Mail and Photos to FCI Butner Medium I

The Correct Mailing Address

Use this exact format for every piece of mail you send to FCI Butner Medium I:

[Full Legal Name, BOP Register Number]
FCI Butner Medium I
P.O. Box 1000
Butner, NC 27509

Example:

John A. Smith, 12345-678
FCI Butner Medium I
P.O. Box 1000
Butner, NC 27509

Put the full legal name and register number on the first line. Write “FCI Butner Medium I” on the second line. This is important because the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) at FCC Butner also uses P.O. Box 1000. Mail routed without the institution name may be delayed or delivered to the wrong building.

Why the Institution Name Matters

The FCC Butner campus has four institutions sharing the same physical address area in Butner, NC. Two of them use P.O. Box 1000:

• FCI Butner Medium I (BUT): P.O. Box 1000
• Federal Prison Camp (FPC): P.O. Box 1000

If you write only “P.O. Box 1000, Butner, NC 27509” without specifying the institution, mail room staff have to determine which institution the mail belongs to. That slows down delivery and risks the letter going to the wrong place. Writing “FCI Butner Medium I” on the envelope solves this before it becomes a problem.

What You Can Send

Letters and cards:

• Handwritten or typed letters are accepted
• Greeting cards without attachments are accepted
• No cards with glitter, stickers, metallic foil, or embedded items
• Standard white or light-colored envelopes are preferred
• Include your full return address on the envelope

Photos:

• Photos are generally allowed at BOP facilities but are subject to content review
• Photos must be printed, not sent as digital files
• No Polaroids (due to contraband concerns)
• Call (919) 575-4541 to confirm current photo rules, including size limits and any restrictions on photo content, before sending

Books and publications:

• Books must be sent directly from the publisher or an approved retailer like Amazon
• Paperback books are typically accepted; hardcover policies vary
• Books cannot be sent from one individual to another, even if new and sealed
• Magazines can be sent through a subscription from the publisher
• No material with nudity, violence, or content that poses a security concern

What You Cannot Send

The following are not permitted in incoming mail at BOP facilities:

• Cash, checks, or money orders (use MoneyGram, Western Union, or the Des Moines lockbox for funds)
• Postage stamps
• Food items
• Cards or papers with glitter, stickers, metallic foil, or raised surfaces
• Clothing, jewelry, or personal items
• Electronic devices or media
• Anything that appears to be altered or contains hidden compartments

Items that violate BOP mail rules will be rejected and returned to the sender. Attempting to send contraband can result in loss of mail privileges for the inmate and may result in legal action for the sender.

How Mail Is Processed

All incoming mail at FCI Butner Medium I goes through the facility mail room. Staff open and inspect each piece for contraband, cash, and prohibited content before forwarding it to the inmate. This includes letters, cards, and packages.

Processing time varies. Allow at least several days from mailing to delivery. During mail room backlogs, holidays, or facility lockdowns, processing can take longer.

Legal Mail

Mail from an attorney is handled differently. To receive legal mail protections:

• Mark the envelope clearly: “Legal Mail, Attorney-Client Privilege”
• Include the attorney’s name and bar number on the envelope
• Legal mail is opened only in the presence of the inmate, not read by staff

If the envelope does not meet legal mail standards, it may be treated as regular mail. Attorneys who need to communicate with clients at FCI Butner Medium I should call (919) 575-4541 to coordinate.

Certified and Registered Mail

Certified mail and registered mail are accepted at BOP facilities. If you want confirmation that your mail arrived, you can send it via USPS Certified Mail. The mail room will sign for it at the facility’s P.O. Box.

What Happens to Rejected Mail

If a piece of mail is rejected, the facility typically returns it to the sender at the address on the envelope. If there is no return address, the mail may be destroyed. Always include your full return address on every envelope to make sure rejected items come back to you.

How to Order Books Through Amazon

The easiest way to send books is to order directly from Amazon and have them shipped to the inmate’s address. Use the exact mailing address format above:

1. Add the book to your cart
2. At checkout, enter the inmate’s address as the shipping address
3. Use the format: Name and register number on line 1, FCI Butner Medium I on line 2, P.O. Box 1000 on line 3, Butner NC 27509 on line 4
4. Amazon ships directly from their warehouse, which qualifies as a retailer shipment under BOP rules

Check that the book is a paperback if you are unsure about hardcover policy, and avoid books with explicit content that could be flagged during review.

Sending Stamps vs. Money for Postage

You cannot send stamps in the mail to an inmate at FCI Butner Medium I. Postage stamps are considered a currency equivalent inside the BOP and are not permitted as mail items. If the inmate needs money for postage, add to their commissary account through MoneyGram, Western Union, or a money order. Commissary funds cover postage stamps purchased through the facility.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at FCI Butner Medium I is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the facility for you, following the mail rules listed above.