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McCreary Camp SCP

Minimum

Satellite Camp

McCreary Camp SCP is a minimum-security satellite prison camp for men in Pine Knot, Kentucky, adjacent to USP McCreary. The camp offers apprenticeship programs, academic courses, and substance abuse education. Below you will find insider tips, programs, visiting information, and preparation resources.

Last verified: March 5, 2026

SCPMid-Atlantic RegionMale

What to Expect at McCreary Camp SCP

Location & Travel

  • •Location & Travel: McCreary is about 88 miles north of Knoxville, TN, 125 miles south of Lexington, KY, and 208 miles south of Cincinnati, OH. The area is served by Williamsburg Airport.
  • •Location & Travel: From I-75, take Exit 11 in Williamsburg, KY. Head west on KY-92 for approximately 17 miles (watch for sharp turns). Turn right onto KY-1044 at the green "United States Penitentiary" sign. The camp parking area is straight past the Penitentiary on the left.
  • •Location & Travel: Hampton Inn Williamsburg — 606-549-3775

Visiting

  • •Visiting: Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays, 8:30 AM–3:00 PM.
  • •Visiting: No more than 4 visitors (including dependent children under 16) are permitted at one time.

Daily Life

  • •Daily Life: Law library is located in the Education Department with a CD-ROM law library and inmate clerk assistance.
  • •Daily Life: A leisure library with interlibrary loan service is also available in the Education Department.

Good to Know

  • •Location & Travel: Cumberland Falls State Resort — 606-528-4121
  • •Location & Travel: Super 8 Motel Williamsburg — 606-620-0189

Insider Information

Housing

People at the camp live in open dormitories. Television viewing is permitted during off-duty hours at appropriate noise levels.

Phone Policy

300 minutes per month, with calls limited to 15 minutes each. Up to 30 approved numbers on your call list. Phones are available from 6:00 AM until lockdown. Calls can be placed as debit or collect.

Mail

The camp accepts First-Class, Priority, and Express mail via USPS. Soft-covered publications (paperback books, magazines) can come from any source but must be labeled "authorized reading material" on the outside. Hard-covered publications must come from a publisher, bookstore, or book club. Magazine accumulation is limited to five issues (no more than three months old).

Psychology/Counseling Services

Psychologists are available for counseling and mental health services. The camp offers drug education, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous. Additional programs include Living Free, Anger Management, Stress Management, Breaking Barriers, and the Challenge Program for persons seeking positive lifestyle changes. The camp does not have a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), but persons who meet eligibility requirements can be referred to a facility that offers one.

Health Services

Medical staff are available seven days a week from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Sick call at the camp is held Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6:30 to 7:15 AM or 10:00 AM. The pill line runs Monday through Friday at 6:00 AM until completion, 2:30 PM (insulin and self-carry medications), and 5:30 PM until completion. On weekends and holidays, the pill line operates at 8:00 AM, 2:30 PM (insulin and self-carry medications), and 5:30 PM until completion. Persons under 50 are eligible for a complete physical examination every two years, while those 50 and older are eligible annually.

Fitness & Recreation

Recreation and leisure programs include intramural team sports such as softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Indoor activities include individual arts and crafts programs. Wellness programs are also offered. Recreation hours are weekdays 8:30 AM–9:45 AM, 10:30 AM–1:20 PM, 1:50 PM–3:00 PM, and 5:20 PM–7:10 PM; weekends and holidays 8:25 AM–9:30 AM, 10:50 AM–12:55 PM, 1:15 PM–3:20 PM, and 5:15 PM–7:55 PM.

Religious Services

The facility offers a wide range of religious programs. Staff chaplains are available, along with contract and volunteer representatives of other faiths. Religious diets, holiday observances, and worship activities are coordinated through the chaplain's office.

Commissary

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

View McCreary Camp SCP Commissary List↗

Become Extraordinary and Compelling!

Live as the CEO of your life at McCreary 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 McCreary Camp SCP

McCreary 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 preparation
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
  • Literacy programs
  • Post-secondary correspondence courses
  • Parenting course

Vocational Training

  • Introduction to Office
  • Automotive Mechanics (Apprenticeship)
  • Powerhouse Mechanics (Apprenticeship)
  • Cooking (Apprenticeship)
  • Welding (Apprenticeship)
  • Landscaping (Apprenticeship)
  • UNICOR — Automated Data Processing (Patent Processing)

Health & Wellness

  • Drug Education program
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
  • Living Free
  • Anger Management
  • Stress Management
  • Breaking Barriers
  • Challenge Program
  • Individual and group psychological counseling
  • Sick call: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 6:30–7:15 AM
  • Dental sick call available
  • Physical exam every 2 years (under 50) or annually (50+)

Recreation

  • Softball
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Individual arts and crafts
  • Wellness programs
  • Intramural team sports

Reentry Preparation

  • Life Connections faith-based reentry program
  • Threshold faith-based reentry program
  • Release preparation assistance

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 110 people, McCreary 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 McCreary Camp SCP

McCreary 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. McCreary 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 McCreary 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 McCreary 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 McCreary Camp SCP directly or check the BOP website for the most current schedule and any facility-specific restrictions.

Funds for individuals at McCreary 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 McCreary 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 McCreary 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\nUSP McCreary\nU.S. Penitentiary\nSatellite Camp\nP.O. Box 3000\nPine Knot, KY 42635.

The commissary at McCreary 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.

McCreary 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. McCreary 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 preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Continuing Education (ACE), Literacy programs, Post-secondary correspondence courses, Parenting course. 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 McCreary 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 McCreary Camp SCP.

McCreary Camp SCP is located in Pine Knot, Kentucky, within the Mid-Atlantic 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.

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Contact Information

330 Federal Way

Pine Knot, Kentucky 42635

606-354-7000

Mailing Address

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER

USP McCreary

U.S. Penitentiary

Satellite Camp

P.O. Box 3000

Pine Knot, KY 42635

Questions? Call us now: 949-799-3277

Facility Details

Security Level
Minimum
Facility Type
SCP
Region
Mid-Atlantic
Gender
Male
Population
110
Updated: Mar 5, 2026

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Security Notice

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