Once a federal judge orders your incarceration, the Bureau of Prisons makes decisions regarding your housing and “out date.” These dates depend on various factors and formulas.
Renee Hoolan sends her son $75 every month so he can purchase items such as over-the-counter medications, work shoes and phone minutes – under new BOP rules, the majority of this would go toward his restitution payments.
The Bureau of Prisons
At present, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) houses approximately 153,248 inmates spread among 127 stand-alone U.S. Federal prisons, 68 satellite camps and 12 private facilities. This Federal prison system is responsible for caring for criminal defendants sentenced by United States federal courts for various offenses against U.S. law or related statutes.
BOP staff and inmate population alike are subject to the laws and regulations set forth in United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations. Furthermore, each region within its region is overseen by six Regional Offices that oversee institutions within them.
An individual charged with federal crimes can serve their sentence in any of the United States’s Federal prisons, depending on security level, medical needs and available space. For a comprehensive look at each federal prison in America read Christopher Zoukis’ Federal Prison Handbook: The Unofficial Guide to Bureau of Prisons Institutions (Middle Street Publishing).
The BOP continues to implement reforms aimed at increasing safety and security within federal correctional facilities as well as helping inmates transition back into society as law-abiding, taxpaying members of society. These efforts include efforts aimed at reducing recidivism by targeting core behavioral issues that lead to criminality while simultaneously providing intensive preparation of prisoners for life outside prison walls.
The BOP is committed to expanding opportunities for family engagement and reunification, including enhanced video conferencing visitation; a pilot program supporting children of incarcerated parents while providing guidance for BOP staff on how best to facilitate such visits; the launch of an interagency partnership that provides resources and tools that facilitate family reunification; as well as an initiative providing advice and assistance for anyone considering becoming foster parents.
The Intake Process
At their first interview after entering prison, all new inmates undergo an Admission & Orientation (A&O) program interview conducted by staff from case management, medical, and mental health units. This process usually occurs within the first or two days after being imprisoned; typically led by counselors or case managers and providing information such as housing unit assignment, bed assignment and Unit Team assignments as well as policies, programs, and services available to each person.
The A&O program gives individuals a chance to share any needs or concerns with prison officials. If a person needs dental work done, for example, this would be the time and place to do it; similarly if depression or suicidal thoughts come up during this period they should notify Psychology Services staff as well.
Under the A&O program, inmates undergo a physical examination including a tuberculosis test. When stripped to their underwear they must run their fingers through their hair while opening their mouths wide to lift their tongues, opening and lifting their jaws, squatting coughing raising arms – this act acts as a search method to assist prison officials detect any contraband being introduced into the facility.
Under A&O programs, inmates receive their bedroll and institutional clothing as well as a prison ID card with bar codes scannable when eating, using the commissary or making copies. It will also contain their picture and identification number for easy identification purposes.
The Housing Process
Once a person completes the intake process, they will receive their housing assignment. Most likely this will involve general population living arrangements unless there are special considerations necessary (for instance due to medical condition or infection).
Once in their housing units, federal prison inmates should participate in programs designed to help them earn time credits and reduce their sentences upon release. Furthermore, it is encouraged that they create and develop strong support networks during their time spent behind bars in order to make the transition back into society smoother.
Families and friends can feel helplessly cut off from those incarcerated due to restrictive correspondence, visitation and telephone policies. Luckily, the BOP provides a database where family and friends can search by name for an inmate and learn where they’re staying and which facility they belong to.
The Bureau of Prisons offers an online federal inmate locator system which can help friends and family track an individual’s location and facility as well as case information. This feature can help provide useful details when sending money or letters directly to someone in prison.
Note that the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator Tool only displays records for people incarcerated since 1982; for anyone released prior to this date, you will need to search through the National Archives – this service is free of charge from BOP. Prison Professors is an independent company which works alongside civil and criminal defense counsel as needed during cases; our team includes former federal prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, and BOP employees among its experts.
The Custody Process
People reporting to prison for the first time can often feel physically and emotionally exhausted by the experience, often being completely unaware of how custody works. Each prison has an R&D department responsible for managing arrival operations upon arriving; these professionals ensure people are properly processed upon arriving and delivered to the right facility without early or late releases, facility mix-ups or identity mismatches occurring.
If you have been charged with a federal crime and appear before court, it is crucial that you contact an experienced lawyer immediately. Learn how by visiting our New York Finding a Lawyer page.
The Reentry Process
Reentry programs prepare individuals to return to the community, such as reentry services offices, treatment and education, vocational programs and vocational reentry initiatives organized through local and statewide partnerships. However, many barriers still remain for individuals returning to society: inadequate services; no economic opportunity; substance abuse/mental health concerns/lack of housing /family problems etc.
As part of entering a reentry program, participants undergo an initial assessment involving an interview with a qualified evaluator and an in-depth interview with them at home. The information gleaned from these assessments allows case managers to build supportive relationships and tailor an individualised case management plan specifically tailored towards their client.
Reentry programs aim to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior and help break the cycle of recidivism, but research indicates they may only have limited effects for individuals facing multiple and intersecting barriers to successful community integration, including minorities, women (particularly pregnant or parenting mothers), youth, rural residents, gig workers, LGBTQ individuals or those dealing with physical/mental health conditions.
Stigma and shame associated with having a criminal record can hinder people’s participation in reentry programs. Furthermore, “collateral consequences” associated with criminal convictions — such as employment and housing losses, denial of social service benefits and deportation — can further hamper successful community integration. Thankfully, as some courts begin viewing reentry strategies as legitimate methods for decreasing future crime levels, some can now consider them legitimate strategies of crime control.