MCC San Diego Federal Prison: Visiting Hours, Address and Sending Money

San Diego at a glance

San Diego is a Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC): a federal jail in downtown San Diego that holds people waiting for trial or sentencing, people waiting to be moved to the prison they were assigned to, and some people serving a sentence (the handbook calls them "cadre" or "designated"). It holds both men and women. It sits across from the Federal Building and Courthouse, at the corner of Union and F Streets.

How many people: 537 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: Routine outpatient mental health care, or short crisis care such as suicide watch. The BOP does not post care levels on its website. This list is dated February 13, 2024 and came out through a public records request. Click here to read the source: BOP "Institution Care Levels for Medical Assignment," February 13, 2024 (released under FOIA 2024-03455) ↗
Who is there: Men and women. On the first day of the 2026 audit, ages ran from 18 to 79. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC San Diego (onsite March 24 to 26, 2026) ↗
Built for: 582 people. The audit counted 589 at the time of its report and says the jail was over capacity at some point in the 12 months before March 2026. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC San Diego (onsite March 24 to 26, 2026) ↗
Average stay: 130 days. The jail admitted 6408 people in the 12 months before the audit. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC San Diego (onsite March 24 to 26, 2026) ↗
Counts: Daily counts at 12:00 midnight, 3:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. counts are stand-up counts. Weekends and holidays add a 10:00 a.m. stand-up count. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Meals: Three meals a day. Breakfast is normally 6:15 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., lunch 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., dinner 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗

The BOP's own page for MCC San Diego.

How far is it from you?

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

Plan your drive around this: Processing begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 6:15 p.m. Staff ordinarily do not process visitors from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (shift change). Each visit is one hour, one visit a day. Visits are scheduled by their unit team, and visitors who are not on the approved list are not let in.

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: designated (sentenced) inmates	Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday	8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Social visits: pretrial and holdover inmates	Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday	8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Special Housing Unit (SHU): non-contact	Tuesday and Wednesday	8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Lawyer visits	Seven days a week	7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Processing begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 6:15 p.m. Staff ordinarily do not process visitors from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (shift change). Each visit is one hour, one visit a day. Visits are scheduled by their unit team, and visitors who are not on the approved list are not let in.

The visiting rules give no social visits on Tuesday and Wednesday except for the Special Housing Unit (non-contact). Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗

The BOP's own papers disagree. San Diego's two papers disagree, and they are four years apart. The visiting rules are dated August 7, 2026: social visits Friday to Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., up to 3 visitors. The handbook is dated April 11, 2022: visits Monday, Thursday and Friday from 4:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with their day set by odd or even register number. The handbook also lets a visitor bring one diaper and one bottle (rules: two diapers and wipes, two premade bottles) and allows dresses and skirts no more than one inch above the knee (rules: three inches). The 2026 rules are newer and more likely to be right, but call the jail at 619-232-4311 before you drive.

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

Points: All visiting runs on a point system each month. Pretrial and holdover inmates get 8 points; designated inmates get 12 points. A weekday visit costs 1 point. A weekend or holiday visit costs 2 points. When the points are gone, there are no more visits until the new month. Newly admitted people get the full 8 or 12 points for the month they arrive. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
How many people: No more than 3 visitors per visit. An infant or child under 2 who sits on an adult's lap does not count. Each visiting room holds at most 12 people (except on the 4th and 5th floors). Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
Who can be on the list: Pretrial, holdover and sentenced-awaiting-designation inmates: immediate family only (legal spouse, children, parents, stepparents, foster parents, brothers, sisters), or one friend. Common-law spouses are not counted as immediate family. Designated inmates: 10 visitors in all, family and friends together, who must have known them before prison. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
Changing the list: They send a "cop-out" (a written request) to their unit team. Pretrial and holdover inmates can change their list every six months. Designated inmates can change it as needed until the list has 10 names, then every six months. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
ID: Everyone 16 or older needs valid state or government photo ID (driver's license, military ID, passport or state or local ID card). Mexican consulate matricular cards are not accepted. Your ID is kept in the Control Center during the visit. A visitor under 18 who is not with a parent, guardian or immediate family member needs written consent on form BP-A0629. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
Screening: You must clear the walk-through metal detector. Underwire bras, large metal buttons and costume jewelry can set it off. Cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses and any Wi-Fi device are not allowed inside. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
What you can carry: Almost nothing. No handbags, packages, food, drinks, tobacco, gum or candy. Allowed in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12 by 12 inches: baby items (2 diapers and wipes, 2 premade bottles), prescription eyeglasses, and medicine you need to stay alive (an asthma inhaler, for example). The front lobby does not store anything. Leave your things somewhere else before you come. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
No bathroom during the visit: Visitors and inmates cannot use the restroom during a social visit. Anyone who leaves the visiting room is not let back in. Use the restroom in the front lobby before you go in. A lactation room is available for nursing mothers before the visit. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
What not to wear: No medical scrubs, bathing suits, sweatshirts, sweat pants, jackets, shorts of any kind, see-through or mesh clothing, low-cut blouses, torn clothing, leotards, stretch pants, crop tops, halter tops, tube or tank tops, tight clothing, hats or hoods, scarves, open-toe or open-back shoes (clogs, sandals, flip-flops), sleeveless garments, or solid white or gray t-shirts. No khaki or green military-type clothing. Skirts and dresses no more than 3 inches above the knee cap. Children under 5 may wear shorts, sweatpants or sweatshirts. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
Touching: A handshake, a brief embrace and a quick kiss at the start and end of the visit. Nothing more. Nothing may be passed between them and a visitor, and papers may not be signed during a social visit. Money cannot be given to them in the visiting room. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
Food and drink: Visitors may not eat or drink during the visit (except infants). Any inmate seen eating or drinking can be suspected of receiving contraband. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗
What they wear: Prison-issued clothing and the issued black shoes only. They may bring in one plain wedding band, one religious neck chain and one pair of eyeglasses. They are pat searched before and visually searched after. Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗

How to get on the visiting list

Your loved one fills out a Visitor Information Form (BP-A0629) and mails it to you.
You complete it and send it back by mail to their counselor with a copy of your ID.
The jail runs a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background check on every pretrial and holdover visitor before approval.
The initial list is ordinarily ready within 7 days of the counselor getting everything. Staff tell them, and they must tell you. Do not drive until you know you are on the list.
Anyone turned down: the warden may deny a visitor for security reasons. Staff tell the inmate, who must tell the visitor.

Fill out the visiting form for San Diego →

Click here to read the source: SDC 5267.09D, Visiting Regulations (August 7, 2026) ↗

Driving directions (from the BOP)

By car: MCC San Diego is in downtown San Diego at 808 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101, across from the Federal Building and Courthouse, at the corner of Union and F Street. It can be reached from Interstate 5, Route 163 and Route 94.
Train and trolley: The Downtown Station is both an Amtrak station and a Trolley station. Pay phones are not available to visitors, so arrange your pick-up before you go in. The Front Lobby Officer has more directions and numbers for local transportation.

Street address for your GPS: 808 Union Street, San Diego, Ca 92101. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗

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

MCC San Diego

Rules dated August 7, 2026 (this year)

Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted

Skirts and dresses	Dresses/skirts no more than 3 inches above the kneecap; no high-cut slits.
Shorts	No shorts of any kind.
Colors to avoid	No khaki military-type clothing. No green military-type clothing. No solid grey t-shirts. No solid white t-shirts.
Leggings, spandex	No leotards or stretch pants. No excessively tight clothing.
Bras and metal	No underwire bras, garter belts, large metal buttons unless medically needed.
Camouflage, military	No khaki or green military-type clothing.
Shoes	No open-toe or open-back shoes; closed toe and back required. No clogs, Crocs-like shoes, sandals or flip-flops.
Children	Children under five may wear shorts, sweatpants or sweatshirts.

All 30 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

Dresses/skirts no more than 3 inches above the kneecap; no high-cut slits.dresses or skirts which are more than three inches above knee cap,
No shorts of any kind.shorts of any kind, see-through garments
No tank tops or sleeveless garments unless under suit jacket/cardigan.any sleeveless garment that is not layered with a suit jacket or cardigan,
No low-cut blouses.low cut blouses, dresses or skirts which
No crop tops.stretch pants, crop tops, halter tops,
No bare-back clothing, halter tops or tube tops.bare back clothing, low cut blouses,
No see-through garments or mesh, including sheer sleeves.see-through garments (including arms unless covered by a suit jacket or cardigan), mesh
No excessively tight clothing.excessively tight clothing, hats, open
No leotards or stretch pants.leotards, stretch pants, crop tops,
No torn or ripped clothing.torn/ripped clothing, leotards, stretch pants,
No bathing suits.medical scrubs, bathing suits, sweatshirts, sweat pants,
No sweatshirts or sweat pants.sweatshirts, sweat pants, jackets (unless worn with suit),

Colors and uniforms

No khaki military-type clothing.Khaki or green military-type clothing of any kind, including pants, are not permitted.
No green military-type clothing.Khaki or green military-type clothing of any kind, including pants, are not permitted.
No solid grey t-shirts.solid white or grey t-shirts.
No solid white t-shirts.solid white or grey t-shirts.
No khaki or green military-type clothing.Khaki or green military-type clothing

Bras, underwear and metal

No underwire bras, garter belts, large metal buttons unless medically needed.These items include underwire bras, garter belts, clothing with costume jewelry, large metal buttons, etc.
No clothing with costume jewelry.clothing with costume jewelry, large metal buttons,

Shoes

No open-toe or open-back shoes; closed toe and back required.open toe or open back shoes (clogs or Crocs-like shoes/sandals/ flipflops),
No clogs, Crocs-like shoes, sandals or flip-flops.(clogs or Crocs-like shoes/sandals/ flipflops),

Hats, hoods and coats

No hats, caps, hoods or scarves unless medical/religious need.Visitors are not allowed to wear hats or head garments, unless medical or religious reasons dictate, they are necessary.
Head garments allowed when religious or medical reasons require.unless medical or religious reasons dictate, they are necessary.
No hoods.caps or hoods, scarves,
No jackets unless worn with a suit.jackets (unless worn with suit),

Children

Children under five may wear shorts, sweatpants or sweatshirts.Children less than five years of age are permitted to wear shorts, sweatpants, or sweatshirts.

Everything else

Dress must suit a correctional setting or courtroom; legal visitors too.required to dress in a manner appropriate for a correctional setting or courtroom.
No medical scrubs.Visitors will not be allowed to wear medical scrubs, bathing suits,
No bare feet.No bare feet will be allowed.

If they say no

Questions go to Operations Lieutenant or IDO before denial.Any questions regarding proper attire will be directed to the Operations Lieutenant or IDO before a visitor is denied entrance.

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 San Diego
808 Union Street
San Diego, Ca 92101

Put their full name and register number on the envelope. The address is Metropolitan Correctional Center, 808 Union Street, San Diego, California 92101. Their outgoing letters carry a TRULINCS mailing label (people in the Special Housing Unit and C-Unit are the exception). Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗

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

No Polaroids: They cannot receive Polaroid pictures through the mail. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Their letters to you: They may not seal general outgoing letters. Every outgoing letter must carry the TRULINCS mailing label or it is returned to them. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Legal mail: Mail from a lawyer, a court, a government official or law enforcement is "special mail" if the sender is named on the envelope and the front says "Special Mail - Open only in the presence of the inmate." It is opened in front of them. If the sender is not named, it is treated as general mail and opened. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Other prisons: They may not write to someone at another prison without written permission from their Unit Manager (federal) or the Warden (state and local). Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Money: Do not put money in a letter. Funds go to the BOP lockbox as a U.S. Postal money order (see the Money tab). Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Stamps: Stamps are sold in the commissary. Indigent inmates can get stamps through their unit counselor. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 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 San Diego. 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 San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 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: what they can spend

San Diego's handbook (April 11, 2022) says the spending limit is $160.00 every two weeks. National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) is $460 a month, plus $50 more in November and December. The handbook is four years old and has not caught up. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

How shopping works at San Diego

They shop once a week by turning in a Commissary Sheet from their unit counselor, on the schedule printed on the sheet. (From the handbook.)
The women's commissary list (February 5, 2025) says stamps are 20 per week and do not count toward the spending limit. (From the commissary list.)
No additions or substitutions once the list is turned in. Prices can change without notice and all sales are final. (From the commissary list.)

The price list: San Diego's official list is a scan or an older layout we could not turn into a reliable searchable list, so we don't retype prices we can't be sure of. Ask your loved one for the current list, or see the prison's page on bop.gov.

Phone calls and email

Minutes: 300 minutes a month. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Setting up: New arrivals usually get their phone access code (PAC) within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. People who arrive with a code usually have it turned on the next business day. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
What is not allowed: Three-way and conference calls, patching a call through, using a third party to relay information, and using another inmate's PAC are all banned and lead to discipline. The system does not allow collect international calls. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Monitoring: All calls are monitored except attorney calls that staff set up. For an unmonitored legal call they send a request through TRULINCS. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 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 San Diego

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: Sick call is Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. They ask for it through TRULINCS (the "SDC/InmateToHealthSvcs" box). The handbook says most sick call visits happen within one to three days. Emergency care is available 24 hours a day. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
First exam: People who are at San Diego at least 10 days usually get a physical exam, unless they came from another BOP prison. Anyone with a chronic condition is enrolled in a clinic. Appointments are on the unit call-out sheet; Health Services is on the 3rd floor. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Dental: A dental screening within 30 days of arrival. Dental sick call is normally Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Co-pay: $2.00 for each sick call visit they ask for, and for non-emergency care after hours. Staff referrals, follow-up for a chronic condition, preventive care and mental health care are free. Care is not withheld for lack of money. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible): San Diego does not have RDAP. Sentenced inmates who want to be considered for RDAP at another prison send an electronic request to the Psychology Department through TRULINCS. They must already be sentenced and should have at least 24 months left to serve. The BOP's RDAP list (updated 6/4/2026) does not include San Diego. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
Drug education: San Diego offers drug abuse education classes and transition services for sentenced inmates. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
GED: A designated inmate without a verified GED or high school diploma must attend an adult literacy program for at least 240 hours or until they get a GED. Passing the official GED exam earns a $25.00 award. People who may be deported are not required to attend. Click here to read the source: MCC San Diego Admission and Orientation Handbook (updated April 11, 2022) ↗
First Step Act sites: San Diego is not named in the BOP's program guide (May 2026) as a site for Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) or the Life Connections Program. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at San Diego

Deaths announced by the BOP

September 21, 2020A 47-year-old man who had tested positive for COVID-19 was pronounced dead. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at MCC San Diego," September 22, 2020 ↗
April 18, 2026A 24-year-old man was found unresponsive. Emergency medical services pronounced them dead. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Death at MCC San Diego," April 18, 2026 ↗
May 17, 2026A 60-year-old man was found unresponsive after what the BOP release calls a "perceived altercation." Emergency medical services pronounced them dead. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Death at MCC San Diego," May 18, 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 San Diego March 24 to 26, 2026. Result: 1 standard exceeded (employee training), 44 met, 0 not met. In the 12 months before the audit, San Diego recorded 4 sexual-abuse allegations (2 against other inmates, 2 against staff) and 1 sexual-harassment allegation, against another inmate. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, MCC San Diego (onsite March 24 to 26, 2026) ↗

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

News about San Diego

Homicide Investigation Underway After Inmate Found Dead At San Diego PrisonPatch · Aug 3, 2026
Inmate dies after altercation at federal prison in San Diego10News.com · May 18, 2026
24-year-old found dead while in custody at MCC San DiegoFOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News · Apr 18, 2026

Stories from news outlets that name MCC San Diego, checked every day. Last updated Nov 3, 2026, 1:55 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 San Diego yet.

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