Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer is a medium-security federal prison located in Glenville, West Virginia. It is also known as FCI Gilmer and Gilmer WV federal prison. FCI Gilmer Camp is adjacent to the primary institution. Both prisons house male inmates.
Table of contents
- FCI Gilmer Contact Information
- Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer Inmate Information
- FCI Gilmer Prison Services Information
- FCI Gilmer Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
- Visitation Information for FCI Gilmer
- FCI Gilmer Prison Culture Information
- FCI Gilmer in the News
- More Information About Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer
FCI Gilmer Contact Information
Facility Address & Contact Information
Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer
201 FCI Lane
Glenville, WV 26351
Phone: 304-626-2500
Fax: 304-626-2693
Email: [email protected]
BOP Website: Bureau of Prisons Page
Wikipedia: Wikipedia Page
Inmate Correspondence Address
FCI Gilmer
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI Gilmer
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 6000
Glenville, WV 26351
FCI Gilmer Prison Camp
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI Gilmer Camp
Satellite Prison Camp
P.O. Box 7000
Glenville, WV 26351
How to Send Money
Funds cannot be sent directly to federal inmates. See our page on sending money to federal prisoners. Family and friends can send money to inmates through Western Union, Money Gram, and the National Lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa.
Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer Inmate Information
Inmate Gender
Male Inmates
Prison Security Level
Facility Location
FCI Gilmer is located in central West Virginia, 12 miles west of Burnsville, 85 miles northeast of Charleston, and 150 miles west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
BOP Region
BOP Institution Code
GIL for FCI Gilmer
Medical Care Level
Level 2. See our page on Medical Care Levels and Procedures for more information.
Mental Health Care Level
Level 2.
Judicial District
Northern District of West Virginia
Population Number
FCI Gilmer houses approximately 1,540 inmates. The camp houses around 50 inmates.
FCI Gilmer Prison Services Information
Background
Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer is a medium-security institution in Glenville, West Virginia. It opened in 2003. Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer Camp is next to the primary institution. Both federal prisons house male inmates.
The facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a United States Department of Justice division.
FCI Gilmer has had an ongoing history of attempted escapes, riots, and assaults.
Notable inmates include:
- Floyd Lee Corkins: serving a 25-year sentence for terrorism-related offenses.
- Former pharmacist Robert Courtney: serving a 30-year sentence for diluting cancer drugs, now housed at FCI Big Spring.
- Hector Rivera: serving a 32-year sentence for stealing diamonds and other jewels.
- Lee (MA) Police Chief Joseph Buffis: convicted of extortion.
- East Haven (NH) Police Chief Jason Zullo: sentenced for intentionally crashing into a motorcycle three times while pursuing the vehicle.
Media reports indicate that at least one inmate has escaped, and one guard has been convicted of smuggling contraband into the institution. At least one guard has deployed chemical munitions to stop a riot involving at least 75 prisoners.
Inmate Housing
Inmates live in two-person and three-person cells. There is a total of 12 housing units. At the camp, inmates are housed in dormitories.
Health Services
Inmates at FCI Gilmer have access to various medical services, including
- Medical Sick Call
- Dental Sick Calls
- Urgent Care
- Medications
Prisoners over the age of 50 may request a physical exam every year. Inmates under 50 may request a physical exam every two years.
Emergency medical services are available 24 hours a day. Inmates may request to be evaluated for non-emergency care by submitting a triage form and waiting to be placed on the call-out list. Pill and insulin lines are conducted during meals.
Psychology Services
Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer psychology services include basic mental health care, such as:
- Screening
- Assessment
- Treatment
FCI Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution inmates also have access to:
- Individual and Group Counseling
- Psychoeducational Classes,
- Self-Help Library
- Supportive Services
Additionally, inmates can be referred to Health Services for medical treatment of a mental illness. Inmates are notified of the new class and group offerings through notices posted on housing unit bulletin boards.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
FCI Gilmer does not offer RDAP. However, the Drug Abuse Education course, the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the Resolve Program, and the Challenge Program.
FCI Gilmer Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
Education Services
Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in West Virginia offers inmates access to prison education programs, including:
- Literacy
- GED
- English-as- a-Second Language (ESL)
Incentive awards are provided to recognize inmates making satisfactory progress and completing the literacy (i.e., GED and ESL) program. Inmates may also receive incentives for progressing to various levels in the GED or ESL programs. Graduation ceremonies recognize GED, ESL, and Occupational Education completions.
Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes and a parenting program are also offered. Current ACE classes include:
- Intro to Business
- Intro to Stock Market
- Marketing and Advertising
- College Algebra
- Basic Algebra
- Trigonometry
- CDL
- Basic Construction
A Resume/Job Skills class is also available. A college program sponsored by Glenville State College allows inmates to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business management. High school diplomas and post-secondary degrees are available through paid correspondence programs.
Advanced Occupational Education
FCI Gilmer offers advanced occupational education in Residential Wiring. The camp does not offer any advanced occupational education programs.
Vocational Training
FCI Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution does not offer any vocational training besides advanced occupational education and apprenticeship programs.
Apprenticeship
Gilmer WV federal prison offers apprenticeships in:
- Automobile Mechanic
- Cabinet Maker
- Carpenter
- Electrician Maintenance
Both Gilmer WV federal prisons offer:
- Automobile Mechanic
- Baker
- Cook
- Heating and Air Conditioning Installation Service
- Painter
- Plumber
- Polished Concrete and Floor Coverings
- Quality Control Inspector
- Teacher Aide
- Welder/Fitter Apprenticeship
The FCI Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution camp also offers an apprenticeship in Powerhouse Mechanics.
Library Services
The FCI Gilmer leisure library offers inmates a variety of reading materials, including periodicals, newspapers, fiction, nonfiction, and reference books. Inmates are afforded access to legal materials through the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library. Typewriters and a copy machine are also available in the law library.
UNICOR
Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer’s UNICOR facility handles metal fabrication and customization of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicles.
Commissary
Gilmer WV Federal Prison inmates may use funds in their accounts to purchase items at the institution commissary. These funds can also be placed in their inmate phone account, used to buy TRU-Units for their TRULINCS account, and to send funds from the institution.
Inmates are permitted to spend up to $360.00 per month. Popular items for inmate purchase include food, soda, ice cream, clothing, and shoes.
Inmates can shop once a week on their housing unit’s assigned day. Inmates who have specific work details (e.g., food service, UNICOR, etc.) are allowed to shop first thing in the morning in addition to their regular shopping time.
First-time shoppers and those only purchasing over-the-counter medications are permitted to shop during the noon meal.
Recreation Services
Leisure activities at FCI Gilmer include:
- Organized and Informal Games
- Sports
- Physical Fitness
- Table Games
- Hobby Crafts
- Music Programs
- Intramural Activities
- Social and Cultural Organizations
- Movies
Art activities include paintings and sketches using traditional methods (e.g., oils, pastels, crayons, pencils, inks, and charcoal). Hobbycraft activities include:
- Ceramics
- Leatherwork
- Models
- Clay
- Cross-Stitch
- Manga Art
- Mosaics
- Crochet
- Knitting
- Sculptures
- Woodworking
Wellness programs at Gilmer WV federal prison include:
- Screening
- Assessments
- Goal Setting
- Fitness and Nutrition Programs
- Counseling
Inside, inmates have access to many recreational activities, including:
- Basketball
- Band Room
- Art Room
- Ping Pong
- Treadmills
- Stationary Bikes
- Pool Tables
- TVs
- Audio CDs
- Ellipticals
- Tables
- Foosball
- Stair Steppers
Outside, FCI Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution inmates have access to:
- Basketball
- Softball
- Soccer
- Football
- Cornhole
- Bocce Ball
- Handball
- Volleyball
- Track
Hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., excluding meals and counts.
Visitation Information for FCI Gilmer
Visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sundays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On federal holidays visitation is held between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. See our page on prisoner visitation rules for more information.
FCI Gilmer Prison Culture Information
Prison Politics at Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer
This is a very political yard. Inmates are required to be part of a car.
Level of Violence
While some respondents felt that there was a moderate level of violence, others felt that there was a low level of violence. The general feeling is that fights are common and stabbings periodically occur, but that these tend to be focused on the DC car.
Vulnerable Populations
Some Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in West Virginia inmates report that sex offenders and LGBT inmates cannot stay, and informants can remain if they are under the radar. Other prisoners say that all three of these groups can’t walk the yard.
As explained by one respondent, “Sex offenders and informants are usually driven off, but there is a significant population of gay/trans inmates who receive no problems.”
Good at FCI Gilmer
“Nothing.” “Good portion and quality of food.”
Bad at FCI Gilmer
“Mostly everything.” “Staff attitude very poor, inmate politics, dirty and crowded housing units.”
“Staff, in general, are not at all responsive. The re-entry coordinator does almost nothing related to her job description. In short, if you want something done here, you have to do it yourself or go through unofficial channels to do so.”
Other Inmate Comments
“Don’t go unless you like harder, political time.” “If you’re LGBT, a sex offender, or non-political, don’t go. If you want the USP experience at a Medium, go.”
FCI Gilmer in the News
In October 2017, Joseph Carter, a prisoner at Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer, escaped from the facility and was captured walking along the road the same day.
In May 2016, Lee, Massachusetts Police Chief Joseph Buffis was sentenced to 27 months for extortion and sent to Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in West Virginia to serve his sentence.
In December 2013, in East Haven, New Hampshire, Police Officer Jason Zullo was sentenced to two years in prison for intentionally colliding with a motorcycle with a passenger three times during a pursuit, causing a crash. He was designated to FCI Gilmer.
In 2013, a guard at FCI Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution, Jason Noel Squires, and his girlfriend, Nikole Monique Watkins, were sentenced to 18 and 12 months in prison, respectively, for their tobacco-smuggling operation that resulted in $44,000 in profits.
In September 2010, a riot resulted in a several-week lockdown. Approximately 75 prisoners were involved. Guards regained control using “chemical munitions.”
More Information About Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer
For a comprehensive look at life in federal prison, pick up a copy of Christopher Zoukis’ Federal Prison Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Surviving the Federal Bureau of Prisons. For more detailed information about FCI Gilmer, please buy a copy of the Directory of Federal Prisons: The Unofficial Guide to Bureau of Prisons Institutions by Christopher Zoukis.
Published Apr 24, 2018 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Jul 22, 2023 at 2:15 pm
