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Atwater Camp SCP

Minimum

Satellite Camp

Atwater Camp SCP is a minimum-security satellite camp for men on the grounds of the former Castle Air Force Base in California's Central Valley, roughly 130 miles southeast of San Francisco. The camp falls within the Eastern District of California.

Last verified: March 4, 2026

SCPWestern RegionMale

What to Expect at Atwater Camp SCP

Location & Travel

  • •The camp is in California's Central Valley, about 130 miles southeast of San Francisco near the city of Atwater. Use GPS to navigate—the facility is off Federal Way, accessible from Route 99. Motel 6 Merced North: 209-384-2181 | Valley Motel: 209-358-0401 | Applegate Inn: 209-357-0202

Communication & Mail

  • •520 phone minutes a month: The prison pays for the first 300 free phone minutes per month if you are enrolled in First Step Act programming; calls cost around $0.06/minute for the additional 210 minutes. Each call cuts off at 15 minutes and your calling list is limited to 30 numbers. Phone access is seven days a week.

Visiting

  • •Visiting hours are Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You may have up to three adult visitors and three children at a time.

Psychology/Counseling Services

The Psychology Services Department offers screening, assessment, and treatment for mental health and substance abuse concerns. Services include individual and group counseling, psycho-educational classes, self-help resources, and referrals to Health Services when medical treatment for mental illness is needed. Drug abuse programming includes a drug education course, non-residential treatment, and the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP), which runs for a minimum of nine months.

Health Services

Sick call sign-up takes place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (excluding holidays) from 6:00 to 7:00 AM. Clinic visits are scheduled by appointment only. Pill line is available at 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Prisoners under 50 may request a physical examination every two years, while those 50 and older may request one annually.

Fitness & Recreation

The Recreation Department provides a broad range of activities available to prisoners outside of assigned duties. An arts and crafts area is open for those interested in creative pursuits. The Wellness Program includes health screenings, assessments, personalized goal-setting, fitness and nutrition guidance, and counseling.

Religious Services

The Religious Services Department provides pastoral care and religious accommodation for the diverse faith needs of the population. Chaplains offer worship services, religious education, counseling, spiritual direction, and crisis intervention. The department also oversees the religious diet program, ceremonial meals, and holiday observances.

Commissary

See the full commissary list for Atwater Camp SCP below, including available items and pricing.

View Atwater Camp SCP Commissary List↗

Become Extraordinary and Compelling!

Live as the CEO of your life at Atwater Camp SCP by posting journal entries, release plans, and book reports at PrisonProfessors.org—so others can hold you accountable while you build skills and earn freedom through merit.

Preparing for Self-Surrender at Atwater Camp SCP

Atwater Camp SCP is a Federal Prison Camp. Camps generally have greater freedom of movement, no perimeter fencing, lower levels of violence, and access to First Step Act programming.

Pre-Surrender Checklist

  • •Bring your contact list and release plan
  • •Close out work and professional obligations
  • •Set up power of attorney and financial access
  • •Handle all medical preparations
  • •Choose one primary point of contact
  • •Prepare your family for phone and visitation limits
  • •Pack only what the facility allows
  • •Arrange transportation and surrender details
  • •Form a reading list before you arrive
  • •Know which programs are actually offered

Helpful Resources

Top 10 Self Surrender Checklist

Visitation Information For Families

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Programs & Services

Education Programs

  • GED/Literacy (240-hour minimum)
  • ESL
  • Adult Continuing Education
  • College Correspondence Classes
  • Parenting Classes

Vocational Training

  • UNICOR E-Scrap Recycling

Health & Wellness

  • Sick Call (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 6–7 AM)
  • Clinic Appointments
  • Pill Line (6 AM & 4:30 PM)
  • Annual/Biennial Physical Exams
  • Mental Health Screening
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Individual Counseling
  • Group Counseling

Recreation

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Wellness Program (Fitness Assessments, Nutrition, Counseling)

Reentry Preparation

  • Drug Education Course
  • Nonresidential Drug Treatment
  • Psycho-Educational Classes

Visiting Information

Regular Visiting Hours

  • Saturday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Federal Holidays: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Important Notes

  • • Valid government-issued photo ID required
  • • All visitors subject to search
  • • Dress code enforced

Note: Visiting schedules may vary. Contact the facility directly for the most current visiting hours and procedures. For a complete breakdown of visitation rules, dress code, and how to get approved, visit our Visitation Guide.

What a Smaller Camp Means for You

With a population of approximately 124 people, Atwater Camp SCP is a smaller facility — and that has real implications for daily life, programming, and how you're treated.

Pros

  • ✓Easier to get noticed for the right reasons — consistent behavior, good work ethic, and program participation are visible to staff, which can help with halfway house recommendations and early release planning
  • ✓Shorter lines for commissary, phones, sick call, and laundry — daily life has less friction
  • ✓Fewer interpersonal conflicts — smaller populations generally mean a calmer environment with less drama
  • ✓Staff may have more flexibility with halfway house and home confinement recommendations because they actually know who you are

Cons

  • ✗Easier to get noticed for the wrong reasons too — if you get a disciplinary infraction, miss a count, or get caught with contraband like a cell phone, staff will know immediately and consequences come fast, including the SHU and potential transfer to a higher-security facility
  • ✗Fewer program options — vocational training, education, and RDAP slots may be limited, and waitlists can be unpredictable
  • ✗The prison hustle is harder to run — in a smaller camp, there's nowhere to hide; paying someone to cover your work assignment or moving contraband is far riskier because everyone sees everything
  • ✗Less anonymity — your business is everyone's business, which can feel suffocating

Frequently Asked Questions About Atwater Camp SCP

Atwater Camp SCP is a minimum-security Federal Prison Camp (FPC). It typically has dormitory-style housing, no perimeter fencing, and more flexible movement compared to higher-security institutions.

No. Atwater Camp SCP does not currently offer the Residential Drug Abuse Program. Individuals seeking RDAP placement must be designated to an institution that provides the program.

Individuals reporting to Atwater Camp SCP typically undergo intake processing including identification verification, medical screening, housing assignment, and orientation specific to this institution's minimum-security level and dormitory housing structure.

Visiting at Atwater Camp SCP typically takes place on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. All visitors must be on the approved visiting list and present a valid government-issued photo ID upon arrival. Visitors should follow the BOP dress code: no revealing clothing, no clothing that resembles prisoner uniforms (typically khaki or orange), and no open-toed shoes at some facilities. Contact Atwater Camp SCP directly or check the BOP website for the most current schedule and any facility-specific restrictions.

Funds for individuals at Atwater Camp SCP should be sent through BOP-approved methods: MoneyGram, Western Union, or U.S. Postal Money Orders. All funds are processed through the Federal Bureau of Prisons' centralized National Finance Center in Des Moines, Iowa — not sent directly to Atwater Camp SCP. Money orders should be made payable to the individual's committed name and include their BOP register number. Allow 7–10 business days for processing.

Individuals at Atwater Camp SCP have access to three primary communication channels. Phone: you receive 300 free phone minutes per month if you are First Step Act eligible, then you pay six cents a minute for up to 210 additional minutes. Calls cut off after 15 minutes, and calls will come from a 202 number or private caller. Phone access is seven days a week. Email: the TRULINCS system allows electronic messaging for a small per-minute fee. Regular mail: letters and cards can be sent and received through the U.S. Postal Service. Mail can be sent to: INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER|USP Atwater|Satellite Camp|P.O. Box 019001|Atwater, CA 95301.

The commissary at Atwater Camp SCP operates on a set schedule and offers snacks, beverages, hygiene products, over-the-counter medications, writing materials, stamps, and limited clothing items. The standard monthly spending limit is $360 (excluding telephone credits, stamps, and OTC medications). Some facilities implement this as a bi-weekly $180 cap. A current commissary list is typically available through the unit team.

Atwater Camp SCP is a minimum-security facility where most individuals serve sentences ranging from several months to 10+ years. Sentence length depends on the offense, sentencing guidelines, and any applicable reductions such as good conduct time or RDAP completion.

The Bureau of Prisons requires all facilities to offer literacy and GED programs for individuals without a high school diploma. Atwater Camp SCP provides educational programming that may include GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), and post-secondary education opportunities through correspondence or partnerships. Current offerings include: GED/Literacy (240-hour minimum), ESL, Adult Continuing Education, College Correspondence Classes, Parenting Classes. Availability may change based on staffing and enrollment.

The BOP enforces a dress code for all visitors. Clothing must not be revealing — no low-cut tops, shorts above the knee, or see-through materials. Visitors should avoid wearing colors that match prisoner uniforms (typically khaki, orange, or olive drab). Open-toed shoes may be prohibited at some facilities. Undergarments are required. Visitors who do not meet dress code standards may be turned away. Contact Atwater Camp SCP in advance if you have questions about specific items.

Yes, but publications must be sent directly from the publisher, a bookstore, or a book club — not from an individual. Hardcover and softcover books, newspapers, and magazines are generally permitted as long as they do not contain content deemed a security threat. Used books are typically not accepted. All incoming publications are subject to inspection by mailroom staff at Atwater Camp SCP.

Atwater Camp SCP is located in Atwater, California, within the Western Region of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Contact the facility directly for driving directions and nearby lodging options.

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How Long Will You Actually Serve?

Federal sentences are not always served in full. Good time credit, the First Step Act, and RDAP can significantly reduce your time served.

Estimate Your Actual Release Date

Contact Information

1 FEDERAL WAY, ATWATER, CA 95301

Atwater, California 95301

209-386-0257

Mailing Address

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER

USP Atwater

Satellite Camp

P.O. Box 019001

Atwater, CA 95301

Questions? Call us now: 949-799-3277

Facility Details

Security Level
Minimum
Facility Type
SCP
Region
Western
Gender
Male
Population
124
Updated: Mar 4, 2026

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Security Notice

All phone calls are recorded. All emails are saved. Mail can be read by staff.