Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City: Overview

Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City is a low-security federal prison located in Yazoo City, Mississippi. It is part of the Federal Correctional Complex Yazoo City, which consists of four facilities including a federal prison camp, two federal correctional institutions, and the United States Penitentiary. The complex has a rated capacity of 4,864 inmates and is one of the largest employers in Yazoo County.

The Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City, is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which is responsible for the care, custody, and control of federal inmates. The BOP is an agency within the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. The BOP’s mission is to protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, and appropriately secure.

The Federal Correctional Complex, Yazoo City is located on approximately 1,000 acres in Yazoo County, Mississippi, adjacent to Highway 3. The complex has a staff of approximately 800 employees and provides a range of programs and services to inmates, including education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and religious services. The complex is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for staff, inmates, and the public, while also preparing inmates for successful reentry into society.

SecurityLow
Capacity1,500
Physical Address2225 Haley Barbour Parkway
Yazoo City, MS 39194
Mailing AddressP.O. Box 5000
Yazoo City, MS 39194
Can You Send Gifts?No
Visitation HoursFriday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number662-751-4800
JurisdictionFederal

Facility Overview

The Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City Low is part of the Yazoo City Federal Correctional Complex, located in Yazoo County, Mississippi. The complex consists of four facilities, including a low-security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp, a medium-security federal correctional institution, and a high-security United States Penitentiary (USP) with a rated capacity of 4,864 beds. FCC Yazoo City is one of the largest employers in Yazoo County, Mississippi, and the surrounding area.

Security Levels

The Yazoo City Federal Correctional Complex houses male offenders with different security levels. The complex includes a low-security federal correctional institution, a medium-security federal correctional institution, and a high-security United States Penitentiary. The USP is a high-security facility that houses inmates with the most serious offenses.

Housing and Dormitories

Inmate housing at the Yazoo City Federal Correctional Complex includes dormitories, double-bunked cells, and single cells. The complex has a total capacity of 4,864 inmates. The low-security federal correctional institution has two-person cells, while the medium-security federal correctional institution has four-person cells. The satellite prison camp has dormitory-style housing.

Prison Complex

The Yazoo City Federal Correctional Complex is located on approximately 1,000 acres in Yazoo County, Mississippi, adjacent to Highway 3. The complex is one of the largest employers in the area and is a significant economic driver for the region.

In conclusion, the Yazoo City Federal Correctional Complex is a significant facility in the Federal Bureau of Prisons system, with a total capacity of 4,864 inmates. The complex includes a low-security federal correctional institution, a medium-security federal correctional institution, and a high-security United States Penitentiary. The complex is located in Yazoo County, Mississippi, adjacent to Highway 3, and is one of the largest employers in the area.

Inmate Procedures

Inmates at Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City Low are required to follow certain procedures for mail, visitation, sending money, and locating an inmate.

Inmate Mail

Inmates are allowed to send and receive mail, subject to certain restrictions. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection for contraband. Inmates must use their assigned inmate correspondence address when sending and receiving mail. The mailing address for FCI Yazoo City Low is:

  • Inmate Name & Register Number
  • FCI Yazoo City Low
  • Federal Correctional Institution
  • P.O. Box 5000
  • Yazoo City, MS 39194

Inmates may receive letters, postcards, and photographs, but they may not receive packages or cash. Mail from family and friends must be sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Inmates may also purchase postage stamps through the commissary.

Visitation

Visitation is an important part of an inmate’s life, as it allows them to maintain connections with family and friends. Visiting hours at FCI Yazoo City Low are subject to change, so it is important to check the visiting schedule before making plans to visit. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list and must follow all visiting regulations. Visitation hours are Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID before being allowed to visit. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is on the inmate’s approved visiting list. Inmates may receive visits from immediate family members, as well as friends.

Sending Money

Inmates at FCI Yazoo City Low may receive funds from family and friends through Western Union or by mail. To send money through Western Union, the sender must provide the inmate’s name and registration number, as well as the name of the correctional facility. Inmates may also receive money through the mail in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks and cash are not allowed.

Inmates may use the funds they receive to purchase items from the commissary or to pay for phone calls.

Inmate Locator

If you need to locate an inmate at FCI Yazoo City Low, you can use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator tool. This tool allows you to search for inmates by name or registration number. You can also search for inmates by location. The inmate locator tool provides information such as the inmate’s name, age, gender, and release date.

Inmates at FCI Yazoo City Low may also be eligible to participate in educational programs, such as obtaining their GED. These programs can help prepare inmates for a successful reentry into society.

Programs and Services

Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City Low offers a range of programs and services to its inmates. These programs and services are designed to help inmates develop new skills, gain knowledge, and prepare for their eventual release. Some of the programs and services offered at FCI Yazoo City Low include vocational training, residential drug abuse programs, education services, and recreation services.

Vocational Training

FCI Yazoo City Low offers vocational training programs that provide inmates with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce. These programs include apprenticeships and training in various industries, such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. Inmates who complete vocational training programs are better prepared to find employment upon their release, reducing their likelihood of returning to prison.

Residential Drug Abuse Program

The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) at FCI Yazoo City Low is a comprehensive drug treatment program that helps inmates overcome addiction and develop the skills they need to stay sober. The program includes group and individual counseling, drug education, and vocational training. Inmates who complete the RDAP program may be eligible for early release.

Education Services

FCI Yazoo City Low offers a range of education services to help inmates improve their literacy skills and earn their GED or high school diploma. These services include literacy programs, adult basic education, and GED preparation courses. Inmates who complete these programs are better prepared to find employment and succeed in their personal and professional lives.

Recreation Services

FCI Yazoo City Low offers a variety of recreation services to help inmates stay active and healthy. These services include access to a gym, outdoor sports facilities, and recreational activities such as arts and crafts. Inmates who participate in recreation services are more likely to maintain good physical and mental health, reducing their likelihood of developing health problems while incarcerated.

Overall, the programs and services offered at FCI Yazoo City Low are designed to help inmates develop new skills and prepare for their eventual release. By providing vocational training, drug treatment, education services, and recreation services, FCI Yazoo City Low is helping inmates build a better future for themselves and their families.

Operations and Safety

Contraband Management

The Warden and staff at Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City Low are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all staff, inmates, and visitors. Contraband is a serious threat to the safety and security of the institution and is strictly prohibited. The institution has a zero-tolerance policy towards contraband and has implemented various measures to effectively manage it.

The Operational Levels Matrix (OLM) is used to categorize inmates based on their security level and their risk of possessing contraband. This helps staff to identify and manage potential risks. Incoming mail, packages, and parcels are thoroughly checked for any prohibited items. The Processing Center is responsible for screening all incoming and outgoing mail, and Freight and Non-USPS Parcels are screened using x-ray machines.

Legal Activities

The institution provides access to legal resources and facilities for inmates to pursue their legal activities. The Special Housing Unit (SHU) has a legal library that inmates can use to research legal cases and prepare their legal documents. The institution also has a law library that provides legal materials and resources to both staff and inmates.

Safety and Security

The institution has a comprehensive safety and security program that is designed to prevent incidents and respond to emergencies. The staff is trained in emergency response procedures, and the institution has established policies and procedures to ensure the safety and security of all staff, inmates, and visitors.

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Report is used to document any incidents of sexual abuse or harassment within the institution. The institution has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual abuse and harassment and has implemented various measures to prevent and respond to such incidents.

Sentenced Inmates

Sentenced inmates are housed in the institution’s two Federal Correctional Institutions. The inmates are classified based on their security level and their risk of reoffending. The staff provides programs and services to help inmates prepare for release and reintegrate into society.

Correctional Officer

The institution employs Correctional Officers who are responsible for maintaining order and discipline within the institution. The staff is trained in emergency response procedures, communication skills, and conflict resolution. They are also trained to identify and manage potential risks, including contraband and security threats.

In conclusion, Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City Low is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all staff, inmates, and visitors. The institution has implemented various measures to effectively manage contraband, provide legal resources, and ensure the safety and security of all. The staff is trained to manage potential risks, and the institution provides programs and services to help inmates prepare for release and reintegrate into society.

Notable Inmates

Federal Correctional Complex, Yazoo City has housed a number of notable inmates throughout its history. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Karey Lee Woolsey

Karey Lee Woolsey was a former employee of the United States Postal Service who was convicted of mailing a bomb that killed a postal worker in 1991. He was sentenced to death and was executed at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, on April 19, 2001. Woolsey was held at FCC Yazoo City before his execution.

Robert Kale Johnson

Robert Kale Johnson was a former Mississippi state trooper who was convicted of the murder of his wife and sentenced to life in prison. Johnson was also convicted of two counts of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. He was held at FCC Yazoo City before being transferred to another facility. Johnson died in prison on October 1, 2018.

Other notable inmates who have been held at FCC Yazoo City include former NFL player Darren Sharper, who was convicted of drugging and raping multiple women, and former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps, who was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for taking bribes from private prison contractors.

It is worth noting that while FCC Yazoo City has housed some high-profile inmates, the vast majority of the prison’s population consists of non-violent offenders serving relatively short sentences.

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