Questions about sentencing or prison?
Devens Camp SCP
MinimumSatellite Camp
Devens Camp SCP is a minimum-security satellite camp for men in Ayer, Massachusetts, located about 39 miles west of Boston on the former Fort Devens military base. The camp offers a residential drug abuse treatment program (RDAP), non-residential drug treatment, and various wellness and recreation programs.
Last verified: March 5, 2026
What to Expect at Devens Camp SCP
Location & Travel
- •Location & Travel: Devens Camp is about 39 miles west of Boston and 20 miles north of Worcester on the former Fort Devens military base. Nearby airports include Boston, Worcester, Manchester (NH), and Providence (RI). Limousine, bus, rail, and taxi service are also available.
- •Location & Travel: Hilton Garden Inn Devens — 978-772-0600
- •Location & Travel: Residence Inn Boston-Westford — 978-392-1407
Communication & Mail
- •Phone: Each person receives 300 minutes per month (400 in November and December), with the first 300 free if enrolled in First Step Act programming. Calls are limited to 15 minutes each, and calling lists are capped at 30 approved numbers.
Visiting
- •Visiting: Camp visiting hours are Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays, 8:30 AM–3 PM, plus Friday 2:30–8:30 PM. There is no point system at the camp. A maximum of five visitors, including children, may visit at one time.
Good to Know
- •Location & Travel: SpringHill Suites Devens — 978-772-3030
- •Directions: Take Route 2 to Exit 37B, proceed straight onto Jackson Road. After the main gate, take the first right onto Patton Road. The facility is approximately half a mile down on the right.
Insider Information
Housing
People at the camp are housed in open-bay dormitories.
The camp accepts mail via U.S. Postal Service First Class, Priority, and Express Mail. Contact the institution before sending overnight packages through private carriers like FedEx or UPS.
Psychology/Counseling Services
Psychology Services offers a non-residential drug treatment program, a 40-hour drug education program, and various self-help groups including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Group and individual counseling are available at the camp. A smoking cessation program is also offered for those who qualify. All participation in non-residential treatment services is voluntary.
Health Services
The Health Services Department provides outpatient care with medical staff on duty or on call 24 hours a day. Sick call sign-up at the camp takes place from 6:15 to 6:30 AM. Pill line schedules are posted in the Health Services Department. Nearby medical facilities, including a hospital, are available for additional care. Preventive health visits and routine dental care are scheduled through the Health Services triage area.
Fitness & Recreation
The Recreation Department operates seven days a week and includes access to the recreation yard, gymnasium, multi-purpose center, hobby craft area, and music room. Wellness classes cover topics such as diabetes awareness, nutrition, weight management, yoga, and sports injury prevention. Leisure classes include beading, painting, drawing, and card making. The music program offers acoustic and bass guitars, pianos, violins, and percussion instruments. Organized leagues and tournaments are held in softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, handball, flag football, floor hockey, and bocce. A photography program is also available. On weekends and holidays, current popular movies are shown. Special holiday events and tournaments are scheduled throughout the year with prizes for first-place winners.
Religious Services
The camp is staffed by full-time chaplains, supported by a community of volunteers representing most faiths. The chapel includes facilities for worship services, prayer and study areas, and a religious library. Programming encompasses worship, prayer, religious study, and spiritual guidance. Counseling services are available to support spiritual growth and address special religious needs, including crisis support.
Commissary
See the full commissary list for Devens Camp SCP below, including available items and pricing.
View Devens Camp SCP Commissary List↗Become Extraordinary and Compelling!
Live as the CEO of your life at Devens 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 Devens Camp SCP
Devens 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
Need personalized guidance?
Our team of experienced advisors can help you prepare for your journey, make the most of your time, and set yourself up for a successful return.
Programs & Services
Education Programs
- GED
- ESL
- Post-Secondary Correspondence Courses
Health & Wellness
- Drug Education
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Smoking Cessation Program
Recreation
- Softball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Handball
- Flag Football
- Floor Hockey
- Bocce
- Beading
- Painting
- Drawing
- Card Making
- Acoustic Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Piano
- Violin
- Conga and Bongo Drums
- Yoga
- Weight Management
- Nutrition Classes
- Diabetes Awareness
- Photography Program
- Board Games
- Weekend Movie Screenings
Reentry Preparation
- First Step Act Classes
- RDAP Transitional Services
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 88 people, Devens 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 Devens Camp SCP
Compare to Similar Facilities
Other Federal Prisons in Massachusetts
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.
Contact Information
42 PATTON ROAD, AYER, MA 01432
Ayer, Massachusetts 01432
Mailing Address
INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER
FMC Devens
Federal Medical Center
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 879
Ayer, MA 01432
Facility Details
- Security Level
- Minimum
- Facility Type
- SCP
- Region
- Northeast
- Gender
- Male
- Population
- 88
How Far Is This Facility?
Enter your zip code to estimate the drive to Devens Camp SCP.
Estimates via OpenStreetMap. Actual travel time may vary.
Security Notice
All phone calls are recorded. All emails are saved. Mail can be read by staff.
