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

Marion at a glance

FCI Marion is a medium-security prison in Marion, Illinois, with a minimum-security satellite camp (SCP). It used to be a penitentiary, and the visiting rules (2020) and handbook (2023) still call it "USP Marion." It is about ten miles south of the town of Marion, just off Highway 148.

How many people: 1,014 in the FCI and 198 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) ↗
Capacity: The PREA audit lists a capacity of 981 in the FCI and 200 at the camp. The average population over the year before was 1,101 in the FCI and 191 at the camp. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Marion (onsite January 28 to 30, 2025) ↗
Ages: FCI: 20 to 77. Camp: 24 to 70. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Marion (onsite January 28 to 30, 2025) ↗
Average stay: FCI: 831.7 days. Camp: 425.8 days. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Marion (onsite January 28 to 30, 2025) ↗
Sex offenders: The handbook says the BOP offers sex offender treatment at its Sex Offender Management Program institutions, which have a higher share of sex offenders in the general population. The First Step Act guide lists Marion for both sex offender treatment programs (see Programs). Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗

The BOP's own page for FCI Marion.

How far is it from you?

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

Plan your drive around this: No visitors are processed into the visiting room after 1:30 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays, inmates are not brought to the room during the 10:00 a.m. count (processing of inmates stops at 9:30 a.m.); visitors may keep being processed and wait.

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 and satellite camp	Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays	8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Special Housing Unit and holdovers	Saturday and/or Sunday. Administrative Detention and holdover: 2 hours. Disciplinary Segregation: 1 hour.	Within 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Communication Management Unit (CMU)	Sunday through Friday, scheduled in blocks of up to 4 hours, 8 hours a month at most	8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

No visitors are processed into the visiting room after 1:30 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays, inmates are not brought to the room during the 10:00 a.m. count (processing of inmates stops at 9:30 a.m.); visitors may keep being processed and wait.

The visiting rules list no regular visiting days except Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays (plus the CMU days above). Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗

The BOP's own papers disagree. The visiting rules are from March 6, 2020 and the handbook from March 21, 2023. Both give Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but both are old and the rules still call this prison "USP Marion." Call 618-964-1441 before you drive.

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

How many visits: They get 12 points a month. A weekday visit costs 1 point and a weekend or holiday visit costs 2 points. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
How many people: No more than 4 adult visitors and up to 5 children per inmate. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
Children: Everyone must be on the approved list, whatever their age. Visitors 15 or younger must come with an approved adult visitor. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
ID: Everyone 16 or older needs official photo ID: a current state driver's license, military ID, passport, or a local, state or federal ID card. No other ID is accepted. You and your children may be photographed. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
Screening: You walk through a metal detector. If a medical device keeps you from clearing it, bring medical papers and you will be checked with a hand-held detector. Bureau staff may search you, your bags and your car. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
Money for vending machines: A clear plastic bag, 8 by 10 inches, with a maximum of $35 in change and/or one-dollar bills. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
For a baby: 3 pre-filled baby bottles, 5 diapers, wipes in a clear container, 1 blanket and 2 baby food containers with a spoon, in a clear bag just big enough for them. No strollers, car seats or carriers. Required medicine is left with the visiting room officer. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
Dress code: No sweat pants or athletic pants, spandex, revealing or tight clothes, halter tops, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, crop tops, strapless clothes, going without a bra, dresses, capris, shorts or skirts shorter than the knee (or with slits above the knee), open-toe or backless shoes, low-cut or backless shirts, bathing suits, camouflage, hooded clothes, hats, scarves, coats or jackets, ripped clothes, see-through or lace clothes, or low-hanging pants. No khaki or red clothes at the main prison and no olive-green clothes at the camp. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
Giving things: You may not give them papers or photos without the warden's approval. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗
Touching: Per the handbook, a brief embrace, handshake and kiss before the visit and again after it. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Pets: No pets, except dogs that assist a person with a disability. Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗

How to get on the visiting list

Your loved one gets the Visitor Information Form (printed in the visiting rules as BP-629) from their counselor and mails it to you. The BOP national form is BP-A0629.
You fill it out and mail it to their counselor.
Staff run an NCIC background check or ask police for your conviction record.
They tell you if you are approved. Do not drive until you are approved.
Immediate family is mother, father, sister, brother, step parents, foster parents, wife and children. Friends and associates must have known them before prison, unless the warden approves an exception.
They may ask to change their list once a month.
A list from another federal prison may be used unless greater security needs apply.

Fill out the visiting form for Marion →

Click here to read the source: MAR-5267.09A, Visiting (March 6, 2020) ↗

Driving directions (from the BOP)

From the north or the south on I-57: Take the IL-148 exit (Exit 45). From the north turn right (from the south turn left) onto N. Refuge Road/IL-148. Turn right onto Grassy Road/CR-25. Turn left onto Prison Road/CR-22 and follow it onto the grounds. The address is 4500 Prison Road, Marion, IL 62959.
By train or bus: Amtrak has a station in Carbondale at 401 S. Illinois Ave. (the handbook gives 800 USA-RAIL). Greyhound goes to Marion (618-997-6158). The handbook lists Marion Cab Company (618-993-8181) and Red Top Cab (618-997-1098).

Street address for your GPS: 4500 Prison Road, Marion, Il 62959. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗

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

FCI Marion

Rules dated March 21, 2023 (3 years old) · from the prisoners' handbook; no visiting rules posted

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

Skirts and dresses	No mini-skirts; no specific length given.
Shorts	Not in the written rules.
Colors to avoid	Not in the written rules.
Leggings, spandex	Not in the written rules. Many prisons still turn leggings away.
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	Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home.
Shoes	Not in the written rules.
Children	Not in the written rules.

All 4 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

No mini-skirts; no specific length given.Visitors wearing mini-skirts, low-cut blouses, and other types of revealing clothes,
No low-cut blouses.Visitors wearing mini-skirts, low-cut blouses, and other types of revealing clothes,

Everything else

No clothes showing obscene gestures, language or disruptive symbols.clothes displaying obscene gestures, language or disruptive symbols, will not be permitted in the Visiting Room.
No other revealing clothes.and other types of revealing clothes,

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 Marion
P.O. Box 1000
Marion, Il 62959

The handbook asks that the register number and housing unit be on the envelope. Ask your loved one for their unit. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗

The camp uses the same P.O. Box.

Use the P.O. Box only. Never mail to the street address (4500 Prison Road, Marion, Il 62959).

Outgoing mail: At a medium-security prison like this one, outgoing mail (except legal mail) is not sealed by them and staff can read it. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Mail days: Mail is handed out Monday through Friday, except holidays. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Packages: Packages need prior authorization. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Books and magazines: Hardcover books and newspapers only from the publisher, a book club or a bookstore. At medium security, softcover books also only from the publisher, a book club or a bookstore. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Legal mail: Opened in front of them. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Money: Never put money in a letter to the prison. Use the BOP lockbox in Des Moines or Western Union Quick Collect (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Other rules: The handbook says all mail must follow local rules to keep drugs out, but does not list the rules (envelopes, cards, paper). Ask your loved one or call the prison. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗

Books and magazines: at a medium security prison, books and magazines must come straight from a publisher, book club or bookstore (Amazon, for example), never from home.

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 Marion. 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: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 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 Marion handbook (March 2023) says the national limit was $320, possibly lowered locally. National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) now sets $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. Someone behind on court-ordered payments (refuse status) is limited to $25 a month. The BOP's Marion page does not link a commissary price list. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

How shopping works at Marion

Their account is refreshed monthly, every two weeks or weekly, depending on the local setting.

The price list: Marion'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, collect or direct dial. They ordinarily get an extra 100 minutes in November and December. Each call is limited to 15 minutes. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Paying: Phone credit moves from their commissary account (even dollar amounts). Calls are monitored and recorded. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 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 Marion

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: They go to sick-call triage to get an appointment, and are triaged in private. Requests for sick call sent as cop-outs are not accepted. The handbook does not list the sign-up days or time. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Hours: Health services staff are on site from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Urgent and emergency care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Special Housing Unit: Staff make daily rounds to deliver medicine and triage complaints. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Appointments: Missing a scheduled appointment can lead to an incident report. They must bring their commissary ID card. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Health Services Administrator: Open house on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. for general population. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible): Marion has RDAP (BOP list updated June 4, 2026; the handbook says "RDAP is available here"). To apply they send a cop-out. Admission is by how close they are to release. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
Sex offender treatment: The guide lists Marion for the Residential program (SOTP-R, high intensity; the handbook says it is offered at Devens and at Marion) and the Non-Residential program (SOTP-NR). Volunteering is voluntary. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
Other drug programs: Non-residential drug treatment and Drug Abuse Education. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Resolve Program: The handbook says this prison does not have the Resolve (trauma) program. They can ask Psychology Services about it. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
UNICOR (prison factory): The handbook describes UNICOR in general. The First Step Act guide does not list Marion among the Federal Prison Industries sites. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗
Education: GED and English as a Second Language, vocational training and registered apprenticeships (U.S. Department of Labor), and correspondence courses. Click here to read the source: USP Marion Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated March 21, 2023) ↗

The BOP's RDAP list (updated June 4, 2026) names FCI Marion. The First Step Act guide (May 2026) also lists Marion for both sex offender treatment programs and a late-life depression program. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at Marion

July 14, 2026A Marion federal prison inmate was sentenced to more than 18 additional years for producing hand-drawn child sexual abuse material (headline wording). (Southern Illinoisan)

Deaths announced by the BOP

July 5, 2026A 37-year-old man was found unresponsive at about 6:10 a.m. and pronounced dead by EMS. The FBI was notified. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Death at FCI Marion," July 6, 2026 ↗
August 5, 2020A 39-year-old man who had tested positive for COVID-19 was pronounced dead at a hospital. The BOP called the prison "USP Marion." Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at USP Marion," August 6, 2020 ↗
August 2, 2020A 65-year-old man who had tested positive for COVID-19 was pronounced dead at a hospital. The BOP called the prison "USP Marion." Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at USP Marion," August 3, 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 visited Marion January 28 to 30, 2025. Result: 0 standards exceeded, 45 met, 0 not met. In the 12 months before the audit, Marion recorded 13 sexual-abuse allegations (8 against other inmates, 5 against staff) and 5 sexual-harassment allegations (4 against other inmates, 1 against staff). Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Marion (onsite January 28 to 30, 2025) ↗

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

News about Marion

3 sentenced in Marion prison drug operation; more than $6K recoveredYahoo · Oct 2, 2026

Stories from news outlets that name FCI Marion, checked every day. Last updated Nov 3, 2026, 9:31 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 Marion yet.

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