FCI Ray Brook Federal Prison: Visiting Hours, Address and Sending Money

Ray Brook at a glance

FCI Ray Brook is a medium-security federal prison for men in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. It has no camp. The visiting rules say it is off State Route 86, 5.06 miles from Saranac Lake and 6.46 miles from Lake Placid, in a resort area. The housing units named in the visiting rules are Genesee, Niagara, Delaware and Saranac.

How many people: 702 in the FCI (BOP, October 29, 2026).
Medical care level 1: Generally healthy people under 70 who need to see a clinician only every 6 to 12 months. Examples the BOP gives: mild asthma, diet-controlled diabetes, well-controlled high blood pressure. 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 1: No regular mental health care. People with a major mental illness, or who take antipsychotic medication, are not ordinarily classified at this level. The mental health list gives Ray Brook "Med" security and level 1. 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) ↗
Last audit snapshot: The 2026 audit gave the capacity as 848 and the population on the first day as 880. Ages ran from 20 to 68. The report gives the average stay as 17 to 21 months. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Ray Brook (onsite April 28 to 30, 2026) ↗
Counts: Official counts at 12:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. (stand up) and 9:30 p.m. (stand up), and on weekends and holidays at 10:00 a.m. (stand up). This is from the 2013 handbook. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Factory: The handbook says the UNICOR factory is a textile factory. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗

The BOP's own page for FCI Ray Brook.

How far is it from you?

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

Plan your drive around this: Visitors who reach the entrance building after 1:30 p.m. are not processed into the visiting room. Do not arrive on the grounds before 8:00 a.m. Only approved visitors may be on the grounds before or during visiting. No one may wait at the front entrance or in a car in the parking lot.

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
FCI	Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays. Visitor processing begins at 8:00 a.m.	Visiting 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Special Housing Unit (SHU)	Video visits only, on weekends and holidays. Approved ahead by the unit team and the Captain. Up to 2 visitors for 2 hours. Visitors are not processed after 12:00 p.m. and SHU visiting ends at 2:00 p.m.	Starting at 8:30 a.m.

Visitors who reach the entrance building after 1:30 p.m. are not processed into the visiting room. Do not arrive on the grounds before 8:00 a.m. Only approved visitors may be on the grounds before or during visiting. No one may wait at the front entrance or in a car in the parking lot.

No visiting Monday through Friday except federal holidays. Visiting days and times can change. The 2020 rules say a notice goes on the prison's website, the phone message system and TRULINCS when visiting is under COVID-19 modified rules. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗

The BOP's own papers disagree. The Ray Brook handbook (September 1, 2013) says visiting is Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is limited on an hourly point basis. The newer visiting rules (September 30, 2020) end visiting at 2:30 p.m. and mention no points. The 2020 rules also have a COVID-19 modified plan (a rotation by unit, 2 adult visitors per inmate, 18 adult visitors in the room, masks, no vending machines). Go by the newer rules and call 518-897-4000 before you drive to ask which plan is in use.

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

How many people: No more than 5 adult visitors per inmate. Children under 16 are not limited, but the inmate and the adult visitors are responsible for them. Under the COVID-19 modified plan it is 2 adults and one lap child. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
Children: Children under 16 may not visit unless with a responsible adult. Children under 16 do not need to be on the list (2013 handbook) but visitors 16 and older do. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
ID: Everyone 16 or older needs a driver's license or other state or government photo ID, and must be on the approved list. Each visitor 16 or older signs the Notification to Visitor form (printed in the rules as BP-224) declaring any contraband, and signs the visitor log. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
Screening: Everyone clears the walk-through metal detector. Anyone who fails or refuses is turned away. Visitors are picked at random for the ion scanner and for pat searches. A positive ion test can mean being denied entry. Belongings, shoes, coats and diapers go through an x-ray. Each visitor gets a hand stamp that is checked under a black light going in and again leaving. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
Money for vending machines: The 2020 rules say visitors may buy food and drink from the vending machines in the visiting room, and the 2013 handbook says money is allowed for them. Neither gives an amount. Visitors may not pass money to the inmate, and the visiting room staff cannot take money for their account. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
What you can carry: A clear wallet or change purse no bigger than 5 by 8 by 4 inches with money and ID only. For a baby: four diapers, two sealed jars of baby food, three bottles, one crib-size blanket and one small diaper bag (paper or plastic) for baby or female hygiene items. Lockers in the front lobby hold everything else. No medicine unless the Operations Lieutenant or Duty Officer approves. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
Not allowed in: Balloons, gum, candy, food, toys (dolls and toy weapons too), newspapers, magazines, books, legal papers, baby carriers, regular diaper bags, cosmetics, writing instruments, tobacco, photographs, pagers, cell phones, remote door-lock devices, papers or gifts for the inmate. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
What not to wear: No see-through clothing. No tank tops, muscle shirts, halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes or tight clothing (shoulders covered, no exposed cleavage). Shorts and skirts no more than 6 inches above the knee. No bare feet (babies excepted) and no open-toed shoes or flip-flops. No ball caps, hats, bandanas or other headwear except religious headwear. Men may not wear khaki, which looks like inmate clothing. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
Touching: Hand shaking, embracing and kissing within good taste and of short duration at the start and end of the visit only. Staff assign seats and no one may change seats. The inmate stays seated. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
What they wear: An institution-issued one-piece khaki jumpsuit, underwear and socks, and a plain white T-shirt, with issued shower shoes or crocs. They may take in one pair of prescription eyeglasses, one plain religious neck chain, one plain wedding band and picture tickets. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
When it gets crowded: The Operations Lieutenant or Duty Officer may shorten visits or limit visitors, thinking about room capacity, local or frequent visitors and distance traveled. A visitor who leaves cannot come back the same day. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
One visit a day: An inmate is processed in once a day for the same visitor. Visitors may not leave and return the same day unless the Warden approves ahead of time. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗
Sex offense involving a minor: An inmate convicted of a sex offense involving a minor has the visits closely monitored and sits as close to the officer's station as possible. Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗

How to get on the visiting list

After arrival they give their Correctional Counselor a list of proposed visitors. Unless there is good cause, immediate family (the handbook lists parents, grandparents, step-parents, foster parents, brothers, sisters, spouse and children) goes on the list.
Other relatives and friends are added only after a background check. The visitor fills out the Visitor Information form (printed in the rules as BP-S629) and an Institution Request for Visitor Information form. They mail them to you. You mail them back directly to their Correctional Counselor. A visitor under 16 needs a parent or guardian to sign.
The list holds a maximum of 12 friends and associates (this applies only to designated inmates). They must have known you before prison, unless the Warden makes an exception.
Staff tell them yes or no, and they tell you. Do not drive until you are approved. Normally a visitor cannot be on more than one inmate's list unless the inmates share the same immediate family.
Pretrial and holdover inmates may have only immediate family and attorneys on the list.
The list can be changed at any time following these steps.

Fill out the visiting form for Ray Brook →

Click here to read the source: RBK 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations, Institution Supplement (September 30, 2020) ↗

Driving directions (from the BOP)

The address: FCI Ray Brook is at 128 Ray Brook Road, Ray Brook, NY. The 2020 rules say it is off State Route 86, 5.06 miles from Saranac Lake and 6.46 miles from Lake Placid, about 10 miles from the Adirondack Regional Airport. Phone 518-897-4000. Motel and restaurant reservations are recommended in peak tourist seasons.
From the north or south (2013 handbook): Take I-87 to Exit 30 toward RT-73/Keene Valley. Turn left onto US-9 (2.2 miles). Turn slight left onto NY-73 N (25.9 miles). Turn slight left onto Old Military Rd/CR-35 (3.6 miles). Turn left onto NY-86. Follow NY-86 to the New York State Troopers Barracks (Troop B), directly across from the left turn onto Old Ray Brook Rd.
From the east (2013 handbook): Take NY-73 N (25.9 miles). Turn slight left onto Old Military Rd/CR-35 (3.6 miles). Turn left onto NY-86 and follow it to the Troop B barracks, across from the left turn onto Old Ray Brook Rd.
Buses and taxis (2013 handbook): Adirondack Trailways Bus 1-800-858-8555. Rick's Taxi 518-523-4741, Gene's Taxi 800-564-2149, Carrows Taxi 518-523-9091. Wooden signs for FCI Ray Brook are at both entrances of Old Ray Brook Road.

Street address for your GPS: 128 Ray Brook Road, Ray Brook, NY 12977. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗

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

FCI Ray Brook

Rules dated SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (6 years old)

Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted

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

Skirts and dresses	Skirts no more than six inches above the knee; no mini-skirts.
Shorts	No short shorts; shorts no more than six inches above the knee.
Colors to avoid	Male visitors may not wear khaki pants or shirts like inmates.
Leggings, spandex	No excessively 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	Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home.
Shoes	No open-toed footwear at any time. No flip flops or sandals.
Children	Babies may be barefoot.

All 17 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

Skirts no more than six inches above the knee; no mini-skirts.Shorts and skirts will be no more than six inches above the knee.
No short shorts; shorts no more than six inches above the knee.Shorts and skirts will be no more than six inches above the knee.
No tank tops or muscle shirts; shoulders must be covered.clothing will not be admitted into the institution. Tank tops, muscle shirts,
No exposed cleavage.fitting clothing will not be allowed (i.e., shoulders must be covered and no
No halter tops.halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight
Visitors in transparent clothing will not be admitted.appropriate dress in the visiting room. Visitors wearing transparent
No excessively tight-fitting clothing.halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight

Colors and uniforms

Male visitors may not wear khaki pants or shirts like inmates.clothing (i.e . , khaki pants or shirts) will not be allowed to visit.

Shoes

No open-toed footwear at any time.Excluding babies, no bare feet will be permitted. No open toed footwear will
No flip flops or sandals.be allowed in the visiting room (e.g., flip flops/sandals) at any time .

Hats, hoods and coats

No ball caps, hats, bandanas, or other headwear.Furthermore, ball caps, hats, bandanas, or any other headwear will not be
Authorized religious headwear is allowed.authorized, with the exception of authorized religious headwear. All

Children

Babies may be barefoot.Excluding babies, no bare feet will be permitted. No open toed footwear will

Everything else

No culottes.halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight
COVID-era face coverings required: solid color, not blue or red, no writing.not permitted), secure behind the ears, contain no writing and cover the nose and

If they say no

Suggestive or revealing clothing will be denied admittance.wearing clothing of a suggestive or revealing nature will be denied
Attire questions go to the Operations Lieutenant or Institution Duty Officer.questions regarding attire will be directed to the Operations Lieutenant or

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 Ray Brook
P.O. Box 900
Ray Brook, NY 12977

The handbook gives the mailing address as FCI Ray Brook, P.O. Box 900, Ray Brook, New York 12977, with their name and register number. The BOP's facility feed lists the same P.O. Box. This is from the 2013 handbook. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗

Use the P.O. Box only. Never mail to the street address (128 Ray Brook Road, Ray Brook, NY 12977).

Mail days: First class mail is handed out Monday through Friday, except holidays, by the evening watch officer in each housing unit. There is no limit on the number of incoming letters unless it becomes an unreasonable burden. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Outgoing mail: Outgoing mail must stay unsealed (legal mail excepted). It needs their name, register number and return address in the upper left corner and the recipient's address on a TRULINCS label. They drop it in the unit mailbox by 10:15 p.m. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Legal mail: Legal and special mail is delivered by the unit team within 24 hours of receipt. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Publications: They may get publications without prior approval, but the Warden can reject some (for example ones about weapons, escape or drugs). Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Money: Never put money in a letter. It goes to the BOP lockbox in Des Moines (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗

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 Ray Brook. 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 Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 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

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 Ray Brook handbook (September 2013) says $320 a month January through November and $370 in December. National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) is now $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. The handbook is 13 years old, so ask what limit is in force now. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

How shopping works at Ray Brook

Their shopping day is set by their validation date: the 5th digit of the register number times 3, plus 1.
All orders are filled from the commissary list. All sales are final, no exceptions. Only one inmate at a time at the sales window.
They may have no more than 20 first-class stamps at a time (and three books of stamps in their possession).
The commissary list is from 2020 and is not shown here, because the prices are out of date.

The price list: Ray Brook'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 Ray Brook Commissary List (PDF created July 28, 2020) ↗

Phone calls and email

Calls: Each call is limited to 15 minutes, with a warning tone at 14 minutes. After any call they wait 30 minutes before the next. The handbook (2013) gives no monthly minute limit. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Hours: Phones are normally on from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Weekdays only one phone per housing unit is on between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. All phones go off at 3:30 p.m. and come back on at 4:30 p.m. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Rules: No three-way calls, third-party billing or electronic transfer of calls. They record their name three times for voice recognition. A replacement PAC (phone access code) costs $5. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 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 Ray Brook

Medical care level 1 and mental health care level 1 (of 4). Generally healthy people under 70 who need to see a clinician only every 6 to 12 months. Examples the BOP gives: mild asthma, diet-controlled diabetes, well-controlled high blood pressure. 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 the Health Services Unit when their unit is released for the morning meal on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and fill out a sick call form. No sick call on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday or holidays. Urgent problems are seen the same day. They must bring their commissary ID card. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Co-pay: $2.00 per health care visit they request. No co-pay for emergency care unless the injury came from a fight or other violence. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Pill line: Monday to Friday at 7:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. (medication pick up) and 7:30 p.m. Evening insulin line is at 4:30 p.m. (after the 4:00 p.m. count). Weekends and holidays are the same except the morning pill line is 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Dental: They ask for a routine exam with a cop-out to the dentist. Urgent problems go to the regular sick call sign-up. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Mental health: Two psychologists work here. Everyone has an intake screening in the first 14 days. If someone needs psychiatric medication, the psychologist arranges a visit with the contract psychiatrist. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
SHU: A medical staff member makes rounds in the Special Housing Unit every morning. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible): The handbook says Ray Brook does not have a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), but staff can refer people who meet all the requirements. They see the Drug Abuse Program Coordinator or send a cop-out. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Other drug programs: Basic Drug Education (required for some), non-residential drug treatment, aftercare for people who finished a residential program, and voluntary Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Recovery groups. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
UNICOR (prison factory): Ray Brook's UNICOR is a textile factory. There is a waiting list. They fill out an application and return it to their Counselor. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Jobs: Everyone is expected to hold a regular job. Once assigned, they stay 90 days before changing. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Education: GED is required for anyone without a verified high school diploma (240 institutional hours of class). English-as-a-Second-Language is required until they score 215 out of 225 on the CASAS test. Other classes are voluntary, up to post-secondary correspondence study. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗
Release preparation: Classes and sessions with U.S. Probation Officers, Community Corrections and employers, resume classes and mock job fairs. Click here to read the source: FCI Ray Brook Admission and Orientation Handbook (September 1, 2013) ↗

The handbook is from 2013. It says Ray Brook does not have RDAP, and the BOP's First Step Act guide (May 2026) does not list Ray Brook among its RDAP locations. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at Ray Brook

Deaths announced by the BOP

April 24, 2026A 39-year-old man was found unresponsive at about 10:15 a.m. after what the BOP called a perceived altercation. The man was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead on April 29, 2026. A second person was treated for minor injuries. The FBI was notified. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Death at FCI Ray Brook," April 29, 2026 ↗

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 Ray Brook April 28 to 30, 2026. Result: 45 standards met. The report writes N/A for the number exceeded and the number not met. In the 12 months before the audit, Ray Brook recorded 2 sexual-abuse allegations (both against other inmates) and 4 sexual-harassment allegations (2 against other inmates, 2 against staff). Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCI Ray Brook (onsite April 28 to 30, 2026) ↗

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

News about Ray Brook

FCI Ray Brook on lockdown after inmate fightThe Daily Gazette · Mar 5, 2025
FCI Ray Brook on lockdownPress-Republican · Dec 3, 2024

Stories from news outlets that name FCI Ray Brook, checked every day. Last updated Nov 4, 2026, 1:56 pm 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 Ray Brook yet.

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