USP Atwater Inmate Search and Prison Information

USP Atwater is commonly known as the United States Penitentiary, Atwater. USP Atwater is one of the high-security federal prisons in California which opened their doors in 2001. Like other United States Penitentiary, Atwater has a medium-security satellite camp.  USP Atwater is operated and maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

USP Atwater is situated on land that use to belong to Castle Air Force Base. It is about 130 miles away from San Francisco. 

The United States Penitentiary, Atwater is an all-male prison. It can hold up to 1,249 inmates in total. The main campus can hold up to 1,128 male inmates, while the satellite campus can hold the remaining 121 male inmates. 

In June 2008, two inmates Joseph Cabrera Sabian and James Ninete Leon Guerrero attacked and killed the correctional officer, Jose Rivera. They stabbed in 20 times. Fortunately, officer Rivera was able to restrain both Sabian and Guerrero until more officers arrived at the scene. Officer Rivera was taken to the hospital, where he died a little bit later. Both inmates were sentenced to life without the possibility of release. 

We have given below important need to know information such as how to find someone at USP Atwater, how to send money, mail, care packages and visit an inmate.

How to Find Someone in USP Atwater

USP Atwater is a federal prison. The easiest way to lookup an inmate in federal prisons is going to the BOP website. They have a database where you can search all federal inmates.

Sending a Mail/Care Package

You can send letters to inmates at the main campus addressing the envelope as follows: 

Inmate Name & Register Number
USP Atwater
U.S. Penitentiary
P.O. Box 019001
Atwater, CA 95301

You can address the envelope as follows for the satellite camp inmates to receive mail: 

Inmate Name and Registration Number
USP Atwater
Satellite Prison Camp
P.O. Box 019001
Atwater, CA 95301

Inmates can get mailed books, magazines, newspapers; however, they need to be mailed and sent from the publisher. You cannot box up these items and send it from your home.

Inmates are NOT allowed to get care packages without prior approval from their inmate unit team.

Sending Money

You fund inmates accounts by Western Union, MoneyGram or by sending a money order to the following address: 

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Insert Valid Committed Inmate Name
Insert Inmate Eight-Digit Register Number
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001

Do NOT send money to an inmate using the USP Atwater address. All funds sent through the mail must be addressed to a processing center in Des Moines, Iowa. This applies to all Federal inmates, regardless of where they are incarcerated.

Email

The last way to stay in touch with an inmate at USP Atwater is through email. Email is also through Trulincs.

The email program is funded by the inmate trust fund, which is kept up with purchases from the commissary, the telephone service, and fees paid directly to Trulincs.

Emails are monitored and screened for content not suitable for them.

Admissions and Orientation Handbook

Your first day in prison, you are bombarded with a ton of information. One booklet you will be giving is the Admissions and Orientation (A&O) Handbook. 

This handbook will supply you with general information about the prison itself alongside the prison’s rules, programs, and regulations you will have to follow while you are serving out your sentence. 

It will be in your best interest to familiarize yourself with handbook as it is your responsibility to transition smoothly to prison life. 

USP Atwater Admissions & Orientation Handbook

Also available in Spanish: USP Atwater Guía de Admisión y Orientación

USP Atwater Camp Admissions & Orientation Handbook

Also available in Spanish: USP Atwater Camp Guía de Admisión y Orientación

Commissary

The commissary was founded in 1930 by the Department of Justice. The Commissary was placed in all Federal Institutions. 

The commissary allows inmates to shop for “luxury” items while they are in prison. Funds are typically deposited by their friends, families, and their prison jobs. 

Inmates have a spending limit of $360 per month. The commissary is only open on a designated day of the week where they can utilize the shop 

All federal prisons have their commissary list with prices available to the public. 

Legal Activities

Even when in prison, you may still need legal counsel. There are strict procedures one will have to follow to obtain legal reference materials alongside their legal counsel.

There are also many opportunities to be taken advantage of to afford the proposal of legal documents when behind bars.  

All procedures for legal activities can be located here.

Visitation

Visitation is currently placed on old at the main campus of USP Atwater until further notice. Visitation will not be permitted until stated. 

Visitation at the satellite campus is still available Saturday, Sundays and Federal Holidays from 8 am to 3 pm.

Dress Code

When visiting the facility, please dress appropriately. No miniskirts, halter tops, or other clothes not suitable for a job interview. If such clothing is worn, you will be denied visitation.

How Often Can I Visit?

This will depend on what rank the inmate is. There are three ranks:

• LSCI – 12 points
• FCI – 5 points
• USP – 9 points

Here is the point schedule for visitations:

FCI

• Each visit is one point regardless of the day.

LSCI

• 2 points for weekend visits
• 2 points for federal holidays visits
• 1 point for weekday visits

USP

• 2 points for weekend visits
• 0 points for federal holiday visits
• 1 point for weekday visits.

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