Hazelton United States Penitentiary

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Hazelton United States Penitentiary

Hazelton United States Penitentiary

Built in 2004, Hazelton United States Penitentiary is high security penitentiary with a nearby minimum security prison camp.  USP Hazelton is located on a 996 acre lot in Bruceton Mills of Preston County, West Virginia.  The penitentiary houses male offenders at both the main facility and the camp, with a total of 1,446 inmates.  Approximately 1,339 offenders are housed at the penitentiary and 107 at the Camp.  The prison has 6 two-story buildings designated for housing.  There are 768 cells for the general population and 120 cells designed for the Special Housing Unit.  For security purposes, the facilities are surrounded by a triple security fence with a taut wire system along with 6 guard towers located around the outside of the prison lot. 

All offenders are assigned work and placed into specific education programs.  Work assignments vary, but include jobs in food service, mechanical services, business office and records office, health services, education/recreation, laundry, and sanitation/maintenance.  As for the education department, there are numerous programs and classes to help prisoners learn and improve valuable skills.  The Education Department offers programs including the GED Program, English as a Second Language, Adult Continuing Education, Post-Secondary Education, Parenting, Vocational Apprenticeships, and Release Preparation.  In addition, the facilities provide recreational activities along with wellness/health education. 

Several notable incidents have occurred at USP Hazelton.  On October 7th, 2007, prisoner Jesse Harris was murdered at the penitentiary.  After a long investigation, prisoners Patrick Andrews and Kevin Bellinger were charged with second-degree murder.  Both inmates were already serving life sentences -Andrews for 2 different homicides and Bellinger for attempted murder.  US Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II announced that Andrews could face the death penalty if he is convicted.  On December 6th, 2009, inmate Jimmy Lee Wilson was killed during a prison fight.  The prison fight was said to include at least 5 other prisoners.  5 inmates were injured in the fight and transported to the hospital, although the injuries were not life-threatening.  The fight was believed to be racially motivated.  As a result of the fight, the prison was placed under lockdown for over a month.  The investigation of Wilson's killing still continues. 

Visiting Hours at Hazelton United States Penitentiary:

  • Visiting for both the penitentiary and camp will take place on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.  Visiting hours run from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  Visitors must arrive by 2:00 P.M. at the latest.
  • Visits to the Special Housing Unit will take place on Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  These will be non-contact visits and not exceed 1 hour in duration.  Only 2 visitors are allowed in the non-contact visiting room at once.
  • Aside from prisoners in the SHU, each prisoner is allowed 6 visitors at once, inclusive of children.  Out of an inmate's group of visitors, no more than 4 visitors can be adults.  Anyone who is 16 years of age and older is considered an adult visitor.
  • Physical contact such as an embrace or kiss should occur only at the beginning and termination of each visit.
  • The following items may be brought into the facility:
    • 1 wallet or clear change purse (no larger than 5" x 8" x 4"
    • Up to $20.00 in quarters for vending machines
    • 4 diapers
    • 2 jars of unopened baby food
    • 3 clear, half full bottles
    • 1 baby blanket
    • Feminine hygiene products
    • Heart and/or epilepsy medications

Physical Address:

Hazelton United States Penitentiary
1640 Sky View Drive
Bruceton Mills, West Virginia 26525

Telephone:

(304)-379-5000

Inmate Mailing Address:

Mailing address for the Penitentiary:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Hazelton United States Penitentiary
P.O. Box 2000
Bruceton Mills, West Virginia 26525

Mailing address for the Camp:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Hazelton United States Penitentiary Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 2000
Bruceton Mills, West Virginia 26525