FMC Lexington Federal Prison: Visiting Hours, Address and Sending Money

Lexington at a glance

FMC Lexington is a Federal Medical Center, a federal prison that gives medical and mental health care. It is in Lexington, Kentucky, and holds both men and women. A minimum-security satellite camp sits with it. The camp is closing: on July 1, 2026 the BOP announced it will close the Lexington FMC Satellite Camp, and said staff there will be moved to other units on site. The BOP release gives no closing date. Call 859-255-6812 before you travel, and ask where your loved one will be.

How many people: 1,090 in the FMC and 129 at the camp (BOP, October 29, 2026).
Medical care level 3, 4: The BOP list gives the medical center two levels, 3 and 4 (and the camp 1 and 2). Level 3 is outpatients with complex, usually long-term, conditions who need frequent clinician visits to stay stable or stay out of the hospital. Examples the BOP gives: cancer in partial remission, advanced HIV disease, end-stage liver disease. Level 4 is people who need services found only at a BOP Medical Referral Center, such as cancer on active treatment or dialysis. 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 3: Weekly mental health care (enhanced outpatient care), or a residential psychology treatment program. The mental health list gives the satellite camp ("LEX SCP") level 2. 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 and women, adults. On the first day of the December 2024 audit, ages ran from 18 to 85. The report lists the average stay as 25 to 60 months. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FMC Lexington (onsite December 3 to 5, 2024) ↗
Built for: 1,517 people. On the first day of the audit there were 1,331. The average over the year before was 1,279. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FMC Lexington (onsite December 3 to 5, 2024) ↗
Counts: At least five official counts every 24 hours, with another at 10:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays. They must stand at their bed for the 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. counts on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. This is from the 2017 handbook. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Camp name: The 2017 handbook calls the camp "SCP Atwood Camp." Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

The BOP's own page for FMC Lexington.

How far is it from you?

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

Plan your drive around this: Visitors cannot be on the grounds until 15 minutes before visiting starts. Processing stops at 8:15 p.m. on weekdays and 2:15 p.m. on weekends and holidays. These times are from the 2017 handbook. The BOP's Lexington page links no visiting rules, so there is no newer paper, and the camp is closing. Call 859-255-6812 before you drive.

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
Medical center (FMC)	Monday, Thursday and Friday	2:25 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Medical center (FMC)	Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays	8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Camp (SCP)	Friday	5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Camp (SCP)	Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays	8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Visitors cannot be on the grounds until 15 minutes before visiting starts. Processing stops at 8:15 p.m. on weekdays and 2:15 p.m. on weekends and holidays. These times are from the 2017 handbook. The BOP's Lexington page links no visiting rules, so there is no newer paper, and the camp is closing. Call 859-255-6812 before you drive.

The 2017 handbook lists no visiting on Tuesday or Wednesday.

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

How many visits: They get 16 visiting points a month. A weekday visit costs 2 points and a weekend or holiday visit 4 points. At the medical center, Friday counts as a weekend day (4 points). At the camp, Friday counts as a weekday (1 point, as the handbook prints it). Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
How many people: No more than 5 visitors at one time. Ask the counselor at least 3 weeks ahead to add more. If more than five arrive, they take turns, and visitors may not wait on the grounds. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
ID: A state driver's license or state ID card, or two other forms of photo ID with full name and signature. Birth certificates are not accepted. No ID, no visit. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
What you can carry: ID, car keys, life-saving medicine and up to $20 in cash for the vending machines. A reasonable amount of baby items and sanitary napkins. No food. Coats may be worn in if they pass the x-ray. Other things go in a locker or your car. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
What not to wear: No khaki-colored pants, short shorts, halter tops, or revealing or suggestive clothing. No flip-flops or open-toed shoes. No hats, scarves or bandannas. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Screening: You may be searched and checked with a metal detector. You may also be asked for a pat search or a drug test. If you refuse, you cannot visit that day. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Children: Children under 16 must come with an adult family member. Parents must keep control of their children. There is a supervised children's playroom, and inmates may not go in it. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Touching: Kissing, embracing and handshaking only when they arrive and when they leave, within good taste. Nothing may be passed between you. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
What they wear: The work uniform: white t-shirt, khaki pants and shirt, belt and black work boots. A religious medal, handkerchief, comb or brush, prescription glasses and a wedding band are allowed. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Money: You cannot give them money in the visiting room. Send it by U.S. Postal money order to the lockbox (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
When it gets crowded: Visits may be ended to make room for others. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

How to get on the visiting list

Your loved one submits a visiting list to their Correctional Counselor. The unit team gives them visiting guidelines to mail to you.
Immediate family (wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters) are ordinarily approved after staff check the pre-sentence report. Other relatives, friends and a common-law spouse are approved after criminal record checks.
The counselor tells them yes or no. They tell you. Do not drive until you are approved.
Holdovers and people awaiting trial may be limited to immediate family, on non-visiting days only, as special visits.
The 2017 handbook gives no form number, no list size and no number of days for approval.

Fill out the visiting form for Lexington →

Driving directions (from the BOP)

The address: FMC Lexington, 3301 Leestown Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40511, about seven miles north of Lexington on U.S. Highway 421 (Leestown Pike).
From I-64 or I-75: Take exit 115 to Kentucky Highway 922 and go to Highway 4 (New Circle Road). Drive west on New Circle Road to exit 7, and take Highway 421 North for about 4 miles. The prison is on the right and is well marked.
Motels, taxis, planes (from the 2017 handbook): Best Western 800-528-1234; Residence Inn by Marriott 859-231-6191; Days Inn 800-325-2525; Holiday Inn North 859-233-0512; Red Roof Inn 800-843-7663; La Quinta Inn 800-531-5900; Quality Inn Northwest 859-233-0561. Taxis: Lexington Taxi Service 859-305-1211 and Mr. Taxi 859-233-2227.

Street address for your GPS: 3301 Leestown Road, Lexington, Ky 40511. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

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

FMC Lexington

Rules dated August 31, 2017 (9 years old) · from the prisoners' handbook; no visiting rules posted

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

Skirts and dresses	Not in the written rules.
Shorts	No short shorts.
Colors to avoid	No khaki-colored pants.
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	No open-toe shoes; footwear required. No flip-flops.
Children	Not in the written rules.

All 8 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

No short shorts.Khaki colored pants, short shorts, halter tops,
No halter tops.short shorts, halter tops, and other clothing of a suggestive or revealing nature

Colors and uniforms

No khaki-colored pants.Khaki colored pants, short shorts, halter tops,

Shoes

No open-toe shoes; footwear required.No flip flops or open toe shoes, footwear must be worn by all visitors.
No flip-flops.No flip flops or open toe shoes,

Hats, hoods and coats

No hats, scarves or bandannas.Hats, scarves and bandannas will not be permitted in the Visiting Room.
Coats allowed if screened through the x-ray machine.Coats may be worn into the visiting room provided they have been screened through the x-ray machine.

Everything else

No suggestive or revealing clothing.other clothing of a suggestive or revealing nature will not be permitted in the visiting room.

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
FMC Lexington
P.O. Box 14500
Lexington, Ky 40512

The BOP asks you to put their register number and housing unit on the envelope. The camp has its own P.O. Box, which the BOP's address record gives as P.O. Box 14525; the main prison is P.O. Box 14500. Mail goes out Monday to Friday. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

Use the P.O. Box only. Never mail to the street address (3301 Leestown Road, Lexington, Ky 40511).

Their outgoing mail: Outgoing mail goes unopened in the unit mailbox. Mailing labels are put on outgoing mail only to name the person it is going to. They may not print return address labels. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Books and magazines: Hardcover books and newspapers come only from the publisher, a book club or a bookstore. At the medical center, softcover books and magazines also only from those three. At the camp, softcover (other than newspapers) from any source. At the medical center, hardcover is allowed only when a paperback is not available, and they must send a cop-out to Education first. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Packages: Every package needs approval first. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Legal mail: Opened in front of them. Their own special mail is taken to the mail room 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., Monday to Friday. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Money: Never put money in a letter. Send a U.S. Postal money order to the BOP lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

Books and magazines: at a administrative 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 Lexington. 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: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗ 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 three BOP papers do not agree, and all are old. The handbook (August 31, 2017) says the national limit is $320.00. The commissary lists (February 2016, and September 2015 for the camp) say "Spending limit is $360.00 a month." National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) is now $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. Call 859-255-6812 and ask. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

How shopping works at Lexington

The lists say: "ALL SALES ARE FINAL." No changes, no substitutions and no additions at the window. (From the commissary lists.)
Stamps do not come off the spending limit. At the camp, the list caps stamp purchases at $9.80 a week, a total of 20 stamps. (From the commissary lists.)
Picture tickets are for local use only. (From the commissary lists.)
Prices on the 2015 and 2016 lists are not shown here. They are old scans and prices have likely changed.

The price list: Lexington'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: FMC Lexington Commissary List (revised February 2016) ↗

Phone calls and email

Minutes: 300 minutes a month, with about 100 more in November and December. Each call is limited to 15 minutes, and a waiting period between calls may be set. This is from the 2017 handbook. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Hours: Phones run from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. On weekdays, access is normally limited from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. until after the 4:00 p.m. count, because they should be at work. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Contacts: Up to 30 approved phone numbers. Collect calls can be made to approved numbers. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Paying: Phone money is moved from their commissary account in even dollar amounts. Calls are monitored and recorded. No three-way calls or other third-party calls. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

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 Lexington

Medical care level 3, 4 and mental health care level 3 (of 4). The BOP list gives the medical center two levels, 3 and 4 (and the camp 1 and 2). Level 3 is outpatients with complex, usually long-term, conditions who need frequent clinician visits to stay stable or stay out of the hospital. Examples the BOP gives: cancer in partial remission, advanced HIV disease, end-stage liver disease. Level 4 is people who need services found only at a BOP Medical Referral Center, such as cancer on active treatment or dialysis. Click here to read the source: BOP "Institution Care Levels for Medical Assignment," February 13, 2024 (released under FOIA 2024-03455) ↗

Sick call at the medical center: Offered four days a week, Monday to Friday except Thursdays and holidays. They report to the Central Clinic (2nd floor, "B" building) 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Chronic problems may be given a later appointment. This is from the 2017 handbook. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Sick call at the camp: Offered four days a week, Monday to Friday except Tuesdays and holidays, at the Medical Clinic 7:00 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Emergency: Emergencies are seen at any time. A staff member must call the medical staff first. A medical emergency is a condition that threatens life, limb or sight. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Medicine: There are set pill-line times, posted outside the pharmacy window. Camp pill line: 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. (insulin and oral medicine), 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (insulin) and 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (oral medicine); weekends 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Refills are requested on TRULINCS. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Co-pay: $2.00 for visits they ask for. Scheduled and emergency care are free. The handbook says care cannot be denied because they cannot pay. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
New arrivals: A physical examination within 14 days of arrival. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible): The BOP's RDAP list (updated June 4, 2026) names FMC Lexington 1 and FMC Lexington 2, and the 2017 handbook says RDAP is available here. Treatment is a half-day program in a separate unit. People are admitted by how close they are to release. To ask, they contact the drug abuse program coordinator. A non-violent person may get up to 1 year off for completing it. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
Resolve Program: A trauma treatment program. The BOP's guide lists LEX among the places that may offer it. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
UNICOR (prison factory): The BOP's guide lists LEX among the prisons that may have Federal Prison Industries work. Jobs often go first to people with large court-ordered fines or restitution. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
Education: GED and English as a Second Language, vocational training and apprenticeship programs. The GED test is taken on a computer. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗
Other drug programs: Drug Abuse Education and non-residential treatment, through Psychology Services. Click here to read the source: FMC Lexington and SCP Atwood Camp Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated August 31, 2017) ↗

Lexington's handbook is from 2017. The BOP's First Step Act guide (May 2026) lists FMC Lexington for RDAP (two programs), the Resolve Program (trauma treatment) and Federal Prison Industries work. Whether those programs are running today is unconfirmed. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at Lexington

October 25, 2026A third former guard pleaded guilty to falsifying records in an inmate assault case. (Lexington Herald Leader)
September 30, 2026A former officer was sentenced to 3 years for assaulting an inmate and filing a false report. (FOX 56 News)
November 14, 2025A former staff member admitted to sexual contact with an inmate and taking $500 in illicit payments. (The Lexington Times)
October 14, 2025A prison guard was caught smuggling contraband for money. (FOX 56 News)
December 13, 2024A former guard was sentenced for sexual assaults on female inmates. (Lexington Herald Leader)
November 7, 2024A 25-year-old inmate died at the medical center, the Justice Department reported. (LEX 18 News)

Deaths announced by the BOP

April 7, 2023A 51-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 and was found unresponsive on January 26, 2023. After an autopsy the BOP said the death was related to COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
February 24, 2022A 75-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 in January 2022 and died February 18, 2022. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
September 25, 2020A 72-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 in May 2020 and died September 24, 2020. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
July 31, 2020A 73-year-old man died. The BOP says they had tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
July 2, 2020A 70-year-old man was found unresponsive and pronounced dead. The BOP says they had tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
June 10, 2020A 69-year-old man died. The BOP says they had tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
June 4, 2020A 48-year-old man died June 3, 2020. The BOP says they had tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
May 21, 2020A 62-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 and died May 20, 2020. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
May 15, 2020A 66-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 and died May 14, 2020. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
May 15, 2020A 60-year-old man died. The BOP says they had tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗
May 11, 2020A 59-year-old man died. The BOP says they had tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read the source: BOP press releases, "Inmate Death at FMC Lexington" (11 releases, May 11, 2020 to April 7, 2023; the newest is linked) ↗

These are deaths the BOP announced in a press release (dates are the release dates unless a death date is given). The BOP does not publish a full count of deaths at each prison, so this is not a total. All 11 releases mention COVID-19.

Sexual abuse audit (PREA)

The last federal sexual-abuse (PREA) audit visited Lexington December 3 to 5, 2024. Result: 0 standards exceeded, 45 met, none not met (the report writes "N/A"). In the 12 months before the audit, Lexington recorded 9 sexual-abuse allegations (2 against staff, 7 against other inmates) and 2 sexual-harassment allegations (both against other inmates). Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FMC Lexington (onsite December 3 to 5, 2024) ↗

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

News about Lexington

3 ex-Lexington prison guards plead guilty in inmate assault. Here's what we knowLexington Herald Leader · Oct 26, 2026
Third former guard at Lexington federal prison pleads guilty to falsifying recordsLexington Herald Leader · Oct 25, 2026
Former Lexington prison officer sentenced to 3 years for assaulting inmate, filing false reportFOX 56 News · Sep 30, 2026
Ex-Lexington prison guard gets probation after assaulting inmate, trying to cover it upLexington Herald Leader · Sep 30, 2026
Former correctional officer at FMC Lexington pleads guilty to falsifying records in connection to inmate assaultWKYT · Jul 27, 2026
A second FMC Lexington guard has pleaded guilty in the cover-up of an inmate beatingThe Lexington Times · Jul 24, 2026
Star of Netflix series ‘Tiger King’ now in Lexington federal prison, he saysYahoo · Jul 18, 2026
Tiger King 'Joe Exotic' moved to Lexington Federal Prison FridayWHAS11 · Jul 17, 2026
FMC Lexington satellite camp to close permanentlySpectrum News · Jul 2, 2026
Police searching for inmate who escaped from Lexington prisonFOX 56 News · Jun 20, 2026
Former FMC Lexington correctional officer pleads guilty to violating inmate’s civil rightsWKYT · May 25, 2026
Former Lexington prison officer pleads guilty to assault of inmate, filing false reportFOX 56 News · May 20, 2026
Lexington prison guard charged with sexual assault of inmateThe Oklahoman · Mar 21, 2026
Two former guards at Lexington federal prison sentenced for briberyLexington Herald Leader · Feb 18, 2026
Former FMC Lexington worker admits to abusive sexual contact, briberyFOX 56 News · Nov 17, 2025
Former Lexington prison staffer pleads guilty to sex abuse, providing contrabandLexington Herald Leader · Nov 16, 2025
Lexington prison guard caught smuggling contraband for moneyFOX 56 News · Oct 14, 2025
Ex–FMC Lexington employee pleads guilty to taking $18.6K to smuggle drugs, tobacco into prisonThe Lexington Times · Oct 8, 2025
Reality star Julie Chrisley released from FMC Lexington after presidential pardonLEX 18 News · May 28, 2025
Former guard at Lexington federal prison sentenced in sexual assaults on female inmatesLexington Herald Leader · Dec 13, 2024

Stories from news outlets that name FMC Lexington, checked every day. Last updated Nov 3, 2026, 8:37 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 Lexington yet.

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