Medical Center for Federal Prisoners - Springfield

Medical Center for Federal Prisoners - Springfield, or MCFP Springfield is a federal prison located in Springfield, Missouri, that provides medical, mental health, and dental services to male offenders. It also houses a 20-bed psychiatric hospital. MCFP Springfield has a total of 1,042 male inmates.

The facility opened in 1933 as the “United States Hospital for Defective Delinquents,” and several political prisoners and spies arrested during World War II were held at MCFP Springfield for medical treatment.

Several mafia bosses have also received treatment at the facility, including Joseph Bonanno of the Bonanno crime family, Vito Genovese of the Genovese crime family, and John Gotti of the Gambino crime family.

Other notable inmates include Robert Stroud AKA the “Birdman of Alcatraz” and “Toxic Pharmacist” Robert Courtney.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at MCFP Springfield are on Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The maximum number of visitors an inmate may have at one time is six, including children. This total of 6 may be comprised of both children and adults; however, there can be no more than four (4) adults or four (4) children at one time.

For example: an inmate may have 4 adults and 2 children during a visit. An inmate may not have 5 adults and 1 child during a visit, or 6 adults during a visit.

Getting on the Approved Visit List

Authorized visitors who can visit an inmate include family, friends, and associates. You can't visit an inmate unless he puts you on the visiting list.

Everyone must fill out a visitor form, and they must have a relationship with the inmate prior to incarceration. If a potential visitor does not have a prior relationship with the inmate, their request will be reviewed by the warden.

Once the inmate requests to add someone to their visit list, a correctional counselor will provide them with a visiting form, and the inmate is responsible for mailing these out and letting the potential visitor know that they need to fill out the form and return it to the institution staff.

The unit team will do a background check and determine if a visitor application is approved. They make their decision based on constructive and security factors. The process takes about a week, and the unit staff will notify the inmate when the requested visitor is approved or refused.

It is the inmate’s responsibility to notify the visitor of the decision, and the process is the same for both adult and minor visitors.

Basic Visit Procedures and Rules

If you are 16 years of age or older, you must bring a valid photo ID with you to the visit, like a state or federal ID card, driver's license, or current passport. Birth certificates are not valid forms of ID.

All visitors are subject to a visual and pat search by an officer. You will also be scanned by a metal detector.

Any item you bring into the facility will be opened and searched by a staff member, and anyone who refuses a search of themselves or their property will not be allowed to visit with the inmate.

Visitors may bring the following items into the institution:

• A small clear plastic purse, no larger than 8”x8” will be utilized to carry authorized items into the institution
• 1 Handkerchief
• 1 comb
• Coins or $40.00 of currency per adult visitor
• Female hygiene items
• Identification card
• Infant Items: Sufficient care of infants such as two (2) bottles with formula, two (2) jars of baby food (must be in a factory sealed container), one (1) change of outer garments, three (3) diapers, one (1) baby blanket, baby wipes in a clear plastic bag
• Medications: Only essential medications such as for heart disease, respiratory malfunctions, etc. will be allowed and only enough to get through a visiting period will be allowed. The medication will be checked in and left at the officer’s desk. 

Visitors are not allowed to bring items into the institution to give to an inmate.

Unauthorized items shall include but are not limited to; all tobacco products, lighters, cell phones, diaper bags, large purses, letters, notes or documents without prior written approval, photographs, chewing gum, car keys, etc.

Clear plastic bags will be provided for use in carrying infant supplies in lieu of a diaper bag.

It is recommended that unauthorized items be secured in your vehicle; however, should this not be possible, lockers are available in the front lobby.

All items requiring storage in the lockers will first be thoroughly searched by the Receptionist prior to allowing placement.

Visitors may not leave money in the Visiting Room or Front Entrance for credit to an inmate’s account.

The Front Lobby Receptionist/Officer will ensure all visitors are dressed appropriately. All visitors will be properly dressed when coming to visit at MCFP Springfield.

Visitors will be expected to wear clothing which is in good taste. Visitors are prohibited from wearing shirts or coats with hoods, sleeveless shirts, low cut, or see-through clothing, tube or tank tops, shorts, skorts, jogging suits, backless clothing, open-toed shoes or any other apparel of a suggestive or revealing nature (skirts/ dresses can be no more than two (2) inches above the knee) no skin-tight clothing.

No wearing orange clothing, camouflaged colors (except for active duty military) or the color khaki.

No hats, non-prescription sunglasses or watches of any kind are allowed in the Visiting Room.

The Operation Lieutenant or Duty Officer will be consulted prior to denying a visitor entry into the institution because of his or her attire. Excessive provocative attire is a reason to deny and/or preclude visiting privileges.

There is no limit on the amount of mail that inmates receive, but all correspondence must have the inmate’s complete name, registration number, facility name, and address.

You can only send cards or letters to these addresses. Paperback books, newspapers, and magazines must come directly from the publisher via a subscription or mail order.

Inmates cannot receive packages through the mail, with the exception of a package of release day clothing. You can't send the release day package until 30 days prior to the scheduled release date.

How to Call an Inmate

Federal inmates are not allowed to have cellphones and they can't receive inbound calls. They can make outbound calls during approved hours, and they must pay for them with the money that is on their personal account or call collect.

Inmates will use TRULINCS to call to both landline and cell phones. This is also how inmates are able to send and receive emails. Your number must be added to the contact list for approval.

All phone calls are limited to 15 minutes, and will be monitored and recorded.

How to Send Money

Sending money is one of most important things you can do for an inmate. The prison will issue each prisoner the minimum amount of clothing and hygiene items, and provide them with three meals a day. But, it is extremely difficult for prisoners to have any level of comfort when living with just the items that are prison-issued.

Inmates can receive outside funds while incarcerated at a BOP-managed facility, which are deposited into their commissary accounts.

Postal Service

For federal prisoners, you can send money through the United States Postal Service by MONEY ORDER to the following address:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Inmate Name
Eight-Digit Register Number
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001

Send the funds to the address above. Replace the second line with the inmate's valid, full committed name. Replace the third line with the inmate's eight digit register number.

Never send money directly to the prison. If you are using the postal service, you must always send your money order to the bureau of prisons using the above address.

MoneyGram

You can send an inmate funds electronically using MoneyGram's Express Payment Program.To send funds using this method, please read and follow these steps carefully:

• Wait until an inmate has physically arrived at MCFP Springfield.
• Gather the information you'll need. Which includes the inmate’s name and number.
• Visit moneygram.com to complete your payment.

Information needed to complete MoneyGram payment:

• Account Number: Inmate's eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, followed immediately by the inmate's last name (example: 12345678DOE).
• Company Name: Federal Bureau of Prisons
• City & State: Washington, DC
• Receive Code is always: 7932
• Beneficiary: Inmate's full committed name

Western Union

If you would like to see a sample Western Union form click here. On their website, they have a special form for sending money to inmates, and you go directly to it by clicking here.

You will need to know the inmate’s full name and number, and you can pay with a debit or credit card at westernunion.com. Remember, any time you send money to an inmate you must always include their name and registration number on everything.

There are a few things that inmates can spend their money on. This includes phone calls, emails, and commissary.  The commissary is the prison store, where inmates can buy things like beverages, meals and snacks, OTC medications, stationary, personal hygiene items, clothing, or other miscellaneous products.

Please be aware that prisoners have their own economy inside the prison walls just like we do in the real world. Inmates that have a lot of money can do a lot of things both legal and illegal. Prisoners can potentially use the money in their account to buy things for other inmates in exchange for drugs and paraphernalia. This activity is illegal and can get an inmate in a lot of trouble.

Is important to keep track of how much money you are sending your incarcerated loved one, and watch out for any suspicious behavior.

​Programs For ​Inmates

• Drug Abuse Education Program
• Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP)
• Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• GED
• Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
• Parenting program
• Release Preparation Program
• High School Diploma and post-secondary education (via paid correspondence)
• Advanced occupational education in Advanced Small Engine Repair and Landscape Maintenance
• Apprenticeships in Baker, Barber, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Carpenter, Dental Assistant, Electrician, Housekeeping, HVAC, Machinist, Masonry, Meat Cutter, Orthotics Technician, Painter, Plumber, Prosthetic Technician, Sheet Metal, Stationary Engineer, and Steamfitter

Pictures of Medical Center for Federal Prisoners - Springfield

Careers at Medical Center for Federal Prisoners - Springfield

If you are interested in pursuing a career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, you can find available positions at MCFP Springfield by visiting USAJobs.gov. The salaries at the facility begin around $40,000 and can go up into the six-figure range, depending on the position.

Reviews from employees at MCFP Springfield report that it was a great work environment even though it is often understaffed. The work/life balance could be improved if they had a full staff, and the salary and benefits are above average.