Big Sandy United States Penitentiary

Big Sandy United States Penitentiary, sometimes referred to as Big Sandy USP is a high security prison located in Inez Kentucky, part of Martin County.  In addition to the main unit, Big Sandy USP operates a minimum security satellite camp.  A total of 1,322 male offenders are housed at USP Big Sandy, with 1,253 located at the USP and an additional 69 inmates housed at the camp.

Big Sandy USP is comprised of 306 acres, however the secure area inmates are contained in is 26 acres.  The main institution is secured by perimeter fences topped in razor wire, multiple large armed observation towers, roving patrol, and electronic detection systems.  In contrast, the camp located adjacent to the main unit is minimum security, and can house up to 128 offenders who provide a vital labor force to the USP.  

Inmates at USP Big Sandy have access to a Drug Abuse Treatment Program (DAP) which provides both residential and non-residential treatment.  Offenders may take educational classes that include parenting classes, Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes, and General Equivalency Diploma courses.  Vocational training at Big Sandy includes data entry, receptionist, and major appliance repair.

Visiting Hours at Big Sandy USP:

Inmates at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy are permitted visits on Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays from 8:30am-3pm.  Visitors will not be processed into visitation after 2pm.  Additionally processing will stop during count between 9:30am and 10am.  Inmates in the Special Housing Unit have visits on Fridays, unless a Holiday falls on a Friday in which case visiting is held on Thursday.  Inmates in the main unit, and camp are allowed up to 5 visitors per visit.  Split visits if granted may permit up to ten visitors but only five in the visit at a time (split visits must be approved first).  All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitation list.  You should always contact the institution prior to visiting to ensure the times have not changed, the inmate is eligible for visits, and that visitation has not been canceled for any reason.

Physical Address:

USP Big Sandy
1197 Airport Road
Inez, KY 41224

Telephone:

(606)-433-2400

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, Register Number
​USP Big Sandy
U.S. Penitentiary
P.O. Box 2068
Inez, KY 41224

When mailing inmates located at the camp use the following address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
USP Big Sandy
U.S. Penitentiary
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 2068
Inez, KY 41224