Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, Low security U.S. federal penal facility
The Federal Correctional Institution, Miami is a federal prison for men located in Miami-Dade County on a large campus with open grounds and a lake at its center. The facility holds about one thousand inmates and includes both a main security section and a minimum-security camp area.
The facility opened in 1976 as a placement for young offenders but shifted in the late 1970s to hold Haitian and Cuban refugees seeking legal status. During the 1980s, its purpose changed again to focus on drug-related offenses and it took the name Metropolitan Correctional Center before evolving into its current role within the federal prison system.
The facility's name reflects its location in Miami and its role as a federal detention center. The campus-like setting with open spaces shapes how inmates experience daily life differently from traditional prison environments.
Visitors must pass through security screening and can only enter during designated visiting hours, primarily on weekends. The visiting area contains basic seating and facilities, so expect a simple environment with strict security procedures in place.
The facility experienced helicopter escape attempts, including a dramatic 1986 plan and another in 1989 when the helicopter crashed into the fence. Hurricane Andrew severely damaged the compound in 1992, forcing closure for nearly a year and leading to major repairs.
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