FPC Alderson
Federal Prison Camp, Alderson (FPC Alderson) is a minimum-security United States federal prison for female inmates located in Alderson, West Virginia. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. Opened in 1927, FPC Alderson is the oldest federal women's prison in the United States and is sometimes referred to as "Camp Cupcake" in the media.
Overview
FPC Alderson is a minimum-security federal prison camp housing female offenders. As a minimum-security facility, it is the least restrictive type of federal prison, housing inmates considered to be low-risk and non-violent. The camp has limited perimeter fencing, and inmates are able to move relatively freely within the facility.
The facility is located on approximately 95 acres in rural West Virginia and consists of 26 cottages along with administrative buildings. Inmates are housed in dormitory-style living arrangements.
Notable Inmates
FPC Alderson has housed several high-profile inmates throughout its history:
- Martha Stewart - Media mogul and businesswoman, served 5 months (October 2004 - March 2005) for obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators related to an insider trading investigation. Her high-profile incarceration led to the facility being nicknamed "Camp Cupcake."
- Billie Holiday - Legendary jazz singer, served time in the late 1940s on drug charges.
- Tokyo Rose (Iva Toguri D'Aquino) - World War II radio broadcaster, served 6 years for treason (later pardoned by President Ford).
- Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme - Manson Family member, served time for the attempted assassination of President Ford.
- Sara Jane Moore - Attempted to assassinate President Ford, served time at Alderson.
Notes from Alumni
- Martha Stewart told Katie Couric after her release: "It was a horrible experience. Nothing is good about [FPC Alderson]. Nothing." She was assigned to mopping floors and cleaning toilets rather than her requested kitchen duty.
- Evie Litwok, who was 60 years old when she arrived in 2010, documented her experience in Talk Poverty (2015): "From the moment I entered Alderson, I realized it was no country club." She described receiving ill-fitting "newbie clothes," earning "only $5.25 during my first month" for 7-8 hours of daily kitchen work, and struggling with "Hallelujah Hill" where older women "lagged far behind younger women."
- Litwok emphasized that accommodations for aging prisoners were "all too rare" and upon release she was "homeless, broke, and living proof that Alderson is no 'Camp Cupcake.'"
- John Benish, former co-manager of the Alderson Hospitality House, described the facility: "It's built like a college campus. There is lot of property, a lot of greenery and there is no barbed wire around."
- Jennifer Myers, who served time at Alderson, described it as "a pleasant place to serve time, with ample recreational opportunities and programs to keep the women busy."
Please remember that experiences are unique and may not reflect today's experience.
Location & Visitation
Location
Physical location: ALDERSON, WV 24910
Mailing address: GLEN RAY RD., ALDERSON, WV 24910
Visitation
There are many specific rules and procedures to be aware of when you're considering visiting the institution. Read more on our Visitation Guide.
For full, current visiting rules and scheduling, always check the institution's official page on the Bureau of Prisons website: Official BOP Page.
See also
- Index of Federal Prison Facilities
- FPC Bryan - Another women's minimum-security federal prison camp
- Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)