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RDAP Facility

Petersburg Medium FCI

Medium

Federal Correctional Institution

Petersburg Medium FCI is a federal correctional institution in Hopewell, Virginia, housing approximately 1,586 people. Below you'll find insider tips, programs, visiting hours, and preparation resources.

Last verified: January 24, 2026

FCIMid-Atlantic RegionMale

What to Expect at Petersburg Medium FCI

Insider Information

Medium security federal correctional institution. Email: PEX-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov. Fax: 804-504-7204. County: Hopewell City.

Commissary

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

Become Extraordinary and Compelling!

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

Petersburg Medium 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 Larger Facility Means for You

With a population of approximately 1,586 people, Petersburg Medium FCI is a larger facility — and that affects everything from programming access to how visible you are to staff.

Pros

  • ✓More programs, more UNICOR slots, more work assignments — you have options, and options matter when building a case for early release and earning First Step Act credits
  • ✓More anonymity — in a bigger population, you can find your circle, keep your head down, and move through your sentence with more privacy
  • ✓Better facility infrastructure — larger institutions tend to have more recreation options, better libraries, and more comprehensive medical services
  • ✓Easier for families to visit — larger facilities tend to be near bigger cities with better airport and hotel access

Cons

  • ✗Longer wait times for everything — commissary, phones, medical, laundry, and program enrollment all take longer when thousands of people are competing for the same resources
  • ✗Program waitlists can stretch months — RDAP in particular can have significant delays at high-population facilities
  • ✗More interpersonal conflict — more people means more personalities, more tension, and more situations you need to navigate carefully
  • ✗Staff may not know you personally, which can work against you when it comes to halfway house recommendations or resolving issues quickly

Frequently Asked Questions About Petersburg Medium FCI

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

With a population of approximately 1,586, Petersburg Medium FCI operates as a larger facility. This can affect program availability, staff visibility, and housing density.

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

Funds for individuals at Petersburg Medium 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 Medium 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 Medium 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 Medium | FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION | P.O. BOX 1000 | PETERSBURG, VA 23804.

The commissary at Petersburg Medium 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 Medium 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. Petersburg Medium 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 Petersburg Medium 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 Medium FCI.

Petersburg Medium 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.

Other Federal Prisons in Virginia

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.

View All RDAP Facilities

Contact Information

1060 RIVER ROAD, HOPEWELL, VA 23860

Hopewell, Virginia 23860

804-504-7200

Mailing Address

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER

FCI Petersburg Medium

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

P.O. BOX 1000

PETERSBURG, VA 23804

Questions? Call us now: 949-799-3277

Facility Details

Security Level
Medium
Facility Type
FCI
Region
Mid-Atlantic
Gender
Male
Population
1,586
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

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Security Notice

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