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Duluth FPC
MinimumFederal Prison Camp
FPC Duluth is a minimum-security federal prison camp for men in Duluth, Minnesota, situated on the former Duluth Air Force Base near the southwestern tip of Lake Superior. The camp offers RDAP, vocational training through Lake Superior College, and a range of wellness and recreation programs.
Last verified: March 5, 2026
What to Expect at Duluth FPC
Location & Travel
- •Location & Travel: The camp is about seven miles north of downtown Duluth, next to the airport on the former Duluth Air Force Base. Duluth International Airport is the closest airport. From I-35, take US-53 north past Miller Hill Mall to Stebner Road and turn right to reach the Visiting Center.
- •Location & Travel: Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview — 218-481-1185
- •Location & Travel: The Inn on Lake Superior — 218-726-1111
- •Location & Travel: Edgewater Hotel — 218-728-3601
Communication & Mail
- •Phone Policy: 300 minutes per month with a 30-minute wait required between calls. Calls auto-terminate after 15 minutes and the calling list is limited to 30 numbers with a maximum of three changes per month. Phone room hours: Monday–Friday 6–7:30 AM, 10:30 AM–12 PM, and 4:30–9 PM; weekends and holidays 6–10 AM, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM, and 4:30–9 PM.
- •Visiting: Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays from 8:15 AM–3 PM. Limited to eight visits per month with a maximum of six visitors at one time.
Daily Life
- •Insider Tip: Vocational training in construction technology, sales and marketing, and Braille is provided through Lake Superior College. Apprenticeships are available in HVAC and painting.
Insider Information
Housing
People are housed in one of five dormitories with two-person, three-person, and four-person rooms.
Hardcover books and newspapers may be received directly from the publisher, bookstore, or book club. Check with the Mail Room Officer during open house (Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30–11:45 AM) before ordering. You may keep up to 10 magazines.
Psychology/Counseling Services
Psychology Services are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The camp provides a non-residential drug treatment program, a drug education program, and self-help groups including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Individual and group counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological testing are also available. The department is staffed by two psychologists and five drug treatment specialists.
Health Services
The camp clinic is staffed by a physician, physician assistants or nurse practitioners, a dentist, dental assistant, pharmacist, EMT paramedic, and health information technician. The clinic is open from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM on weekdays and 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM on weekends and holidays. Medical sick call is available four times per week (Monday through Wednesday and Friday) from 6:30 to 6:50 AM. Dental sick call is available on weekdays from 7:10 to 7:30 AM. The pill line schedule is posted outside the pharmacy window. A physician assistant is on duty from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and at least one is on call around the clock.
Fitness & Recreation
The camp offers a gymnasium, theater, activity center with pool tables, ping-pong, and a card room, as well as a music room, hobby craft area, and outdoor recreation spaces. Card games and board games are available in the television rooms, which are open Sunday through Thursday and close at midnight each night.
Religious Services
The camp is staffed by one full-time chaplain, with a community of volunteers providing services across all faiths. Meeting rooms are available for bible study, audio and video programs, discussion groups, and self-help programs. A weekly schedule of religious activities is posted in the chapel and dormitories, covering Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Native American, and Muslim services and programming.
Commissary
See the full commissary list for Duluth FPC below, including available items and pricing.
View Duluth FPC Commissary List↗Become Extraordinary and Compelling!
Live as the CEO of your life at Duluth FPC 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 Duluth FPC
Duluth FPC 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
- Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
Vocational Training
- Construction Technology
- Sales & Marketing
- Braille
- HVAC Apprenticeship
- Painting Apprenticeship
Health & Wellness
- Drug Education
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Psychological Testing
Recreation
- Gymnasium
- Pool Tables
- Ping-Pong
- Card Room
- Music Room
- Hobby Craft
- Softball
- Basketball
- Theater/Movies
Reentry Preparation
- First Step Act Programs
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 185 people, Duluth FPC 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 Duluth FPC
Compare to Similar Facilities
Other Federal Prisons in Minnesota
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
4464 RALSTON DRIVE, DULUTH, MN 55811
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
Mailing Address
INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER, FPC Duluth, Federal Prison Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Duluth, MN 55814
Facility Details
- Security Level
- Minimum
- Facility Type
- FPC
- Region
- North Central
- Gender
- Male
- Population
- 185
How Far Is This Facility?
Enter your zip code to estimate the drive to Duluth FPC.
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.
