San Diego MCC

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

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

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

Visiting at San Diego MCC 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 San Diego MCC directly or check the BOP website for the most current schedule and any facility-specific restrictions.

Funds for individuals at San Diego MCC 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 San Diego MCC. 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 San Diego MCC 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 | MCC San Diego | METROPOLITAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER | 808 UNION STREET | SAN DIEGO, CA 92101.

The commissary at San Diego MCC 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.

San Diego MCC is a Metropolitan Correctional Center that primarily houses pretrial detainees and individuals awaiting sentencing or transfer. Stays vary widely — from weeks to over a year — depending on case progression and designation decisions.

The Bureau of Prisons requires all facilities to offer literacy and GED programs for individuals without a high school diploma. San Diego MCC 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 San Diego MCC 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 San Diego MCC.

San Diego MCC is located in San Diego, California, within the Western Region of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Contact the facility directly for driving directions and nearby lodging options.