FDC SeaTac, WA Inmate Roster

The FDC SeaTac is an administrative security federal detention center for male and female offenders. It is located in Seattle, WA.

The prison, located in King County, WA, on South 200^th Street, is part of the Western Washington judicial district. It is grouped in the Western Board of Prisons Region and has a total male and female population of 650 inmates.

Movement around the facility is extremely restrictive. The facility employs an elevator-only system for movement between floors. Inmates moving between floors must be escorted by guards and must have their backs facing the elevator doors until told to turn around.

Inmates are required to pass through metal detectors when leaving their housing units or other areas within the institution. Urine samples can be ordered at any time, with random testing regularly employed on the premises.

Alcohol is also strictly prohibited in this institution, and alcohol tests may be ordered at any time. Inmates found to be in possession of alcohol will undergo disciplinary action.

Inmates are assigned an identification card upon arrival at the facility. Cards are punched with a star hole over the inmate’s assigned unit.

Among its notable inmates were Marc Emery- a cannabis advocate, Roxanna Brown- accused of wire fraud but later had charges dropped when she dies at the prison, and Jim Bell- a crypto-anarchist.

General Visitation

Under normal visitation at FDC SeaTac, incoming visitors must be on a pre-approved list. The preapproval process begins when the inmate is processed at the facility. They fill out the appropriate form and mail copies to potential visitors. The visitors then fill out the rest of the form and wait for the background checks to clear.

People that inmates can put on their visitation list include immediate family, extended family, and up to ten associates. Lawyers also have to be approved to be on the visitation list.

Once approved for visiting, the inmate and the visitor have to make arrangements for each visit. Visitation is open from Friday to Monday. On Fridays and Mondays, visiting hours are from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays visiting hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Visits last for two hours from the time that the inmate enters the Visiting Room. Inmates can have one visitation per day. Up to six visitors can visit with an inmate at once. Children must be supervised by a visiting adult at all times.

When visitors are preparing for a visit, they will need to be dressed appropriately. Wearing clothes that are too short or too tight may result in your visit being denied. Visitors and inmates must also behave appropriately during the visit by staying quiet and keeping physical contact restricted to the beginning and the end of the visit.

Attorneys can visit for legal visitation every day, including weekends and holidays. Attorneys are encouraged to take advantage of these hours to free up other visitation times for regular visits. Legal visitation has to be preapproved as well.

Visitation Guidelines Under COVID

For COVID restrictions visitation requirements changed. Currently, all visitation at SeaTac Federal Prison has been suspended until further notice.

When visitation was opened, all visitors had to wear a plain mask, this mask cannot be a bandanna or in a bandanna style. Visitors also have to be checked for symptoms and have a temperature check. There can be no contact of any kind during the visit, the inmate and visitors must be separated by a physical barrier or stay six feet apart.

Prison Roster

Each prison has a prison roster of the inmates that are held at their facilities. Anyone can look up who is currently at SeaTac Federal Prison or any other federal prison through the Bureau of Prisons website.

Inmates can be searched by their first, last, and middle names as well as by their race, age, and sex. If you have the inmate’s BOP register, DCDC, FBI, or INS number you can look them up through that method as well. It is advised that visitors check that inmates are still incarcerated where you think they are.

The BOP website has records of every inmate that was incarcerated from 1982 to the present. After the First Step Act passed many inmates are having their sentences re-examined and information may not be up to date. Anyone who has been under federal custody is filed in the system, including being held for civil contempt and as a material witness.

Communication Systems

There are many ways to communicate with inmates and staff at FDC SeaTac. You can send mail, call, or send emails to the prison.

Mail

To send mail to an inmate at SeaTac Federal Prison, use the following format

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER
FDC SEATAC
FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER
P.O. BOX 13900
SEATTLE, WA 98198

All mail sent to inmates is searched and inspected for contraband and items that may threaten security and order at FDC SeaTac. Special mail can only be opened in the presence of the inmate and is also inspected.

To receive packages, inmates must receive prior approval from the inmate’s unit team or authorized staff member. Inmates can receive packages only containing release clothing and medical supplies. Though they can receive publications directly from the publisher.

When sending mail to SeaTac Federal Prison staff, use the following format

STAFF NAME
FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER
P.O. BOX 13901
SEATTLE, WA 98198

When shipping freight and non-USPS mail, use the following format

STAFF NAME
FDC SEATAC FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER
ATTN: WAREHOUSE 2425 SOUTH 200TH STREET
SEATTLE, WA 98198

Email Through TRULINCS

Inmates are also encouraged to keep in touch with their community through email. The Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System, or TRULINCS, allows that to happen. TRULINCS is a secure and closed email system and inmates cannot access the rest of the internet when using it.

Before using TRULINCS inmates and their correspondence have to be approved and agree to have their messages monitored. Inmates are restricted to sending emails containing the text of 13,000 words, or about two pages of written content. Messages sent through TRULINCS cannot have any pictures attached.

Inmate Phone Calls

Phone calls are another way that inmates can stay in touch with their family and friends. At FDC SeaTac, just like with all other federal prisons, calls are monitored to ensure that no illegal acts are being planned or happening on the phone call. Some calls with attorneys may be unmonitored with prior approval.

Inmate phone calls are usually paid for by the inmate, though that is not always the case. There may also be restrictions and limitations on phone calls depending on the behavior of the inmate.

Commissary Purchases

The SeaTac Federal Prison commissary is a store where inmates can purchase items for individual use. These items vary from food to hygienic and basic medical items. Clothing items can also be purchased through the commissary.

When inmates make purchases through the commissary, they’re supporting the email service TRULINCS. Inmates have to supply their money to make purchases.

Sending Money

Money cannot be mailed directly to inmates. To send money to an inmate you will need to send it as a money order and mail it to the central processing location. Once the money order has been processed it will be deposited in the inmate’s account.

Money can also be deposited directly to the inmate’s account using MoneyGram or Western Union. You will need the inmate’s name and eight-digit registration number. Processing is typically completed within two to four hours if the deposit happens before 9:00 p.m. eastern time. Processing is open seven days a week.

Recreation Activities

Inmates at FDC SeaTac are encouraged to engage in recreational activities for their physical and mental well-being. They offer several kinds of activities for inmates to take advantage of so that every inmate can find something to do that interests them.

Outdoor physical activities are limited due to the structure of the building, but inmates can still play basketball and volleyball. SeaTac Federal Prison also has treadmills and stationary bikes so inmates can be active indoors. On ten Federal holidays, FDC SeaTac offers special tournaments and swimming.

There are also non-physical activity options. Inmates can play chess or take hobby classes. SeaTac Federal Prison also shows movies to inmates and offers screenwriting classes. There is something for everyone no matter what their interests are.

Education Opportunities

FDC SeaTac provides opportunities for inmates to better their education and training through a variety of services. Education and vocational training can help inmates develop a set of skills that will benefit them once they are released from the facility.

Upon entering each inmate is interviewed by an Education Representative. This interview helps both the inmate and SeaTac Federal Prison realize realistic education goals for your future and time in the facility.

Inmates who do not have a GED will be required to take the Adult Basic Learning Examination, or ABLE. Once inmates pass the GED they get an award of $25. Every inmate who does not have GED when entering SeaTac Federal prison is required to obtain one.

Non-English speaking inmates have to take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System, or CASAS, placement exam. When inmates pass this exam, they get an award of $25. Once inmates pass this exam they will be recommended for the GED program.

Once inmates get their GED or show proof of their GED or high school diploma, they can study several subjects. Inmates are encouraged to take parenting courses, adult continuing education classes, or study from the law and leisure libraries.

Library Services

FDC SeaTac has two libraries that inmates can use for education or leisure. There is a leisure library, a mobile book cart with books and magazines, and a legal library, an electronic database with legal resources and information.

The leisure library has books and magazines for inmates to check out, these materials are available in English and Spanish. The books and magazines are routed on a bi-weekly basis to have different selections for inmates. Hardback books are available only to cadre inmates, or inmates approved for work.

The legal library is a place for inmates to conduct legal research and to prepare legal documents. Typewriters and other equipment are on a first come first serve basis and cannot be reserved. Inmates can only spend so much time in the legal library, though can request more time by request.

Psychology Treatment and Services

FDC SeaTac offers several services designed to help inmates as needed. These services include programs to help victims of sexual assault, suicide prevention, and drug abuse therapies. These services are made to help inmates find appropriate skills to navigate life in and after prison.

Inmates can request access to these services by asking a staff member or by filling out paperwork. Therapy at SeaTac Federal Prison can be done in individual or group sessions, depending on what the inmate wants and what therapists may determine is the right kind of therapy for the inmate.

Religious Programs

Inmates are encouraged to continue to follow any religious beliefs and traditions they held before their arrest. FDI SeaTac will accommodate religious requirements when necessary, even offering pork and meat-free food trays. These services have to be requested.

Non-religious inmates are not discouraged from attending religious services of any kind. Though some religious observances must be requested beforehand, such as observing Ramadan or Passover. Inmates can declare a religious belief and change it during their stay, though it is not requested. Inmates are not allowed to frequently change their religion.

Work Assignments

Once inmates have passed through Admission and Orientation and been medically cleared, they are eligible to be cadre inmates or inmates who are designated to work. Inmates can request a specific kind of work, though it is not possible to guarantee and the needs of SeaTac Federal Prison take priority.

When placing inmates for a job detail, FDI SeaTac will look at the work history, institutional needs, and education level of the inmate. Some positions are full-time and others will be part-time.

ICE detainees and pretrial inmates can get work assignments. For pretrial and ICE detainees a work waiver has to be filled out. Once an inmate quits a work assignment they will not be considered for another.

Inmates can work throughout SeaTac Federal Prison in several ways. They can work in SeaTac Federal Prison in the following ways

• Food Service
• Mechanical Service
• Warehouse
• Institution Hospital
• Education
• Laundry
• Sanitation
• Institution Maintenance

Inmates can request a change in work assignment through a written request through the correctional counselor with an inmate request to staff form. Job changes are typically only approved when there is an obvious need or clear benefit to SeaTac Federal Prison or the inmate.

Inmates assigned to a work assignment may receive a performance pay if the work supervisor recommends it. These pay scales come in four tiers and are offered hourly and are deposited into the commissary account within ten days. Inmates will only be paid for the hours that their work is satisfactory. Outstanding work performance can get inmates a bonus of 50% of their base pay at FDC SeaTac.

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