United States Penitentiary, Hazelton, Federal prison in Preston County, United States
The United States Penitentiary, Hazelton is a federal correctional institution in Preston County, West Virginia, with a high-security main compound and adjacent facilities for lower security levels. The site contains several building complexes, housing units, and administrative structures enclosed by fortified perimeter walls and checkpoints.
The facility was built in the early 2000s to address the need for additional high-security capacity in the federal corrections system. Operations began in 2004, adding to the network of Bureau of Prisons sites across the region.
The facility takes its name from the nearby small town of Hazelton and sits in the forested hills of West Virginia, far from populated areas. Visitors see the tall fences and watchtowers from outside, separating the grounds from surrounding farmland.
The site sits away from public transit routes in a rural setting and is not accessible to casual visitors. Any contact with inmates must be arranged and approved through official channels in advance.
The compound houses inmates often transferred from other federal prisons, including those with special security requirements. The site maintains its own medical services and emergency response teams available around the clock.
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