FCI Sandstone, MN Inmate Roster

The FCI Sandstone is a low-security federal prison for male inmates that is located in Minnesota. There can be up to 1,133 inmates at FCI Sandstone at any one time.

The prison is currently well below its maximum capacity, having only 834 total inmates. The prison can be reached by email, phone, or fax- all of which can be accessed on their BOP listing.

The prison is located in Pine County, Minnesota, and is part of the North Central Board of Prisons region.

The prison houses a vast array of staff and other employees- one of which is the correctional counselor, who provides counseling and guidance for inmates in the areas of institutional adjustment, personal difficulties, and plans for the future.

According to the prison’s handbook, release preparation begins on day one of incarceration, with all inmates receiving training and preparation to increase the chances of success upon release. The goal is to provide a smooth reentry into civilian life for incarcerated people.

The facility has recreation areas for use during designated rec times. These facilities include laundry, law library and an inmate telephone room.

Inmates designated to the institution receive classification within 28 days of arrival. The unit staff works together to determine weaknesses that may hurt inmates upon reentry.

Sending Mail To An Inmate

Don’t forget that all mail sent to inmates at a federal prison will be inspected by prison staff. That said, it’s not difficult to send them mail. If you mark the mail as “special”  it will ensure that the mail can only be inspected while the inmate is present.

Send all mail to:

Inmate Name & Register Number
FCI Sandstone
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 1000
Sandstone, MN  55072

To send the facility staff mail or parcels via USPS, it should be addressed in the following manner:

STAFF NAME

FCI SANDSTONE
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 999
SANDSTONE, MN  55072

To ship freight or parcels that are not being shipped via USPS, it should be addressed to:

STAFF NAME

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
ATTN: WAREHOUSE
2300 COUNTY RD 29
SANDSTONE, MN  55072

BOP Inmate Lookup

It has never been easier to find any inmate incarcerated in a federal prison since 1982. Start out with a search online here. It’s best to search by inmate number if you know, but you can also search by name.

When searching by name, the last name must be provided, and you can narrow down the search further by inputting first and middle names. You can also narrow down the search further with parameters like age, race, and sex indicator.

Keep in mind that the system contains release date information. Since sentences are constantly being reviewed and inmates could be released early for good behavior, you might want to check the inmate release date periodically to monitor any changes.

Inmate Communication

Telephone Calls

While inmates cannot receive phone calls, they can set up phone calls to the outside, which is important for their well-being. Since inmates pay for the phone calls, you can help by adding money to their commissary account or by accepting collect calls if necessary.

BOP inmates are extended the privilege of making telephone calls, which helps them maintain contact with family and friends. These phone calls can be their lifeline to help them stay connected to the outside world. Inmates are permitted the use of the BOP phone system but cannot use third-party applications or calling facilities, which makes sure that the calls are not inappropriate in nature.

Typically, the calls are often paid for from the inmate’s account, and you can add money to their account if you want them to be able to call you. Sometimes the inmate will have the option of placing a collect call in which case the recipient of the phone call would pay for the charges. Remember that phone calls are monitored unless it is between the inmate and his attorney.

Email Messages

Inmates can use a system called The Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System, known as TRULINCS, to be able to send digital messaging with prearranged contacts. Maintaining connections with the outside world is critical to the mental well-being of inmates, and will eventually help them as they work to reenter society successfully.

As you might expect, the system is restricted in several ways. First of all, the inmate must be approved by the BOP in order to be able to use the system. After they are approved, there needs to be authorization. Anyone they want to be able to email needs to provide authorization for the inmate to message them. The entire system is designed to prevent the inmate from accessing the internet. While he can send emails, he cannot go online.

Keep in mind that any emails sent using the TRULINCS system are limited to just 13,000 text-only characters, and neither sender can include any attachments at all. This is still around two pages of text, so quality emails can still be sent.

Sending Money To An Inmate

Sending money is something you can do to help an inmate, as it allows them to make phone calls or buy items at the commissary. When sending money, you don’t want to use the normal mail address or faculties to send funds to an inmate. You need to deposit any money to an inmate’s account via either MoneyGram, Western Union, or the United States Postal Service. Each has its own requirements.

United States Postal Service

One of the easiest ways to send funds to an inmate account is via the USPS. Keep in mind that you must send a money order only. Checks and cash are not accepted, and the money might be lost forever if you try to send cash. Also, be mindful not to include any other items intended for the inmate when you send money. Send the money order containing the inmate’s full committed name and complete eight-digit register number to:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
[INMATE FULL COMMITTED NAME]
[INMATE FULL EIGHT-DIGIT REGISTER NUMBER]
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001

It’s important to include your return address on the envelope in the case that your funds are not able to be deposited and must be returned, and make sure you put enough postage when sending through the mail.

Western Union

Another easy way that you can send funds is via a Western Union location, their website, or over the phone.

All you will need is to make the account number to be the inmate’s eight-digit register number, followed by their last name, for example, 42012247LEO. Make out the attention line should be the inmate’s full committed name, and the code city will be FBOP, DC.

MoneyGram

Sending funds via MoneyGram is pretty similar to using Western Union, and you just need to gather some info. For starters, you will need the account number to be the inmate’s eight-digit register number followed by their last name, 42012247LEO for example. Make out the company name to be Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the city and state will be Washington, DC. On the MoneyGram, the Receive code will always be 7932, with the beneficiary listed as the inmate’s full committed name.

Commissary

Don’t forget how important the commissary can be to the inmate, and it is one of the programs that help support the inmate trust fund system. The money you provide to the inmate can be used at this store where inmates can buy things that are not issued by the BOP. Of course, all inmates are issued standard hygiene products and three meals per day, but this is just a minimum. Inmates rely on the commissary for snacks and treats that help make their days a little bit better.

When an inmate has funds in his account he is able to purchase things like snacks, foods, clothing, radios, premium hygiene items, and more through the prison commissary system. Money made by the commissary is then used supporting TRULINCS giving inmates access to send emails.

Visitation Hours

Because of COVID-19 all visitation is currently suspended. Visitors should regularly check with the Sandstone prison to determine when visitations are being allowed again.

When visiting is allowed, inmates must submit a potential list of visitors. If your name is not on the list, you cannot visit. The list has up to 20 names on it at any one time, and inmates can change the names on the list one time per month.

Visiting times are Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and federal holidays from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm, and visitors are allowed to arrive as early as 8:00 AM to start the check-in process. New visitors need to arrive by 2:30 PM in order to have time to check-in before visiting hours end.

Visits are limited at up to 6 people per visit. Know your inmate’s register number before planning a visit, as Saturdays and Sundays are divided up based on odd and even register numbers. Visitors will be hand stamped before their visit, and checked by security.

Visitation Rules And Process

You can easily learn the process on visiting an inmate in federal prison by reading some tips. The first thing to do is use the inmate search website, so you can confirm that the inmate is indeed at Sandstone prison. From there, make sure the inmate has you on his approved visitors’ list. You will want to schedule your visit ahead of time, especially now in the wake of the global pandemic in which visits are either not happening or have much tighter security protocols.

If any inmate is in quarantine, he will not be able to receive visitors. Likewise, any visitor exhibiting symptoms or feeling ill should not attempt to visit at this time. Even barriers like plexiglass or masks might not be enough to contain the spread of the virus.

Visitors should plan to dress conservatively, go through a strict screening process, and be sure not to attempt to bring any contraband into the facility. Not only will your visit be prohibited, but you could face steeper penalties.

Inmate Programs

Psychology Services

The mental health of inmates is very important, and all inmates receive an evaluation from a psychologist upon arrival at FCI Sandstone in order to get a baseline of their mental health. They will have access to both individual and group therapy programs throughout their time at FCI Sandstone, so that they have the tools needed to handle situations healthily, and they will have access to crisis intervention 24/7 if it is needed.

Substance Abuse Help

It’s no secret that many inmates have struggled with drugs and alcohol. Inmates with a history of substance abuse will be able to get help while they are incarcerated. It is important to help inmates overcome these disorders in order for them to successfully reenter society one day.

Educational Programs

Inmates at FCI Sandstone receive an initial designation regarding their education level. They will then be offered opportunities to improve skills needed to reenter society.

There are mandatory literacy and English requirements, with inmates being required to study for their GED or take English as a Second Language (ESL) if necessary. These requirements are designed to better the inmates and put them in a better position to reenter society.

Inmates will also have access to a law library to conduct legal research and do homework on their cases.

Advanced Occupational Training

There are some vocational training opportunities for inmates looking to receive more education than just a GED. They could actually earn as high as an Associate’s degree, and inmates looking to do so should reach out to the prison’s education coordinator to discuss education opportunities.

Apprenticeship

Another option for those that want to further their education and career options after they are released is to participate in the available apprenticeship programs. FCI Sandstone offers apprenticeships conjunction with the Department of Labor, and inmates can set themselves up for a job after they are released by participating in an apprenticeship.

Library Services

FCI Sandstone’s library has a lot of options for inmates. In addition to books and periodicals, there is also an extensive law library. For inmates that need legal help, this is a good place to start their research. The library can be a source of education or recreation, depending on the needs of an inmate at the time.

Recreation Services

Recreation is an important part of incarceration. Physical activity helps inmates stay healthy, and the mental release can help break up monotonous days and improve mental health. At FCI Sandstone, inmates can participate in games, sports, and arts and crafts.

Some of the arts and crafts can actually be used to supplement the inmates’ commissary accounts, which is more motivation for them to stay busy and working. There are also wellness programs that help inmates set goals with their health in mind.

Prison doesn’t have to wreak havoc on the physical and mental health of inmates, and recreation services helps them stay healthy.

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