Use the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/ to find someone at USP Big Sandy. Make sure the facility listed is BSY (not BSF, which is FCI Big Sandy).
The Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator is the only official tool for confirming where a federal inmate is housed. If your loved one is at USP Big Sandy, their record will list the facility as “USP Big Sandy” with institution code BSY. Do not confuse this with FCI Big Sandy (code BSF), which is a separate medium-security facility in the same region of eastern Kentucky. The register number you find in the locator is the key to everything: you need it to send money, write letters, set up CorrLinks email, and get on the approved visitor list.
Go to bop.gov/inmateloc/ and enter the person’s full legal name, exactly as it appears on their legal documents. If you know their BOP register number, you can search that directly for a faster, more accurate result.
The search returns:
If the search returns no results, check the spelling. A common reason for a “not found” result is a different legal name than expected. Searching only by last name can help narrow it down.
This is one of the most important things to verify. Two separate BOP facilities share the “Big Sandy” name in eastern Kentucky:
| Facility | Code | Security | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| USP Big Sandy | BSY | High | 1197 Airport Road, Inez, KY 41224 |
| FCI Big Sandy | BSF | Medium | Separate facility, different address |
If the locator shows your loved one at “USP Big Sandy,” they are at the high-security penitentiary at 1197 Airport Road, Inez, KY. If it shows “FCI Big Sandy,” they are at a different, medium-security institution. The mailing addresses, phone numbers, visiting schedules, and staff are completely separate. Make sure you confirm which facility before sending mail or making the drive.
The BOP register number (formatted as XXXXX-XXX) is the most important piece of information for staying connected:
If your loved one was recently transferred to USP Big Sandy from another facility, allow 1 to 2 business days for the BOP Inmate Locator to update. During that window, you can call (606) 433-2400 to ask staff to confirm their placement. Once confirmed in the locator, all services (money, mail, visiting) can proceed.
5 of 5 questions
Go to bop.gov/inmateloc/ and search by full legal name or BOP register number. The locator will show their current facility, register number, projected release date, and other basic information. If the result shows 'USP Big Sandy' with institution code BSY, they are at the facility at 1197 Airport Road in Inez, Kentucky.
Inmate SearchThey are two completely separate BOP facilities that share the 'Big Sandy' name. USP Big Sandy (code BSY) is a high-security penitentiary at 1197 Airport Road, Inez, KY. FCI Big Sandy (code BSF) is a medium-security correctional institution at a different address. They have different staff, visiting schedules, and mailing addresses. Always confirm which facility your loved one is assigned to before mailing or visiting.
Inmate SearchCheck the spelling against their legal name. If the transfer happened recently, allow 1 to 2 business days and search again. For inmates who arrived very recently, call (606) 433-2400 to ask staff to confirm placement. If they still do not appear, they may be in transit or temporarily unassigned. The locator only shows inmates who are officially designated to a BOP facility.
Inmate SearchA BOP register number (or 'reg number') is the unique ID assigned to every federal inmate. It is formatted as XXXXX-XXX, 5 digits, a dash, then 3 digits. This number stays with the inmate for their entire federal sentence, even if they transfer between facilities. You need it to send money, mail letters, use CorrLinks email, and submit visitor approval paperwork.
Inmate SearchYes. The BOP Inmate Locator shows the inmate's projected release date when available. For inmates with very long sentences, it may show 'LIFE.' The date is an estimate and can change due to good time credits, disciplinary actions, or sentence modifications.
Inmate SearchPlan your visit once you have the register number.
View ArticleUse the register number to route funds to their commissary.
View ArticleThe inmate uses their register number to set up their phone account.
View ArticlePut the register number on every envelope you send.
View ArticleSearch for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified June 14, 2026.