Learn about Alderson Federal Prison Camp
This is a federal correctional facility for women incarcerated for white-collar crimes. Here is more about this facility.
My name is Michael Santos, a founder of Prisons Professors. While serving 26 years in different-level federal prisons, I learned a great deal about how they operate. Our team strives to help other people learn and grow. Our team strives to help people prepare for the best outcome during imprisonment. We know that a challenge with the criminal justice system can disrupt a person’s mindset, but we also know how to restore strength and confidence. At Prison Professors, we offer guidance people can use to leave as better citizens no matter where they serve their time, including gthe Alderson Federal Prison Camp.
The Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, alternatively identified as Alderson FPC/ FCP Alderson, is a minimum-security correctional facility in Alderson, West Virginia. This is a female facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It holds around 1,000 people under the care of approximately 180 staff members. The BOP opened the facility in April of 1927. It holds a special place in the history of the American corrections system, because it was the first federal prison to hold women convicted of federal crimes.
FPC Alderson sits on a 159 acres stretch of land that spreads across two counties, the unincorporated Monroe County and the unincorporated Summers County. Moreover, it neighbors Hinton, Ronceverte, Lewisburg, and White Sulphur Spring towns. The inmates are housed in two dormitories, each accommodating about 500 offenders in cinder block cubicles, each with two five by nine beds. Ideally, most of the inmates in this facility are incarcerated for nonviolent white-collar and drug-related crimes.
Notable Inmates
This prison has been home to some notable individuals incarcerated for different crimes over the years. Some of the most outstanding offenders to have graced the walls of this prison include the following:
- Lolitta Lebrone
Lolitta Lebrone was a popular member of the Puerto Rican nationalists group that raided and opened fire inside the United State’s House of Representatives in 1954, wounding several congress members. She was consequently incarcerated for these crimes. In 2001 she received an additional sentence for trespassing on military property while protesting the US Navy in Puerto Rico. She served 25 years in prison but received a presidential pardon in 1979 from President Jimmy Carter.
- Kathryn Kelly
Kathryn Kelly was the wife and accomplice of the infamous bank robber and murderer, George Kelly Barnes, popularly identified as Machine Gun Kelly. She was convicted in connection to helping her husband in the kidnapping of the businessman and oil tycoon Charles F. Urschel. She served for 25 years and was released in 1958.
- Monica Conyers
Monica Conyers was a popular member of the Detroit City Council between 2005 and 2009 and the wife of former congressman John Conyers. She was convicted in 2009 for bribery after accepting a $60,000 bribe from a waste management company to help the entity win a $1.2 billion contract. She served her time at PFC Alderson for three years and was released from custody in 2013.
- Ester Reed
Ester Reed once featured in the US Secret Service’s list of most wanted fugitives. She was a fraudster and identity thief convicted for several crimes, including impersonating a missing person Brooke Henson to steal money and gain entrance to Ivy League universities. She served a three-year sentence and was released from custody in 2011. After her release, she was featured in the famous TV program American Most Wanted.
The above individuals are just the icing on the cake; Alderson FPC has been home to many other high-profile individuals. Check out some of them here.
How to Send Money
Federal prisons allow people to receive funds from any source as long as it is credible and legal. As such, women serving prison terms in Alderson can receive money from their friends and relativesthrough the authorized avenues. When a personsurrenders to any federal facility, the system sets up a commissary account; friends and family can deposit funds into the person’s commissary account—which serves like a quasi-bank account.
At Alderson FPC, like in all federal prison, a centralized system exists to receive money. We’ve published an article on how to send money to people in prison, and we recommend you check it out:
People in Alderson can use money to purchase commissary items that include OTC medication, writing material, hygiene products, food, and playing cards, among other items. Check out the BOP website for a list of commissary items at Alderson:
The Bureau of Prisons offers other information on sending money to people in federal prison:
MoneyGram
MoneyGram facilitates inmate money transfers through their Express Payment Program through the following ways:
- At any MoneyGram Location:If you want to use this avenue, you can engage their customer service at 1-800-926-9400 or visit their website to locate their nearest agent. However, you will be required to fill the MoneyGram ExpressPayement Blue Form. This avenue allows you to pay with cash.
- Online:You can also transact online through their website, but you have to enter the receive code 7932. You can send up to $300, and even better, you can use your MasterCard or Visa credit card to transact. When using this way, you need the following information:
- Account Number: Inmate’s eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, followed immediately by the inmate’s last name (example: 12345678DOE).
- Company Name: Federal Bureau of Prisons
- City & State: Washington, DC
- Receive Code: 7932
- Beneficiary: An offender’s full committed name
Western Union
Western Union facilitates inmate money transfer through their Quick Collect Program. This program covers the following cash transfer avenues:
- Onsite Western Union Locations: You can make a cash deposit at any of Western Union’s physical locations across the United States. Ideally, you can locate the nearest location by calling 1-800-325-6000 or visiting www.westernunion.com. However, to complete your payment, you have to fill their cash payment form.
- Over the phone: You can freely use your credit or debit card to transact over the phone by engaging a western union agent at 1-800-634-3422. When you engage this number, be keen to choose option two.
- Online: You can also send your loved one in prison some money online through their website. After accessing their website, you can then select the “Quick Collect” option to transact accordingly. This avenue enables you to use any of your debit or credit card. However, you must provide the following bits of information:
- Account Number: Inmate’s eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, followed immediately by the inmate’s last name (example: 12345678DOE)
- Attention Line: An offender’s full committed name
- Code City is always: FBOP, DC
The United States Postal Service
Alderson FPC allows you to send money orders andchecks through the United States Postal Service. However, these should come with an inmate’s full committed name and their eight-digit registration number. Moreover, they should be addressed as follows:
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Insert Valid Committed Inmate Name
Insert Inmate Eight-Digit Register Number
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001
For non-government and non-postal money orders, they will be held for about 15 days before they are processed. On the other hand, this avenue does not support personal checks, cash, or other items.
How to Send Mail to people in Alderson Federal Prison:
Like other BOP-run prisons, Alderson FPC allows people to send and receive emails from credible sources, including friends, relatives, and government agencies. The BOP classifies written correspondence into two categories: general and special mails. General mail is from a person’s friends and family members; special mail comes from official sources such as government agencies or lawyers. Rules govern whether mail will qualify for “special mail” status. In theory, staff members are supposed to open special mail in the presence of the recipient, but they cannot read the mail.
FPC Alderson permits certain commercial publications from the community. A person can freely subscribe or receive a publication from any credible source ifstaff members determine that the maildoes not compromise security, wellbeing, discipline, or facilitate criminal activities. People can receive paperback books and magazines sourced directly from a reputable publisher or vendor such as Amazon.com.
How to Send Packages
People in Alderson FPC cannot receive packages without the approval of the administration. Moreover, the only type of package that a person can receive is strictly limited to authorized medical devices or release clothing for the inmates close to their release dates. Any other items found in possession of an inmate that does not come from the administration are considered contraband.
Calls and Emails
The federal prison system says that it encourages people to stay connected with friends and family through calls and emails. It’s not always easy. Prisons monitor all communications in an effort to preserve security.
