Unless the Judge cancels bond at the Sentencing (hearing/court date), you are required to report under Pretrial Supervision. The sentenced defendant is to continue to report to his/her assigned
Pretrial Services Officer until the surrender date or otherwise directed by the Pretrial Services Officer. The sentenced defendant is encouraged to ask Pretrial Services questions regarding his/her
designation location. Pretrial Services’ role is to continue to assist the defendant throughout the pendency of his/her case. Pretrial Services can provide direction and other basic useful information
regarding the designated facility.
The BOP designates sentenced defendants to institutions that meet their security, program, and medical needs while maintaining population balance throughout their nationwide system. The BOP
will designate each sentenced defendant to a particular facility based on certain criteria such as offense, prior record, history of violence, medical issues, and other factors. The BOP tries to place defendants
within 500 miles of their home.
Security Levels. There are five (5) different security levels in the BOP: minimum, low, medium, high, and administrative. Security levels are based on such features as the presence of
external patrols, gun towers, security barriers, or detection devices as well as the type of housing within the institution, internal security features, and the staff-to-inmate ratio.
Minimum security institutions, also known as Federal Prison Camps (FPC’s), have dormitory housing, a relatively low staff-to inmate ratio, and no fences. These institutions are work
and program oriented, and many are located adjacent to larger institutions or on military bases where inmates help serve the labor needs of the larger institution or the base.
Low security Federal Correctional Institutions (FCI’s) have doubled fenced perimeters, mostly dormitory housing, and strong work and program components.
Medium security FCI’s have strengthened perimeters (often double fences with electronic detection systems), cell-type housing, and a wide variety of work and treatment programs.
High security institutions, also known as United States Penitentiaries (USP’s), have highly secure perimeters (featuring walls or reinforced fences), multiple and single occupant cells housing
the highest staff-to-inmate ratio, and close control of inmate movement.
Administrative facilities are institutions with special missions such as detention of noncitizen or pretrial defendants, the treatment of inmates with serious or chronic medical problems, or
the containment of extremely dangerous, violent, or escape prone inmates. Administrative facilities are capable of holding inmates in all security categories.
After arriving at the facility, each inmate participates in the Admission and Orientation Program, which introduces all aspects of the institution including the rules and regulations, inmates’ rights and responsibilities,
and the Bureau’s discipline policy. Staff make presentations and answer questions regarding the institution’s programs, services, and operations. Inmates identified as having problems coping with incarceration will be
assisted. Within 24 hours after an inmate’s arrival, medical staff will medically screen the inmate in compliance with the BOP’s medical procedures to determine if there is a medical reason for housing the inmate away
from the general population.
After the Admission and Orientation Program, the inmate is assigned to a housing unit (a selfcontained living area that includes cells, rooms, cubicles, or dormitories; bathroom facilities; common areas; and staff offices).
