FCI Beaumont Low

Beaumont Low at a glance

FCI Beaumont Low is closing. On July 1, 2026 the BOP announced it will close Beaumont FCI Low. The BOP release says staff there will be moved to other units onsite or nearby, and gives no closing date. Call 409-727-8172 before you travel or send mail, and ask where your loved one will be moved. FCI Beaumont Low is a low-security federal prison for men in Beaumont, Texas. It is part of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Beaumont, and has a satellite prison camp.

How many people

912 in the FCI and 535 at the camp (BOP, October 29, 2026).

Medical care level 2

Stable outpatients who need to see a clinician anywhere from monthly to every 6 months. Examples the BOP gives: diabetes controlled with medication, epilepsy, emphysema. Click here to read the source: BOP "Institution Care Levels for Medical Assignment," February 13, 2024 (released under FOIA 2024-03455) ↗

Mental health care level 2

Routine outpatient mental health care, or short crisis care such as suicide watch. The BOP does not post care levels on its website. This list is dated February 13, 2024 and came out through a public records request. Click here to read the source: BOP "Institution Care Levels for Medical Assignment," February 13, 2024 (released under FOIA 2024-03455) ↗

Who is there

Men. On the first day of the 2023 audit of FCC Beaumont (all its prisons together), ages ran from 18 to 84. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCC Beaumont (onsite November 14 to 16, 2023) ↗

Built for

The whole Beaumont complex was built for 4,066 people. The audit counted 4,847 on the first day, so the complex was over capacity then. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCC Beaumont (onsite November 14 to 16, 2023) ↗

Counts

Official counts are at about 12:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The 4:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and (weekends and federal holidays) 10:00 a.m. counts are "stand-up" counts: they stand at attention next to their bunk. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Camp

The handbook lists a satellite prison camp (SCP) for the complex, with its own mailing address (P.O. Box 26010). Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

The BOP's own page for FCI Beaumont Low.

Visiting hours and days

Visitors are not allowed into the front lobby before 8:30 a.m. The visiting rules say no visitors are processed after 9:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays (in preparation for the 10:00 a.m. count) and none after 2:00 p.m. (in preparation for the 4:00 p.m. count). Arrive early. If a visitor leaves the visiting room for any reason, the visit is over for the day.

The BOP's two Beaumont papers disagree about the visiting days (see the box below). Click here to read the source: BMX 5267.08A, Visiting Regulations, FCC Beaumont (October 9, 2008) ↗

The BOP's own papers disagree. The BOP's two Beaumont papers disagree, and both are old. The visiting rules (BMX 5267.08A) are dated October 9, 2008. For the Low they say: visits Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and federal holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 15 points a month. The handbook is undated (the PDF file was made in October 2013). It says: Friday 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. plus Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 12 points a month. The camp's start time also differs (8:30 a.m. in the rules, 8:00 a.m. in the handbook). The handbook looks newer, but call 409-727-8172 before you drive.

The BOP beats to its own drum. The front desk has the final say. Keep a spare outfit in the car.

Inmate mailing address

JOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
Reg. No. 12345-678
FCI Beaumont Low
P.O. Box 26020
Beaumont, Tx 77720

The handbook asks senders to put their loved one's committed name, register number and unit on the envelope for proper delivery. Use the P.O. Box exactly as shown. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Use the P.O. Box only. Never mail to the street address (5560 Knauth Road, Beaumont, Tx 77705).

Mail days

First-class mail is handed out Monday through Friday (except holidays) by the evening-shift unit officer. There is no limit on how many letters they receive unless it becomes an unreasonable burden. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Packages

Every package needs approval first (form BP-331), and approvals are only for release clothing and medical items. A package over 16 ounces must be marked "AUTHORIZED BY BUREAU POLICY" on the outside, or it is refused. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Books and magazines

At a low-security prison, magazines, softcover books and hardcover books can be sent from domestic addresses. Newspapers must come directly from a publisher or bookstore. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Their letters to you

At a low-security prison they may seal their letters, and staff may inspect them. Each letter needs a TRULINCS mailing label on the front (for the person they are writing to), and their name, register number, unit and return address in the upper left corner. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Money

Never put money in a letter. Money orders go to the BOP lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Books and magazines: at a low security prison, soft-cover books and magazines can come from anyone. Hardcovers only from a publisher or bookstore.

How to send money to an inmate here

Money never goes to Beaumont Low. It goes to the BOP, and the BOP puts it on their account. There are 3 ways. Each one below shows you the actual form and exactly what to write in each box, already filled in with their name and number.

First, they must sign the power-of-attorney form (BP-A0407) when they arrive. Until they do, MoneyGram and Western Union money cannot post. Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

1. Postal money order Our pick

"Postal" means the U.S. Post Office. A postal money order is one you buy at the counter of a U.S. Post Office, from the United States Postal Service. Money orders sold at Walmart, a grocery store, a bank, Western Union, MoneyGram or a check-cashing store are not postal money orders.

Why it matters: a postal money order has no hold. Once the BOP's lockbox in Des Moines gets it, it goes on their account. Every other money order and every personal or company check is put on a 15-day hold first, and the 15 days only start when the lockbox receives the envelope. Add the days it spends in the mail, and it can be close to three weeks before they can spend it.Click here to read the source: BOP, Sending money by U.S. mail ↗ Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗ Foreign money orders and checks are held 45 days. The postal money order is also the cheapest way.

The Post Office's own steps

1. Decide the amount. Up to $1,000 in one money order.
2. Go to any Post Office.
3. Bring cash or a debit card. The Post Office does not take credit cards for money orders.
4. Fill it out at the counter with the clerk. Use the boxes below.
5. Pay the amount plus the fee: $2.65 for up to $500, $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.
6. Keep your receipt. You need it to track the money order or replace it if it is lost.Click here to read the source: U.S. Postal Service, Money Orders ↗

1. Pay toJOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONEStheir committed name, exactly as the BOP Inmate Locator shows it
2. Address (under Pay to)Federal Bureau of Prisons, P.O. Box 474701, Des Moines, IA 50947-0001
3. FromMARIA SMITH-JONESyour name
4. Address (under From)123 Main Street, Trenton, NJ 08608your address
5. MemoReg. No. 12345678their 8-digit register number, no dash

Unconfirmed: the BOP does not say in writing what goes on the "Pay to" line. Their name is what families use. The name and number on the envelope are what the BOP requires.

Maria Smith-Jones
123 Main Street
Trenton, NJ 08608

STAMP

Federal Bureau of Prisons
JOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
12345678
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001

Lost it? Tracking and replacing a money order

• Keep the receipt. You need the serial number, post office number and amount to track it at tools.usps.com/money-orders.htm.
• Lost or stolen: take the receipt to any post office and ask for a Money Order Inquiry. It costs $23 and can take up to 60 days.

2. MoneyGram

Posts in about 2 to 4 hours if sent 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, any day. Up to $300 per payment. In a store, you fill out the blue ExpressPayment form. This is the BOP's own filled-in sample:

1. Company NameFederal Bureau of Prisons
2. City & StateWashington, DC
3. Receive Code7932always the same
4. Account Number of the Bill to Pay12345678SMITHJONESone letter or number per box
5. Amount to Payup to $300
6. Message to Biller or Beneficiary NameJOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES

Top section: your own name, address, phone and signature. Pay cash. Keep the receipt with the reference number.

Unconfirmed: some stores now type it into a screen instead of using the paper form. The boxes are the same.

Doing it online or in the MoneyGram app instead

1. Go to moneygram.com (Pay Bills) or the MoneyGram app and log in or sign up.
2. Search the biller 7932 or "Federal Bureau of Prisons."
3. Enter the amount (up to $300) and the account number 12345678SMITHJONES.
4. Pay with a debit or credit card. A credit card can charge a cash-advance fee.

3. Western Union

Posts in about 2 to 4 hours. In a store, ask for the Quick Collect form ("To Send Money Form for Bill Payments"). Do not ask for a regular money transfer. This is a real Quick Collect form filled in with the BOP's values:

1. Dollar Amountyour amount
2. Pay toFederal Bureau of Prisons
3. Code CityFBOP, DC
4. AttentionJOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
5. Account # with Company (in the SENDER section: this is where people get lost)12345678SMITHJONES

Leave Promo Code blank. Put your own name, phone and address in the rest of the Sender section and sign at 3. Pay cash (some stores take debit). You get a 10-digit tracking number (MTCN). Keep it.

Unconfirmed: some stores have the blue Quick Collect form, some a "Pay a Bill" section, and some a phone to an agent.

Doing it online (Send2Corrections), screen by screen

You need a photo ID to set up the account: your name must match your ID exactly.

1. Go to send2corrections.com or the Send2Corrections app. Log in or register.
2. "Who are you sending to?" Choose the facility Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP DC).
3. Receiver first name, middle name (optional), last name: exactly as the BOP has it.
4. Commissary number: type only the 8 digits, 12345678. No dash, no name. The site adds the last name itself and shows the full account number in a grey box you cannot type in.
5. Ignore the pop-up that says "BOP number will not work." That text shows for every prison. The register number is what works.
6. Amount: $1 to $300. Pay by card, or choose "Pay Cash (in-store)" and pay at a Western Union counter within 12 hours, or it cancels.

Hyphenated last name? The site drops the hyphen: Smith-Jones becomes 12345678SMITHJONES.

Money sent to the wrong person is not returned by Western Union. Western Union payments cannot be changed after they are sent.

Commissary: what they can spend

The Beaumont handbook (undated; file from 2013) says they can spend $160.00 on the 1st and $160.00 on the 15th ($320.00 a month), not counting postage stamps, over-the-counter medicine or phone time. National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) has since set the limit at $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. The handbook has not caught up, so ask the prison how it applies the national limit. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

The price list: Beaumont Low's official list is a scan or an older layout we could not turn into a reliable searchable list, so we don't retype prices we can't be sure of. Ask your loved one for the current list, or see the prison's page on bop.gov.

Phone calls and email

Minutes

300 minutes a month. Each call is limited to 15 minutes. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Hours

Phones in the housing units are open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Debit and collect calls only: no third-party, credit card or three-way calls. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

First steps

The phone system uses voice recognition, so they register their voice at the Inmate Services open house, Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (not federal holidays), at the Laundry. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Paying

Calls can be monitored and recorded. Inmates in the Special Housing Unit make a limited number of calls, placed by officers. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

They have to add your number and email to their list first. Emails come through CorrLinks: you get an invitation by email once they add you.

Health care at Beaumont Low

Medical care level 2 and mental health care level 2 (of 4). Stable outpatients who need to see a clinician anywhere from monthly to every 6 months. Examples the BOP gives: diabetes controlled with medication, epilepsy, emphysema. Click here to read the source: BOP "Institution Care Levels for Medical Assignment," February 13, 2024 (released under FOIA 2024-03455) ↗

Sick call

Sick call sign-up ("triage") is each morning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (not holidays). It opens before the morning meal and stays open at least one hour. They fill out a sick call slip (kept on the unit) and bring their ID card. If they work during triage, their supervisor arranges it. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

If they get sick later

They ask their work supervisor or unit officer to call Health Services for an urgent appointment. They are not seen unless staff tell Health Services it is an emergency. Emergency services, insulin clinic and pill windows run on holidays. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

In segregation

People in the Special Housing Unit get routine sick call once a day from a Health Services staff member. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Pill line

Pill line runs seven days a week at set times. The handbook does not list the times. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Dental

Acute dental problems (severe pain or swelling) are signed up at sick call. Cleanings, fillings and dentures go through an electronic request to the Chief Dentist. The handbook says there are several months of waiting between steps. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Glasses

They send an electronic request. Someone with vision worse than 20/40 is referred to the optometrist. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Co-pay

$2.00 for care they ask for themselves, charged to their commissary account. No one is charged if they have not had a balance of $6.00 in their account for the past 30 days. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible)

The handbook (undated; file from 2013) says drug abuse treatment at FCC Beaumont includes RDAP, and that they ask for it with an electronic request to Psychology Services. But the BOP's First Step Act guide (RDAP list updated June 4, 2026) does not list any Beaumont prison. Treat RDAP here as unconfirmed, and ask Psychology Services or call the prison. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Other drug programs

Drug Abuse Education (required for some, voluntary for others) and non-residential drug abuse treatment (NRDAP). The handbook says RDAP, Drug Abuse Education and NRDAP are voluntary. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

UNICOR (prison factory)

The handbook says they email the UNICOR Factory Manager to get on a waiting list. It has three categories: previous UNICOR hires, people with court-ordered fines of over $1,000, and everyone else. Pay is $0.23 to $1.15 an hour (grades 5 to 1). The First Step Act guide lists Beaumont Low as a site that may offer Federal Prison Industries work. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

Vocational training and apprenticeships

The handbook lists, for the whole complex: major appliance repair, basic diesel engine repair, building trades, micro-computer applications, advanced micro-computer applications, industrial sewing, Commercial Driver's License (CDL), culinary arts, HVAC, business education, welding and desktop publishing. Apprenticeships: carpentry, electrical, painting, teacher's aide, plumbing and HVAC. They need a high school diploma or GED for vocational training. Programs may differ by prison. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

GED and English

Anyone without a high school diploma or GED must enroll in the literacy program, with minor exceptions. People who do not speak English must join English as a second language classes. Click here to read the source: FCC Beaumont Admission and Orientation Inmate Handbook (undated; file created October 2013) ↗

College

The First Step Act guide lists Beaumont Low as a site for post-secondary education, delivered by an approved college. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

The BOP's First Step Act guide lists Beaumont Low for Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) and for post-secondary education. It does not list any Beaumont prison on its RDAP list (updated June 4, 2026). Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at Beaumont Low

• February 2026Four inmates were charged with murder after a death at the Beaumont federal prison complex. The headline does not say which of its prisons. (Houston Chronicle)
• March 2026Six federal inmates were charged in an assault at the Beaumont correctional complex. (12newsnow.com)
• March 2026A federal inmate was charged with possessing a weapon at the Beaumont federal prison. The headline does not say which prison in the complex. (12newsnow.com)
• March 2026A correctional officer at the Beaumont federal prison was sentenced for selling meth behind bars. The headline does not say which prison in the complex. (KFDM)
• March 2026The BOP, the Justice Department Inspector General, the FBI and other agencies ran a task force operation at FCC Beaumont that began March 3, 2026. They confiscated electronic devices, drugs and paraphernalia, and homemade weapons. (BOP press release)
• July 2025An inmate was indicted for threatening to murder the administrator of the Beaumont Federal Prison Camp. (KFDM)

Deaths announced by the BOP

• December 29, 2025A 36-year-old man was found unresponsive at about 11:20 a.m. and pronounced dead at a hospital. The FBI was notified. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Death at FCI Beaumont (Low)," December 29, 2025 ↗
• December 28, 2021A 71-year-old man died in a hospital a week after being taken there for shortness of breath. The BOP said the man had medical conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at FCI Beaumont (Low)," January 5, 2022 ↗
• September 6, 2021A 63-year-old man died in a hospital after being taken there on September 3, 2021. The BOP said the man had long-term medical conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at FCI Beaumont Low," September 15, 2021 ↗
• March 27, 2021A 71-year-old man became unresponsive when staff checked on shortness of breath, and died the same day. The BOP said the man had medical conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at FCI Beaumont (Low)," August 31, 2021 ↗
• December 21, 2020A 59-year-old man died in a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 24, 2020. The BOP said the man had long-term medical conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at FCI Beaumont (Low)," December 22, 2020 ↗

These are deaths the BOP announced in a press release. The BOP does not publish a full count of deaths at each prison, so this is not a total.

Sexual abuse audit (PREA)

The last federal sexual-abuse (PREA) audit covered all of FCC Beaumont together (not Beaumont Low alone). The audit team visited November 14 to 16, 2023. Result: 5 standards exceeded, 36 met, 0 not met (4 more were audited only at the agency level). In the 12 months before the audit, the whole complex recorded 9 sexual-abuse allegations (2 against staff, 7 against other inmates) and 0 sexual-harassment allegations. The BOP report does not split these by prison. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCC Beaumont (onsite November 14 to 16, 2023) ↗

An allegation is a report, not a finding. The audit counts reports made, not what investigators concluded.

News about Beaumont Low

No news stories found yet. We check every day. Last checked Nov 3, 2026, 7:20 pm ET.

Intel from the Inside

Intel last checked: November 3, 2026

Reports from people inside, in their own words. It is how the place really runs, not official policy, and it can change. We never publish names.

No Intel reported for Beaumont Low yet.

Know something about Beaumont Low that families should know? Tell Scooter. Our team checks every report before it goes up, and we never publish names.