If you’ve been sentenced to federal prison and you’re classified as non-violent, minimum security, you may be eligible for a Federal Prison Camp (FPC) — the most relaxed level of federal incarceration. These facilities offer a less restrictive environment and, in some cases, even access to community work, vocational training, and more humane conditions.
At PrisonLawFirm.com, we help clients and families navigate the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and make the best case for sensible, strategic placement — ideally at a facility that balances safety, services, and proximity to home.
How Federal Prison Camp Placement Works
While judges can recommend a facility at sentencing, the BOP has the final say. According to federal guidelines, the BOP must designate a prison within 500 miles of your legal residence “to the extent practicable.”
Key factors the BOP considers:
- Security level
- Medical needs
- Available bed space
- Program needs (e.g., RDAP)
- Proximity to home
What Makes a Prison Camp “The Best”?
While no federal prison camp is a “vacation,” some are known for being safer, cleaner, and better-managed than others.
Top-rated camps usually offer:
- Calm, non-violent populations
- Access to work and education programs
- Strong community atmosphere
- Better commissary, food, and living quarters
- Proximity to major cities for family visits
Top 20 Best Federal Prison Camps (FPCs)
Here are 20 of the best-rated FPCs, factoring in safety, amenities, environment, and reputation within the system:
1. FPC Yankton – South Dakota
✔️ Former college campus
✔️ Dorm-style housing
✔️ Work assignments in community
Known as one of the most laid-back federal facilities in the country.
2. FPC Montgomery – Alabama
✔️ Located on a military base
✔️ Wide open grounds, minimal fencing
✔️ Solid education and vocational programs
One of the most recommended camps in the Southeast.
3. FPC Pensacola – Florida
✔️ Located on a naval air station
✔️ Great weather and relaxed supervision
✔️ Outdoor work assignments available
Highly preferred for Florida-based inmates.
4. FPC Bryan – Texas (Women Only)
✔️ Clean facilities
✔️ Focus on education and rehab
✔️ Strong female inmate support system
Top option for non-violent female offenders in the South.
5. FPC Alderson – West Virginia (Women Only)
✔️ Historic and low-risk
✔️ Access to vocational training
✔️ Large recreation yard
Dubbed the “Camp Cupcake” — but still serious time.
6. FPC Cumberland – Maryland
✔️ On scenic grounds
✔️ Active job and education programs
✔️ Near D.C. and mid-Atlantic cities
Good option for East Coast inmates.
7. FPC Duluth – Minnesota
✔️ Very relaxed environment
✔️ Cold winters, but peaceful facility
✔️ Community work opportunities
High marks for low violence and safety.
8. FPC Florence – Colorado
✔️ Beautiful mountain setting
✔️ Quiet population
✔️ Good food and clean dorms
Not far from Denver — good for Colorado-based defendants.
9. FPC El Paso – Texas
✔️ Small population
✔️ Calm inmate culture
✔️ Clear desert environment
Less crowding than other Texas camps.
10. FPC Otisville – New York
✔️ 90 miles from NYC
✔️ Known for fair staff and clean facility
✔️ Religious accommodations respected
Often requested by white-collar defendants.
11. FPC Danbury – Connecticut (Men & Women)
✔️ Historic campus feel
✔️ Good reentry and education programs
✔️ Close to NYC and New England
Notable for well-managed female housing unit.
12. FPC Sheridan – Oregon
✔️ Northwest location
✔️ Surrounded by nature
✔️ Low incident rate
Top pick for Pacific Northwest residents.
13. FPC Lompoc – California
✔️ Near California wine country
✔️ Open layout and good morale
✔️ Accessible to Los Angeles area
Sought after for West Coast defendants.
14. FPC La Tuna – Texas/New Mexico
✔️ Near El Paso
✔️ Peaceful facility
✔️ Spanish-speaking programming available
Popular with Southwest residents.
15. FPC Safford – Arizona
✔️ Desert climate
✔️ Fair treatment and low violence
✔️ Outdoor work opportunities
Low turnover and good community feel.
16. FPC Ashland – Kentucky
✔️ Scenic and quiet
✔️ Strong education programs
✔️ Moderate climate
Good placement for inmates from the Midwest and South.
17. FPC Nellis (closed but historically important)
Honorable mention: This once-highly sought-after camp in Nevada showed that camps located near cities often offered better family access. Today, FPC Tucson is the regional option.
18. FPC Lewisburg – Pennsylvania
✔️ Small and calm
✔️ Older facility but well-managed
✔️ Close to Philly and Harrisburg
Known for balanced staff-inmate relationships.
19. FPC Jesup – Georgia
✔️ Southern hospitality among staff
✔️ Access to programs
✔️ Close to Florida and Carolinas
Popular for low-security white-collar inmates.
20. FPC Terre Haute – Indiana
✔️ Midwestern facility with strong programs
✔️ Safe and well-maintained
✔️ Fairly central location
Good reentry preparation.
Can I Request a Specific Federal Prison Camp?
Yes — your attorney can request it at sentencing, and you or your family can follow up with the Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC).
BUT — the BOP has final authority and may not honor the request if:
- There’s no available bed
- It’s beyond 500 miles from your home
- You don’t meet program qualifications (e.g., RDAP)
That’s why it’s crucial to start planning early and back up your request with valid reasoning (e.g., family ties, medical care, community support).
Final Tips from PrisonLawFirm.com
- Get substance use documented in your PSR if seeking RDAP
- Emphasize family location and rehabilitative goals in sentencing memos
- Understand that transfers are difficult, so placement matters
- BOP will not guarantee placement, but you can influence it with preparation
Need Help Navigating Placement?
At PrisonLawFirm.com, we help you:
- Prepare pre-sentencing memoranda to support placement
- Draft formal facility requests
- Assist in appealing placements when they’re unfair
- Guide families through post-sentencing transitions
You have more power than you think — but only if you start early.
Don’t leave it to chance. Plan your placement. Fight for better conditions. And get help when you need it.