FCI Loretto Federal Prison: Visiting Hours, Address and Sending Money

Loretto at a glance

FCI Loretto is a low-security prison that holds mostly low and minimum-security inmates. Next to the main prison is a minimum-security satellite camp. It sits one mile outside Loretto, Pennsylvania: 20 miles west of Altoona, 30 miles east of Johnstown and 90 miles east of Pittsburgh.

How many people: 786 in the FCI (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) ↗
Capacity and crowding: Built for 792. The population was 846 on the day of the audit, and the average over the year before was 813. The prison was over capacity at some point in that year. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Loretto (onsite April 8 to 9, 2025) ↗
Ages: From 20 to 83. The average age is 44. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Loretto (onsite April 8 to 9, 2025) ↗
Average stay: 25 to 60 months. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Loretto (onsite April 8 to 9, 2025) ↗
Tobacco: Smoking is not allowed. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Psychiatrist: The prison has no staff psychiatrist (a doctor who prescribes psychiatric medication). If they take such medication, they should tell Psychology Services at intake. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

The BOP's own page for FCI Loretto.

How far is it from you?

Driving directions (Google Maps) → Bus or train (Google Maps) →

Plan your drive around this: Visitors must be processed one hour before visiting ends, so arrive early. Visiting ends at 2:15 p.m. You may not enter the grounds before visiting starts. On Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays there is a stand-up count at 10:00 a.m.; people keep being processed up to 9:15 a.m., and then everything stops until the count clears.

Our miles and time are an estimate from your ZIP code's center. Google Maps gives the exact route. Your ZIP code never leaves your phone unless you tap a Google Maps button.

Visiting hours and days

Who	Days	Hours
Main prison (general population)	Friday, Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays	8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Satellite camp	Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays	8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Special Housing Unit (SHU)	Friday, Saturday or Sunday, by video, no longer than 2 hours. They must ask the Captain at least two weeks ahead.	Within 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Visitors must be processed one hour before visiting ends, so arrive early. Visiting ends at 2:15 p.m. You may not enter the grounds before visiting starts. On Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays there is a stand-up count at 10:00 a.m.; people keep being processed up to 9:15 a.m., and then everything stops until the count clears.

The papers list no regular visiting Monday through Thursday. The camp has no Friday visiting. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗

The rules at the door: ID, points, what you can bring

How many visits: They get 8 points a month. A visit on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday costs 2 points, so about 4 visits a month. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
How many people: No more than 4 adults at one time. Children under 16 do not count. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
Children: Under 16 must come with an adult. Ages 16 and 17 may come alone only with written approval from a parent or guardian, sent through the Unit Team beforehand. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
ID: Everyone 16 or older needs a government photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. An altered, forged or expired ID is refused. You keep your ID and show it again, with your hand stamp, when you leave. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
Screening: You must clear the metal detector. If you have a medical implant such as a hip or knee replacement, bring a medical note before you arrive. You may also get a random pat search or an ION scanner test for drugs. If you refuse the test, you must leave. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Money for vending machines: Up to $20.00 per adult. You cannot hand them anything, and you cannot take vending items out with you. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
What you can carry: Only a small clear plastic purse no bigger than 5 inches by 8 inches. For a baby: one small diaper bag with diapers, pre-mixed formula, 3 clear baby bottles and baby food, and wipes in a clear bag. No strollers or baby carriers. No toys. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
Leave in the car: Handbags, wallets, hygiene items, tobacco, umbrellas and all electronics (phones, smart watches, recorders). No food and no photographs. Only two medicines may go in: nitroglycerin for the heart and inhalers for asthma. Any other personal medicine must be declared at the front and approved by the Operations Lieutenant. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
Touching: A kiss and hug at the start and again at the end. Hand holding is allowed, but their hands must stay in plain view. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
Seating: You sit across from each other. Children under 16 of the inmate may sit beside them. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
Dress code: No shorts, skirts (except for approved religious reasons), sweat pants or yoga pants, tight or stretch clothes, tank or halter tops, crop tops, see-through or low-cut clothes, hats, sandals or open-toe shoes, sunglasses, watches, gloves or scarves. No camouflage, and no khaki (main prison) or yellow (camp) that looks like inmate clothing. Everyone must wear shoes. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗
When it gets crowded: Staff first ask for volunteers to leave. Then they look at how often the inmate gets visits and how far you traveled. Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗

How to get on the visiting list

At admission they give the counselor a list of people they want to visit. Only immediate family is allowed at first. To add friends or other relatives, they send a request ("cop-out") to their counselor.
The counselor does a background check (NCIC) on everyone. If you are turned down, you are not told why, and they hear from the counselor.
They tell you if you are approved. Anyone who arrives before being approved is turned away. Do not drive until you are approved.
The list holds immediate family plus up to 10 friends and associates (other relatives count here). Friends must have known them before prison unless the warden approves an exception in writing.
To remove someone, they send a cop-out. A removed visitor cannot be added back for six months.
Transferred from another prison? Visitors cannot visit until the counselor reviews the list.
The visiting form is not named in the Loretto papers. The BOP national visitor form is BP-A0629 (unconfirmed for Loretto).

Fill out the visiting form for Loretto →

Click here to read the source: LOR 5267.09E, Visiting Regulations (October 27, 2020) ↗

Driving directions (from the BOP)

From Johnstown Cambria County Airport: Leave the airport and turn right. At the stop sign (about 1 mile) turn left. After 1/8 mile turn left onto Route 219 North. Go 15 miles to the Route 22 East exit (Ebensburg). Go 5 miles on Route 22 East to the Route 164 exit (Munster/Portage). Turn left and go 1/8 mile to the light. Turn right and go about 3 miles. Mount Aloysius College is on your right. Take the road to the left right after the college (sign: Loretto 4 miles). Go about 3 miles. FCI Loretto is on a hill on your left.
From Altoona Airport: Turn right and take Route 866 North to Route 164 in Martinsburg. Turn left onto 164 West toward Roaring Spring. At Roaring Spring routes 164 West and 36 North join: turn right on 164/36. After about 3 miles take Route 220 North toward Altoona (a short distance, turn right). Go about 5 miles on 220 North to the Route 22/764 sign and turn right onto Route 22 West toward Ebensburg. Go about 9 miles to the Cresson Summit exit and turn right at the stop sign. Go straight through the next light. After about 1 mile turn right at the sign Loretto 4 miles. After about 3 miles FCI Loretto is on a hill on your left.

Street address for your GPS: 772 Saint Joseph St., Loretto, Pa 15940. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

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

FCI Loretto

Rules dated 10/27/2020 (6 years old)

Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)

6 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.

Skirts and dresses	No skirts at all, except for approved religious reasons (no inch limit given).
Shorts	No shorts.
Colors to avoid	No khaki pants and shirts when visiting the FCI. No yellow pants, shirts or jumpsuits when visiting the Camp.
Leggings, spandex	No yoga pants or stretch clothing. No tight-fitting clothing.
Bras and metal	Not in the written rules. Some prisons ban underwire bras anyway, and the penalty can be more than being sent home. Wear a sports bra or a bra with no wire.
Camouflage, military	No camouflage or utility clothing.
Shoes	No open-toe shoes. No sandals.
Children	Not in the written rules.

All 24 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

No skirts at all, except for approved religious reasons (no inch limit given).*No skirts (with exception of approved religious reasons)
No shorts.Sweat Pants or Yoga pants) *No shorts
No tank tops; shirts must cover shoulders and backs.*No tank tops or halter tops - All shirts and blouses must cover
No low-cut shirts/blouses.*No Low cut shirts/blouses
No crop tops.*No crop tops
No halter tops or open-back shirts/dresses.*No shirts/dresses with open backs
No see-through clothing.*No see-through clothing including tears, rips, or holes
No tight-fitting clothing.*No tight fitting or stretch clothing
No yoga pants or stretch clothing.*No tight fitting or stretch clothing
No tears, rips or holes.*No see-through clothing including tears, rips, or holes
No workout clothing like sweat pants or yoga pants.*No work out type clothing (Sweat Pants or Yoga pants)

Colors and uniforms

No khaki pants and shirts when visiting the FCI.(Khaki pants and shirts if visiting
No yellow pants, shirts or jumpsuits when visiting the Camp.inmates at the FCI or yellow pants and shirts, or yellow jumpsuits, if visiting inmates at the Camp).
No camouflage or utility clothing.*No utility clothing, camouflage in color, or clothing

Bras, underwear and metal

Visitors 16+ must wear an inner garment covering breast/chest.will be expected to wear an inner garment covering the breast or chest area.

Shoes

No open-toe shoes.*No sandals or open toe shoes
No sandals.*No sandals or open toe shoes

Hats, hoods and coats

No hats, head gear or scarves.*No hats or head gear (with exception of approved religious
Approved religious headgear allowed.(with exception of approved religious headgear)

Everything else

No vulgar or obscene language or pictures.*No clothing with vulgar or obscene language or picture.
No sunglasses, watches or gloves.*No sunglasses *No watches *No gloves
Shoes required in the Visiting Room.all visitors will wear shoes in the Visiting Room

If they say no

Denial for dress; covering required if chest area revealing.Visitors may be denied entry based on their dress attire.
Front Entrance Officer and Lieutenant decide admittance.Admittance of the visitors is up to the discretion of the Front Entrance Officer and the attending Lieutenant.

Inmate mailing address

Use their committed name exactly as the BOP Inmate Locator shows it. The name and number below are examples (JOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES, 12345-678).

JOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
Reg. No. 12345-678
FCI Loretto
P.O. Box 1000
Cresson, Pa 16630

The Loretto handbook puts their assigned housing unit on a line under their name and number. Ask your loved one for theirs. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

Use the P.O. Box only. Never mail to the street address (772 Saint Joseph St., Loretto, Pa 15940).

White only: Only white envelopes and white paper, written in pen or pencil. No card stock. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
No greeting cards or postcards: Greeting cards and postcards are rejected. Photocopies of them must follow the same rules. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Nothing on it: No labels, glitter, stickers, lipstick, crayon or stains. Anything with perfume or cologne is rejected. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Stamps: Stamps are removed before they get the mail. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Photocopies: Some or all general mail may be photocopied, and they get only the copy. Exceptions are valid legal mail, mail from a court or government office, and mail from a commercial source. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Books and magazines: Only one soft-cover book or magazine a day from anyone other than a publisher, book club or bookstore. Hardcover only from a publisher or bookstore. Magazines must be less than 90 days old. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Legal mail: It must be marked "Special Mail - Open Only in the Presence of the Inmate." They are called to the mail room to open it. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Money: Never send money to the prison. Mail it to the BOP lockbox in Des Moines (see the Money tab). The Loretto mail room does not accept money from outside. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

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

Use their committed name exactly as the BOP Inmate Locator shows it. The name and number below are examples (JOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES, 12345-678).

Money never goes to Loretto. 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: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗ Foreign money orders and checks are held 45 days. The postal money order is also the cheapest way.

The Post Office's own steps

Decide the amount. Up to $1,000 in one money order.
Go to any Post Office.
Bring cash or a debit card. The Post Office does not take credit cards for money orders.
Fill it out at the counter with the clerk. Use the boxes below.
Pay the amount plus the fee: $2.65 for up to $500, $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.
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 ↗

A U.S. Postal Service money order, the red and blue design, with the 5 boxes you fill in marked and numbered — The Postal Service's own sample of the new red-and-blue money order, with our example filled in. The clerk prints the amount, date and serial number. Tap to enlarge. Click here to read the source: U.S. Postal Service, Money Orders (sample images) ↗

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

The older green U.S. Postal Service money order — The older green design is still in use until the Post Office runs out of it. The boxes are the same. Click here to read the source: U.S. Postal Service, Money Orders (sample images) ↗

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

The envelope. Nothing else inside: no letters, no photos.

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:

The MoneyGram blue ExpressPayment form, filled in by the BOP, with the 6 boxes you fill in marked 1 to 6 — The BOP's sample (2012). Fill in only the left "Pay a Bill" side. Tap to enlarge. Click here to read the source: the BOP's MoneyGram sample form ↗

Company NameFederal Bureau of Prisons
City & StateWashington, DC
Receive Code7932always the same
Account Number of the Bill to Pay12345678SMITHJONESone letter or number per box
Amount to Payup to $300
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

Go to moneygram.com (Pay Bills) or the MoneyGram app and log in or sign up.
Search the biller 7932 or "Federal Bureau of Prisons."
Enter the amount (up to $300) and the account number 12345678SMITHJONES.
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:

A Western Union Quick Collect payment form filled in for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with the 5 boxes you fill in marked 1 to 5 — A 2008 version of the form, posted by a family-help site. The form in your store may look different, but the box names are the same. Tap to enlarge.

Dollar Amountyour amount
Pay toFederal Bureau of Prisons
Code CityFBOP, DC
AttentionJOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
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.

Go to send2corrections.com or the Send2Corrections app. Log in or register.
"Who are you sending to?" Choose the facility Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP DC).
Receiver first name, middle name (optional), last name: exactly as the BOP has it.
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.
Ignore the pop-up that says "BOP number will not work." That text shows for every prison. The register number is what works.
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 Loretto handbook gives no dollar limit. It says the weekly stamp and spending limits follow Bureau of Prisons memos. It does say that someone in FRP refuse status (not paying court-ordered fines or restitution) cannot spend more than $25.00 a month (not counting stamps, phone credit and some religious items). National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) sets $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

How shopping works at Loretto

They shop on their own assigned day. Laundry day is the day after.
Shopping lists are filled out by them and turned in to the sales staff the same day.
Watches and radios need a Special Purpose Form 40, approved by the Correctional Systems Officer, before they can buy.
Toilet paper is handed out on their shopping day.
The list says all sales are final once they leave the window.

The price list: Loretto'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. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Commissary List (undated scan) ↗

Phone calls and email

Hours: Unit phones are turned off between 11:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. They may not use them during counts or while they should be at work. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Contacts: They add and delete phone numbers on the TRULINCS computers. TRULINCS cannot be used during work hours. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Rules: No credit card calls and no third-party calls (no passing the phone to another person). Every call is monitored and recorded. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Emergencies: For a family crisis they can ask their Unit Team or the Chaplain for a special call. The event has to be verified. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Minutes: The Loretto handbook does not give a monthly minute limit or a per-call limit. Unconfirmed. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

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 Loretto

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: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 6:30 a.m. in Health Services (main prison). At the camp it is between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. If a holiday falls in the week, sick call moves to Wednesday. Another page of the handbook says sign-up is between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Pill line: Seven days a week at 7:45 a.m. to 7:55 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. (main prison). Camp: 6:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Emergency: Emergency care is available 24 hours a day. They tell the nearest staff member. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Dental: Routine dental care is requested by a written cop-out. Emergency dental care uses the same days and times as medical sick call. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Co-pay: A $2.00 fee for each visit they ask for. No fee for staff referrals, follow-up for a chronic condition, emergencies, mental health care or drug treatment. Care is not refused if they have no money. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Glasses: Eye exams go through their primary care provider. Glasses are ordered at no cost and take about eight to ten weeks. Glasses cannot be mailed in. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Nights and weekends: Evening, weekend and holiday coverage is for urgent medical problems only. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to 12 months off for those eligible): The handbook says RDAP is not available here, but eligibility interviews are done here. If they qualify, they are transferred to a prison that has it. They generally need at least 24 months left on their sentence. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Other drug programs: Drug Abuse Education (12 to 15 hours) and the non-residential drug program (90 to 120 minutes a week for five months). Finishing the non-residential program can earn a one-time $30 award. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Resolve Program: Trauma treatment. The First Step Act guide lists Loretto as a site. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
Education: GED is mandatory for anyone without a verified diploma (at least 240 hours unless they test out). ESL, Adult Continuing Education, and parenting classes are offered. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Vocational training: Automotive Repair and Personal Fitness Trainer, each with a certificate. Also an Employment Skills class. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Apprenticeships: Teacher Aide and General Cook, with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. Each needs 4000 hours of on-the-job training and a job in Education or Food Service. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Facilities jobs: Electric, landscape, garage, powerhouse, plumbing, welding, painting and construction. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗
Release preparation: Close to release, the Unit Team considers a halfway house (RRC) or home confinement under the Second Chance and First Step Acts. Click here to read the source: FCI Loretto Admission and Orientation Handbook (August 2023) ↗

The BOP's First Step Act guide (May 2026) lists Loretto for the Resolve Program (trauma treatment). Loretto is not on the BOP's 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 Loretto

August 20, 2026Headline: "Homemade weapon lands federal inmate in Cambria County more jail time." We could not open the article text, and the headline does not name FCI Loretto, so treat the link to this prison as unconfirmed. (WTAJ)

Deaths announced by the BOP

January 10, 2022A 78-year-old man who had tested positive for COVID-19 was found unresponsive and pronounced dead. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at FCI Loretto," January 13, 2022 ↗

These are deaths the BOP announced in a press release. We found no BOP release since 2022 that names this prison. 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 visited Loretto April 8 to 9, 2025. Result: 0 standards exceeded, 45 met, 0 not met. In the 12 months before the audit, Loretto recorded 0 sexual-abuse allegations and 1 sexual-harassment allegation (inmate on inmate). Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Loretto (onsite April 8 to 9, 2025) ↗

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

News about Loretto

'It doesn't make any sense:' Union members react to closure of FCI Loretto satellite campWJAC · Dec 18, 2024
Feds: FCI Loretto to close satellite camp in Cambria CountyWJAC · Dec 6, 2024

Stories from news outlets that name FCI Loretto, checked every day. Last updated Nov 3, 2026, 8:56 am ET. We link to the original story; we did not write these.

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 Loretto yet.

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