Virginia houses three stand-alone federal prisons and two federal prison camps. Each of these Virginia federal prisons is overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. In total, 3,602 inmates are housed inside federal prisons in Virginia.
Table of contents
Virginia Federal Prisons by Security Level
High-Security Federal Prisons in Virginia
- USP Lee (Pennington Gap, VA)
Medium-Security Federal Prisons in Virginia
- FCI Petersburg Medium (Hopewell, VA)
Low-Security Federal Prisons in Virginia
- FCI Petersburg Low (Hopewell, VA)
Minimum-Security Federal Prisons in Virginia
- USP Lee Camp (Pennington Gap, VA)
- FCI Petersburg Camp (Hopewell, VA)
Federal Prisons in Virginia
USP Lee
United States Penitentiary Lee is a high-security level federal prison located in Pennington Gap, Virginia. It is overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. USP Lee is a Medical Care Level 1 prison. It houses 1,262 male inmates.
USP Lee Camp
United States Penitentiary Lee Camp is a minimum-security level federal prison located in Pennington Gap, Virginia. It is overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. USP Lee Camp is a Medical Care Level 1 prison. It houses 67 male inmates.
FCI Petersburg Medium
Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg Medium is a medium-security level federal prison located in Hopewell, Virginia. It is overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. FCI Petersburg Medium is a Medical Care Level 2 prison. It houses 1,461 male inmates.
FCI Petersburg Low
Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg Low is a low-security level federal prison located in Hopewell, Virginia. It is overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. FCI Petersburg Low is a Medical Care Level 2 prison. It houses 757 male inmates.
FCI Petersburg Camp
Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg Low Camp is a minimum-security level federal prison located in Hopewell, Virginia. It is overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. FCI Petersburg Low Camp is a Medical Care Level 2 prison. It houses 198 male inmates.
List of Virginia Federal Prisons
There are three federal prisons in Virginia, as well as one federal prison camp. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons oversees all of these facilities. By clicking on the below links, you will be taken to each facility’s detailed profile, where you can learn about specific facility offerings, information, and contact details.
Lee USP
United States Penitentiary Lee is a high-security institution for male inmates located in Lee County, Virginia, near the town of Pennington Gap in the southwestern part of the state. Adjacent to the penitentiary is a minimum-security prison camp that also houses male offenders. After a long period during which prison construction was using computer models to minimize security vulnerabilities, the facility opened in 2002. Archaeological finds on the grounds point to the possibility that there is an ancient Native American burial site beneath the prison. Those incarcerated at USP Lee, as with inmates at other Virginia federal prisons, are required to obtain their GED if they do not have a high school diploma. Additionally, they must perform a prison job and attend academic, vocational, and life skills classes.
Lee Prison Camp
United States Penitentiary Lee Camp is a minimum-security satellite work camp for male inmates located in Lee County, Virginia, near the town of Pennington Gap in the southwestern part of the state. Adjacent to the camp is a high-security prison that also houses male offenders. Security measures and internal controls are less strict at the camp, due to its design to house nonviolent offenders with a relatively short time left to serve. Nevertheless, all of those incarcerated at USP Lee Camp must educate themselves, learn life skills and gain other types of knowledge that will benefit them upon their release.
Petersburg Medium FCI
Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg Medium is located in Prince George County near Hopewell, Virginia, 25 miles southeast of Richmond, the state capital. It is part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex, which also contains a low-security men’s prison and a minimum-security work camp for male offenders. FCI Petersburg is one of a few federal prisons that offer a Sex Offender Management Program (SOMP) designed to evaluate, assess and manage sex offenders’ violent behaviors. Additionally, the institution offers secondary, post-secondary, Advanced Continuing Education and courses in occupational skills, parenting skills, and release preparation. Leisure and law libraries are available for inmate use.
Petersburg Low FCI
Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg Low is located in Prince George County near Hopewell, Virginia, 25 miles southeast of Richmond, the state capital. It is part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex, which also contains a medium-security men’s prison and a minimum-security work camp for male offenders. All inmates in Virginia federal prisons must have a job and participate in educational, vocational, and life skills courses, and FCI Petersburg low is no exception.
Petersburg Prison Camp
Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg Camp is located in Prince George County near Hopewell, Virginia, 25 miles southeast of Richmond, the state capital. It is part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex, which also contains a medium-security men’s prison and a low-security institution for male offenders. Offenders residing at FCI Petersburg Camp live in dormitory-style housing and have fewer security restrictions and controls than offenders in other federal prisons in Virginia. However, they are still required to maintain a prison job and participate in educational, vocational, and life skills programs designed to lead to a successful release into society.
Wikipedia Pages About Each Virginia Facility
- Lee USP (VA)
- Petersburg Medium FCI (Hopewell, VA)
- Petersburg Low FCI (Hopewell, VA)
Published Oct 1, 2020 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Jan 12, 2025 at 5:11 pm