Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna is a low-security federal prison in Anthony, Texas. It is also known as FCI La Tuna. Federal Satellite Low La Tuna and La Tuna Prison Camp are next to the central institution. Male inmates are housed at all three federal prisons.
If you or a loved one are incarcerated at La Tuna FCI, the Zoukis Consulting Group can help. Our team of federal prison experts can assist with a variety of in-prison matters, and we may be able to help secure an early release from prison.
During your one-hour initial consultation, we will assess your situation and determine how we can best assist you. Contact us today to get started.
Table of contents
- FCI La Tuna Contact Information
- Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna Inmate Information
- FCI La Tuna Prison Services Information
- FCI La Tuna Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
- Visitation Information for FCI La Tuna
- FCI La Tuna Prison Culture Information
- FCI La Tuna in the News
- La Tuna Prison Camp in the News
- More Information About Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna
- Your FCI La Tuna Federal Prison Experts
FCI La Tuna Contact Information
Facility Address & Contact Information
Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna
8500 Doniphan Road
Anthony, TX 79821
Phone: 915-791-9000
Fax: 915-791-9858
Email: [email protected]
BOP Website: Bureau of Prisons Page
Wikipedia: Wikipedia Page
Inmate Correspondence Address
FCI La Tuna
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI La Tuna
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3000
Anthony, NM 88021
FSL La Tuna
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FSL La Tuna
Federal Satellite Low
P.O. Box 6000
Anthony, NM 88021
FCI La Tuna Prison Camp
Inmate Name and Registration Number
FCI La Tuna Camp
Satellite Prison Camp
P.O. Box 8000
Anthony, NM 88021
How to Send Money
Funds cannot be sent directly to federal inmates. See our page on sending money to federal prisoners. This page explains the various methods for sending money to inmates. Learn about sending money through Western Union and the National Lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa.
Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna Inmate Information
Inmate Gender
Male Inmates
Prison Security Level
- Main: Low-Security Federal Prison
- FSL: Low-Security Federal Prison
- Camp: Minimum-Security Federal Prison
Facility Location
FCI La Tuna is located on the Texas/New Mexico border, 12 miles north of the city limits of El Paso, off I-10 on State Highway 20.
BOP Region
BOP Institution Code
LAT for FCI La Tuna
Medical Care Level
Level 2. See our page on Medical Care Levels and Procedures for more information.
Mental Health Care Level
Level 2.
Judicial District
Population Number
FCI La Tuna houses approximately 810 inmates. The satellite low prison houses around 430 inmates. And the camp houses around 230 inmates.
FCI La Tuna Prison Services Information
Background
La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution is a low-security federal prison in Anthony, Texas. It opened in 1932 and houses male inmates.
Federal Satellite Low La Tuna and La Tuna minimum-security satellite camp are adjacent to the primary institution. Both federal prisons house male inmates.
FCI La Tuna was initially called the El Paso Detention Farm. It is located on the Texas-New Mexico border. Former inmate Bob Jones, an El Paso businessman sentenced to 10 years for corruption and fraud, was known for writing letters to his family. These letters were intended to warn loved ones to steer clear of misdeeds and illegal behavior, as the consequences were unbearable.
A series of Jones’ letters were published in the El Paso Times and were known as the “Letters from La Tuna.” Jones died of kidney failure due to contracting E. Coli in prison.
Notable inmates include George Jung (convicted of conspiracy and drug trafficking and who had his life profiled in the Johnny Depp film Blow). Jung was a Medellin Cartel member and a key player in the cocaine trade in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. Jung was reportedly responsible for up to 89 percent of the cocaine smuggled into the United States.
Media reports indicate that the inmate population has protested over prison slave labor. Additionally, at least one inmate has escaped from the camp.
Inmate Housing
La Tuna federal prison inmates live in various configurations ranging from three-person cubicles to open dormitories.
- Unit One houses inmates in three-person cubicles.
- Unit Two houses deportable aliens in an open bay dorm.
- Unit Three houses inmates in four-person cubicles.
- Unit Four houses inmates in an open bay dorm.
- Unit Five houses RDAP inmates in three-person cubicles.
- Unit Six houses inmates in four-person cubicles.
- The camp houses inmates in dormitories.
Health Services
All inmates at FCI La Tuna are provided health care services, including:
- Medical and Dental Sick Calls
- Emergency Medical and Dental Treatment
- Medications
- Eye Exams
- Eyeglasses
Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day. Dental and medical sick calls are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6:00 to 6:30 a.m. The pill line is conducted at 6:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. Insulin line coincides with breakfast and dinner.
Psychology Services
Psychology Services provides basic mental health care to inmates. This psychological care includes:
- Screening
- Assessment
- Treatment
- Individual and Group Counseling
- Psycho-Educational Classes
- Self-Help and Supportive Services
Referrals to Health Services are made for medical treatment of a mental illness. Individual programming recommendations are also available.
Current psychology treatment classes include:
- Emotional Self-Development
- Communications
- Cognitive Thinking Skills
- Criminal Thinking
- Anger Management
- Stress Reduction
The Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna Psychology Services Department also has a self-help library.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
FCI La Tuna has the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). The camp and satellite low do not have the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). All La Tuna facilities provide a Drug Abuse Program, the Drug Education Class, and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP).
FCI La Tuna Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
Education Services
Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna provides literacy, GED, and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) inmate education programs.
Incentive awards recognize inmates progressing satisfactorily and completing the literacy (i.e., GED and ESL) program. Graduation ceremonies recognize GED, ESL, and Occupational Education completions.
Parenting and Adult Continuing Education (ACE) programs are also available. Current classroom-based ACE courses include:
- Spanish
- Poetry
- Current Events
- CDL
- Math
- OSHA
- Home Inspection
Current video-based ACE courses include Preparation for Parole, Job Search After Prison, and Making Good Choices.
High school diplomas and post-secondary degrees are available through paid correspondence programs.
The Education Department’s hours of operation are:
- Monday through Thursday: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 to 8:15 p.m.
- Friday and Sunday: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
Advanced Occupational Education
La Tuna federal prison offers advanced occupational education in HVAC, Microsoft Office, and Office Technology. The satellite low offers Microsoft Office and Office Technology. The camp does not offer any advanced occupational education.
Vocational Training
FCI La Tuna offers vocational training in Auto. The satellite low provides vocational training in Office Technology, and the camp offers vocational training in Building Trades, Auto, and Welding.
Apprenticeship
No apprenticeships are available at Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna.
Library Services
The La Tuna prison’s leisure libraries offer inmates reading materials, including periodicals, newspapers, fiction, nonfiction, and reference books.
An interlibrary loan program with local, state, and college libraries and available bookmobile services are also available.
The TRULINCS Electronic Law Library allows inmates access to legal materials and an opportunity to prepare legal documents. Inmates also have access to typewriters and a copy machine.
UNICOR
The FCI La Tuna UNICOR facility handles fleet management and vehicular components. Specifically, inmates customize vehicles for the following agencies:
- U.S. Border Patrol
- U.S. Customs Services
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Forest Service fire trucks
- Other government and law enforcement agencies
Approximately 130 inmates are employed at the La Tuna federal prison’s UNICOR factory.
Commissary
La Tuna federal prison inmates have a monthly spending limit of $360.00. Items must not exceed the available storage space in the inmate’s locker. Popular prison commissary items include ice cream, candy, food, drinks, and clothing.
Inmates may spend a maximum of $110.00 per week, excluding stamps and phone OTC medicine. Inmates may not possess more than one watch, radio, photo/scrapbook, or MP3 player.
Sales are conducted Monday through Friday from 6:00 to 7:30 a.m. and during the noon meal. Inmates may only shop once a week on their assigned day.
Recreation Services
Indoor and outdoor inmate recreation activities at FCI La Tuna include:
- Organized and Informal Games
- Sports
- Physical Fitness
- Table Games
- Hobby Crafts
- Music Programs
- Intramural Activities
- Social and Cultural Organizations
- Movies
Art and hobby craft programs include:
- Ceramics
- Leatherwork
- Models
- Clay
- Mosaics
- Crochet
- Knitting
- Sculptures
- Woodworking
- Lapidary
Wellness programs include the following:
- Screening
- Assessments
- Goal Setting
- Fitness and Nutrition Plans
- Counseling
The recreation yard, located behind UNICOR, includes:
- Three Handball Courts
- Racquetball Court
- Basketball Court
- Bocce Ball Lanes
- Multipurpose Court
- Soccer and Softball Field
- Pickleball Court
- Volleyball Court
- Weight Pile
- Quarter-Mile Running and Walk Track
Spin bikes, ping pong, guitars, and seating are also available. Hours of operation are 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. On the weekend, recreation is open from 6:30 to 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Visitation Information for FCI La Tuna
Family and friends may visit inmates during authorized visiting hours. All visitors must be on an inmate’s approved visitation list.
Visiting schedules depend on inmate housing unit assignments and the day of the week. Visitation occurs between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. 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 La Tuna Prison Culture Information
Prison Politics at Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna
While most inmates said there is a low to medium level of prison politics, one stated that the yard is “extremely political.” Inmates are not required to be in a car, though many are. While some groups check paperwork, most don’t. There are periodic visible car meetings in the yard.
Level of Violence
There is a low level of violence at this facility. One respondent said, “I feel safe here and have not had any problems with anyone.” According to another inmate, “This is a safe yard.” In contrast to what others reported, one inmate did note that there are a “lot of fights over gambling and drug debts.”
Vulnerable Populations
Sex offenders, informants, and LGBT inmates can walk the yard, though they will be found out and have to claim independent (meaning that they stand apart from any car, group, or gang).
Respondents state that they are not accepted into the cars, are often excluded from TV areas, have limited housing options, and are restricted to only a few places in the yard.
One respondent highlighted that there are not enough seats at the sex offender table for people to sit, so they must stand until an open seat becomes available at the designated table.
Good at FCI La Tuna Prison
“You can see the interstate from the rec yard. I like seeing the traffic, red lights, the McDonald’s sign, the BBQ place down the road (you can smell the food), and the hotel. The best thing going as far as the institution itself is UNICOR.”
“For the most part, this facility is run well and maintained well.” “Good food.” “Most staff are ok.”
Bad at FCI La Tuna Federal Prison
“It’s boring as hell, and there is nothing productive for inmates to do but get in trouble. We are in the desert, and there is a lot of dirt here. No grass, no trees, and when there is a cool breeze outside, you must close the windows in the units because the dirt will consume your bed.”
“Staff condones the politics, which makes things sour. Politics is always an issue when people want to get together to talk, work out, or fix food.”
“The overcrowding in the rooms and moving about the facility can be like a traffic jam on the freeway.” “The staff is pretty much the issue here. That and the lack of open compound.” “BOP: Backwards on Purpose.”
Other Inmate Comments
“This place sucks. It is boring every single day. The politics rule the inmate population, and staff never does anything about it.”
“There is no racial diversity here.” “If you are not a sex offender, you are probably ok here.”
FCI La Tuna in the News
In June 2018, the Department of Justice and Immigration and Customs Enforcement began sending immigration detainees to five federal prisons, including setting aside 230 beds at Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna due to the Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy.
In September 2016, inmates at FCI La Tuna and at least 45 state prisons participated in a nationwide prison strike against slave labor.
La Tuna Prison Camp in the News
In September 2016, Christian H. Lara and Gustavo Corral escaped from Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna Camp.
More Information About Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna
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 La Tuna, please buy a copy of the Directory of Federal Prisons: The Unofficial Guide to Bureau of Prisons Institutions by Christopher Zoukis.
Your FCI La Tuna Federal Prison Experts
If you or a loved one are currently incarcerated at FCI La Tuna, the Zoukis Consulting Group can help. Our experts have extensive experience resolving in-prison matters and securing an early release from prison.
Book a one-hour initial consultation today to learn how we can help you or your loved one. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
Published Jun 2, 2018 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Aug 4, 2023 at 12:34 pm
