USP Victorville

Victorville at a glance

USP Victorville is a high-security federal penitentiary for men. It is one of the prisons in the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Victorville in California, which also has two medium-security prisons (FCI I and FCI II) and a satellite camp. The handbook says that once inside the complex, the USP is the last institution on the right, FCI II is the first on the left and FCI I is the last on the left.

How many people

969 in the USP (BOP, October 29, 2026).

Medical care level 3

Outpatients with complex, usually chronic, medical or mental health conditions who need frequent clinical contacts and may sometimes need a hospital stay. Examples the BOP gives: cancer in partial remission, advanced HIV disease, end-stage liver disease. 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. The audit covers the whole complex: on the first day of the December 2023 audit, ages ran from 18 to 79. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCC Victorville, the whole complex (onsite December 19 to 21, 2023; final report February 6, 2024) ↗

Built for

The audit lists a capacity of 4,864 for the whole complex and an average population of 3,928 over the 12 months before. It says the complex was over capacity at some point that year. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCC Victorville, the whole complex (onsite December 19 to 21, 2023; final report February 6, 2024) ↗

Counts

Official counts at midnight, 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., plus stand-up counts at 4:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. every day, and at 10:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Tobacco

"The Federal Correction Institution I and II and United States Penitentiary Victorville are all tobacco-free institutions." Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Prison factory

The handbook says UNICOR at FCC Victorville rebuilds and reconditions trailers, forklifts, military trucks and other vehicles. There are two factories: one at FCI I and an annex at the USP. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

The BOP's own page for USP Victorville.

Visiting hours and days

Social visits are not processed before 8:30 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m. Visits end at 3:00 p.m.

The complex rules list social visits only on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and federal holidays. Click here to read the source: VIX 5267.09, Visiting Regulations, Complex Supplement for FCC Victorville (March 1, 2022) ↗

The BOP's own papers disagree. The handbook (August 2021) and the visiting rules (March 1, 2022) do not match on a few points. Vending money: the handbook says up to $20.00 in $1 bills and coins; the rules say up to $20 in coins. Number of visitors: the handbook says 4 visitors, children over age 2 included, plus 3 children under 2; the rules say 4 approved visitors plus up to 3 children under 10 who do not take a seat. Skirts and shorts: the handbook says to the middle of the kneecap; the rules say not shorter than two inches above the middle of the knee for anyone over 10; the visitor handout says not above the bend of the knee. Points: the handbook says each person gets 40 visiting points a month; the rules do not mention points. Go by the newer rules and call (760) 530-5000 before you drive.

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

Inmate mailing address

JOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
Reg. No. 12345-678
USP Victorville
P.O. Box 3900
Adelanto, Ca 92301

The handbook (2021) gives the mailing address for USP as P.O. Box 3900, Adelanto, CA 92301, with their name, register number and the prison name. Ask your loved one to confirm the unit line. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Use the P.O. Box only. Never mail to the street address (13777 Air Expressway Blvd, Victorville, Ca 92394).

White only

All incoming general mail, envelopes and paper must be white. Mail on colored paper or cardstock, or with crayon or marker, is rejected. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

No labels

Mail with a label for the address or return address is rejected. Write it in ink or use an address stamp. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

No fragrance

Mail sprayed with perfume or cologne is rejected. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Cards

All homemade greeting cards are rejected. Store-bought cards are photocopied and they get the copy, not the card. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Mail days

Mail is handed out Monday through Friday, except holidays. Newspapers and magazines come at the same time. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Legal mail

Opened only in front of them, if the sender is fully identified and the envelope says "Special Mail: Open Only in the Presence of the Inmate." Attorney envelopes are photocopied; they do not get the original envelope. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Checks and money orders

Negotiable instruments sent in the mail to them are rejected and returned. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Money

Never put money in a letter. Send it to Federal Bureau of Prisons, [Register number], [Name], Post Office Box 474701, Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001. Money order, government check or business check only. No personal checks or cash. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Books and magazines: at a high 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

Money never goes to Victorville. 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: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗ Foreign money orders and checks are held 45 days. The postal money order is also the cheapest way.

The Post Office's own steps

1. Decide the amount. Up to $1,000 in one money order.
2. Go to any Post Office.
3. Bring cash or a debit card. The Post Office does not take credit cards for money orders.
4. Fill it out at the counter with the clerk. Use the boxes below.
5. Pay the amount plus the fee: $2.65 for up to $500, $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.
6. 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 ↗

1. Pay toJOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONEStheir committed name, exactly as the BOP Inmate Locator shows it
2. Address (under Pay to)Federal Bureau of Prisons, P.O. Box 474701, Des Moines, IA 50947-0001
3. FromMARIA SMITH-JONESyour name
4. Address (under From)123 Main Street, Trenton, NJ 08608your address
5. MemoReg. No. 12345678their 8-digit register number, no dash

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

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:

1. Company NameFederal Bureau of Prisons
2. City & StateWashington, DC
3. Receive Code7932always the same
4. Account Number of the Bill to Pay12345678SMITHJONESone letter or number per box
5. Amount to Payup to $300
6. 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

1. Go to moneygram.com (Pay Bills) or the MoneyGram app and log in or sign up.
2. Search the biller 7932 or "Federal Bureau of Prisons."
3. Enter the amount (up to $300) and the account number 12345678SMITHJONES.
4. 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:

1. Dollar Amountyour amount
2. Pay toFederal Bureau of Prisons
3. Code CityFBOP, DC
4. AttentionJOHN ANTHONY SMITH-JONES
5. 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.

1. Go to send2corrections.com or the Send2Corrections app. Log in or register.
2. "Who are you sending to?" Choose the facility Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP DC).
3. Receiver first name, middle name (optional), last name: exactly as the BOP has it.
4. 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.
5. Ignore the pop-up that says "BOP number will not work." That text shows for every prison. The register number is what works.
6. 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 Victorville handbook (August 2021) says the spending limit is the national limit, then $360.00 a month ($90.00 a week). National BOP policy (PS 4500.13, May 7, 2026) raised the monthly limit to $460, plus $50 more in November and December. The handbook has not caught up. Not counted in the limit: stamps, nicotine patches, over-the-counter medicine, kosher or halal shelf-stable entrees for people on FRP refuse status, and copy cards and copy paper. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗ Click here to read the source: Program Statement 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (May 7, 2026) ↗

The price list: Victorville'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. The minutes start over on their commissary revalidation date. Each call is limited to 15 minutes, with 30 minutes to wait before the next call. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Contacts

Up to 30 active phone numbers. They manage the list on TRULINCS and must enter a name and address for each number. They may update it as often as they like. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Getting set up

They get a 9-digit phone access code (PAC) and must record their voice (V-PIN) before they can call. A replacement PAC costs $5. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Paying

They move money from their commissary account in whole dollars, up to two transfers a day. The phone account holds at most $400. All personal calls are recorded. No three-way calls or call forwarding. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Email

TRULINCS sessions last up to 60 minutes, then they are logged out for 15 minutes. They may have 100 postal contacts, and can email only people on their contact list. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

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 Victorville

Medical care level 3 and mental health care level 2 (of 4). Outpatients with complex, usually chronic, medical or mental health conditions who need frequent clinical contacts and may sometimes need a hospital stay. Examples the BOP gives: cancer in partial remission, advanced HIV disease, end-stage liver disease. Click here to read the source: BOP "Institution Care Levels for Medical Assignment," February 13, 2024 (released under FOIA 2024-03455) ↗

Sick call

Sign-up, triage and appointments are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at: FCI I 7:30 to 8:00 a.m.; FCI II 6:45 to 7:15 a.m.; USP 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.; camp 6:15 to 6:30 a.m. In the SHU, during morning rounds. They may be put on call-out with their primary care provider, or sent to buy medicine at the commissary. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Staff on site

Health care providers are available 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, holidays included. Emergency care is available 24 hours a day. A physician is on call 24 hours a day. Outside those hours, they tell the officer in charge of them. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Pill line

Twice a day, at times posted in the units. Insulin and diabetic lines are 6:15 to 6:30 a.m. and about 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. Medicine is crushed and they are watched taking it. Over-the-counter medicine is bought at the commissary. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Dental

Routine care (cleanings and fillings) is requested with a request to staff addressed to the dental clinic, or through sick call. Names go on a waiting list. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Co-pay

$2.00 for care they ask for, including sick call and after-hours requests. No fee for staff referrals, follow-up for a chronic condition, preventive care, emergencies, prenatal care, chronic infectious disease, mental health care or substance abuse treatment. No fee if they are indigent (less than $6.00 in the account for the past 30 days). Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Write a sick call request →

Programs

RDAP (drug program; can mean up to a year off for those eligible)

The handbook says RDAP is not at Victorville. People who want it ask Psychology or the Drug Abuse Program Coordinator with a request to staff, and are interviewed by nearest release date. They must have a documented, verifiable substance use disorder. A deportable inmate, or anyone with a detainer, warrant or pending charges, does not qualify. If found eligible, they are referred to RDAP at another institution. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Other drug programs

A 15-hour Drug Education class, the non-residential drug program, AA and NA, and counseling. Within 45 days of arrival the Unit Team gives them a drug education assignment. If they decline a required class, they are held to the lowest pay grade and cannot be placed in a halfway house. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

UNICOR (prison factory)

The handbook says UNICOR at FCC Victorville is a vehicular component factory (trailers, forklifts, military trucks). There are two factories, one at FCI I and an annex at the USP. They apply through their counselor and join one of five waiting lists. The day runs 7:10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Monday to Friday. Pay runs from $0.23 to $1.15 an hour, with a premium grade at $1.35. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

Federal Prison Industries on the BOP list

The First Step Act guide lists VIX (the complex) as a Federal Prison Industries site. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Education

Without a verified GED or high school diploma, they must attend an adult literacy program for at least 240 hours or until they earn the GED. Click here to read the source: FCC Victorville Inmate Handbook (updated August 2021; the file is a scan, read by OCR) ↗

The BOP's First Step Act guide does not list Victorville on its RDAP list (updated June 4, 2026). It lists the complex (VIX) as a site for Federal Prison Industries and for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Late-Life Depression. Click here to read the source: First Step Act Approved Programs Guide (May 2026) ↗

Safety record

Criminal cases at Victorville

• April 11, 2025A news report said two staff members at USP Victorville were taken to the hospital after exposure to an unknown substance. (VVNG)
• April 11, 2025A newspaper reported eight FCC Victorville staff members were rushed to the hospital after suspected fentanyl exposure. FCC means the whole complex. (Victorville Daily Press)

Deaths announced by the BOP

• July 27, 2026A 38-year-old man was found unresponsive at about 8:50 p.m. and pronounced dead by emergency medical staff. The FBI was notified. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Death at USP Victorville," July 28, 2026 ↗
• December 28, 2020A 57-year-old man became unresponsive while being treated and was pronounced dead by emergency medical staff. The man had tested positive for COVID-19 on December 4, 2020, and was considered recovered on December 23. Announced June 17, 2021. Click here to read the source: BOP press release, "Inmate Death at Victorville," June 17, 2021 ↗

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 covered the whole Victorville complex (not just this prison). It visited December 19 to 21, 2023 (final report February 6, 2024). Result: 6 standards exceeded, 35 met, 0 not met. 4 standards were not audited at the facility level. This audit is nearly three years old. In the 12 months before the audit, the whole complex recorded 24 sexual-abuse allegations (17 against other inmates, 7 against staff) and 0 sexual-harassment allegations. The audit does not split these by prison. Click here to read the source: PREA audit report, FCC Victorville, the whole complex (onsite December 19 to 21, 2023; final report February 6, 2024) ↗

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

News about Victorville

• Victorville Prison Camp Inmate Zelonish Reported MissingHoodline · Oct 31, 2026
• Prisoner Found Unresponsive At USP Victorville Dies Despite Life-Saving EffortsVVNG · Jul 28, 2026
• Two Staff Members at USP Victorville Hospitalized After Exposure to Unknown SubstanceVVNG · Apr 11, 2025

Stories from news outlets that name USP Victorville, checked every day. Last updated Nov 3, 2026, 3:47 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 Victorville yet.

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