An independent, practical guide to finding an incarcerated person, addressing mail, planning a visit and understanding daily life at Federal Prison Camp Alderson.
FPC Alderson is a standalone minimum-security federal prison camp for women in southern West Virginia. It operates without a higher-security parent institution. Opened in 1927, Alderson was the first federal institution created specifically for women.
The camp population snapshot was 451 on August 4, 2026. This figure changes as people arrive, transfer and leave; it is not a live count.
The current BOP handbook describes housing ranges, work assignments, education, health services, recreation and reentry programming. Minimum security does not mean unrestricted movement: counts, schedules, dress rules, mail screening and visiting procedures still apply.
Contact information
FPC Alderson address and phone
The physical location and inmate mailing address serve different purposes. Always include the person’s committed name and complete BOP register number.
Institution location
Physical address
Federal Prison Camp Alderson Glen Ray Road, Box A Alderson, WV 24910
The March 2026 handbook lists visits on Monday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the same hours on federal holidays. Access may change or be cancelled for operational, weather or security reasons.
A visitor ordinarily must be approved and included on the incarcerated person’s visiting list. Visitors age 16 or older need valid government-issued photo identification. Clothing and permitted-property rules are enforced.
Write the committed name and full register number. The 2026 handbook says general correspondence envelopes and paper must be white and warns that labels, glitter, stickers, lipstick, crayon or marker can cause rejection.
Books
Check publisher rules
The institution applies limits and separate rules to hardbacks, newspapers and packages. Verify the current policy before ordering.
Funds
Do not mail money here
BOP says mailed funds go to its processing center in Des Moines, not to Alderson. Follow the official instructions.
Yes. It is a standalone minimum-security federal prison camp for women.
How many people are housed there?
The snapshot was 451 on August 4, 2026. It is not a live count.
How do I know whether someone is currently there?
Search the official BOP Inmate Locator and verify the institution in the current result.
Is InmateReleases a current roster?
No. It contains historical facility-linked inmate and release records.
Can I send money to Alderson?
No. BOP says not to mail inmate funds to the institution; use its current transfer instructions.
When are visits held?
The March 2026 handbook lists Monday, Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Confirm before traveling.
Sources and update note
Reviewed August 4, 2026 using the official BOP institution profile, contact directory, March 2026 FPC Alderson handbook, visiting regulations and BOP historical publications. Population is a dated snapshot. FederalPrisonCamp.net is independent and not affiliated with BOP.