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RDAP Facility

Petersburg Low FCI

Low

Federal Correctional Institution

Petersburg Low FCI is a federal correctional institution in Hopewell, Virginia, housing approximately 584 people. Below you'll find insider tips, programs, visiting hours, and preparation resources.

Last verified: March 5, 2026

FCIMid-Atlantic RegionMale

What to Expect at Petersburg Low FCI

Location & Travel

  • •Location & Travel: FCI Petersburg Low is 25 miles southwest of Richmond, Virginia. Served by Petersburg Municipal Airport, Richmond International Airport, Amtrak, and commercial bus lines.
  • •Location & Travel: Rodeway Inn — 804-733-0600
  • •Location & Travel: Days Inn — 804-733-4400
  • •Location & Travel: Comfort Inn Petersburg-Fort Lee — 804-318-4836

Visiting

  • •Visiting: Friday 5:00–9:00 PM; Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. Ten visiting points per month: 1 point per weekday visit, 2 points per weekend/holiday visit. Max 6 visitors (including children).

Daily Life

  • •Programs: UNICOR print plant (~212 workers).

Good to Know

  • •Programs: No RDAP listed. Part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex.

Insider Information

Housing

Details not specified in source for the low-security facility.

Phone Policy

300 minutes per month, 15-minute call limit, 30-number caller list. Initial phone list activated within five working days of arrival. Unit phones available 4:30–11:30 PM evenings (except counts). Weekends and holidays 6:00 AM–4:00 PM (except counts).

Health Services

Details for FCI Low not separately specified in source. Part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex.

Library

General library with magazines, newspapers, reference materials, fiction and non-fiction. Inter-library loan through Appomattox Regional Library. Electronic Law Library (LexisNexis) available.

UNICOR

Print plant employing approximately 212 people.

Religious Services

Chaplains handle the religious needs of all persons. A total of 24 different religious communities and programs are available. Information concerning religious issues, programs, and activities is discussed during orientation. A weekly schedule of activities is posted in all units and departments throughout the facility.

Commissary

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

View Petersburg Low FCI Commissary List↗

Become Extraordinary and Compelling!

Live as the CEO of your life at Petersburg 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 Petersburg Low FCI

Petersburg 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
  • Adult Continuing Education
  • Parenting Courses
  • College Correspondence Courses

Vocational Training

  • Building and Trades
  • Custodial Maintenance
  • Culinary Arts
  • Machine Shop

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 584 people, Petersburg 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 Petersburg Low FCI

Petersburg 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.

Yes. Petersburg Low FCI offers the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Eligibility depends on sentencing documents and BOP evaluation. Successful completion may result in sentence reduction.

Individuals reporting to Petersburg 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 Petersburg 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 Petersburg Low FCI directly or check the BOP website for the most current schedule and any facility-specific restrictions.

Funds for individuals at Petersburg 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 Petersburg 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 Petersburg 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 Petersburg Low | Federal Correctional Institution | P.O. Box 1000 | Petersburg, VA 23804.

The commissary at Petersburg 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 Petersburg 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. Petersburg 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, Adult Continuing Education, Parenting Courses, 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 Petersburg 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 Petersburg Low FCI.

Petersburg Low FCI is located in Hopewell, Virginia, within the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Contact the facility directly for driving directions and nearby lodging options.

Compare to Similar Facilities

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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.

Estimate Your Actual Release Date

RDAP Program Available

This facility offers the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), which can reduce your sentence by up to 12 months.

No RDAP listed in source material for FCI Petersburg Low.

View All RDAP Facilities

Contact Information

1100 River Road

Hopewell, Virginia 23860

804-733-7881

Mailing Address

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER

FCI Petersburg Low

Federal Correctional Institution

P.O. Box 1000

Petersburg, VA 23804

Questions? Call us now: 949-799-3277

Facility Details

Security Level
Low
Facility Type
FCI
Region
Mid-Atlantic
Gender
Male
Population
584
Updated: Mar 5, 2026

How Far Is This Facility?

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Security Notice

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