Bryan Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Texas is a minimum-security facility for women convicted of federal crimes. If you or a loved one is heading there, knowing what to expect can make a huge difference in how you get through it.
Where It Is and Who’s There
I’m Justin Paperny, Founder of White Collar Advice. A journalist asked me today about Bryan FPC, where Elizabeth Holmes and our client, Jen Shah, are serving time. I’ve had a lot of these conversations, and I know most people just want straight answers. So let’s break it down.
Bryan FPC has been around since 1989. It’s about 165 miles south of Dallas and usually holds between 500 and 1,100 women. The people here come from all walks of life—some are serving short sentences for financial crimes, while others are doing more time for drug-related offenses.
People You May Have Heard Of
Some well-known names have served time at Bryan FPC:
- Lea Fastow – Former Enron Assistant Treasurer, did 11 months for tax fraud.
- Michelle Janavs – Spent five months here for her role in the college admissions scandal.
- Sylvia Handy – Former Hidalgo County Commissioner, served two years for hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
Daily Life and What to Expect
Commissary: What You Can Buy
You’ll get basic necessities, but if you want extra snacks, hygiene products, or better shoes, you’ll need money in your commissary account. That same account also lets you:
- Add funds for phone calls.
- Buy TRU-Units for email on TRULINCS.
- Purchase small personal items to make daily life easier.
Programs and Services: Use Your Time Wisely
Mental Health & Medical Care
- Counseling (one-on-one and group sessions)
- Medication management
- Routine medical and dental care
- Emergency medical services 24/7
When you arrive, they’ll assess your health, including a drug test. If you need meds, make sure you have a plan to get them transferred. Be proactive about medical care—ask questions, follow up, and don’t assume the system will do it for you.
Drug Treatment Programs
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) – This can help reduce your sentence if you qualify.
- Non-residential drug programs – Less intensive but still useful.
- Education courses on substance abuse – Good for those who need additional resources but don’t qualify for RDAP.
Education & Skills Training
- GED and ESL classes
- Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
- Vocational programs (admin, medical coding, business applications)
- Limited college correspondence courses (must be self-funded)
If you don’t have a high school diploma, they’ll make you take GED classes. If you already have one, look into vocational training or correspondence courses. The goal should be to leave with more skills than you had coming in.
Library & Legal Access
- A mix of books, magazines, and newspapers.
- TRULINCS for legal research and document prep.
- Access to case law and federal regulations.
If you have legal issues, make sure you understand the basics of your case. Don’t rely on secondhand information from others inside. Educate yourself.
Staying in Touch: Visits, Calls, and Email
Visiting Hours
- Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Visitors must be on your approved list.
- Up to five visitors per session.
Visits can be a lifeline. Make sure your family knows the process to get approved. Plan visits in advance, and remember that the staff controls visitation—stay on their good side.
Phone Calls
- 500 plus phone minutes per month (more during the holidays)
- Calls are monitored
- Plan ahead—15 minutes per call goes fast
You can call family, friends, or attorneys, but calls are monitored, and there’s a limit. Use your minutes wisely. If you need to talk about sensitive issues, have those conversations in person or through legal mail.
Email on TRULINCS
- Limited access
- Monitored by staff
- Requires purchasing TRU-Units
Emails go through a monitored system, so be smart about what you say. This isn’t private communication.
What Really Matters
Prison is tough, but what you do with your time is up to you. Get a routine. Stay out of trouble. Don’t get caught up in drama. Most importantly, prepare for what’s next—because you won’t be here forever, and what you do now affects what happens when you leave.
How to Prepare Before You Get There
- Get Your Finances in Order – Have a plan for managing money while inside. Set up accounts for commissary and phone calls.
- Understand the Rules – Read the inmate handbook before you arrive. Know what’s allowed and what isn’t.
- Prepare Your Family – Make sure they know how visits, phone calls, and money deposits work.
- Stay Mentally Strong – This experience will test you. Develop habits now that will help you manage stress and stay focused.
If you need real advice, not generic “stay positive” nonsense, reach out. Our team has worked with plenty of people who have gone through this, and we know what actually helps.
Justin Paperny
