Inmates may communicate via written correspondence. Staff will review incoming mail for evidence of contraband or content that threatens security or good order.
Judges make recommendations regarding where a prisoner should serve their sentence, but ultimately BOP officials determine which level of custody should be chosen through making an initial “designation” determination.
Intake
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, or BOP, houses inmates convicted of breaking federal laws as well as those who await trial for them. Additionally, this agency provides shelter to some inmates incarcerated at local jails and prisons who have committed state or local offenses.
People entering Federal prisons should expect their first day to be spent becoming acquainted with their new surroundings and becoming oriented with staff from case management, medical, mental health units as well as psychology units. A Psychology staff member will interview new inmates in order to assess their general mental health status and whether or not they pose a danger to themselves or others.
As soon as someone enters an institution, they are provided an admission date and housing unit assignment. Their housing location depends on several factors related to them as an inmate as well as institutional capacity; such factors include classification level or minimum security designation as well as any special arrangements the institution makes for them.
As part of their arrival at prison, inmates will also receive a commissary account which allows them to purchase personal items like hygiene supplies, shoes and recreational clothing from this limited market. People should manage their expectations regarding what can be found there as it can vary widely depending on where it’s being sold.
As part of the admissions process, BOP employees will gather information on dietary and medication needs of an inmate. It is recommended they bring enough of their medications to last at least 30 days; if taking prescriptions they must also bring copies along with a list. It may be beneficial for an inmate to consult the online formulary of approved drugs prior to coming.
People may purchase additional personal care items like toothbrushes and toothpaste through the commissary. Unfortunately, civilian clothing will no longer be permitted; only items issued by authorized staff or purchased from the commissary will be accepted upon release from detention.
Admission and Orientation (A&O) Program
The federal prison system offers a set of guidelines, known as the Admission and Orientation (A&O) Program, designed to familiarize new prisoners with their institution. The program introduces rules, procedures, staff members of each department as well as giving an overall overview of its programs, activities and policies. Typically this program takes 28 days to complete with various appointments, meetings and screenings taking place during this period.
Once an inmate arrives at a Federal facility, he is placed into Admission and Orientation status (A&O), meaning he cannot be assigned to work details, education classes or treatment groups until having completed this program. A&O includes meeting with various staff from departments as well as inmate services to review rules, protocols and requirements of each department before participating in health screenings to establish baseline healthcare data.
An inmate participating in A&O program will receive their official prison ID card that allows access to all prison resources; for instance, meal and commissary shopping days require this ID to access these resources. They must also sign an official statement acknowledging they understand prison rules and regulations while authorizing staff to open and inspect mail as part of this program.
After successfully completing an A&O program, an inmate is usually assigned to a housing quarters unit for learning his prison routine and becoming familiar with its general population. He may attend recreation and education classes or visit libraries or recreation areas during this time; however, civilan clothing cannot be worn inside prison at any time; official prison clothing must always be worn.
At this stage, an inmate will complete an A&O questionnaire and meet with Psychology Services and Counseling or Case Manager staff members, in addition to meeting a social worker, health services representative and/or reviewing any UNICOR factory offerings (where applicable). It is best that an inmate remain silent throughout this process; asking too many questions may lengthen meetings and frustrate other inmates.
Release Date
If a prisoner has earned enough Good Conduct Time (GCT) credits to reduce their sentence, the Bureau of Prisons will determine an early release date based on this calculation and their remaining term of incarceration. Therefore it’s crucial that they earn as many GCT credits as possible during incarceration.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ website hosts a Federal Inmate Locator which allows visitors to quickly find out information on individuals under its custody. It is regularly updated, providing people with a quick way to locate where an inmate is housed, their legal status, upcoming court dates or parole hearings and much more.
Voluntary Surrender Guide provides individuals planning on leaving prison with an effective tool for preparing for their return into society upon release. While preparation should ideally begin prior to entry, this may not always be possible – and so this resource provides suggestions of things prisoners can do to prepare themselves before their pending release from incarceration.
As soon as an inmate’s release date approaches, the BOP will begin notifying them through VINE national call center. Each day prior to his/her scheduled release date, this call center will contact their phone numbers.
Prisoners nearing completion of their sentences may apply for compassionate release by writing to their warden and making the request in writing. This option may be available to elderly federal prisoners who have completed at least 75% of their terms of incarceration without incurring medical complications while being free.
The Zukis Consulting Group assists clients through this difficult process by creating in-prison success plans and helping to secure early release from prison. We can also assist with other issues related to incarceration, such as obtaining driver’s licenses prior to release or setting up credit freezes so an inmate won’t become vulnerable to identity thieves when returning home.
Transportation
Transportation between prison and home can be a crucial element of Federal inmates’ experiences. Many prisoners travel long distances via bus or plane – air transportation typically being cheaper and more efficient for longer journeys.
A typical Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) plane is typically a slightly modified commercial passenger jet with an interior designed specifically to transport prisoners. They are operated by teams of BOP aviation security staff, Federal air marshals, and JPATS contract employees who have been trained to ensure everyone on board remains safe; most planes are older and worn but still boast excellent safety records.
Before an inmate departs for his transfer destination, he or she is summoned into a Bureau of Prisons facility’s Receiving and Discharge (R&D) department to be processed for flight. A green property bag will also be provided to him so all his possessions may be checked off for inspection and inventory before returning it to R&D for processing and inventorying before leaving for his transfer destination.
Once the flight lands, prisoners are loaded onto buses waiting on the airport tarmac in a remote area for transport to Colorado. Some of these bus rides can last as long as 20 days. Kristin Mercer detailed in 1997 in Westword magazine her 10-day TransCor bus journey between New York City, Michigan, Ohio Kentucky Tennessee Alabama Mississippi that included stops throughout these states as she endured no food nor contact with family members during this ordeal.
At the time of their boarding, inmates are given seats on the bus; prisoners with special needs often receive reserved seating near the front. Window seats are preferred while men and women tend to sit separately on separate buses manned by drivers and an armed prison guard.
The passengers typically spend most of the trip in their seats and cannot move from them at any time without authorization from a supervisor. Should an issue arise, passengers may be subjected to pepper spray spraying or shot at with live or nonlethal ammunition if necessary to maintain order and ensure passenger safety.