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Pekin FCI

Medium

Federal Correctional Institution

Pekin FCI is a federal correctional institution in Pekin, Illinois, housing approximately 1,260 people. Below you'll find insider tips, programs, visiting hours, and preparation resources.

Last verified: March 4, 2026

FCINorth Central RegionMaleFemale

What to Expect at Pekin FCI

Insider Information

Camp prisoners also use P.O. BOX 5000. Medium security FCI with adjacent minimum-security satellite camp. Email: PEK-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov. Fax: 309-477-4670. County: Tazewell.

Commissary

See the full commissary list for Pekin FCI below, including available items and pricing.

Become Extraordinary and Compelling!

Live as the CEO of your life at Pekin 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 Pekin FCI

Pekin 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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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 1,260 people, Pekin 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 Pekin FCI

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

Yes. Pekin FCI is a co-ed facility that houses both male and female individuals, with programming available for both populations.

With a population of approximately 1,260, Pekin FCI operates as a larger facility. This can affect program availability, staff visibility, and housing density.

Individuals reporting to Pekin FCI typically undergo intake processing including identification verification, medical screening, housing assignment, and orientation specific to this institution's medium-security level and cell-based housing structure.

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

Funds for individuals at Pekin 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 Pekin 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 Pekin 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 Pekin | FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | P.O. BOX 5000 | PEKIN, IL 61555.

The commissary at Pekin 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 Pekin FCI varies based on sentence length, offense type, and good conduct time calculations. Individuals at medium-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. Pekin FCI provides educational programming that may include GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), and post-secondary education opportunities through correspondence or partnerships. 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 Pekin 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 Pekin FCI.

Pekin FCI is located in Pekin, Illinois, within the North Central Region of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Contact the facility directly for driving directions and nearby lodging options.

Other Federal Prisons in Illinois

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

2600 S. SECOND ST., PEKIN, IL 61554

Pekin, Illinois 61554

309-346-8588

Mailing Address

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER

FCI Pekin

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

P.O. BOX 5000

PEKIN, IL 61555

Questions? Call us now: 949-799-3277

Facility Details

Security Level
Medium
Facility Type
FCI
Region
North Central
Gender
Co-ed
Population
1,260
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.