Who to Call at FCI Sandstone — facility vs Central Office and expected response times

For most family questions - especially anything time-sensitive - call FCI Sandstone directly at 603-342-4000. Need to confirm the visiting schedule before you drive out? Trying to sort out something that depends on what's happening at the facility today? This is the number to use.

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• ✓ Confirm FCI Sandstone’s visiting schedule before you leave home (603-342-4000)
• ✓ Check whether the posted visiting hours apply to your situation, since the “typical” hours may be modified
• ✓ Ask whether someone in a Special Housing Unit (SHU) has a modified visiting schedule
• ✓ Verify whether visiting has been restricted or canceled for safety and security reasons (for example, severe weather or another incident affecting normal operations)
• ✓ Ask about sending items and funds - and do not send money to an inmate using FCI Sandstone’s facility address (mailed funds must go to a processing center in Des Moines, Iowa)

The posted visiting hours at FCI Sandstone are typical, but they don't cover every situation. If your loved one is in a Special Housing Unit, visiting usually follows a modified schedule. Visits can also be restricted or canceled for safety reasons - severe weather, facility lockdowns, or other disruptions. A quick call before you travel can save you a wasted trip.

Central Office is the right choice for policy-level issues, formal complaints, or anything that needs review beyond the facility itself. You can reach the Bureau of Prisons Central Office at: Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First St., NW, Washington, DC 20534, or by phone at (202) 307-3198.

Be realistic about timing. The Bureau processes emails the same way it handles written letters, and responses from Central Office typically take 20–30 working days. That's why it's usually the wrong first call for urgent questions about visits or day-to-day operations at FCI Sandstone.

Written correspondence and emails to the BOP go through a formal tracking process. The Bureau uses the Correspondence Tracking System (CTS) to log incoming messages, assign tracking numbers, and route them for response. Since emails follow the same process as paper letters, Central Office response times are measured in weeks, not days.

One thing to know: CTS records don't last forever. They're scheduled for deletion when they're 2 years old, or 2 years after the most recent entry - whichever comes later.