Federal Correctional Institution Mendota is a medium-security federal prison in Mendota, California. It is also known as FCI Mendota and Mendota Correctional Facility. FCI Mendota Camp is next to the central institution. Both prisons house male inmates.
Table of contents
- FCI Mendota Contact Information
- Federal Correctional Institution Mendota Inmate Information
- FCI Mendota Prison Services Information
- FCI Mendota Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
- Visitation Information for FCI Mendota
- FCI Mendota Prison Culture Information
- FCI Mendota in the News
- More Information About Federal Correctional Institution Mendota
FCI Mendota Contact Information
Facility Address & Contact Information
Federal Correctional Institution Mendota
33500 West California Avenue
Mendota, CA 93640
Phone: 559-274-4000
Fax: 559-274-4223
Email Address: [email protected]
BOP Website: Bureau of Prisons Page
Wikipedia: Wikipedia Page
Inmate Correspondence Address
FCI Mendota
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI Mendota
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 9
Mendota, CA 93640
FCI Mendota Federal Prison Camp
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI Mendota Camp
Satellite Prison Camp
P.O. Box 9
Mendota, CA 93640
How to Send Money
Following the proper procedures is essential when sending money to a federal prisoner. Inmates are not allowed to receive funds directly. All funds must be sent through an approved provider.
Western Union is one of the most commonly used providers, and its website has a section specifically for inmate money transfers. Alternatively, you can send money via the National Lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa. Funds sent through the National Lockbox are deposited into the inmate’s account shortly after receipt.
For more information on sending money to a federal inmate, visit our page on sending money to federal prisoners.
Federal Correctional Institution Mendota Inmate Information
Inmate Gender
Male Inmates
Prison Security Level
Facility Location
Four miles south of Mendota, California, 37 miles west of Fresno, California.
BOP Region
BOP Institution Code
MEN for FCI Mendota federal prison
Medical Care Level
Level 1. See our page on Medical Care Levels and Procedures for more information.
Mental Health Care Level
Level 2.
Judicial District
Eastern District of California
Population Number
FCI Mendota houses approximately 1,110 inmates. The camp houses around 90 inmates.
FCI Mendota Prison Services Information
Background
Federal Correctional Institution Mendota is a medium-security federal prison in Mendota, California. It opened in 2012. Federal Correctional Institution Mendota Camp is next to the central institution. Both United States federal prisons house male inmates.
FCI Mendota prison opened in January 2012 after years of funding delays. The final cost of construction was $235 million.
Notable inmates include Frankie Maybee (serving an 11-year sentence for hate crimes).
Media reports indicate that inmates have attacked at least two guards, and at least one inmate has had to be transported to a local hospital to treat injuries from an assault.
Inmate Housing
Inmates live in two-person cells. At the camp, inmates live in dormitories.
Health Services
FCI Mendota provides various health services to inmates, including:
- Sick Call
- Medications
- Physical Examinations
- Dental Care,
- Emergency Care
Inmates must submit a sick call form for evaluating routine care needs. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day. Pill line is conducted at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Psychology Services
Crisis counseling, coping skills, suicide prevention, mental health counseling, and spiritual counseling are all available to Mendota Correctional Facility prisoners. Treatment options include self-image groups and other groups such as anger management, criminal thinking, and HIV/AIDS Awareness.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
Neither FCI Mendota federal prison nor the camp has the RDAP program. However, they offer a Drug Education class, the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP), and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
FCI Mendota Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
Education Services
Mendota Correctional Facility provides GED and English-as-a-Second Language programs. All inmates undergo education testing and counseling. The Education Department offers non-credit courses in a variety of subjects. Some of the educational courses include:
- Parenting
- Language Lab
- Adult Continuing Education (ACE) Classes
- Career Resources
High school diplomas and post-secondary degrees are available through paid correspondence programs. Coastline Community College also offers several associate’s degrees for inmates.
Advanced Occupational Education
FCI Mendota does not offer any advanced occupational education programs.
Vocational Training
Federal Correctional Institution Mendota offers vocational training in Building Trades, Automotive, Warehouse, Recycling, and Computer Literacy.
Apprenticeship
FCI Mendota prison does not offer any apprenticeship programs.
Library Services
An inmate leisure library and a law library are available to prisoners. The leisure library offers various books, including general reference (i.e., encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.), fiction, and nonfiction.
Inmates are allowed to walk amongst the bookshelves to make their selections. Several magazines and daily newspapers are provided. Inmates can also watch movies on DVD.
The TRULINCS Electronic Law Library is available for inmate legal use. Typewriters are available for legal material only. A copy machine is also available.
UNICOR
Neither FCI Mendota federal prison nor the camp has a UNICOR facility.
Commissary
A prison commissary is available for prisoners to supplement their regular meals. Food, snacks, candy, ice cream, clothing, shoes, and electronics are available. A monthly spending limit of $360.00 is imposed, which is further structured into $90 weekly limits.
Inmates may only shop once a week on their designated shopping day. Inmates must have a number stamped on their commissary sheet the day before shopping. Then, this number is used to facilitate sales on their shopping day.
Recreation Services
The FCI Mendota Recreation Department provides indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities. The outdoor recreation yard has:
- Six Handball/Racquetball Courts
- Two Softball Fields
- Five Basketball Courts
- One Soccer Field
- Football
- Tennis
- Horseshoes
- One Quarter-Mile Track
The Mendota Correctional Facility’s gymnasium has structured exercise and wellness activities such as:
- Spinning
- Aerobics
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Physical Agility
- Sports Agility
- Calisthenics
- Officiating Classes
Sit-up benches and glute/hamstring stations are on the patio before the leisure center. The indoor leisure center has:
- Checker/Backgammon Tables
- Board Games
- Ping Pong
- Table Soccer
- Treadmills
- Stair Climbers
- Stair Steppers
- Hobby Craft Programs
- TVs
- Pool Tables
- Music Programs
The Mendota federal prison’s music program consists of three band rooms with structured classes offered in:
- Basic Guitar
- Advanced Guitar
- Basic Drums
- Advanced Drums
- Music Theory
- Advanced Music Theory
- Accordion
The hobby craft programs include leather (kits only), ceramics, stick art, crochet, beading, and pencil/pastel/chalk drawing.
Visitation Information for FCI Mendota
On Sunday and Saturday, visitation is held between 8:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. On federal holidays, visiting hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See our page on prisoner visitation rules for more information.
FCI Mendota Prison Culture Information
Prison Politics at Federal Correctional Institution Mendota
Mendota Correctional Facility is a very political yard. Inmates are required to be part of a car to stay. In contrast to the majority, one respondent stated that “there is very little politics for a California yard.” Western Region prisons are more violent and political than other regions.
Level of Violence
While most respondents stated that there is moderate to severe violence at this facility, one inmate felt that there was “very little violence.” This appears to be the minority opinion. Numerous inmates reported several fights each week.
Vulnerable Populations
While some respondents said that sex offenders and informants couldn’t walk the yard, others felt that informants could walk if they were under the radar.
Good at FCI Mendota Federal Prison
“The violence isn’t too bad, and the recreation is good.” “Less political than other Western Region facilities.” “No lockdowns.”
Bad at FCI Mendota Prison
“Politics, gravel everywhere, and no grass.” “Nothing of life.” “Staff wants respect but gives none.”
Other Inmate Comments
“Unless you have clean paperwork, don’t go.” “Overall, it’s an ok facility.” “Bad location.” “Easy time here at FCI Mendota. Very little going on.”
FCI Mendota in the News
In August 2018, two staff members at Federal Correctional Institution Mendota sustained minor injuries after a prisoner physically assaulted a staff member inside a housing unit.
In June 2018, a guard at Mendota Correctional Facility filed a whistleblower complaint about toxic mold growing in the control room, making some guards ill.
In January 2018, several prisoners at FCI Mendota were involved in an altercation, resulting in one being sent to the hospital for a non-life-threatening injury.
More Information About Federal Correctional Institution Mendota
For a comprehensive look at life in federal prison, pick up a copy of Christopher Zoukis’ Federal Prison Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Surviving the Federal Bureau of Prisons. For more detailed information about FCI Mendota, please buy a copy of the Directory of Federal Prisons: The Unofficial Guide to Bureau of Prisons Institutions by Christopher Zoukis.
Published Jun 3, 2018 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Aug 7, 2023 at 12:39 pm
