FCI Terminal Island | Terminal Island Federal Prison

Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution is a low-security federal prison in San Pedro, California. It is also known as FCI Terminal Island. The facility houses male inmates.

FCI Terminal Island Contact Information

Facility Address & Contact Information

Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island
1299 Seaside Avenue
San Pedro, CA 90731

Phone: 310-831-8961
Fax: 310-732-5325
Email: [email protected]

BOP Website: Bureau of Prisons Page
Wikipedia: Wikipedia Page

Inmate Correspondence Address

FCI Terminal Island

Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI Terminal Island
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3007
San Pedro, CA 90733

How to Send Money to An Inmate

Several options are available if you need to send money to a Terminal Island federal prison inmate. One of the most popular methods is to use a money transfer service such as Western Union or Money Gram. This can be done at any agent location, and you will need the inmate’s name, ID number, and the institution’s address.

Another option is to use the National Lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa, where the Federal Bureau of Prisons operates. You must send a check or money order by mail to do this.

Various methods are available, including credit and debit cards, money orders, and cashier’s checks. Whichever option you choose, include the inmate’s name and ID number to ensure the funds reach the correct inmate.

To learn more, visit our page on sending cash to federal prisoners.

Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island Inmate Information

Inmate Gender

Male Federal Inmates

Prison Security Level

Low-Security Federal Prison

Facility Location

FCI Terminal Island is located in Los Angeles Harbor, between San Pedro and Long Beach, off Harbor Freeway (110 South) at the Terminal Island exit.

BOP Region

Western Region

BOP Institution Code

TRM for FCI Terminal Island

Medical Care Level

Level 2/3. See our page on Medical Care Levels and Procedures for more information.

Mental Health Care Level

Level 3.

Judicial District

Central District of California

Population Number

FCI Terminal Island houses approximately 820 inmates.

FCI Terminal Island Prison Services Information

Background

Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island is a low-security federal prison in San Pedro, California. It opened in 1938 and houses male inmates.

FCI Terminal Island served as the Naval Disciplinary Barracks from 1942 to 1950. It was also a medical facility for the California Department of Corrections for a period. In 1995, it was converted into the low-security federal prison it is today. Terminal Island Prison is a medical facility for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Notable inmates include:

• Internet music entrepreneur Mouli Cohen (serving 22 years for wire fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion)
• Earth Liberation Front member Eric McDavid (served ten years for conspiracy to destroy a dam, a lab, and other targets)
• Former stockbroker Anthony Elgindy (served eight years for racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud, and extortion)
• Admiral Robert Gilbeau (served 18 months for lying to investigators)
• Former LAPD detective Randy Adair (convicted of bank robbery)

Media reports indicate that at least one guard has been indicted for smuggling contraband into the prison.

Inmate Housing

Inmates live in various housing structures ranging from dormitories to one- and two-person cells. E, F, and J Units have two-person cells (E and J Units also have toilets in the cell). A, B, C, D, and K Units are open dormitories (only K Unit has air conditioning).

Health Services

FCI Terminal Island offers inmates the following healthcare services:

• On-Site Emergency Medical Care
• Sick Calls
• Dental Care
• Medications

Emergency care is available 24 hours a day. Sick call is conducted at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Psychology Services

FCI Terminal Island offers various psychology treatment services, including:

• Screening, Assessment, and Treatment of Mental Health and Drug Abuse Problems
• Individual and Group Counseling
• Psycho-Educational Classes
• Self-Help and Supportive Services
• Health Services Unit Referrals for Medical Treatment of Mental Illness

Notices of upcoming treatment programs are posted in inmate housing units. Inmates must submit a cop-out requesting program placement.

Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)

FCI Terminal Island offers the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). The facility also provides drug education classes and a Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP).

FCI Terminal Island Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings

Education Services

FCI Terminal Island offers inmates literacy, GED, and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) programs. Incentive awards recognize inmates progressing toward and completing the literacy (i.e., GED and ESL) program. Inmates may also receive incentives for progressing to various levels in the GED or ESL programs. Graduation ceremonies recognize GED, ESL, and Occupational Education completions.

A parenting program, Release Preparation Program (RPP), and Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes are also available. High school diplomas and post-secondary degrees are available through paid correspondence programs. Coastline Community College also offers courses to inmates.

Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, excluding meals and counts.

Learn more about standard federal prison education offerings here.

Advanced Occupational Education

Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution offers advanced occupational education in the following areas:

• Carpentry
• CFC
• Electrical Home Wiring
• Home Inspection
• Plumbing
• Welding

Vocational Training

FCI Terminal Island offers no vocational training besides advanced occupational education programs and apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship

Terminal Island federal prison offers apprenticeships in:

• Baking
• Cooking
• AutoCAD
• Cabinet Making
• Dental Assistant
• Electrical
• Electrostatic Powder Paint Machine
• Engraver
• HVAC
• Industrial Truck Mechanic
• Machine Setter
• Maintenance Repairer
• Material Coordinator
• Pipefitter
• Plumbing
• Production Planner-Shipping Clerk
• Quality Control
• Stationary Engineer
• Tool and Die (Machinist)

Library Services

The leisure library offers inmates a variety of reading materials, including:

• Periodicals
• Newspapers
• Fiction, Nonfiction, and Reference Books

An interlibrary loan program is also available. The TRULINCS Electronic Law Library allows inmates access to legal materials and an opportunity to prepare legal documents. Typewriters and a copy machine are also available for inmate use.

UNICOR

FCI Terminal Island does not have a UNICOR facility.

Commissary

Prisoners housed at FCI Terminal Island prison may use funds in their accounts to purchase items at the institution commissary. This money can also be placed on their phone account, purchase TRU-Units for their TRULINCS account, or send funds out of the institution using Form BP-199.

The spending limit is $360.00 per month. Inmates may only shop on their designated shopping day each week. Regular sales are conducted at 12:00 and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Over-the-counter medications are sold on Friday to all inmates.

Recreation Services

FCI Terminal Island provides a variety of leisure, wellness, and social programs to inmates. Leisure activities include organized and informal:

• Games
• Sports
• Physical Fitness
• Table Games
• Hobby Crafts
• Music Programs
• Intramural Activities
• Social and Cultural Organizations
• Movies

Art activities include paintings and sketches using traditional methods (e.g., oils, pastels, crayons, pencils, inks, and charcoal). Hobbycraft activities include:

• Ceramics
• Leatherwork
• Models
• Clay
• Mosaics
• Crochet
• Knitting
• Sculptures
• Woodworking
• Lapidary

Wellness programs include screening, assessments, goal setting, fitness/nutrition plans, and counseling. Inside, inmates can access yoga, pool tables, TVs, and more.

Outside, inmates have access to these recreation options:

• Weight Pile
• Walking and Running Track
• Basketball
• Handball
• Shuffleboard
• Bocce Ball
• Horseshoes
• Softball
• Flag Football
• Soccer
• Volleyball

Visitation Information for FCI Terminal Island

On Sunday, Monday, and Saturday, visiting hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. On federal holidays visitation is held between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. See our page on prisoner visitation rules for more information.

FCI Terminal Island Prison Culture Information

Prison Politics at Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island

There is a low level of prison politics at this facility. According to one respondent, “This is a wannabe political yard.” Another inmate explained, “There are some politics. The chow hall is segregated by race and political group.”

One respondent explained, “The politics are a joke from many gang drop-outs, snitches, gays, and sex offenders who all want to act like they are still solid gang members.”

Level of Violence

While some inmates stated that there was no violence, others asserted that there was a moderate level of violence. As put by one inmate, “not too violent, but more than most Lows.” Another explained, “While there are occasional fights, they don’t seem to be anything to worry about as long as you are respectful and mind your own business.”

Vulnerable Populations

Sex offenders, informants, and LGBT inmates can walk the yard. One respondent explained that “it is their yard.” Another stated, “They can all walk the yard but can’t watch TV.”

One inmate explained, “They can do any programs, classes, or jobs they want.” The same inmate disagreed about the TVs, stating they can “even watch the TVs.”

Good at FCI Terminal Island Prison

“The food and location are great.” “It’s by the water.” “Lack of violence.” “The food isn’t too bad.”

Bad at FCI Terminal Island Federal Prison

“Bad medical and dental services are horrible.” “The staff are extremely unprofessional.” “Medical care is horrible.”

“Lots of fake politics and idiots who bark but couldn’t make it elsewhere.” “The compound is falling apart; the buildings all look abandoned.”

Other Inmate Comments

“Most departments and programs are on par with other facilities lacking care or benefit from participation.” “The place is staffed with rejects from everywhere else. They are about the least professional group you’re going to find.”

FCI Terminal Island in the News

In July 2015, Randy Adair, aka the Snowbird Bandit, a former LAPD detective who decided to start robbing banks in retirement, was arrested, convicted, and sent to Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island. The United States Department of Justice prosecuted him.

In February 2015, Luis Borjon, a guard at FCI Terminal Island, was sentenced to two days in jail with time served, 160 hours of community service, and two years of supervised release for his role in smuggling cell phones into the facility.

More Information About Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island

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 Terminal Island, 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 6, 2023 at 4:47 pm