FCI Ray Brook

Federal Correctional Institution Ray Brook is a medium-security federal prison located in the hamlet of Ray Brook in Essex County, in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. The facility opened in 1980 on a site that was constructed as the Olympic Village for the 1980 Winter Olympics in nearby Lake Placid — the same games famous for the U.S. hockey team's 'Miracle on Ice' victory. After the Olympics concluded, the buildings were repurposed as a federal correctional facility. This origin makes FCI Ray Brook one of the more unusual physical settings in the federal prison system, tucked into a mountainous region more than four hours north of New York City.

Communication at FCI Ray Brook follows standard Bureau of Prisons rules. CorrLinks handles electronic messaging, and families need to wait for the inmate to initiate contact before correspondence can begin. Phone calls use ConnectNetwork. Because the facility is medium security, communication access is generally routine compared to higher-security BOP institutions. The remote location in the Adirondacks, however, makes in-person visits significantly more difficult for most families — particularly those in New York City or other downstate areas, who face a long drive or multi-leg travel to reach the facility.

For families whose loved one is at FCI Ray Brook, electronic communication through CorrLinks and phone calls through ConnectNetwork are especially practical because the distance from most population centers makes frequent in-person visits logistically challenging. Remote video visitation is not available at FCI Ray Brook, as it is not offered at any BOP facility. Families should set up CorrLinks and ConnectNetwork accounts early in the process to avoid gaps in communication during the initial period of incarceration. The BOP visitor approval process should also begin as early as possible for anyone planning to visit in person.