Overview of the United States Penitentiary Terre Haute, Indiana
The United States Penitentiary Terre Haute (USP Terre Haute) is a high-security federal prison located in Terre Haute, Indiana. Opened in 1940, the facility holds some of the most dangerous male offenders, with a population that includes inmates serving lengthy sentences and those on death row. Known for its strict security protocols, USP Terre Haute is part of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Terre Haute), which also includes a lower-security prison camp.
USP Terre Haute is particularly notable for housing the Special Confinement Unit (SCU), the only federal death row for men, where notorious criminals like Timothy McVeigh were executed. In addition to its high-security inmates, the complex includes a minimum-security satellite camp for non-violent offenders. The institution offers various services, including education programs, vocational training, and work opportunities through the UNICOR program, which helps prepare inmates for life post-incarceration.
United States Penitentiary Terre Haute Contact Information
Address:
United States Penitentiary Terre Haute
4700 Bureau Road South
Terre Haute, IN 47802
Phone: 812-244-4400
Fax: 812-244-4791
Email: THA-ExecAssistant@bop.gov
For inmate correspondence, address your letters as follows:
Inmate Name and Registration Number
USP Terre Haute
P.O. Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808
Visiting Information for United States Penitentiary Terre Haute
Visiting hours at USP Terre Haute are from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekends and holidays. Visits are an opportunity for inmates to maintain relationships with family and friends, but strict guidelines must be followed. Visitors are allowed to bring minimal personal items, usually limited to identification, car keys, and essential documents. Electronic devices, bags, and extra items must be left in lockers or your vehicle.
Visits typically last a few hours, and visitors should arrive early for processing, as lines can form. Children are allowed during visits, but they must be accompanied by an adult and must follow strict behavioral guidelines.
How to Book a Visit at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute
Booking a visit to the United States Penitentiary Terre Haute requires prior approval. Visitors must submit an application that includes a background check. Once approved, visitors will be added to the inmate’s list. You will need a valid government-issued ID, and minors must bring a birth certificate or similar documentation. Typically, up to four visitors, including children, are allowed per visit.
To book a visit, contact the institution at 812-244-4400 for further instructions and scheduling options.
Directions and Parking for United States Penitentiary Terre Haute
USP Terre Haute is located 2 miles south of Terre Haute on Highway 63 and about 70 miles west of Indianapolis via I-70. Parking is available near the facility, but it’s recommended to arrive early to secure a spot, especially on visiting days. The prison has designated visitor parking, and any overflow can usually be accommodated in nearby lots.
What Is Life Like at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
Life inside USP Terre Haute is heavily regulated due to its high-security status. Inmates follow strict schedules with limited movement outside of their cells. Those housed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) or the SCU for death row inmates experience even stricter confinement, spending up to 23 hours per day in their cells. The prison offers educational programs, vocational training, and religious services. However, violence between inmates and against staff has been reported at times, highlighting the tense atmosphere within the institution.
Recent news from USP Terre Haute often centers on the execution of federal death row inmates. The prison resumed executions in 2020, including high-profile cases, after nearly two decades of no federal executions.
Famous Prisoners at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute
USP Terre Haute has housed several notorious inmates over the years. The most infamous was Timothy McVeigh, responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, who was executed at the facility in 2001. Other well-known inmates include domestic terrorist Daniel Lewis Lee and drug trafficker Juan Raul Garza. The prison remains the site of federal executions for male inmates sentenced to death.
FAQs for United States Penitentiary Terre Haute
1. How do I contact an inmate at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
You can write to an inmate by addressing correspondence to their name and registration number at P.O. Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808.
2. What type of inmates are held at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
USP Terre Haute holds high-security male inmates, including those serving long sentences and those on federal death row.
3. How do I schedule a visit to United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
To schedule a visit, you must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list. Call the prison at 812-244-4400 for more information on booking.
4. Can children visit inmates at USP Terre Haute?
Yes, children are allowed to visit as long as they are accompanied by an adult, and appropriate identification is provided.
5. What are the visiting hours at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
Visiting hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekends and holidays.
6. How do I send money to an inmate at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
Money can be sent through official channels like MoneyGram or Western Union. Funds should not be sent directly to the prison.
7. What security level is United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
USP Terre Haute is a high-security facility with additional minimum-security housing in its satellite prison camp.
8. Are there educational programs available for inmates at USP Terre Haute?
Yes, inmates have access to educational and vocational training programs, including the UNICOR work program.
9. What is the capacity of United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
USP Terre Haute houses approximately 1,190 inmates, with an additional 190 inmates in the minimum-security camp.
10. Who was the most infamous prisoner executed at United States Penitentiary Terre Haute?
Timothy McVeigh, responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing, was executed at USP Terre Haute in 2001.
For more information, visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.