Interstate 10 and Wilmot Road. The 584,000-square-foot facility was designed to house 1,500 inmates, though population targets were later reduced to approximately 960. As of October 2025, USP Tucson houses approximately 983 inmates.
As a high-security United States Penitentiary, USP Tucson features reinforced perimeters, armed patrols, restrictive movement protocols, and strict controls over inmate movements. Inmates are housed in single and multi-person cells with guarded perimeters.
Sex Offender Management Program
USP Tucson is one of several federal prisons that offers a Sex Offender Management Program (SOMP). Approximately 40 percent of the inmate population is incarcerated for a current or past sexual offense. Having a larger concentration of sex offenders at SOMP facilities ensures that inmates feel safer participating in treatment programs.
Programs and Services
Drug Treatment Programs
USP Tucson does not offer the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). However, other substance abuse services are available:
- Drug Education Classes
- Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP)
Educational Programs
The facility provides educational opportunities including:
- Literacy programs
- GED preparation
- English-as-a-Second Language (ESL)
- Adult Continuing Education (ACE) courses
Health Services
Health services at USP Tucson include:
- Sick call
- Dental services
- Physical examinations
- Chronic care management
- Medical emergencies
- Medication distribution
- Mental health services
Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day.
Work Programs
Inmates may work in various facility operations including food service, maintenance, landscaping, and other institutional support functions.
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Location & Visitation
Location
Physical address: 9300 S Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756
USP Tucson is located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Tucson, Arizona.
Contact
- Phone: 520-663-5000
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
- USP Tucson (minimum-security camp)
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods