MCC Chicago Federal Prison: Visiting Hours, Address and Sending Money

Chicago at a glance

MCC Chicago is a Metropolitan Correctional Center at 71 West Van Buren Street in Chicago. It is a building with numbered floors. It holds men and women, including pretrial and holdover inmates (people waiting for trial or passing through) and people serving sentences. Social visits are on the eighth floor.

How many people: 553 in the MCC (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: A written treatment plan that is reviewed at least every 12 months, and mental health treatment at least once a month. 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. On the first day of the 2025 audit, ages ran from 18 to 85. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC Chicago (onsite December 16 to 18, 2025) ↗
Built for: 686 people. On the first day of the audit, 518 were there. The audit says the prison was not over capacity in the 12 months before. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC Chicago (onsite December 16 to 18, 2025) ↗
Average stay: 155 days. In the 12 months before the audit, 2,331 people were admitted and 932 of them stayed 30 days or more. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC Chicago (onsite December 16 to 18, 2025) ↗
Counts: Counts at 12:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. every day, plus 11:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays. The 11:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. counts are stand-up counts. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

The BOP's own page for MCC Chicago.

How far is it from you?

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

Plan your drive around this: Visitor processing stops one hour before visiting ends, so you must be in the front lobby by 2:00 p.m. Anyone arriving after that cannot visit. Each visitor gets at least one hour in the visiting room.

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
Social visits, general population	Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday. Which floor visits on which day follows a 4-week rotation (see below).	9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Special Housing Unit (SHU)	Tuesday and Thursday mornings, by live video, non-contact. 2 hours for administrative detention, 1 hour for disciplinary segregation.	8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Attorneys	Seven days a week	8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Visitor processing stops one hour before visiting ends, so you must be in the front lobby by 2:00 p.m. Anyone arriving after that cannot visit. Each visitor gets at least one hour in the visiting room.

No social visits Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (Tuesday and Thursday mornings are for people in the Special Housing Unit, by video). Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗

The BOP's own papers disagree. The handbook (revised September 2022) says visiting hours are "Friday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m." and that the day depends on the unit. The 2025 rules (November 12, 2025) list Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday with a 4-week floor rotation. Both agree on the days. Call 312-322-0567 before you drive to confirm which day your loved one's floor visits.

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

Which floor, which day: The rules give a 4-week rotation by floor (unit number). Week 1: Sunday 23, Monday 15, Friday 19, Saturday 13. Week 2: Sunday 17, Monday 21, Friday 25, Saturday 12. Week 3: Sunday 15, Monday 23, Friday 13, Saturday 19. Week 4: Sunday 21, Monday 17, Friday 12, Saturday 25. Ask your loved one which floor they are on and which week it is. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
How many visits: Everyone gets at least 4 hours of visiting a month. Visits follow the posted activity schedule. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
How many people: Designated men and all women: 5 visitors at a time. Pretrial and holdover inmates: 3 visitors at a time, children included. A small child who can sit on an adult's lap does not count. To ask for more, use the special-visit process. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
Who can be on the list: Sentenced inmates: immediate family plus 10 friends and associates, 16 or older. Pretrial and holdover inmates: immediate family (spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, children) plus 1 other person (grandparent, in-law, aunt, uncle or friend), at most 6 visitors, 16 or older. Illinois does not recognize common-law marriage, so the BOP does not either. They can change the list once every six months. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
ID: Valid driver's license, government ID, consular-issued ID card, or passport with a current photo. Everyone 16 or older fills out a "Notification to Visitor" form. A 16 or 17 year old visiting without an adult needs a parent or guardian's signature on the Visitor Information form. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
Screening: You go through the walk-through metal detector. If it goes off, you get a hand wand. If you still set it off, you can change clothes and try once more. Fail again and you cannot visit that day. No underwire bras. A pat search is voluntary, but refusing means no entry. No bare feet except infants. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
Money: Visitors may have no more than $20.00 in bills no larger than $5.00. Inmates may not have, touch or receive money during a visit. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
What you can carry: A small clear coin purse. For an infant: three diapers, baby wipes in a clear bag, one receiving blanket and three bottles. Everything else goes in a lobby locker. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
Not allowed in: Purses, briefcases, two-way and Bluetooth devices, gum, food, lighters, knives, electronic games, cameras, photographs, cell phones, pagers, watches and wrist devices. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
What not to wear: No shorts or sleeveless clothes (except small children up to age 4). No sweatpants, sweatshirts, sun dresses, leotards, wrap skirts, crop tops, low-cut tops, halter tops, tube tops, bathing suits or backless tops. No hats, headbands, hoods, wigs or sunglasses. No coats or jackets, spandex, tights, holes, athletic jerseys, see-through clothes, or anything like inmate or staff uniforms. Religious headwear is allowed. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
Touching: A brief kiss and embrace at the start and end only. No holding hands or kissing during the visit. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
Room size: The visiting room has 86 chairs. If it is full, you wait. Visits are ended first in, first out. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗
SHU video visits: People in the Special Housing Unit visit by live video. An inmate in long-term administrative detention may ask for a contact visit once every 90 days. Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗

How to get on the visiting list

Your loved one mails you a visitor application with the dress code. (The rules also mention "BP-629.05" for the Visitor Information form; not confirmed.) They have 30 days after arriving to mail it.
Fill it out and mail it back through the U.S. Postal Service to their counselor. A form printed from the BOP website must be checked by the unit team and your loved one before the background check starts.
The counselor runs a background check (NCIC). If you have a law enforcement record, the unit manager and Associate Warden decide.
The unit team tells your loved one, and they tell you. Do not drive until you are approved.
Routine changes to the list are allowed once every six months.
Pretrial and holdover inmates must prove each relationship with papers, such as marriage or birth certificates.

Fill out the visiting form for Chicago →

Click here to read the source: CCC 5267.09F, Visiting Regulations (November 12, 2025) ↗

Driving directions (from the BOP)

Directions: The rules say directions and local transport information are available from your loved one's unit team. MCC Chicago is at 71 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605.

Street address for your GPS: 71 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, Il 60605. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

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

MCC Chicago

Rules dated November 12, 2025 (1 year old)

Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)

Skirts and dresses	Skirts no more than two inches above the knee; no long slits.
Shorts	No shorts, except children up to age 4.
Colors to avoid	No green clothing. No orange clothing. No clothing like that issued to inmates.
Leggings, spandex	No spandex pants, tights or leotards. No tight or form-fitting clothing.
Bras and metal	No undergarments containing metal, e.g. underwire bras.
Camouflage, military	No camouflage clothing. No uniforms of any kind (medical scrubs, law enforcement).
Shoes	No open-toed or open-heeled shoes, slippers, or bare feet except infants. No sandals, shower shoes or flip-flops.
Children	Shorts and sleeveless allowed for children up to age 4.

All 32 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

Skirts no more than two inches above the knee; no long slits.Mini-skirts or wrap around skirts; skirts more than two (2) inches above the knee.
No shorts, except children up to age 4.Shorts (except for children up to age 4)
No sleeveless garments or partial sleeves exposing underarms.Sleeveless, strapless, or bareback blouses or dresses; partial sleeves exposing the underarm area.
No low-cut blouses/dresses or deep V-necks.Deep V-neck blouses, low-cut shirts, or dresses
No crop tops or midriff shirts.Halter tops or midriff shirts
No halter tops, tube tops or backless tops.Halter tops, tube tops, bathing suits or backless tops.
No see-through clothing, even with a shirt underneath.Tight, form-fitting, or see-through clothing. This includes see through shirts with a shirt underneath.
No tight or form-fitting clothing.Tight, form-fitting, or see-through clothing.
No spandex pants, tights or leotards.Spandex pants, tights or clothing with revealing holes.
No clothing with revealing holes.Spandex pants, tights or clothing with revealing holes.
No bathing suits or swimwear.Halter tops, tube tops, bathing suits or backless tops.
No sweatpants, sweatshirts, warm-up or jogging suits.Sweatpants, sweatshirts, sun dresses, leotards, wrap around skirts,

Colors and uniforms

No green clothing.Orange, green, or camouflage colored clothing
No orange clothing.Orange, green, or camouflage colored clothing (clothing similar to that worn by inmates)
No clothing like that issued to inmates.Any clothing like that issued to inmates or staff uniforms.
No camouflage clothing.Orange, green, or camouflage colored clothing
No uniforms of any kind (medical scrubs, law enforcement).Uniforms of any kind (medical scrubs, law enforcement, etc.)

Bras, underwear and metal

Undergarments are required for admission.UNDERGARMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION.
No undergarments containing metal, e.g. underwire bras.Undergarments containing metal (i.e. underwire bra) are not permitted.
No watches of any kind.Watches — wristwatches, pocket watches, etc.

Shoes

No open-toed or open-heeled shoes, slippers, or bare feet except infants.Sandals, shower shoes or “flip flop” type shoes, open toed or open heeled shoes
No sandals, shower shoes or flip-flops.Sandals, shower shoes or “flip flop” type shoes,

Hats, hoods and coats

No hats, caps, headbands, head scarves or sunglasses.Hats, caps, headbands, head scarfs, hooded garments, wigs.
Religious headwear treated as part of person; partly removed for face ID.Religious headwear is not considered part of a visitor’s belongings, but rather their person.
No hooded garments.Caps, hats, hooded shirts, and scarves of any kind
No coats, jackets, windbreakers or sweaters; suit coats/blazers allowed.No extra clothing or outer garments, coats, overcoats, jackets, or windbreakers.
No wigs or hairpieces.head scarfs, hooded garments, wigs. hairpieces, and sunglasses.

Children

Shorts and sleeveless allowed for children up to age 4.Sleeveless garments (except for children up to age 4)

Everything else

No athletic jerseys or gang-related clothing.Clothing of any type which would symbolize gang activity or gang affiliation.
No sexually suggestive clothing, sun dresses, leotards, wrap or button skirts, zippered dresses.Clothing that is sexually suggestive, revealing. or any type of garment that is see through.

If they say no

Inappropriately dressed visitors get no Title 18 form and are referred.Staff will not provide visitors with a Title 18 Form if a visitor’s dress attire is inappropriate for visitation.
Operations Lieutenant or IDO decides if attire is suitable.Either the Operations Lieutenant or IDO will be responsible in determining if the attire is suitable for visitation:

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
MCC Chicago
71 West Van Buren Street
Chicago, Il 60605

MCC Chicago has no P.O. Box. The BOP address is the street address: 71 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605. Put their register number on the envelope. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

Use exactly this address. Chicago has no P.O. Box for inmate mail.

Mail days: Mail is handed out Monday through Friday, except holidays. Usually there is no weekend or holiday mail. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
White only: Incoming regular-mail envelopes must be white. No glitter or similar materials. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Packages: Every package needs approval first. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Books and magazines: Publications and newspapers only from the publisher, a book club or a bookstore. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Their letters to you: Except for special or legal mail, outgoing mail may not be sealed and staff may read it. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Money: Never put money in a letter. It goes to the BOP lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

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 Chicago. 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: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗ 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 list: what they can buy and what it costs

MCC Chicago's handbook (revised September 2022) says the national spending limit is $320.00 and may be lowered locally. National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) now sets it at $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. In "refuse" status (court-fine payment plan) the limit is $25.00 a month. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

How shopping works at Chicago

Inmates check their balance on TRULINCS or the phone (118 and their phone code).
Items marked on the list are sold only as listed. (From the commissary list.)

Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

Search 215 items Or pick a section

(K) kosher, (H) halal. A number like "max 3" is the most they can buy at once. From the official list approved December 2022 (the date on the form, "MCC Chicago General Housing Commissary Order Form," signed by the warden and chief clinical director). The PDF has a second form (pages 3 and 4) that is not shown here. This list is old, so prices may have changed. Prices change without notice.

Stamps and photo tickets

FOREVER STAMP max 20$0.60
PHOTO TICKET max 4$1.00
DEBIT CARD$5.85
DEBIT CARD BUBBLE MAILER$1.05

Phone calls and email

Minutes: 300 minutes a month. Each call is limited to 15 minutes. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Hours: Phones work from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the latest. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Paying: Phone money moves from their commissary account in even dollar amounts. Calls can be monitored and recorded. Each person gets a nine-digit phone code (PAC). Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Email: Text-only public messages on TRULINCS, for a per-minute cost. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

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 Chicago

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 put a sick-call form in the locked box next to the sick-call mailbox. Medical staff pick up requests in the morning on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Health Services is on the 7th floor. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Dental: Dental sick call is by electronic request. A call-out list is made daily for dental triage on the 7th floor. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Exams: A physical exam is typically done within 14 days of arrival. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Co-pay: $2.00 for each sick-call visit and other care they ask for themselves, taken from their commissary account. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗
Psychology: Psychology Services is staffed by a chief psychologist, four clinical psychologists and one drug treatment specialist. They send a written request (a "cop-out"), or tell any staff member in a crisis. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible): MCC Chicago is not on the BOP's RDAP list (updated June 4, 2026). Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗
Education: GED and English as a second language (ESL) programs, required for some people. Anyone without a diploma or GED must attend at least 240 hours of GED class. Click here to read the source: MCC Chicago Admission and Orientation Handbook (revised September 2022) ↗

The BOP's First Step Act RDAP list (updated June 4, 2026) does not name MCC Chicago. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at Chicago

March 2025A correctional officer was charged with sexually abusing 4 detainees at the prison. (ABC7 Chicago)

Deaths announced by the BOP

We found no deaths at Chicago announced by the BOP.

We found no BOP press release announcing a death at MCC Chicago (checked November 3, 2026). The BOP does not publish a full count of deaths at each prison, so this does not mean no one has died there.

Sexual abuse audit (PREA)

The last federal sexual-abuse (PREA) audit visited MCC Chicago December 16 to 18, 2025. Result: 2 standards exceeded, 43 met, 0 not met. In the 12 months before the audit, MCC Chicago recorded 2 sexual-abuse allegations (both against other inmates) and 2 sexual-harassment allegations (both against staff). Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC Chicago (onsite December 16 to 18, 2025) ↗

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

News about Chicago

No news stories found yet. We check every day. Last checked Nov 3, 2026, 8:10 pm ET.

Intel from the Inside

Intel last checked: November 3, 2026

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

No Intel reported for Chicago yet.

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

Chicago at a glance

How far is it from you?

Visiting hours and days

MCC Chicago

Length and fit

Colors and uniforms

Bras, underwear and metal

Shoes

Hats, hoods and coats

Children

Everything else

If they say no

Inmate mailing address

How to send money to an inmate here

1. Postal money order Our pick

The Post Office's own steps

2. MoneyGram

3. Western Union

Commissary list: what they can buy and what it costs

Stamps and photo tickets

Personal Hygiene Care

Shaving Products (limit 1)

Face Care (limit 2)

Lotions (limit 1)

Dental Care

Hair care (limit 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 hair brush or comb, 1 do-rag)

Sundry (limit 1 each)

Legal (limit 5 total)

Other (limit 1 each)

OTC Medications (limit 5 total)

Pain Meds

Stomach Meds

Vitamins and supplements

Shoes (limited to once per year)

Clothes (limited to twice per year)

Radios, MP3, tablet and watch (limited to once per year)

Starches (limit 6 total)

Soups (limit 7 total)

Kosher Meals (limit 4)

Coffee and sweetener (limit 1 each)

Beverages (limit 2, sold in 8-packs)

Drink Mixes (limit 2 total)

Candy (limit 5 total)

Snacks (limit 6 total-2 each)

Food (limit 4 total-1 each)

Crackers/Cookies (limit 3 total-1 each)

Fish (limit 6 total)

Chips (limit 2 total)

Chip Of The Month (limit 1)

Meat (limit 6 total)

Cheese (limit 3 total)

Sauces/Spices (limit 4 total-1 each)