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Oakdale I Low FCI

Low

Federal Correctional Institution

Oakdale I Low FCI is a federal correctional institution in Oakdale, Louisiana, housing approximately 967 people. Below you'll find insider tips, programs, visiting hours, and preparation resources.

Last verified: March 5, 2026

FCISouth Central RegionMale

What to Expect at Oakdale I Low FCI

Location & Travel

  • •Location & Travel: FCI Oakdale I is in central Louisiana, 35 miles south of Alexandria and 58 miles north of Lake Charles, on State Highway 165 east of Route 165 on Whatley Road. Served by Esler Regional Airport (50 miles) and bus service to Alexandria and Lake Charles.
  • •Location & Travel: Oakwood Inn — 318-335-4000
  • •Location & Travel: Best Western Oakdale Inn — 318-335-3155
  • •Location & Travel: Best Western Casino Inn — 337-551-6350

Visiting

  • •Visiting: Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays 8:15 AM–3:00 PM. Max 5 visitors at a time.

Daily Life

  • •Programs: UNICOR textile operation (~172 workers) manufacturing apparel for BOP and Defense Department.

Insider Information

Housing

Dormitories with two-person and four-person cubicles. TVs viewable weekdays 6:00–7:15 AM, weeknights until 10:15 PM, weekends and holidays until 1:00 AM.

Phone Policy

300 minutes per month (400 in November and December), 15-minute call limit, 30-minute wait between calls, 30 telephone numbers on contact list (up to 100 contacts total). Phones operational daily 6:00 AM–11:30 PM. Unmonitored legal calls available through unit team.

Library

Various reading materials available in Education Department. Electric typewriters and copiers available. Inter-library loan through Baton Rouge and Oakdale Public Libraries. Free legal copies (up to 25/month, then $0.05/copy).

UNICOR

Textile operation manufacturing apparel for BOP and Defense Department (~172 workers). Items include clothing for people in custody and military personnel.

Psychology/Counseling Services

A staff psychologist conducts a 40-hour drug education program, stress management group, psychological-educational support group, and anger management group. Unit staff are available for informal counseling sessions. To see the psychologist regarding a mental health issue, persons should submit a request form to the Psychology Department and watch the call-out sheet for an appointment. Emergency mental health needs can be addressed by requesting any staff member to contact the Psychology Department for an immediate appointment.

Health Services

Health services are provided on a 24-hour basis through routine clinic and urgent care. The facility is staffed by physicians, physician assistants, nurses, a dental department, a pharmacist, an X-ray technician, and a lab technician. Outpatient care is provided. Daily sick call sign-ups are between 6:15 and 6:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Pill line hours are Monday through Friday at 6:15 to 6:30 AM, 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 5:00 to 5:30 PM, and 7:30 to 7:40 PM; weekends and holidays at 8:00 to 8:30 AM, 12:00 to 12:30 PM, 5:00 to 5:30 PM, and 7:30 to 7:40 PM. Over-the-counter medications are not provided to the general population. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day. The nearest hospital is three blocks away.

Fitness & Recreation

Leisure activities and recreational programs are available in the housing units, on the recreation yard, and in the leisure center. The recreation department offers intramural team sports such as softball, basketball, and volleyball, along with physical fitness and weight reduction programs. Hobby craft activities include painting, drawing, leather craft, woodwork, knitting, basket weaving, and musical instruments. Board games are available in the housing units and hobby craft area.

Religious Services

Full-time chaplains serve the facility. Contract rabbi and imam services are available on a bi-monthly basis, and a sweat lodge is available for Native American services. Contract and volunteer representatives of various faiths assist with a wide range of religious programs. Special religious diets, holiday observances, and other worship activities are coordinated through the chaplain's office. The chaplain's office maintains a religious library of reading material, audiotapes, and videotapes.

Commissary

See the full commissary list for Oakdale I Low FCI below, including available items and pricing.

View Oakdale I Low FCI Commissary List↗

Become Extraordinary and Compelling!

Live as the CEO of your life at Oakdale I Low FCI 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 Oakdale I Low FCI

Oakdale I Low FCI is a Federal Correctional Institution. FCIs house people of varying security levels and typically offer educational, vocational, and treatment programs to support rehabilitation and reentry.

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
  • ESL
  • Parenting Program
  • Keyboarding
  • Adult Continuing Education
  • College Correspondence Courses

Vocational Training

  • Industrial Sewing (Advanced)
  • Horticulture (Advanced)
  • Building Maintenance (Advanced)
  • HVAC Apprenticeship
  • Electrician Apprenticeship
  • Plumbing Apprenticeship
  • Carpentry Apprenticeship
  • Landscaping Apprenticeship

Health & Wellness

  • Drug Education Program (40-Hour)
  • Stress Management
  • Anger Management
  • Psychological-Educational Support Group
  • Sick Call (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 6:15–6:30 AM)

Recreation

  • Softball
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Leather Craft
  • Wood Work
  • Knitting
  • Basket Weaving
  • Musical Instruments
  • Board Games

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 Facility Means for You

With a population of approximately 967 people, Oakdale I Low FCI is a smaller facility — and that has real implications for daily life, programming, and how you're treated.

Pros

  • ✓Easier to build relationships with staff — case managers and counselors are more likely to know you personally, which can help with halfway house and home confinement recommendations
  • ✓Shorter lines for commissary, phones, sick call, and laundry — daily logistics have less friction
  • ✓Fewer interpersonal conflicts — smaller populations generally mean a calmer, more predictable environment
  • ✓More structured environment — staff can maintain closer oversight, which often means clearer expectations and fewer surprises

Cons

  • ✗Fewer program options — vocational training, education, and RDAP slots may be limited, and waitlists can be unpredictable
  • ✗Less anonymity — staff and other people know your business, which can feel suffocating
  • ✗Limited work assignments — fewer UNICOR slots and job options mean less flexibility in how you spend your time
  • ✗Disciplinary issues are more visible — any problems stand out quickly in a smaller population

Frequently Asked Questions About Oakdale I Low FCI

Oakdale I Low FCI is a low-security Federal Correctional Institution. Unlike a federal prison camp, it generally has double perimeter fencing and more structured movement, though programming and work opportunities are still available.

No. Oakdale I Low FCI 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 Oakdale I Low FCI typically undergo intake processing including identification verification, medical screening, housing assignment, and orientation specific to this institution's low-security level and cell-based housing structure.

Visiting at Oakdale I Low FCI 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 Oakdale I Low FCI directly or check the BOP website for the most current schedule and any facility-specific restrictions.

Funds for individuals at Oakdale I Low FCI 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 Oakdale I Low FCI. 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 Oakdale I Low FCI 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 | FCI Oakdale I | Federal Correctional Institution | P.O. Box 5000 | Oakdale, LA 71463.

The commissary at Oakdale I Low FCI 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.

Length of stay at Oakdale I Low FCI varies based on sentence length, offense type, and good conduct time calculations. Individuals at low-security facilities typically serve sentences ranging from one year to well over a decade, depending on circumstances.

The Bureau of Prisons requires all facilities to offer literacy and GED programs for individuals without a high school diploma. Oakdale I Low FCI 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, ESL, Parenting Program, Keyboarding, Adult Continuing Education, College Correspondence Courses. 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 Oakdale I Low FCI 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 Oakdale I Low FCI.

Oakdale I Low FCI is located in Oakdale, Louisiana, within the South Central Region of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Contact the facility directly for driving directions and nearby lodging options.

Compare to Similar Facilities

Beaumont Low FCILow

Beaumont, Texas · ~1,592 people

Oakdale II Low FCILow

Oakdale, Louisiana · ~995 people

Other Federal Prisons in Louisiana

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

1507 East Whatley Road

Oakdale, Louisiana 71463

318-335-4070

Mailing Address

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER

FCI Oakdale I

Federal Correctional Institution

P.O. Box 5000

Oakdale, LA 71463

Questions? Call us now: 949-799-3277

Facility Details

Security Level
Low
Facility Type
FCI
Region
South Central
Gender
Male
Population
967
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.