It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.

The facility also has an adjacent satellite prison camp housing minimum-security male offenders.

FCI Mendota is located in central California, 36 miles west of Fresno.

Inside the facility, inmates have access to educational programs where they may work toward their GED certificate and gain vocational training.

They have access to a common area where they can exercise, shower, and watch basic cable television.