This page is for people who are preparing to self-surrender at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp. It is not about the Lewisburg penitentiary . Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp is a minimum-security federal prison camp for men located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, next to one of the oldest and most well-known high-security penitentiaries in the federal system. People often confuse the camp with the penitentiary.
No one goes to Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp pre-sentence. Everyone here has already been sentenced and is either designated, preparing to surrender, or already serving time.
Since 2009, hundreds of people in the White Collar Advice community have served time at Lewisburg Camp. Men arrive from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and throughout the Midwest. One reason Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp appears so frequently in designations is practical: it offers the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) and, historically, the program has been more predictable here than at many other East Coast camps.
Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp — Key Facts
| Category | Details |
| Location | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Security Level | Minimum-security federal prison camp |
| Population | Male prisoners only |
| Opened | 1932 (adjacent high-security penitentiary) |
| Housing Style | Open dormitories with cubicles |
| RDAP | Yes (offered at the camp) |
| UNICOR | Available to some prisoners |
| Nearest Airport | Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) |
| Drive from MDT | ~70 miles / about 1.5 hours |
| Drive from Philadelphia | ~160 miles / 3–3.5 hours |
| Visitation | Weekends and federal holidays |
| Self-Surrender | Staff retrieves you from the parking lot |
Learning From Someone Who Lived It: Craig Carton
One of the most useful ways to understand Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp is to hear from someone who actually served time there and used it productively.
Craig Carton, a friend and longtime radio host, served time at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp and completed RDAP there. His experience wasn’t theoretical. He lived the daily routine, participated in the program, and dealt with the same restrictions anyone going to Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp will face.
Craig also shares Lewisburg-specific anecdotes — how RDAP was run, what daily life felt like, and what helped him stay disciplined in a camp that sits next to a high-security penitentiary.
Watch our full conversation here:
https://youtu.be/dmiprwLxKOg?si=cipvKnlO8EE4UbBY
Why Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp Is a Common RDAP Designation
Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp offers RDAP, which can reduce a qualifying sentence by up to 12 months. Many people assume all federal prison camps offer RDAP. That’s not true. Several East Coast camps, including Fort Dix and Otisville, do not.
Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp is often compared to Montgomery or Cumberland. In my experience, RDAP at Lewisburg has generally been more functional, largely because of how it’s run. Another factor is waitlists. Historically, Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp has had shorter RDAP waitlists than places like Texarkana, Yankton, or Montgomery — though this can change.
RDAP is not automatic. Eligibility, documentation, and sentence length matter, amongst other factors.
Being Next to a High-Security Penitentiary
Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp sits directly next to a high-security penitentiary. While the camp itself is not surrounded by razor wire, proximity matters.
If there is a serious incident or institutional shutdown at the penitentiary, the entire complex can be affected, including Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp. That can mean restricted movement or canceled visitation. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s part of the reality of this location.
Programming, Education, and Work at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp
Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp offers standard federal camp programming, including:
- GED education, required if a verified diploma is not listed in your PSR
- Adult education and literacy programs
- Correspondence courses, sometimes through local junior colleges
Years ago, someone in our community completed coursework through Penn State University, where I later had the opportunity to speak after my release.
Vocational opportunities may include HVAC, printing, and other institutional jobs. There is also a law library, open weekdays and weekends, with thousands of books ranging from legal texts to philosophy and biographies.
UNICOR at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp
Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp offers UNICOR positions. Several people from our community — including Craig Carton and Josh Coleman — have worked UNICOR jobs here.
UNICOR generally pays more than standard camp jobs and provides structure, but positions are limited and not guaranteed.
Housing, Recreation, and Daily Life
Housing at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp is open-dorm style with cubicles. Dorms have air conditioning and heat.
Recreation typically includes a track, ping pong, bocce ball, pool, weights, and treadmills. Recreation areas are generally open seven days a week. There is a television room open from morning until late evening. Like most camps, evenings are where routines either help you — or hurt you.
Commissary, Phones, and Communication
- Commissary limit: $360 per month
- Shopping usually runs Monday–Thursday, one assigned day per week
Phone access includes:
- Over 500 minutes per month
- First 300 minutes covered with First Step Act programming
- Up to 30 approved contacts
- Calls disconnect after 15 minutes
Calls may show as “Private Caller” or a 202 area code, with periodic recorded announcements.
Visiting Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp
Visiting typically occurs on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. Most people can visit two to three times per month, not to exceed five visits. To learn more about visiting, read this article.
Legal visits are handled separately once approved. Based on experience shared by our community, no more than four visitors are usually allowed at one time.
Local hotels often used include the Best Western and Country Inn in the Lewisburg area.
Self-Surrender at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp
When you self-surrender to Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp, you drive into the parking lot and wait. A staff member will come out and walk you inside. Unlike some camps, family members generally do not walk in with you.
Additional Resources and Next Steps
Everyone reading this page has already been sentenced. At this stage, the focus is on designation, surrender, programming, and getting through time at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp without creating new problems.
RDAP education
Because Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp offers RDAP, many people want clarity before relying on it. We provide educational resources explaining eligibility, documentation, waitlists, and common post-sentence mistakes.
Weekly White Collar Advice Webinar
We host a weekly webinar focused on post-sentence realities: RDAP timing, surrender logistics, First Step Act programming, and daily life at camps like Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp.
Documenting time and following others at Lewisburg
Some people choose to document their time publicly so family members and others can see documented progress. That happens through PrisonProfessors.org, where people maintain profiles and follow others at the same facility. White Collar Advice is a sponsor of PrisonProfessors.org.
For example, John Polit, a friend surrendering to Lewisburg Camp soon, is documenting his preparation here: https://profiles.prisonprofessors.org/profile/john-polit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp offer RDAP?
Yes. Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp offers RDAP, though eligibility and timing matter.
Is Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp pre-sentence?
No. Everyone at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp has already been sentenced.
Is Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp fenced in?
The camp itself is not surrounded by razor wire, but it is adjacent to a high-security penitentiary.
What airport should families use?
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is the closest and most practical option.
About the Author
I served time in federal prison and now work with individuals and families navigating sentencing, designation, and life inside federal facilities. Through White Collar Advice, my team and I hae worked with hundreds of people designated to Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp, helping them prepare deliberately.
Schedule a Confidential Call
If you want to talk through Lewisburg Camp specifically — RDAP, surrender logistics, or how to approach time there deliberately — you can schedule a confidential call with our team.
