(a) In an effort to prevent the introduction of contraband (such prohibited objects as defined in § 511.11(c)) into an institution, Bureau of Prisons staff may subject all persons entering an institution, or during their presence in an institution, to a search of their persons and effects.

(b) Title 18, United States Code, section 3050 authorizes Bureau of Prisons employees (does not include United States Public Health Service employees)—

(1) To make an arrest on or off Bureau of Prisons premises without warrant for violation of the following provisions regardless of where the violation may occur: section 111 (assaulting officers), section 751 (escape), section 752 (assisting escape) of title 18, United States Code, and section 1826(c) (escape) of title 28, United States Code;

(2) To make an arrest on Bureau of Prisons premises or reservation land of a penal, detention, or correctional facility without warrant for violation occurring thereon of the following provisions: section 661 (theft), section 1361 (depredation of property), section 1363 (destruction of property), section 1791 (contraband), section 1792 (mutiny and riot), and section 1793 (trespass) of title 18, United States Code, and

(3) To arrest without warrant for any other offense described in title 18 or 21 of the United States Code, if committed on the premises or reservation of a penal or correctional facility of the Bureau of Prisons if necessary to safeguard security, good order, or government property. Bureau policy provides that such an arrest may be made when staff has probable cause to believe that a person has committed one of these offenses and when there is likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained.

(a) The Warden shall post a notice outside the institution's secure perimeter advising all persons that it is a Federal crime to bring upon the institution grounds any weapons, intoxicants, drugs, or other contraband, and that all persons, property (including vehicles), and packages are subject to search. A person may not use either a camera or recording equipment on institution grounds without the written consent of the Warden.

(b) The Warden may require visitors entering the institution from outside the secure perimeter to submit to a search:

(1) By electronic means (for example, walk-through and/or hand-held metal detector).

(2) Of personal effects. The institution ordinarily provides locker space for personal effects not taken into the visiting room.

(c) The Warden may authorize a pat search of a visitor as a prerequisite to a visit when there is reasonable suspicion that the visitor possesses contraband, or is introducing or attempting to introduce contraband into the institution.

(d) The Warden may authorize a visual search (visual inspection of all body surfaces and cavities) of a visitor as a prerequisite to a visit to an inmate in a low and above security level institution, or administrative institution, or in a pretrial or in a jail (detention) unit within any security level institution when there is reasonable suspicion that the visitor possesses contraband or is introducing or attempting to introduce contraband into the institution.

(e) The Warden may authorize a breathalyzer or urine surveillance test or other comparable test of a visitor as a prerequisite to a visit to an inmate when there is reasonable suspicion that the visitor is under the influence of a narcotic, drug, or intoxicant. As stated in § 511.14, the visitor may refuse to take the test, but the visit will not be allowed.

(f) A pat search, visual search, or urine surveillance test is to be conducted by a person of the same sex as the visitor. A pat search, visual search, urine surveillance, or breathalyzer test shall be conducted out of the view of other visitors and inmates.

(a) The Warden may restrict visiting to controlled situations or to more closely supervised visits when there is any suspicion that the visitor is introducing or attempting to introduce contraband, or when there has been a prior incident of such introduction or attempted introduction, or when there is any concern, based upon sound correctional judgment, about the visitor presenting a risk to the orderly running of the visiting room or area.

(b) The Warden may deny visiting privileges when a controlled or closely supervised visit is not possible.

(c) Staff shall deny admission to the institution to a visitor who refuses to be screened by a metal detector or who refuses to undergo a search of person and/or effects as dictated by these rules.

(a) A visitor who objects to any of the search or test or entrance procedures has the option of refusing and leaving the institution property, unless there is reason to detain and/or arrest.

(b) Staff may terminate a visit upon determining that a visitor is in possession of, or is passing or attempting to pass contraband not previously detected during the search process, or is engaged in any conduct or behavior which poses a threat to the orderly or secure running of the institution, or to the safety of any person in the institution. The staff member terminating the visit is to prepare written documentation describing the basis for this action.

(a) Staff may detain a visitor or any person who is found to be introducing or attempting to introduce such contraband as narcotics, intoxicants, lethal or poisonous chemicals or gases, guns, knives, or other weapons, or who is engaged in any other conduct which is a violation of law (including, but not limited to, actions which assist escape, such as possession of escape paraphernalia, or which induce riots), pending notification and arrival of appropriate law enforcement officials. The standard for such detention is a finding, based on probable cause, that the person has engaged in such a violation. Institution staff should not interrogate suspects unless immediate questioning is necessary to protect the security of the institution or the life or safety of any person.

(b) Staff shall employ only the minimum amount of force necessary to detain the individual. Visitors will be detained in an area away from the sight of, and where there can be no contact with, other visitors and inmates.

To effect an arrest under any of the cited sections in § 511.10(b) of this part, or under any future arrest authorization statute that may be approved by the Congress of the United States, staff shall have probable cause that the suspected individual is violating the law. Whenever possible, the Warden or designee shall make the determination as to whether an arrest should occur.

General provisions for the protection of human subjects during the conduct of research are contained in 28 CFR part 46. The provisions of this subpart B specify additional requirements for prospective researchers (both employees and non-employees) to obtain approval to conduct research within the Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) and responsibilities of Bureau staff in processing proposals and monitoring research projects. Although some research may be exempt from 28 CFR part 46 under § 46.101(b)(5), as determined by the Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) of the Bureau, no research is exempt from 28 CFR part 512. For the purpose of this subpart, implementation of Bureau programmatic or operational initiatives made through pilot projects is not considered to be research.

(a) Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, the Bureau requires the following:

(1) In all research projects the rights, health, and human dignity of individuals involved must be respected.

(2) The project must have an adequate research design and contribute to the advancement of knowledge about corrections.

(3) The project must not involve medical experimentation, cosmetic research, or pharmaceutical testing.

(4) The project must minimize risk to subjects; risks to subjects must be reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. The selection of subjects within any one institution must be equitable. When applicable, informed consent must be sought and documented (see §§ 512.15 and 512.16).

(5) Incentives may not be offered to help persuade inmate subjects to participate. However, soft drinks and snacks to be consumed at the test setting may be offered. Reasonable accommodations such as nominal monetary recompense for time and effort may be offered to non-confined research subjects who are both:

(i) No longer in Bureau of Prisons custody, and

(ii) Participating in authorized research being conducted by Bureau employees or contractors.

(6) The researcher must have academic preparation or experience in the area of study of the proposed research.

(7) The researcher must assume responsibility for actions of any person engaged to participate in the research project as an associate, assistant, or subcontractor to the researcher.

(8) Except as noted in the informed consent statement to the subject, the researcher must not provide research information which identifies a subject to any person without that subject's prior written consent to release the information. For example, research information identifiable to a particular individual cannot be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any action, suit or other judicial, administrative, or legislative proceeding without the written consent of the individual to whom the data pertains.

(9) The researcher must adhere to applicable provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and regulations pursuant to this Act.

(10) The research design must be compatible with both the operation of prison facilities and protection of human subjects. The researcher must observe the rules of the institution or office in which the research is conducted.

(11) Any researcher who is a non-employee of the Bureau must sign a statement in which the researcher agrees to adhere to the provisions of this subpart.

(12) Except for computerized data records maintained at an official Department of Justice site, records which contain nondisclosable information directly traceable to a specific person may not be stored in, or introduced into, an electronic retrieval system.

(13) If the researcher is conducting a study of special interest to the Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE), but the study is not a joint project involving ORE, the researcher may be asked to provide ORE with the computerized research data, not identifiable to individual subjects, accompanied by detailed documentation. These arrangements must be negotiated prior to the beginning of the data collection phase of the project.

(14) The researcher must submit planned methodological changes in a research project to the IRB for approval, and may be required to revise study procedures in accordance with the new methodology.

(b) Requests from Federal agencies, the Congress, the Federal judiciary, or State or local governments to collect information about areas for which they are responsible and requests by private organizations for organizational rather than personal information from Bureau staff shall be reviewed by ORE to determine which provisions of this subpart may be waived without jeopardizing the safety of human subjects. ORE shall document in writing the waiver of any specific provision along with the justification.

When submitting a research proposal, the applicant shall provide the following information:

(a) A summary statement which includes:

(1) Name(s) and current affiliation(s) of the researcher(s);

(2) Title of the study;

(3) Purpose of the project;

(4) Location of the project;

(5) Methods to be employed;

(6) Anticipated results;

(7) Duration of the study;

(8) Number of subjects (staff/inmates) required and amount of time required from each; and

(9) Indication of risk or discomfort involved as a result of participation.

(b) A comprehensive statement which includes:

(1) Review of related literature;

(2) Detailed description of the research method;

(3) Significance of anticipated results and their contribution to the advancement of knowledge;

(4) Specific resources required from the Bureau;

(5) Description of all possible risks, discomforts, and benefits to individual subjects or a class of subjects, and a discussion of the likelihood that the risks and discomforts will actually occur;

(6) Description of steps taken to minimize any risks described in (b)(5) of this section.

(7) Description of physical and/or administrative procedures to be followed to:

(i) Ensure the security of any individually identifiable data that are being collected for the project, and

(ii) Destroy research records or remove individual identifiers from those records when the research has been completed.

(8) Description of any anticipated effects of the research project on institutional programs and operations; and

(9) Relevant research materials such as vitae, endorsements, sample informed consent statements, questionnaires, and interview schedules.

(c) A statement regarding assurances and certification required by 28 CFR part 46, if applicable.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons' central institutional review board shall be called the Bureau Research Review Board (BRRB). It shall consist of the Chief, ORE, at least four other members, and one alternate, appointed by the Director, and shall meet a sufficient number of times to insure that each project covered by 28 CFR part 46 receives an annual review. A majority of members shall not be Bureau employees. The BRRB shall include an individual with legal expertise and a representative for inmates whom the Director determines is able to identify with inmate concerns and evaluate objectively a research proposal's impact on, and relevance to, inmates and to the correctional process.

(b) The Chief, ORE, shall serve as chairperson of the BRRB. If a potential conflict of interest exists for the BRRB chairperson on a particular research proposal, the Assistant Director, Information, Policy, and Public Affairs Division, shall appoint another individual to serve as chairperson on matters pertaining to that project.

(a) An applicant may submit a preliminary research proposal for review by the Office of Research and Evaluation, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534. Staff response to the preliminary proposal does not constitute a final decision.

(b) If the study is to be conducted at only one institution, the applicant shall submit a formal proposal to the warden of that institution. Proposal processing will be as follows:

(1) The warden shall appoint a local research review board to consult with operational staff, to evaluate the proposal for compliance with research policy, and to make recommendations to the warden. The local research review board is encouraged, but not required, to meet the membership requirements of an IRB, as specified in 28 CFR part 46.

(2) The warden shall review the comments of the board, make a recommendation regarding the proposal, and forward the proposal package to the Regional Director, with a copy to the Chief, ORE.

(3) The Regional Director shall review the proposal and forward recommendations to the Chief, ORE.

(c) If the study is to be conducted at more than one institution or at any other Bureau location, the applicant shall submit the research proposal to the Chief, Office of Research and Evaluation, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534. The Chief, ORE, shall determine an appropriate review process.

(d) All formal proposals will be reviewed by the BRRB.

(e) The BRRB chairperson may exercise the authority of the full BRRB under an expedited review process when another official IRB (either within or outside the Bureau) has approved the research, or when, in his/her judgment, the research proposal meets the minimal risk standard and involves only the following:

(1) The study of existing data, documents, or records; and/or

(2) The study of individual or group behavior or characteristics of individuals, where the investigator does not manipulate subjects' behavior and the research will not involve stress to subjects. Such research would include test development and studies of perception, cognition, or game theory. If a proposal is processed under expedited review, the BRRB chairperson must document in writing the reason for that determination.

(f) The Chief, ORE, shall review all recommendations made and shall submit them in writing to the Director, Bureau of Prisons.

(g) The Director, Bureau of Prisons, has final authority to approve or disapprove all research proposals. The Director may delegate this authority to the Assistant Director, Information, Policy, and Public Affairs Division.

(h) The approving authority shall notify in writing the involved region(s), institution(s), and the prospective researcher of the final decision on a research proposal.

(a) Employees, including consultants, of the Bureau who are conducting authorized research projects shall have access to those records relating to the subject which are necessary to the purpose of the research project without having to obtain the subject's consent.

(b) A non-employee of the Bureau is limited in access to information available under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

(c) A non-employee of the Bureau may receive records in a form not individually identifiable when advance adequate written assurance that the record will be used solely as a statistical research or reporting record is provided to the agency (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(5)).

(a) Before commencing a research project requiring participation by staff or inmates, the researcher shall give each participant a written informed consent statement containing the following information:

(1) Identification of the principal investigator(s);

(2) Objectives of the research project;

(3) Procedures to be followed in the conduct of research;

(4) Purpose of each procedure;

(5) Anticipated uses of the results of the research;

(6) A statement of benefits reasonably to be expected;

(7) A declaration concerning discomfort and risk, including a description of anticipated discomfort and risk;

(8) A statement that participation is completely voluntary and that the participant may withdraw consent and end participation in the project at any time without penalty or prejudice (the inmate will be returned to regular assignment or activity by staff as soon as practicable);

(9) A statement regarding the confidentiality of the research information and exceptions to any guarantees of confidentiality required by federal or state law. For example, a researcher may not guarantee confidentiality when the subject indicates an intent to commit future criminal conduct or harm himself/herself or someone else, or, if the subject is an inmate, indicates an intent to leave the facility without authorization.

(10) A statement that participation in the research project will have no effect on the inmate participant's release date or parole eligibility;

(11) An offer to answer questions about the research project; and

(12) Appropriate additional information as needed to describe adequately the nature and risks of the research.

(b) A researcher who is an employee of the Bureau shall include in the informed consent statement a declaration of the authority under which the research is conducted.

(c) A researcher who is an employee of the Bureau, in addition to presenting the statement of informed consent to the subject, shall also obtain the subject's signature on the statement of informed consent, when:

(1) The subject's activity requires something other than response to a questionnaire or interview; or

(2) The Chief, ORE, determines the research project or data-collection instrument is of a sensitive nature.

(d) A researcher who is a non-employee of the Bureau, in addition to presenting the statement of informed consent to the subject, shall also obtain the subject's signature on the statement of informed consent prior to initiating the research activity. The researcher may not be required to obtain the signature if the researcher can demonstrate that the only link to the subject's identity is the signed statement of informed consent or that there is significantly more risk to the subject if the statement is signed. The signed statement shall be submitted to the chairperson of the appropriate local research review board.

The BRRB shall monitor all research projects for compliance with Bureau policies. At a minimum, yearly reviews will be conducted.

The Director, Bureau of Prisons, may suspend or terminate a research project if it is believed that the project violates research policy or that its continuation may prove detrimental to the inmate population, the staff, or the orderly operation of the institution.

The researcher shall prepare reports of progress on the research and at least one report of findings.

(a) At least once a year, the researcher shall provide the Chief, ORE, with a report on the progress of the research.

(b) At least 12 working days before any report of findings is to be released, the researcher shall distribute one copy of the report to each of the following: the chairperson of the BRRB, the regional director, and the warden of each institution which provided data or assistance. The researcher shall include an abstract in the report of findings.

(a) A researcher may publish in book form and professional journals the results of any research project conducted under this subpart.

(1) In any publication of results, the researcher shall acknowledge the Bureau's participation in the research project.

(2) The researcher shall expressly disclaim approval or endorsement of the published material as an expression of the policies or views of the Bureau.

(b) Prior to submitting for publication the results of a research project conducted under this subpart, the researcher shall provide two copies of the material, for informational purposes only, to the Chief, Office of Research and Evaluation, Central Office, Bureau of Prisons.

(a) An employee of the Bureau may not copyright any work prepared as part of his/her official duties.

(b) As a precondition to the conduct of research under this subpart, a non-employee shall grant in writing to the Bureau a royalty-free, non-exclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, translate, and otherwise use and authorize others to publish and use original materials developed as a result of research conducted under this subpart.

(c) Subject to a royalty-free, non-exclusive and irrevocable license, which the Bureau of Prisons reserves, to reproduce, publish, translate, and otherwise use and authorize others to publish and use such materials, a non-employee may copyright original materials developed as a result of research conducted under this subpart.

(a) FBI identification record. (1) An inmate may request a copy of his or her current FBI identification record directly from the FBI by following the procedure outlined in 28 CFR 16.30 through 16.34.

(i) Bureau of Prisons staff shall assist the inmate to obtain the fingerprint impressions required to be submitted with such an application.

(ii) The inmate may direct that funds be withdrawn from his or her institution account to pay the applicable fee.

(2) An inmate may request a copy of his or her FBI identification record from institution staff.

(i) If the requested FBI identification record is in the inmate's institution file, staff shall provide the inmate with a copy.

(ii) If the requested FBI identification record is not in the inmate's institution file, staff shall direct the inmate to the procedure referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) NCIC/III identification record. An inmate who wishes to obtain a copy of his or her NCIC/III record must submit a written request to the FBI. The procedures outlined in 28 CFR 16.32, 16.33, and paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply to such request.

Where the inmate believes that his or her FBI identification record is incorrect or inaccurate, the inmate may follow procedures outlined in 28 CFR 16.34. The procedures in 28 CFR 16.34 also apply for the clarification of an inmate's NCIC/III record.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons will provide to the head of any law enforcement agency of a state or of a unit of local government in a state information on federal prisoners who have been convicted of felony offenses and who are confined at a residential community treatment center located in the geographical area in which the requesting agency has jurisdiction. Law enforcement personnel interested in obtaining this information must forward a written request to the appropriate Regional Community Programs Administrator (see 28 CFR part 503 for the mailing address). The type of information that the Bureau of Prisons may provide is set forth in 18 U.S.C. 4082(f). That information includes: names, dates of birth, FBI numbers, nature of the offenses against the United States, fingerprints, photographs, and the designated community treatment centers, with prospective dates of release.

(b) Any law enforcement agency which receives information under this rule may not disseminate such information outside of such agency. If an agency disseminates information contrary to this restriction, the Bureau of Prisons may terminate or suspend release of information to that agency.

Occasionally federal civil commitments for contempt of court may be referred to the Bureau of Prisons. These cases are not regular commitments to the custody of the Attorney General and are not convictions for any offense against the laws of the United States. The Bureau of Prisons cooperates with the federal courts in implementing the sentence by making its facilities and resources available. The confinement of civil contempt inmates shall terminate when the Bureau of Prisons receives notification from the court that the reason for the contempt commitment has ended or that the inmate is to be released for any other reason.

(a) The U.S. Marshal's Service has primary jurisdiction in federal civil contempt commitments.

(b) When a U.S. Marshal requests designation from the Bureau of Prisons for a federal civil contempt commitment because local jails are not suitable, due to medical, security or other reasons, staff may designate the nearest Bureau institution having the necessary facilities.

(c) When the committing court specifies a Bureau of Prisons institution as the place of incarceration in its contempt order, the Bureau of Prisons shall designate that specified facility in accordance with the judicial wishes, unless there is a reason for not placing the inmate in that facility, in which case the matter shall be called to the attention of the court and an attempt made to arrive at an acceptable place of confinement with the agreement of the committing court.

(d) If a federal criminal sentence of imprisonment (including a Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act or Youth Corrections Act commitment) exists when a civil contempt commitment is ordered, credit towards service of the criminal sentence is delayed or suspended for the duration of the contempt commitment unless the committing judge orders otherwise.

(e)(1) If a civil contempt commitment order is in effect when a criminal sentence of imprisonment is imposed under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 227 (as applicable to offenses committed before November 1, 1987), the criminal sentence runs concurrently with the commitment order unless the sentencing judge orders otherwise.

(2) If a civil contempt commitment order is in effect when a criminal sentence of imprisonment is imposed under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 227 (as applicable to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), the criminal sentence runs consecutively to the commitment order unless the sentencing judge orders otherwise.

(f) An inmate serving a civil contempt sentence in a Bureau institution will be treated the same as a person awaiting trial; where the inmate is serving a civil contempt sentence and a concurrent criminal sentence, the inmate will be treated the same as a person serving a criminal sentence.

(g) An inmate is not entitled to statutory or extra good time credits under 18 U.S.C. 4161-62 while only the civil contempt sentence is in effect. Nor is an inmate entitled to good conduct time credits under 18 U.S.C. 3624(b). Time spent serving only a civil contempt sentence is not considered jail time under 18 U.S.C. 3568 or 18 U.S.C. 3585(b).

Bureau of Prisons staff screen newly arrived inmates to ensure that Bureau health, safety, and security standards are met.

(a) Except for such camps and other satellite facilities where segregating a newly arrived inmate in detention is not feasible, the Warden shall ensure that a newly arrived inmate is cleared by the Medical Department and provided a social interview by staff before assignment to the general population.

(1) Immediately upon an inmate's arrival, staff shall interview the inmate to determine if there are non-medical reasons for housing the inmate away from the general population. Staff shall evaluate both the general physical appearance and emotional condition of the inmate.

(2) Within 24 hours after an inmate's arrival, medical staff shall medically screen the inmate in compliance with Bureau of Prisons' medical procedures to determine if there are medical reasons for housing the inmate away from the general population or for restricting temporary work assignments.

(3) Staff shall place recorded results of the intake medical screening and the social interview in the inmate's central file.

When the court orders or recommends an unescorted commitment to a Bureau of Prisons institution, the Bureau of Prisons authorizes the commitment and designates the institution for service of sentence. The Bureau of Prisons also authorizes furlough transfers of inmates between Bureau of Prisons institutions or to nonfederal institutions in appropriate circumstances in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3622 or 4082, and within the guidelines of the Bureau of Prisons policy on furloughs, which allows inmates to travel unescorted and to report voluntarily to an assigned institution.

(a) Statutory good time means a credit to a sentence as authorized by 18 U.S.C. 4161. The total amount of statutory good time which an inmate is entitled to have deducted on any given sentence, or aggregate of sentences, is calculated and credited in advance, when the sentence is computed.

(b) Extra good time means a credit to a sentence as authorized by 18 U.S.C. 4162 for performing exceptionally meritorious service or for performing duties of outstanding importance in an institution or for employment in a Federal Prison Industry or Camp. “Extra Good Time” thus includes Meritorious Good Time, Work/Study Release Good Time, Community Corrections Center Good Time, Industrial Good Time, Camp or Farm Good Time, and Lump Sum Awards. Extra good time and seniority are inseparable with the exception of lump sum awards for which no seniority is earned.

(c) Seniority refers to the time accrued in an extra good time earning status. Twelve months of “seniority” automatically cause the earning rate to increase from three days per month to five days per month and seniority is then vested.

(d) Earning status refers to the status of an inmate who is in an assignment or employment which accrues extra good time.

(a) An inmate conditionally released from imprisonment either by parole or mandatory release can earn statutory good time, upon being returned to custody for violation of supervised release, based on the number of days remaining to be served on the sentence. The rate of statutory good time for the violator term is computed at the rate of the total sentence from which released.

(b) An inmate whose special parole term is revoked can earn statutory good time based on the number of days remaining to be served on the special parole violator term. The rate of statutory good time for the violator term is computed at the rate of the initial special parole term plus the total sentence that was served prior to the special parole term and to which the special parole term was attached.

(c) Once an inmate is conditionally released from imprisonment, either by parole, including special parole, or mandatory release, the good time earned (extra or statutory) during that period of imprisonment is of no further effect either to shorten the period of supervision or to shorten the period of imprisonment which the inmate may be required to serve for violation of parole or mandatory release.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons awards extra good time credit for performing exceptionally meritorious service, or for performing duties of outstanding importance or for employment in an industry or camp. An inmate may earn only one type of extra good time award at a time (e.g., an inmate earning industrial or camp good time is not eligible for meritorious good time), except that a lump sum award as provided in § 523.16 may be given in addition to another extra good time award. The Warden or the Discipline Hearing Officer may not forfeit or withhold extra good time. The Warden may disallow or terminate the awarding of any type of extra good time (except lump sum awards), but only in a nondisciplinary context and only upon recommendation of staff. The Discipline Hearing Officer may disallow or terminate the awarding of any type of extra good time (except lump sum awards), as a disciplinary sanction. Once an awarding of meritorious good time has been terminated, the Warden must approve a new staff recommendation in order for the award to recommence. A “disallowance” means that an inmate does not receive an extra good time award for only one calendar month. Unless other action is taken, the award resumes the following calendar month. A “disallowance” must be for the entire amount of extra good time for that calendar month. There may be no partial disallowance. A decision to disallow or terminate extra good time may not be suspended pending future consideration. A retroactive award of meritorious good time may not include a month in which extra good time has been disallowed or terminated.

(b) The provisions of this rule do not apply to inmates sentenced under the Sentencing Reform Act provisions of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984. This means that inmates sentenced under the Sentencing Reform Act provisions for offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987 are not eligible for either statutory or extra good time, but may be considered for a maximum of 54 days of good conduct time credit per year (see 18 U.S.C. 3624(b)).

(a) Staff are responsible for recommending meritorious good time based upon work performance. Each recommendation must include a justification which clearly shows that the work being performed is of an exceptionally meritorious nature or is of outstanding importance in connection with institutional operations. Work performance and the importance of the work performed are the only criteria for awarding meritorious good time.

(b) A retroactive award of meritorious good time is ordinarily limited to three months, excluding the month in which the recommendation is made. A retroactive award in excess of three months requires the approval of the Warden or designee (may not be delegated below the level of Associate Warden). Staff are to include with any recommendation for an inmate to receive a retroactive award of meritorious good time, a written statement confirming the inmate's eligibility for the retroactive award.

(c) Meritorious good time continues uninterrupted regardless of work assignment changes unless the Warden or the Discipline Hearing Officer takes specific action to terminate or disallow the award.

Extra good time for an inmate in work or study release programs is awarded automatically, beginning on the date the inmate is assigned to the program and continuing without further approval as long as the inmate is participating in the program, unless the award is disallowed.

Extra good time for an inmate in a Federal or contract Community Corrections Center is awarded automatically, beginning on arrival at the facility and continuing as long as the inmate is confined at the Center, unless the award is disallowed.

Extra good time for an inmate employed in Federal Prison Industries, Inc., is automatically awarded, beginning on the first day of such employment, and continuing as long as the inmate is employed by Federal Prison Industries, unless the award is disallowed. An inmate on a waiting list for employment in Federal Prison Industries is not awarded industrial good time until actually employed.

An inmate assigned to a farm or camp is automatically awarded extra good time, beginning on the date of commitment to the camp or farm, and continuing as long as the inmate is assigned to the farm or camp, unless the award is disallowed.

Any staff member may recommend to the Warden the approval of an inmate for a lump sum award of extra good time. Such recommendations must be for an exceptional act or service that is not part of a regularly assigned duty. The Warden may make lump sum awards of extra good time not to exceed thirty days. If the recommendation is for an award in excess of thirty days and the Warden concurs, the Warden shall refer the recommendation to the Regional Director who may approve the award. No award may be approved which would exceed the maximum number of days allowed under 18 U.S.C. 4162. The actual length of time served on the sentence, to the date that the exceptional act or service terminated, is the basis on which the maximum amount possible to award is calculated. No seniority is accrued for such awards. Staff may recommend lump sum awards of extra good time for the following reasons:

(a) An act of heroism;

(b) Voluntary acceptance and satisfactory performance of an unusually hazardous assignment;

(c) An act which protects the lives of staff or inmates or the property of the United States; this is to be an act and not merely the providing of information in custodial or security matters;

(d) A suggestion which results in substantial improvement of a program or operation, or which results in significant savings; or

(e) Any other exceptional or outstanding service.

(a) Extra good time is awarded at a rate of three days per month during the first twelve months of seniority in an earning status and at the rate of five days per month thereafter. The first twelve months of seniority need not be based on a continuous period of twelve months. If the beginning or termination date of an extra good time award occurs after the first day of a month, a partial award of days is made.

(b) An inmate may be awarded extra good time even though some or all of the inmate's statutory good time has been forfeited or withheld.

(c) Parole and mandatory release violators may earn extra good time the same as other inmates. Once an inmate is conditionally released from imprisonment, either by parole, including special parole, or mandatory release, the good time earned during that period of imprisonment is of no further effect either to shorten the period of supervision or to shorten the period of imprisonment which the inmate may be required to serve for violation of parole or mandatory release.

(d) Staff working in the community have the same extra good time authority as the Warden when approving the award of good time for an inmate confined in a non-federal facility and may approve meritorious good time or lump sum awards in accordance with this rule upon recommendations made by a responsible person employed by the non-federal facility. The appropriate staff in the Regional Office may review all such awards if the Regional Director requires the review.

(e) An inmate who is transferred remains in the earning status at time of transfer, unless the reason for transfer would otherwise have caused removal from an earning status, and provided the inmate's behavior is such while in transit that it does not justify removal. Where the receiving institution is a camp, farm, or community corrections center, the extra good time continues automatically upon the inmate's arrival. Where the receiving institution is other than a camp, farm, or community corrections center, the extra good time is terminated upon arrival, and staff at the receiving institution shall review each case to determine if the inmate should continue in meritorious good time earning status if not immediately employed in Federal Prison Industries or assigned to a work/study release program. If the inmate then is not continued in meritorious good time earning status, later awards must comply with procedures outlined in § 523.11.

(f) An inmate serving a life sentence may earn extra good time even though there is no mandatory release date from which to deduct the credit since the possibility exists that the sentence may be reduced or commuted to a definite term.

(g) Extra good time is not automatically discontinued while an inmate is hospitalized, on furlough, out of the institution on a writ of habeas corpus, or removed under the Interstate Agreement on Detainers. Extra good time may be terminated or disallowed during such absences if the Warden or the Discipline Hearing Officer finds that the inmate's behavior warrants such action.

(h) Extra good time earned by an inmate in a District of Columbia Department of Corrections facility is treated the same as if earned in a Bureau of Prisons institution, upon transfer to a Bureau institution.

(i) An inmate committed under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3651 (split sentence) may earn extra good time credits provided the sentence imposed is not under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 5010 (b) or (c) (YCA). All extra good time and seniority earned is carried over to any subsequent probation violator sentence based on the original split sentence.

(j) An inmate committed under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 4205(c) may earn extra good time credits towards the final sentence that may be imposed. Such extra good time credits do not reduce the three months allowed for study. An inmate committed under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 4244, as amended effective October 12, 1984, may earn extra good time credits toward the final sentence that may be imposed. Such extra good time credits do not reduce the provisional sentence. Extra good time may continue during a commitment for examination of hospitalization and treatment under 18 U.S.C. 4245, as amended effective October 12, 1984.

(k) Inmates committed under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 4244, 4246-47, 4252, 5010 (b), (c), (e), or 5037(c) as these sections were in effect prior to October 12, 1984, are not entitled to extra good time deductions. Inmates committed under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 4241, 4242, 4243, or 4246 as these sections were amended effective October 12, 1984, are not entitled to extra good time deductions.

(l) A pretrial detainee may not earn good time while in pretrial status. A pretrial detainee, however, may be recommended for good time credit. This recommendation shall be considered in the event that the pretrial detainee is later sentenced on the crime for which he or she was in pretrial status.

(m) An inmate committed for civil contempt is not entitled to extra good time deductions while serving the civil contempt sentence.

(n) A military or Coast Guard inmate may earn extra good time. Extra good time earned in Federal Prison Industries in a military or Coast Guard installation is treated the same as if earned in Federal Prison Industries in the Bureau of Prisons. Other forms of military or Coast Guard extra good time, such as Army Abatement time, are fully credited, but no seniority is allowed.

(o) American citizens who are serving sentences in foreign countries and who are subsequently returned to this country under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. chapter 306 (Pub. L. 95-144) may have earned work, labor, or program time credits in the foreign country similar to extra good time earned under 18 U.S.C. 4162. Such foreign “extra good time” credits shall be treated as if awarded under § 523.16, Lump Sum Awards, with any future lump sum award consideration in this country calculated on the basis of time served in custody of the Bureau of Prisons. After return to this country an inmate may earn extra good time at the three-day rate and advance to the five-day rate after one year of seniority is accrued. No seniority is accrued for foreign “extra good time” credits.

(p) An inmate in extra good time earning status may not waive or refuse extra good time credits.

(q) Once extra good time is awarded, it becomes vested and may not be forfeited or withheld, or retroactively terminated or disallowed.

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3624(b), as in effect for offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987 but before April 26, 1996, an inmate earns 54 days credit toward service of sentence (good conduct time credit) for each year served. This amount is prorated when the time served by the inmate for the sentence during the year is less than a full year. The amount to be awarded is also subject to disciplinary disallowance (see tables 3 through 6 in § 541.13 of this chapter). Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3624(b), as in effect for offenses committed on or after April 26, 1996, the Bureau shall consider whether the inmate has earned, or is making satisfactory progress (see § 544.73(b) of this chapter) toward earning a General Educational Development (GED) credential before awarding good conduct time credit.

(a) When considering good conduct time for an inmate serving a sentence for an offense committed on or after April 26, 1996, the Bureau shall award:

(1) 54 days credit for each year served (prorated when the time served by the inmate for the sentence during the year is less than a full year) if the inmate has earned or is making satisfactory progress toward earning a GED credential or high school diploma; or

(2) 42 days credit for each year served (prorated when the time served by the inmate for the sentence during the year is less than a full year) if the inmate has not earned or is not making satisfactory progress toward earning a GED credential or high school diploma.

(b) The amount of good conduct time awarded for the year is also subject to disciplinary disallowance (see tables 3 through 6 in § 541.13 of this chapter).

Educational good time sentence credit is authorized by District of Columbia (D.C.) Code § 24-221.01, and reduces the amount of time to serve under a term of imprisonment. In these rules, we refer to D.C. educational good time as “DCEGT.”

You are eligible for DCEGT if:

(a) You are incarcerated in a Bureau of Prisons' (Bureau) institution or a Bureau contract facility;

(b) You are serving a term of imprisonment for a D.C. criminal code violation committed before August 5, 2000;

(c) Your Unit Team approved or designed a plan for you to complete a program designated by the Bureau as eligible for DCEGT;

(d) The Supervisor of Education (SOE) finds that you successfully completed a Bureau-designated education program on or after August 5, 1997; and

(e) You did not violate prison discipline rules while enrolled in the program (see § 523.33).

(a) You can earn 5 days DCEGT for each month you were enrolled in a designated program, up to the maximum amount designated by the Bureau for the type of program successfully completed.

(b) You are limited to 5 days per month DCEGT, even if enrolled in more than one designated program.

(c) Enrollment in a designated program for any portion of a calender month earns one full month's worth of DCEGT.

(d) You are not eligible for DCEGT which, if awarded, would make you past due for release.

(e) Once appropriately awarded, DCEGT vests, and cannot be forfeited.

Eligibility for DCEGT is limited in two ways:

(a) If you violate prison rules, you are not eligible for one month's worth of DCEGT for each disciplinary incident committed during the program enrollment period. A Discipline Hearing Officer, or other staff using procedures similar to those in 28 CFR 541.17, must determine that you committed a prohibited act.

(b) The nature of your offense may limit your eligibility for DCEGT under D.C. Code 24-221.01b or 24-221.06.

You can use the Administrative Remedy Program, 28 CFR 542.10 through 542.19, to challenge Bureau of Prisons decisions regarding DCEGT.

The Bureau of Prisons will consider a request made on behalf of a state or local court that an inmate be transferred to the physical custody of state or local agents pursuant to state writ of habeas corpus ad prosequendum or ad testificandum. The Warden at the institution in which the inmate is confined is authorized to approve this transfer in accordance with the provisions of this rule.

(a) These procedures apply to state and federal inmates serving sentences in federal institutions, and shall be followed prior to an inmate's transfer to state or local agents other than through the Interstate Agreement on Detainers.

(b) The Warden shall authorize transfer only when satisfied that the inmate's appearance is necessary, that state and local arrangements are satisfactory, that the safety or other interests of the inmate (such as an imminent parole hearing) are not seriously jeopardized, and that federal interests, which include those of the public, will not be interfered with, or harmed. Authorization may not be given where substantial concern exists over any of these considerations.

(c) The request for transfer of custody to state agents shall be made by the prosecutor or other authority who acts on behalf of the court and shall be directed to the Warden of the institution in which the inmate is confined. The request shall be made by letter. The request shall indicate the need for appearance of the inmate, name of the court, nature of the action, date of the requested appearance, name and phone number of the state agency or other organization with responsibility for transporting the inmate, the name and location where the inmate will be confined during legal proceedings, and anticipated date of return. For civil cases, the request shall also indicate the reason that production on writ is necessary and some other alternative is not available. The applying authority shall provide either at the time of application or with the agent assuming custody, a statement signed by an authorized official that state or local officials with custody will provide for the safekeeping, custody, and care of the inmate, will assume full responsibility for that custody, and will return the inmate to Bureau of Prisons' custody promptly on conclusion of the inmate's appearance in the state or local proceedings for which the writ is issued.

(d) A certified copy of the writ (one with the Seal of the Court) must be received at the institution prior to release of the inmate. Institution staff shall verify the authenticity of the writ.

(e) Institution staff shall maintain contact with the state or local law enforcement agency with responsibility for transfer of the inmate to determine the exact date and time for transfer of custody. If the inmate is awaiting federal trial or has federal civil proceedings pending, staff must clear the transfer through the U.S. Attorney.

(f) Institution staff shall determine from the state or local agency the names of the agents assuming custody. Staff must carefully examine the credentials of the agents assuming custody. In any doubtful case, verification should be sought.

(g) Transfers in civil cases pursuant to a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum must be cleared through both the Regional Counsel and the Warden. Transfer ordinarily shall be recommended only if the case is substantial, where testimony cannot be obtained through alternative means such as depositions or interrogatories, and where security arrangements permit. Postponement of the production until after the inmate's release from federal custody will always be considered, particularly if release is within twelve months.

(h) Release of inmates classified as Central Inmate Monitoring Cases requires review with and/or coordination by appropriate authorities in accordance with the provisions of 28 CFR part 524, subpart F.

For the purpose of this rule the following definitions apply.

(a) Treaty nation. A country which has entered into a treaty with the United States on the Execution of Penal Sentences.

(b) State prisoner. An inmate serving a sentence imposed in a court in one of the states of the United States, or in a territory or commonwealth of the United States.

(c) Departure institution. The Bureau of Prisons institution to which an eligible inmate is finally transferred for return to his or her country of citizenship.

(d) Admission institution. The Bureau of Prisons institution where a United States citizen-inmate is first received from a treaty nation.

(a) An inmate while in custody for civil contempt may not be considered for return to the inmate's country of citizenship for service of the sentence or commitment imposed in a United States court.

(b) An inmate with a committed fine may not be considered for return to the inmate's country of citizenship for service of a sentence imposed in a United States court without the permission of the court imposing the fine. When considered appropriate, the Warden may contact the sentencing court to request the court's permission to process the inmate's application for return to the inmate's country of citizenship.

(a) The Warden shall ensure that the institution's admission and orientation program includes information on international offender transfers.

(b) The case manager of an inmate who is a citizen of a treaty nation shall inform the inmate of the treaty and provide the inmate with an opportunity to inquire about transfer to the country of citizenship. The inmate is to be given an opportunity to indicate on an appropriate form whether he or she is interested in transfer to the country of citizenship.

(a) An inmate who is qualified for and desires to return to his or her country of citizenship for service of a sentence imposed in a United States Court shall indicate his or her interest by completing and signing the appropriate form and forwarding it to the Warden at the institution where the inmate is confined.

(b) Upon verifying that the inmate is qualified for transfer, the Warden shall forward all relevant information, including a complete classification package, to the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division.

(c) The Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall review the submitted material and forward it to the Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO), Criminal Division, International Prisoner Transfer Unit, Department of Justice, for review.

(d) The Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall ensure that the inmate is advised of the decision of OEO.

(1) When the Department of Justice determines that transfer is not appropriate, the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall ensure that the inmate is advised of this determination and informed that the inmate may request the reason(s) for such action from OEO.

(2) When the Department of Justice determines that transfer is appropriate, the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall ensure that the inmate is advised of the determination and of the probability that the inmate will be given an interview with his or her nation's consular officials.

(e) Upon notification from OEO of the treaty nation's decision in regard to the inmate's transfer, the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall arrange for the inmate to be informed of that decision.

(f) At an appropriate time subsequent to notification by the Department of Justice of an inmate's approval for transfer, the Assistant Director shall arrange for the inmate to be transferred to an appropriate departure institution.

(g) Prior to the inmate's transfer from the departure institution, the inmate shall receive a verification hearing before a U.S. Magistrate Judge or U.S. District Court Judge to document the inmate's voluntary consent for transfer. Counsel is provided the inmate for purpose of this hearing. When requested, the Warden shall allow counsel to interview the inmate prior to the hearing.

(h) Following the verification hearing, the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division shall arrange a schedule for delivery of the inmate to the authorities of the country of citizenship.

(1) The Assistant Director shall advise the Warden of those arrangements.

(2) The Warden shall arrange for the inmate to be transported to the foreign authorities. The Warden shall assure that required documentation (for example, proof of citizenship and appropriate travel documents) accompanies each inmate transported.

The Bureau of Prisons may assume custody of a state prisoner who has been approved for transfer to a treaty nation for the purpose of facilitating the transfer to the treaty nation. Once approved, the state is not required to contract for the placement of the prisoner in federal custody, nor to reimburse the United States for the cost of confinement (as would ordinarily be required by 18 U.S.C. 5003).

(a) Staff accepting custody of American inmates from a foreign authority shall ensure that the following documentation is available prior to accepting custody of the inmate:

(1) A certified copy of the sentence handed down by an appropriate, competent judicial authority of the transferring country and any modifications thereof;

(2) A statement (and a copy translated into English from the language of the country of origin if other than English), duly authenticated, detailing the offense for which the offender was convicted, the duration of the sentence, and the length of time already served by the inmate. Included should be statements of credits to which the offender is entitled, such as work done, good behavior, pre-trial confinement, etc.; and

(3) Citizenship papers necessary for the inmate to enter the United States.

(b) The Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall direct, in writing, specific staff, preferably staff who speak the language of the treaty nation, to escort the offender from the transporting country to the admission institution. The directive shall cite 28 CFR 0.96b as the authority to escort the offender. When the admission institution is not able to accept the inmate (for example, a female inmate escorted to a male institution), the Warden shall make appropriate housing requirements with a nearby jail.

(c) As soon as practicable after the inmate's arrival at the admission institution, staff shall initiate the following actions:

(1) Arrange for the inmate to receive a complete physical examination;

(2) Advise the local U.S. Probation Office of the inmate's arrival; and

(3) Notify the U.S. Parole Commission of the inmate's arrival and projected release date.

(d) If upon computation of sentence staff determine that an inmate is entitled to immediate release via mandatory release or expiration of sentence with credits applied, release procedures shall be implemented but only after receiving a medical clearance and the results of an FBI fingerprint check.

(a) General correspondence means incoming or outgoing correspondence other than special mail. General correspondence includes packages sent through the mail.

(1) Open general correspondence means general correspondence which is not limited to a list of authorized correspondents, except as provided in § 540.17.

(2) Restricted general correspondence means general correspondence which is limited to a list of authorized correspondents.

(b) Representatives of the news media means persons whose principal employment is to gather or report news for:

(1) A newspaper which qualifies as a general circulation newspaper in the community in which it is published. A newspaper is one of “general circulation” if it circulates among the general public and if it publishes news of a general character of general interest to the public such as news of political, religious, commercial, or social affairs. A key test to determine whether a newspaper qualifies as a “general circulation” newspaper is to determine whether the paper qualifies for the purpose of publishing legal notices in the community in which it is located or the area to which it distributes;

(2) A news magazine which has a national circulation and is sold by newsstands and by mail subscription to the general public;

(3) A national or international news service; or

(4) A radio or television news program, whose primary purpose is to report the news, of a station holding a Federal Communications Commission license.

(c) Special mail means correspondence sent to the following: President and Vice President of the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice (including the Bureau of Prisons), U.S. Attorneys Offices, Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service, Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, U.S. Courts (including U.S. Probation Officers), Members of the U.S. Congress, Embassies and Consulates, Governors, State Attorneys General, Prosecuting Attorneys, Directors of State Departments of Corrections, State Parole Commissioners, State Legislators, State Courts, State Probation Officers, other Federal and State law enforcement offices, attorneys, and representatives of the news media.

The Bureau of Prisons encourages correspondence that is directed to socially useful goals. The Warden shall establish correspondence procedures for inmates in each institution, as authorized and suggested in this rule.

The Warden shall establish at least one mail depository within the institution for an inmate to place outgoing correspondence. The Warden may establish a separate mail depository for outgoing special mail. Each item placed in a mail depository must contain a return address (see § 540.12(d)).

(a) The Warden shall establish and exercise controls to protect individuals, and the security, discipline, and good order of the institution. The size, complexity, and security level of the institution, the degree of sophistication of the inmates confined, and other variables require flexibility in correspondence procedures. All Wardens shall establish open general correspondence procedures.

(b) Staff shall inform each inmate in writing promptly after arrival at an institution of that institution's rules for handling of inmate mail. This notice includes the following statement:

(c) Staff shall inform an inmate that letters placed in the U.S. Mail are placed there at the request of the inmate and the inmate must assume responsibility for the contents of each letter. Correspondence containing threats, extortion, etc., may result in prosecution for violation of federal laws. When such material is discovered, the inmate may be subject to disciplinary action, the written material may be copied, and all material may be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for prosecution.

(d) The inmate is responsible for filling out the return address completely on envelopes provided for the inmate's use by the institution. If the inmate uses an envelope not provided by the institution, the inmate is responsible for ensuring that the envelope used contains all return address information listed on the envelope provided by the institution.

When correspondence is rejected, the Warden shall notify the sender in writing of the rejection and the reasons for the rejection. The Warden shall also give notice that the sender may appeal the rejection. The Warden shall also notify an inmate of the rejection of any letter addressed to that inmate, along with the reasons for the rejection and shall notify the inmate of the right to appeal the rejection. The Warden shall refer an appeal to an official other than the one who originally disapproved the correspondence. The Warden shall return rejected correspondence to the sender unless the correspondence includes plans for or discussion of commission of a crime or evidence of a crime, in which case there is no need to return the correspondence or give notice of the rejection, and the correspondence should be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities. Also, contraband need not be returned to the sender.

(a) Institution staff shall open and inspect all incoming general correspondence. Incoming general correspondence may be read as frequently as deemed necessary to maintain security or monitor a particular problem confronting an inmate.

(b) Except for “special mail,” outgoing mail from a pretrial inmate may not be sealed by the inmate and may be read and inspected by staff.

(c)(1) Outgoing mail from a sentenced inmate in a minimum or low security level institution may be sealed by the inmate and, except as provided for in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, is sent out unopened and uninspected. Staff may open a sentenced inmate's outgoing general correspondence:

(i) If there is reason to believe it would interfere with the orderly running of the institution, that it would be threatening to the recipient, or that it would facilitate criminal activity;

(ii) If the inmate is on a restricted correspondence list;

(iii) If the correspondence is between inmates (see § 540.17); or

(iv) If the envelope has an incomplete return address.

(2) Except for “special mail,” outgoing mail from a sentenced inmate in a medium or high security level institution, or an administrative institution may not be sealed by the inmate and may be read and inspected by staff.

(d) The Warden may reject correspondence sent by or to an imate if it is determined detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution, to the protection of the public, or if it might facilitate criminal activity. Correspondence which may be rejected by a Warden includes, but is not limited to, correspondence which contains any of the following:

(1) Matter which is nonmailable under law or postal regulations;

(2) Matter which depicts, describes, or encourages activities which may lead to the use of physical violence or group disruption;

(3) Information of escape plots, of plans to commit illegal activities, or to violate Bureau rules or institution guidelines;

(4) Direction of an inmate's business (See § 541.13, Prohibited Act No. 408). An inmate, unless a pre-trial detainee, may not direct a business while confined.

(5) Threats, extortion, obscenity, or gratuitous profanity;

(6) A code;

(7) Sexually explicit material (for example, personal photographs) which by its nature or content poses a threat to an individual's personal safety or security, or to institution good order; or

(8) Contraband. (See § 500.1 of this chapter. A package received without prior authorization by the Warden is considered to be contraband.)

(a) The Warden may place an inmate on restricted general correspondence based on misconduct or as a matter of classification. Determining factors include the inmate's:

(1) Involvement in any of the activities listed in § 540.14(d);

(2) Attempting to solicit funds or items (e.g., samples), or subscribing to a publication without paying for the subscription;

(3) Being a security risk;

(4) Threatening a government official; or

(5) Having committed an offense involving the mail.

(b) The Warden may limit to a reasonable number persons on the approved restricted general correspondence list of an inmate.

(c) The Warden shall use one of the following procedures before placing an inmate on restricted general correspondence.

(1) Where the restriction will be based upon an incident report, procedures must be followed in accordance with inmate disciplinary regulations (part 541, subpart B of this chapter).

(2) Where there is no incident report, the Warden:

(i) Shall advise the inmate in writing of the reasons the inmate is to be placed on restricted general correspondence;

(ii) Shall give the inmate the opportunity to respond to the classification or change in classification; the inmate has the option to respond orally or to submit written information or both; and

(iii) Shall notify the inmate of the decision and the reasons, and shall advise the inmate that the inmate may appeal the decision under the Administrative Remedy Procedure.

(d) When an inmate is placed on restricted general correspondence, the inmate may, except as provided in §§ 540.16 and 540.17:

(1) Correspond with the inmate's spouse, mother, father, children, and siblings, unless the correspondent is involved in an violation of correspondence regulations, or would be a threat to the security or good order of the institution;

(2) Request other persons also to be placed on the approved correspondence list, subject to investigation, evaluation, and approval by the Warden; with prior approval, the inmate may write to a proposed correspondence to obtain a release authorizing an investigation; and

(3) Correspond with former business associates, unless it appears to the Warden that the proposed correspondent would be a threat to the security or good order of the institution, or that the resulting correspondence could reasonably be expected to result in criminal activity. Correspondence with former business associates is limited to social matters.

(e) The Warden may allow an inmate additional correspondence with persons other than those on the inmate's approved mailing list when the correspondence is shown to be necessary and does not require an addition to the mailing list because it is not of an ongoing nature.

(a) The Warden shall permit an inmate in holdover status (i.e., enroute to a designated institution) to have correspondence privileges similar to those of other inmates insofar as practical.

(b) The Warden shall permit an inmate in segregation to have full correspondence privileges unless placed on restricted general correspondence under § 540.15.

An inmate may be permitted to correspond with an inmate confined in any other penal or correctional institution if the other inmate is either a member of the immediate family, or is a party or witness in a legal action in which both inmates are involved. Such correspondence may be approved in other exceptional circumstances, with particular regard to the security level of the institution, the nature of the relationship between the two inmates, and whether the inmate has other regular correspondence. The following additional limitations apply:

(a) Such correspondence at institutions of all security levels may always be inspected and read by staff at the sending and receiving institutions (it may not be sealed by the inmate); and

(b)(1) The appropriate unit manager at each institution must approve of the correspondence if both inmates are housed in Federal institutions and both inmates are members of the same immediate family or are a party or witness in a legal action in which both inmates are involved.

(2) The Wardens of both institutions must approve of the correspondence if one of the inmates is housed at a non-Federal institution or if approval is being granted on the basis of exceptional circumstances.

(a) The Warden shall open incoming special mail only in the presence of the inmate for inspection for physical contraband and the qualification of any enclosures as special mail. The correspondence may not be read or copied if the sender is adequately identified on the envelope, and the front of the envelope is marked “Special Mail—Open only in the presence of the inmate”.

(b) In the absence of either adequate identification or the “special mail” marking indicated in paragraph (a) of this section appearing on the envelope, staff may treat the mail as general correspondence and may open, inspect, and read the mail.

(c)(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, outgoing special mail may be sealed by the inmate and is not subject to inspection.

(2) Special mail shall be screened in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section when the special mail is being sent by an inmate who has been placed on restricted special mail status.

(i) An inmate may be placed on restricted special mail status if the Warden, with the concurrence of the Regional Counsel, documents in writing that the special mail either has posed a threat or may pose a threat of physical harm to the recipient (e.g., the inmate has previously used special mail to threaten physical harm to a recipient).

(ii) The Warden shall notify the inmate in writing of the reason the inmate is being placed on restricted special mail status.

(iii) An inmate on restricted special mail status must present all materials and packaging intended to be sent as special mail to staff for inspection. Staff shall inspect the special mail material and packaging, in the presence of the inmate, for contraband. If the intended recipient of the special mail has so requested, staff may read the special mail for the purpose of verifying that the special mail does not contain a threat of physical harm. Upon completion of the inspection, staff shall return the special mail material to the inmate if the material does not contain contraband, or contain a threat of physical harm to the intended recipient. The inmate must then seal the special mail material in the presence of staff and immediately give the sealed special mail material to the observing staff for delivery. Special mail determined to pose a threat to the intended recipient shall be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement entity. Staff shall send a copy of the material, minus the contraband, to the intended recipient along with notification that the original of the material was forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement entity.

(iv) The Warden shall review an inmate's restricted special mail status at least once every 180 days. The inmate is to be notified of the results of this review. An inmate may be removed from restricted special mail status if the Warden determines, with the concurrence of the Regional Counsel, that the special mail does not threaten or pose a threat of physical harm to the intended recipient.

(v) An inmate on restricted mail status may seek review of the restriction through the Administrative Remedy Program.

(d) Except for special mail processed in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section, staff shall stamp the following statement directly on the back side of the inmate's outgoing special mail: “The enclosed letter was processed through special mailing procedures for forwarding to you. The letter has neither been opened nor inspected. If the writer raises a question or problem over which this facility has jurisdiction, you may wish to return the material for further information or clarification. If the writer encloses correspondence for forwarding to another addressee, please return the enclosure to the above address.”

(a) Staff shall mark each envelope of incoming legal mail (mail from courts or attorneys) to show the date and time of receipt, the date and time the letter is delivered to an inmate and opened in the inmate's presence, and the name of the staff member who delivered the letter. The inmate may be asked to sign as receiving the incoming legal mail. This paragraph applies only if the sender has marked the envelope as specified in § 540.18.

(b) The inmate is responsible for advising any attorney that correspondence will be handled as special mail only if the envelope is marked with the attorney's name and an indication that the person is an attorney, and the front of the envelope is marked “Special Mail—Open only in the presence of the inmate”. Legal mail shall be opened in accordance with special mail procedures (see § 540.18).

(c) Grounds for the limitation or denial of an attorney's correspondence rights or privileges are stated in part 543, subpart B. If such action is taken, the Warden shall give written notice to the attorney and the inmate affected.

(d) In order to send mail to an attorney's assistant or to a legal aid student or assistant, an inmate shall address the mail to the attorney or legal aid supervisor, or the legal organization or firm, to the attention of the student or assistant.

(e) Mail to an inmate from an attorney's assistant or legal aid student or assistant, in order to be identified and treated by staff as special mail, must be properly identified on the envelope as required in paragraph (b) of this section, and must be marked on the front of the envelope as being mail from the attorney or from the legal aid supervisor.

(a) An inmate may write through “special mail” to representatives of the news media specified by name or title (see § 540.2(b)).

(b) The inmate may not receive compensation or anything of value for correspondence with the news media. The inmate may not act as reporter or publish under a byline.

(c) Representatives of the news media may initiate correspondence with an inmate. Staff shall open incoming correspondence from representatives of the media and inspect for contraband, for its qualification as media correspondence, and for content which is likely to promote either illegal activity or conduct contrary to Bureau regulations.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d), (e), (f), and (i) of this section, postage charges are the responsibility of the inmate. The Warden shall ensure that the inmate commissary has postage stamps available for purchase by inmates.

(b) Writing paper and envelopes are provided at no cost to the inmate. Inmates who use their own envelopes must place a return address on the envelope (see § 540.12(d)).

(c) Inmate organizations will purchase their own postage.

(d) An inmate who has neither funds nor sufficient postage and who wishes to mail legal mail (includes courts and attorneys) or Administrative Remedy forms will be provided the postage stamps for such mailing. To prevent abuses of this provision, the Warden may impose restrictions on the free legal and administrative remedy mailings.

(e) When requested by an inmate who has neither funds nor sufficient postage, and upon verification of this status by staff, the Warden shall provide the postage stamps for mailing a reasonable number of letters at government expense to enable the inmate to maintain community ties. To prevent abuses of this provision, the Warden may impose restrictions on the free mailings.

(f) Mailing at government expense is also allowed for necessary correspondence in verified emergency situations for inmates with neither funds nor sufficient postage.

(g) Inmates must sign for all stamps issued to them by institution staff.

(h) Mail received with postage due is not ordinarily accepted by the Bureau of Prisons.

(i) Holdovers and pre-trial commitments will be provided a reasonable number of stamps for the mailing of letters at government expense.

(j) Inmates may not be permitted to receive stamps or stamped items (e.g., envelopes embossed with stamps, postal cards with postage affixed) other than by issuance from the institution or by purchase from commissary.

(a) An inmate, at no cost to the government, may send correspondence by registered, certified, or insured mail, and may request a return receipt.

(b) An inmate may insure outgoing personal correspondence (e.g., a package containing the inmate's hobbycrafts) by completing the appropriate form and applying sufficient postage.

(1) In the event of loss or damage, any claim relative to this matter is made to the U.S. Postal Service, either by the inmate or the recipient. The U.S. Postal Service will only indemnify a piece of insured mail for the actual value of an item, regardless of declared value.

(2) Inmate packages forwarded as a result of institution administration are considered official mail, except as otherwise specified (for example, hobbycraft articles mailed out of the institution). Official mail is not insured. If such an item is subsequently lost or damaged in the mail process the inmate may file a tort claim with the Bureau of Prisons (see part 543, subpart C of this chapter).

(c) Certified mail is sent first class at the inmate's expense.

(d) An inmate may not be provided such services as express mail, COD, private carriers, or stamp collecting while confined.

Except as provided for in part 506 of this chapter, funds enclosed in inmate correspondence are to be rejected. Deposits intended for the inmate's commissary account must be mailed directly to the centralized commissary account (see 28 CFR part 506).

Staff shall open and inspect for contraband all undelivered mail returned to an institution by the Post Office before returning it to the inmate. The purpose of this inspection is to determine if the content originated with the inmate sender identified on the letter or package; to prevent the transmission of material, substances, and property which an inmate is not permitted to possess in the institution; and to determine that the mail was not opened or tampered with before its return to the institution. Any remailing is at the inmate's expense. Any returned mail qualifying as “special mail” is opened and inspected for contraband in the inmate's presence.

(a) Staff shall make available to an inmate who is being released or transferred appropriate Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Postal Service forms for change of address.

(b) Inmates are responsible for informing their correspondents of a change of address.

(c) Postage for mailing change of address cards is paid by the inmate.

(d) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) through (g) of this section, all mail received for a released or transferred inmate will be returned to the U.S. Postal Service for disposition in accordance with U.S. Postal Service regulations.

(e) Staff shall use all means practicable to forward special mail.

(f) Staff shall forward inmate general correspondence to the new address for a period of 30 days.

(g) Staff shall permit an inmate released temporarily on writ to elect either to have general correspondence held at the institution for a period not to exceed 30 days, or returned to the U.S. Postal Service for disposition.

(1) If the inmate refuses to make this election, staff at the institution shall document this refusal, and any reasons, in the inmate's central file. Staff shall return to the U.S. Postal Service all general correspondence received for such as inmate after the inmate's departure.

(2) If the inmate does not return from writ within the time indicated, staff shall return to the U.S. Postal Service all general correspondence being held for that inmate for disposition in accordance with postal regulations.

The Bureau of Prisons encourages visiting by family, friends, and community groups to maintain the morale of the inmate and to develop closer relationships between the inmate and family members or others in the community. The Warden shall develop procedures consistent with this rule to permit inmate visiting. The Warden may restrict inmate visiting when necessary to ensure the security and good order of the institution.

The Warden shall have the visiting room arranged so as to provide adequate supervision, adapted to the degree of security required by the type of institution. The Warden shall ensure that the visiting area is as comfortable and pleasant as practicable, and appropriately furnished and arranged. If space is available, the Warden shall have a portion of the visiting room equipped and set up to provide facilities for the children of visitors.

(a) Institutions of minimum and low security levels may permit visits beyond the security perimeter, but always under supervision of staff.

(b) Institutions of medium and high security levels, and administrative institutions may establish outdoor visiting, but it will always be inside the security perimeter and always under supervision of staff.

(a) Each Warden shall establish a visiting schedule for the institution. At a minimum, the Warden shall establish visiting hours at the institution on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The restriction of visiting to these days may be a hardship for some families and arrangements for other suitable hours shall be made to the extent practicable. Where staff resources permit, the Warden may establish evening visiting hours.

(b) Consistent with available resources, such as space limitations and staff availability, and with concerns of institution security, the Warden may limit the visiting period. With respect to weekend visits, for example, some or all inmates and visitors may be limited to visiting on Saturday or on Sunday, but not on both days, in order to accommodate the volume of visitors. There is no requirement that every visitor has the opportunity to visit on both days of the weekend, nor that every inmate has the opportunity to have visits on both days of the weekend.

The Warden shall allow each inmate a minimum of four hours visiting time per month. The Warden may limit the length or frequency of visits only to avoid chronic overcrowding. The Warden may establish a guideline for the maximum number of persons who may visit an inmate at one time, to prevent overcrowding in the visiting room or unusual difficulty in supervising a visit. Exceptions may be made to any local guideline when indicated by special circumstances, such as distance the visitor must travel, frequency of the inmate's visits, or health problems of the inmate or visitor.

An inmate desiring to have regular visitors must submit a list of proposed visitors to the designated staff. See § 540.45 for qualification as special visitor. Staff are to compile a visiting list for each inmate after suitable investigation in accordance with § 540.51(b) of this part. The list may include:

(a) Members of the immediate family. These persons include mother, father, step-parents, foster parents, brothers and sisters, spouse, and children. These individuals are placed on the visiting list, absent strong circumstances which preclude visiting.

(b) Other relatives. These persons include grandparents, uncles, aunts, in-laws, and cousins. They may be placed on the approved list if the inmate wishes to have visits from them regularly and if there exists no reason to exclude them.

(c) Friends and associates. The visiting privilege ordinarily will be extended to friends and associates having an established relationship with the inmate prior to confinement, unless such visits could reasonably create a threat to the security and good order of the institution. Exceptions to the prior relationship rule may be made, particularly for inmates without other visitors, when it is shown that the proposed visitor is reliable and poses no threat to the security or good order of the institution.

(d) Persons with prior criminal convictions. The existence of a criminal conviction alone does not preclude visits. Staff shall give consideration to the nature, extent and recentness of convictions, as weighed against the security considerations of the institution. Specific approval of the Warden may be required before such visits take place.

(e) Children under sixteen. Children under the age of 16 may not visit unless accompanied by a responsible adult. Children shall be kept under supervision of a responsible adult or a children's program. Exceptions in unusual circumstances may be made by special approval of the Warden.

Persons in the categories listed in this section may qualify as special visitors rather than as regular visitors. Visits by special visitors ordinarily are for a specific purpose and ordinarily are not of a recurring nature. Except as specified, the conditions of visiting for special visitors are the same as for regular visitors.

(a) Business visitor. Except for pretrial inmates, an inmate is not permitted to engage actively in a business or profession. An inmate who was engaged in a business or profession prior to commitment is expected to assign authority for the operation of such business or profession to a person in the community. Pretrial inmates may be allowed special visitors for the purpose of protecting the pretrial inmate's business interests. In those instances where an inmate has turned over the operation of a business or profession to another person, there still may be an occasion where a decision must be made which will substantially affect the assets or prospects of the business. The Warden accordingly may permit a special business visit in such cases. The Warden may waive the requirement for the existence of an established relationship prior to confinement for visitors approved under this paragraph.

(b) Consular visitors. When it has been determined that an inmate is a citizen of a foreign country, the Warden must permit the consular representative of that country to visit on matters of legitimate business. The Warden may not withhold this privilege even though the inmate is in disciplinary status. The requirement for the existence of an established relationship prior to confinement does not apply to consular visitors.

(c) Representatives of community groups. The Warden may approve visits on a recurring basis to representatives from community groups (for example, civic, volunteer, or religious organizations) who are acting in their official capacity. These visits may be for the purpose of meeting with an individual inmate or with a group of inmates. The requirement for the existence of an established relationship prior to confinement for visitors does not apply to representatives of community groups.

(d) Clergy, former or prospective employers, sponsors, and parole advisors. Visitors in this category ordinarily provide assistance in release planning, counseling, and discussion of family problems. The requirement for the existence of an established relationship prior to confinement for visitors does not apply to visitors in this category.

Requirements for attorney visits are governed by the provisions on inmate legal activities (see §§ 543.12 through 543.16 of this chapter). Provisions pertinent to attorney visits for pretrial inmates are contained in § 551.117 of this chapter.

Requirements for media visits are governed by the provisions on contact with news media (see subpart E of this part). A media representative who wishes to visit outside his or her official duties, however, must qualify as a regular visitor or, if applicable, a special visitor.

The Warden shall ensure that directions for transportation to and from the institution are provided for the approved visitor (see § 540.51(b)(4)). Directions for transportation to and from the institution and pay phone service, with commercial transportation phone numbers posted, are also to be made available at the institution to assist visitors.

(a) Admission and holdover status. The Warden may limit to the immediate family of the inmate visits during the admission-orientation period or for holdovers where there is neither a visiting list from a transferring institution nor other verification of proposed visitors.

(b) Hospital patients. (1) When visitors request to see an inmate who is hospitalized in the institution, the Chief Medical Officer (or, in his absence, the Health Services Administrator), in consultation with the Captain, shall determine whether a visit may occur, and if so, whether it may be held in the hospital.

(2) Visits to inmates hospitalized in the community may be restricted to only the immediate family and are subject to the general visiting policy of that hospital.

(c) Detention or segregation status. Ordinarily, an inmate retains visiting privileges while in detention or segregation status. Visiting may be restricted or disallowed, however, when an inmate, while in detention or segregation status, is charged with, or has been found to have committed, a prohibited act having to do with visiting guidelines or has otherwise acted in a way that would reasonably indicate that he or she would be a threat to the orderliness or security of the visiting room. Loss of an inmate's visiting privileges for other reasons may not occur unless the inmate is provided a hearing before the Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) in accordance with the provisions of § 541.17 of this chapter, following those provisions which are appropriate to the circumstances, which results in a finding by the DHO that the inmate committed a prohibited act and that there is a lack of other appropriate sanctions or that imposition of an appropriate sanction previously has been ineffective. The Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) may not impose a loss of visiting privileges for inmates in detention or segregation status. The provisions of this paragraph (c) do not interrupt or delay a loss of visiting sanction imposed by the UDC or DHO prior to the inmate's placement in detention or segregation status.

(a) Responsibility. The Warden of the institution shall establish and enforce local visiting guidelines in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Prisons.

(b) Preparation of the list of visitors. (1) Staff shall ask each inmate to submit during the admission-orientation process a list of proposed visitors. After appropriate investigation, staff shall compile a visiting list for each inmate and distribute that list to the inmate and the visiting room officer.

(2) Staff may request background information from potential visitors who are not members of the inmate's immediate family, before placing them on the inmate's approved visiting list. When little or no information is available on the inmate's potential visitor, visiting may be denied, pending receipt and review of necessary information, including information which is available on the inmate and/or the inmate's offense, including alleged offenses.

(3) If a background investigation is necessary before approving a visitor, the inmate shall be held responsible for mailing a release authorization form to the proposed visitor. That form must be signed and returned to staff by the proposed visitor prior to any further action regarding visiting. Upon receipt of the authorization form, staff may then forward a questionnaire, along with the release authorization, to the appropriate law enforcement or crime information agency.

(4) Staff shall notify the inmate of each approval or disapproval of a requested person for the visiting list. Upon approval of each visitor, staff shall provide the inmate a copy of the visiting guidelines and with directions for transportation to and from the institution. The inmate is responsible for notifying the visitor of the approval or disapproval to visit and is expected to provide the approved visitors with a copy of the visiting guidelines and directions for transportation to and from the institution. The visiting guidelines shall include specific directions for reaching the institution and shall cite 18 U.S.C. 1791, which provides a penalty of imprisonment for not more than twenty years, a fine, or both for providing or attempting to provide to an inmate anything whatsoever without the knowledge and consent of the Warden.

(5) An inmate's visiting list may be amended at any time in accordance with the procedures of this section.

(c) Verification of special visitor credentials. Staff must verify the qualifications of special visitors. Staff may request background information and official assignment documentation from the potential visitor for this purpose.

(d) Identification of visitors. Staff shall verify the identity of each visitor (through driver's license, photo identification, etc.) prior to admission of the visitor to the institution.

(e) Notification to visitors. Staff shall make available to all visitors written guidelines for visiting the institution. Staff shall have the visitor sign a statement acknowledging that the guidelines were provided and declaring that the visitor does not have any articles in his/her possession which the visitor knows to be a threat to the security of the institution. Staff may deny the visiting privilege to a visitor who refuses to make such a declaration.

(f) Searching visitors. Staff may require a visitor to submit to a personal search, including a search of any items of personal property, as a condition of allowing or continuing a visit.

(g) Record of visitors. The Warden shall maintain a record of visitors to each inmate. The visitor's signature may be required on that record and shall be required on at least one visiting log or record maintained by the institution.

(h) Supervision of visits. Staff shall supervise each inmate visit to prevent the passage of contraband and to ensure the security and good order of the institution. The Warden may establish procedures to enable monitoring of the visiting area, including restrooms located within the visiting area. The Warden must provide notice to both visitors and inmates of the potential for monitoring the visiting area. The Warden may monitor a visitor restroom within the visiting area when there is reasonable suspicion that a visitor and/or an inmate is engaged, or attempting or about to engage, in criminal behavior or other prohibited behavior.

(1) The visiting room officer shall ensure that all visits are conducted in a quiet, orderly, and dignified manner. The visiting room officer may terminate visits that are not conducted in the appropriate manner. See 28 CFR 541.12, item 5, for description of an inmate's responsibility during visits.

(2) Staff shall permit limited physical contact, such as handshaking, embracing, and kissing, between an inmate and a visitor, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that such contact would jeopardize the safety or security of the institution. Where contact visiting is provided, handshaking, embracing, and kissing are ordinarily permitted within the bounds of good taste and only at the beginning and at the end of the visit. The staff may limit physical contact to minimize opportunity for the introduction of contraband and to maintain the orderly operation of the visiting area.

(3) The visiting room officer may not accept articles or gifts of any kind for an inmate, except packages which have had prior approval by the Warden or a designated staff member.

(4) The visiting room officer shall be aware of any articles passed between the inmate and the visitor. If there is any reasonable basis to believe that any item is being passed which constitutes contraband or is otherwise in violation of the law or Bureau regulations, the visiting room officer may examine the item.

Any act or effort to violate the visiting guidelines of an institution may result in disciplinary action against the inmate, which may include the denial of future visits, possibly over an extended period of time. Moreover, criminal prosecution may be initiated against the visitor, the inmate, or both, in the case of criminal violations.

The Bureau of Prisons recognizes the desirability of establishing a policy that affords the public information about its operations via the news media. Representatives of the news media (see § 540.2) may visit institutions for the purpose of preparing reports about the institution, programs, and activities. It is not the intent of this rule to provide publicity for an inmate or special privileges for the news media, but rather to insure a better informed public. The Bureau of Prisons also has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of inmates and members of the staff. Therefore, an interview in an institution must be regulated to insure the orderly and safe operation of the institution.

(a) A news media representative who desires to make a visit or conduct an interview at an institution must make application in writing to the Warden, indicating that he or she is familiar with the rules and regulations of the institution and agrees to comply with them.

(b) As a condition of authorizing interviews and making facilities available to conduct an interview, the news media representative shall recognize a professional responsibility to make reasonable attempts to verify any allegations regarding an inmate, staff member or institution.

(c) A representative of the news media is requested to provide the Bureau of Prisons an opportunity to respond to any allegation, which might be published or broadcast prior to distribution.

(d) A representative of the news media shall collect information only from the primary source. A representative of the news media may not obtain and use personal information from one inmate about another inmate who refuses to be interviewed.

(e) The Warden may be contacted concerning discussions or comments regarding applicability of any rule or order.

(f) Failure to adhere to the standards of conduct set forth by this rule for the news media representative constitutes grounds for denying that news media representative, or the news organization which he or she represents, permission to conduct an interview.

(g) Any questions as to the meaning or application of this subpart are resolved by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.

(a) A media representative shall make advance appointments for visits.

(b) When media representatives visit the institutions, photographs of programs and activities may be taken, and media representatives may meet with groups of inmates engaged in authorized programs and activities. An inmate has the right not to be photographed and not to have his or her voice recorded by the media. A visiting representative of the media is required to obtain written permission from an inmate before photographing or recording the voice of an inmate participating in authorized programs and activities.

(c) The Warden may suspend all media visits during an institutional emergency and for a reasonable time after the emergency.

(d) An inmate currently confined in an institution may not be employed or act as a reporter or publish under a byline.

(e) Interviews by reporters and others not included in § 540.2 may be permitted only by special arrangement and with approval of the Warden.

(a) An inmate may not receive compensation or anything of value for interviews with the news media.

(b) Either an inmate or a representative of the news media may initiate a request for a personal interview at an institution.

(c) Visits by the news media to conduct personal interviews are subject to the same conditions stated in § 540.62. A media representative shall make a request for personal interview within a reasonable time prior to the personal interview.

(d) Staff shall notify an inmate of each interview request, and shall, as a prerequisite, obtain from the inmate written consent for the interview prior to the interview taking place. The written consent or denial becomes part of the inmate's central file.

(e) As a prerequisite to granting the interview, an inmate must authorize the institutional staff to respond to comments made in the interview and to release information to the news media relative to the inmate's comments.

(f) The Warden shall normally approve or disapprove an interview request within 24 to 48 hours of the request.

(g) The Warden shall document any disapproval. A request for interview may be denied for any of the following reasons.

(1) The news media representative, or the news organization which he or she represents, does not agree to the conditions established by this subpart or has, in the past, failed to abide by the required conditions.

(2) The inmate is physically or mentally unable to participate. This must be supported by a medical officer's statement (a psychologist may be used to verify mental incapacity) to be placed in the inmate's record, substantiating the reason for disapproval.

(3) The inmate is a juvenile (under age 18) and written consent has not been obtained from the inmate's parent or guardian. If the juvenile inmate's parents or guardians are not known or their addresses are not known, the Warden of the institution shall notify the representative of the news media of the inmate's status as a juvenile, and shall then consider the request.

(4) The interview, in the opinion of the Warden, would endanger the health or safety of the interviewer, or would probably cause serious unrest or disturb the good order of the institution.

(5) The inmate is involved in a pending court action and the court having jurisdiction has issued an order forbidding such interviews.

(6) In the case of unconvicted persons (including competency commitments under 18 U.S.C. 4244 and 4246) held in federal institutions, interviews are not authorized until there is clearance with the court having jurisdiction, ordinarily through the U.S. Attorney's Office.

(7) The inmate is a “protection” case and revelation of his or her whereabouts would endanger the inmate's safety.

(h) Interviews are normally held in the institution visiting room during normal weekday business hours. The Warden may:

(1) Determine that another location is more suitable for conducting the interview;

(2) Limit interview time for the entire institution if the Warden determines that the interviews are imposing a serious drain on staff or use of the facilities;

(3) Limit to one one-hour interview per month for an inmate in segregation, restricted, holdover, control unit, or hospital status if required by special security, custodial, or supervisory needs; and

(4) Limit the amount of audio, video, and film equipment or number of media personnel entering the institution if the Warden determines that the requested equipment or personnel would create a disruption within the institution.

(i) In conjunction with the personal interview, if the member of the media wishes to tour the institution, he or she must comply with the provisions of § 540.61.

(j) Interviews are not subject to auditory supervision.

(a) The Warden may establish a press pool whenever he or she determines that the frequency of requests for interviews and visits reaches a volume that warrants limitations.

(b) Whenever the Warden establishes a press pool, the Warden shall notify all news media representatives who have requested interviews or visits that have not been conducted. Selected representatives are admitted to the institution to conduct the interviews under the specific guidelines established by the Warden.

(c) All members of the press pool are selected by their peers and consist of not more than one representative from each of the following groups:

(1) The national and international news services;

(2) The television and radio networks and outlets;

(3) The news magazines and newspapers; and

(4) All media in the local community where the institution is located. If no interest has been expressed by one or more of these groups, no representative from such group need be selected.

(d) All news material generated by such a press pool is made available to all media without right of first publication or broadcast.

(a) The Warden shall promptly make announcements stating the facts of unusual, newsworthy incidents to local news media. Examples are deaths, inside escapes, and institution emergencies.

(b) The Warden shall provide information about an inmate that is a matter of public record to the representatives of the media upon request. The information is limited to the inmate's:

(1) Name;

(2) Register number;

(3) Place of incarceration;

(4) Age;

(5) Race;

(6) Conviction and sentencing data: this includes the offense(s) for which convicted, the court where convicted, the date of sentencing, the length of sentence(s), the amount of good time earned, the parole eligibility date and parole release (presumptive or effective) date, and the date of expiration of sentence, and includes previous Federal, state, and local convictions;

(7) Past movement via transfers or writs;

(8) General institutional assignments.

(c) Information in paragraphs (b)(1) through (8) of this section may not be released if confidential for protection cases.

(d) A request for additional information concerning an inmate by a representative of the news media is referred to the Public Information Officer, Central Office, Washington, DC.

(e) The Public Information Officer, Central Office, Washington, DC shall release all announcements related to:

(1) Bureau of Prisons policy;

(2) Changes in an institutional mission;

(3) Type of inmate population; or

(4) Changes in executive personnel.

Except when precluded by statute (see § 540.72), the Bureau of Prisons permits an inmate to subscribe to or to receive publications without prior approval and has established procedures to determine if an incoming publication is detrimental to the security, discipline, or good order of the institution or if it might facilitate criminal activity. The term publication, as used in this subpart, means a book, booklet, pamphlet, or similar document, or a single issue of a magazine, periodical, newsletter, newspaper, plus such other materials addressed to a specific inmate such as advertising brochures, flyers, and catalogs.

(a)(1) At all Bureau institutions, an inmate may receive hardcover publications and newspaper only from the publisher, from a book club, or from a bookstore.

(2) At medium security, high security, and administrative institutions, an inmate may receive softcover publications (for example, paperback books, newspaper, clippings, magazines, and other similar items) only from the publisher, from a book club, or from a bookstore.

(3) At minimum security and low security institutions, an inmate any receive softcover publications (other than newspapers) from any source.

(4) The Unit Manager may make an exception to the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section of the publication is no longer available from the publisher, book club, or bookstore. The Unit Manager shall require that the inmate provide written documentation that the publication is no longer available from these sources. The approval or disapproval of any request for an exception is to be documented, in writing, on an Authorization to Receive a Package form which will be used to secure the item.

(b) The Warden may reject a publication only if it is determined detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution or if it might facilitate criminal activity. The Warden may not reject a publication solely because its content is religious, philosophical, political, social or sexual, or because its content is unpopular or repugnant. Publications which may be rejected by a Warden include but are not limited to publications which meet one of the following criteria:

(1) It depicts or describes procedures for the construction or use of weapons, ammunition, bombs or incendiary devices;

(2) It depicts, encourages, or describes methods of escape from correctional facilities, or contains blueprints, drawings or similar descriptions of Bureau of Prisons institutions;

(3) It depicts or describes procedures for the brewing of alcoholic beverages, or the manufacture of drugs;

(4) It is written in code;

(5) It depicts, describes or encourages activities which may lead to the use of physical violence or group disruption;

(6) It encourages or instructs in the commission of criminal activity;

(7) It is sexually explicit material which by its nature or content poses a threat to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution, or facilitates criminal activity.

(c) The Warden may not establish an excluded list of publications. This means the Warden shall review the individual publication prior to the rejection of that publication. Rejection of several issues of a subscription publication is not sufficient reason to reject the subscription publication in its entirety.

(d) Where a publication is found unacceptable, the Warden shall promptly advise the inmate in writing of the decision and the reasons for it. The notice must contain reference to the specific article(s) or material(s) considered objectionable. The Warden shall permit the inmate an opportunity to review this material for purposes of filing an appeal under the Administrative Remedy Program unless such review may provide the inmate with information of a nature which is deemed to pose a threat or detriment to the security, good order or discipline of the institution or to encourage or instruct in criminal activity.

(e) The Warden shall provide the publisher or sender of an unacceptable publication a copy of the rejection letter. The Warden shall advise the publisher or sender that he may obtain an independent review of the rejection by writing to the Regional Director within 20 days of receipt of the rejection letter. The Warden shall return the rejected publication to the publisher or sender of the material unless the inmate indicates an intent to file an appeal under the Administrative Remedy Program, in which case the Warden shall retain the rejected material at the institution for review. In case of appeal, if the rejection is sustained, the rejected publication shall be returned when appeal or legal use is completed.

(f) The Warden may set limits locally (for fire, sanitation or housekeeping reasons) on the number or volume of publications an inmate may receive or retain in his quarters. The Warden may authorize an inmate additional storage space for storage of legal materials in accordance with the Bureau of Prisons procedures on personal property of inmates.

(a) When commercially published information or material may not be distributed by staff or made available to inmates due to statutory restrictions (for example, a prohibition on the use of appropriated funds to distribute or make available to inmates information or material which is sexually explicit or features nudity), the Warden or designee shall return the information or material to the publisher or sender. The Warden or designee shall advise the publisher or sender that an independent review of the decision may be obtained by writing to the Regional Director within 20 days of receipt of the notification letter. Staff shall provide the inmate with written notice of the action.

(b) Definitions. For the purpose of this section:

(1) Commercially published information or material means any book, booklet, pamphlet, magazine, periodical, newsletter, photograph or other pictorial depiction, or similar document, including stationery and greeting cards, published by any individual, organization, company, or corporation which is distributed or made available through any means or media for a commercial purpose. This definition includes any portion extracted, photocopied, or clipped from such items.

(2) Nudity means a pictorial depiction where genitalia or female breasts are exposed.

(3) Features means the publication contains depictions of nudity or sexually explicit conduct on a routine or regular basis or promotes itself based upon such depictions in the case of individual one-time issues. Publications containing nudity illustrative of medical, educational, or anthropological content may be excluded from this definition.

(4) Sexually explicit means a pictorial depiction of actual or simulated sexual acts including sexual intercourse, oral sex, or masturbation.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons extends telephone privileges to inmates as part of its overall correctional management. Telephone privileges are a supplemental means of maintaining community and family ties that will contribute to an inmate's personal development. An inmate may request to call a person of his or her choice outside the institution on a telephone provided for that purpose. However, limitations and conditions may be imposed upon an inmate's telephone privileges to ensure that these are consistent with other aspects of the Bureau's correctional management responsibilities. In addition to the procedures set forth in this subpart, inmate telephone use is subject to those limitations which the Warden determines are necessary to ensure the security or good order, including discipline, of the institution or to protect the public. Restrictions on inmate telephone use may also be imposed as a disciplinary sanction (see 28 CFR part 541).

(b) Except as provided in this rule, the Warden shall permit an inmate who has not been restricted from telephone use as the result of a specific institutional disciplinary sanction to make at least one telephone call each month.

(a) Telephone list preparation. An inmate telephone call shall ordinarily be made to a number identified on the inmate's official telephone list. This list ordinarily may contain up to 30 numbers. The Associate Warden may authorize the placement of additional numbers on an inmate's telephone list based on the inmate's individual situation, e.g., size of family.

(1) During the admission and orientation process, an inmate who chooses to have telephone privileges shall prepare a proposed telephone list. At the time of submission, the inmate shall acknowledge that, to the best of the inmate's knowledge, the person or persons on the list are agreeable to receiving the inmate's telephone call and that the proposed calls are to be made for a purpose allowable under Bureau policy or institution guidelines.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, telephone numbers requested by an inmate will ordinarily be placed on the inmate's telephone list. When an inmate requests the placement of numbers for persons other than for immediate family or those persons already approved for the inmate's visiting list, staff ordinarily will notify those persons in writing that their numbers have been placed on the inmate's telephone list. The notice advises the recipient that the recipient's number will be removed from the list if the recipient makes a written request to the institution, or upon the written request of the inmate, or as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.

(3) The Associate Warden may deny placement of a telephone number on an inmate's telephone list if the Associate Warden determines that there is a threat to institution security or good order, or a threat to the public. Any disapproval must be documented in writing to both the inmate and the proposed recipient. As with concerns about any correctional issue, including any portion of these telephone regulations, an inmate may appeal the denial through the administrative remedy procedure (see 28 CFR part 542). The Associate Warden will notify the denied recipient that he or she may appeal the denial by writing to the Warden within 15 days of the receipt of the denial.

(b) Telephone list update. Each Warden shall establish procedures to allow an inmate the opportunity to submit telephone list changes on at least a quarterly basis.

(c) Telephone access codes. An inmate may not possess another inmate's telephone access code number. An inmate may not give his or her telephone access code number to another inmate, and is to report a compromised telephone access code number immediately to unit staff.

(d) Placement and duration of telephone call. The placement and duration of any telephone call is subject to availability of inmate funds. Ordinarily, an inmate who has sufficient funds is allowed at least three minutes for a telephone call. The Warden may limit the maximum length of telephone calling based on the situation at that institution (e.g., institution population or usage demand).

(e) Exception. The Warden may allow the placement of collect calls for good cause. Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to, inmates who are new arrivals to the institution, including new commitments and transfers; inmates confined at Metropolitan Correctional Centers, Metropolitan Detention Centers, or Federal Detention Centers; pretrial inmates; inmates in holdover status; inmates who are without funds (see § 540.105(b)); and in cases of family emergencies.

The Warden shall establish procedures that enable monitoring of telephone conversations on any telephone located within the institution, said monitoring to be done to preserve the security and orderly management of the institution and to protect the public. The Warden must provide notice to the inmate of the potential for monitoring. Staff may not monitor an inmate's properly placed call to an attorney. The Warden shall notify an inmate of the proper procedures to have an unmonitored telephone conversation with an attorney.

The inmate is responsible for any misuse of the telephone. The Warden shall refer incidents of unlawful inmate telephone use to law enforcement authorities. The Warden shall advise an inmate that violation of the institution's telephone regulations may result in institutional disciplinary action (See part 541, subpart B).

(a) An inmate is responsible for the expenses of inmate telephone use. Such expenses may include a fee for replacement of an inmate's telephone access code that is used in an institution which has implemented debit billing for inmate telephone calls. Each inmate is responsible for staying aware of his or her account balance through the automated process provided by the system. Third party billing and electronic transfer of a call to a third party are prohibited.

(b) The Warden shall provide at least one collect call each month for an inmate who is without funds. An inmate without funds is defined as an inmate who has not had a trust fund account balance of $6.00 for the past 30 days. The Warden may increase the number of collect calls based upon local institution conditions (e.g., institution population, staff resources, and usage demand). To prevent abuses of this provision (e.g., inmate shows a pattern of depleting his or her commissary funds prior to placing collect calls), the Warden may impose restrictions on the provisions of this paragraph (b).

(c) [Reserved]

(d) The Warden may direct the government to bear the expense of inmate telephone use or allow a call to be made collect under compelling circumstances such as when an inmate has lost contact with his family or has a family emergency.

(a) Investigating Officer. The term Investigating Officer refers to an employee of supervisory level who conducts the investigation concerning alleged charge(s) of inmate misconduct. The Investigating Officer may not be the employee reporting the incident, or one who was involved in the incident in question.

(b) Unit Discipline Committee (UDC). The term Unit Disciplinary Committee (UDC) refers to one or more institution staff members delegated by the Warden the authority and duty to hold an initial hearing upon completion of the investigation concerning alleged charge(s) of inmate misconduct. The Warden shall authorize these staff members to impose minor sanctions (G through P) for violation of prohibited act(s).

(c) Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO). This term refers to a one-person, independent, discipline hearing officer who is responsible for conducting Institution Discipline Hearings and who imposes appropriate sanctions for incidents of inmate misconduct referred for disposition following the hearing required by § 541.15 before the UDC.

(d) Segregation Review Official (SRO). The term Segregation Review Official refers to the individual at each Bureau of Prisons institution assigned to review the status of each inmate housed in disciplinary segregation and administrative detention, as required in §§ 541.20 and 541.22 of this rule.

(a) So that inmates may live in a safe and orderly environment, it is necessary for institution authorities to impose discipline on those inmates whose behavior is not in compliance with Bureau of Prisons rules. The provisions of this rule apply to all persons committed to the care, custody, and control (direct or constructive) of the Bureau of Prisons.

(b) The following general principles apply in every disciplinary action taken:

(1) Only institution staff may take disciplinary action.

(2) Staff shall take disciplinary action at such times and to the degree necessary to regulate an inmate's behavior within Bureau rules and institution guidelines and to promote a safe and orderly institution environment.

(3) Staff shall control inmate behavior in a completely impartial and consistent manner.

(4) Disciplinary action may not be capricious or retaliatory.

(5) Staff may not impose or allow imposition of corporal punishment of any kind.

(6) If it appears at any stage of the disciplinary process that an inmate is mentally ill, staff shall refer the inmate to a mental health professional for determination of whether the inmate is responsible for his conduct or is incompetent. Staff may take no disciplinary action against an inmate whom mental health staff determines to be incompetent or not responsible for his conduct.

(i) A person is not responsible for his conduct if, at the time of the conduct, the person, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts. When a person is determined not responsible for his conduct, the Incident Report is to show as a finding that the person did not commit the prohibited act because that person was found not to be mentally responsible for his conduct.

(ii) A person is incompetent if that person lacks the ability to understand the nature of the disciplinary proceedings, or to assist in his defense at the proceedings. When a person is determined incompetent, the disciplinary proceedings shall be postponed until such time as the inmate is able to understand the nature of the disciplinary proceedings and to assist in his defense at those proceedings. If competency is not restored within a reasonable period of time, the Incident Report is to show as a finding that the inmate is incompetent to assist in his or her defense at the disciplinary proceedings.

Staff shall advise each inmate in writing promptly after arrival at an institution of:

(a) The types of disciplinary action which may be taken by institution staff;

(b) The disciplinary system within the institution and the time limits thereof (see tables 1 and 2);

(c) The inmate's rights and responsibilities (see § 541.12);

(d) Prohibited acts and disciplinary severity scale (see § 541.13, tables 3, 4, and 5); and

(e) Sanctions by severity of prohibited act, with eligibility for restoration of forfeited and withheld statutory good time (see table 6).

(a) There are four categories of prohibited acts—Greatest, High, Moderate, and Low Moderate (see table 3 for identification of the prohibited acts within each category). Specific sanctions are authorized for each category (see table 4 for a discussion of each sanction). Imposition of a sanction requires that the inmate first is found to have committed a prohibited act.

(1) Greatest category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) shall impose and execute one or more of sanctions A through E. Sanction B.1 must be imposed for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent (i.e., an inmate who, as specified in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, committed a crime of violence on or after September 13, 1994) and for a PLRA inmate (i.e., an inmate who has been sentenced for an offense committed on or after April 26, 1996). The DHO may impose and execute sanction F and/or G only in addition to execution of one or more of sanctions A through E. Except as noted in the sanction, the DHO may also suspend one or more additional sanctions A through G.

(2) High category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer shall impose and execute one or more of sanctions A through M, and, except as noted in the sanction, may also suspend one or more additional sanctions A through M. Sanction B.1 must be imposed for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent and for a PLRA inmate. The Unit Discipline Committee shall impose and execute one or more of sanctions G through M, and may also suspend one or more additional sanctions G through M, except for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent. All high category offense charges for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent and for a PLRA inmate must be referred to the DHO.

(3) Moderate category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer shall impose at least one sanction A through N, but, except as noted in the sanction, may suspend any sanction or sanctions imposed. Sanction B.1 ordinarily must be imposed for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent and for a PLRA inmate. Except for charges referred to the DHO, the Unit Discipline Committee shall impose at least one sanction G through N, but may suspend any sanction or sanctions imposed. The UDC ordinarily shall refer to the DHO a moderate category charge for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent or for a PLRA inmate if the inmate had been found to have committed a moderate category offense during the inmate's current anniversary year (i.e., the twelve month period of time for which an inmate may be eligible to earn good conduct time). The UDC must thoroughly document in writing the reasons why the charge for such an inmate was not referred to the DHO.

(4) Low moderate category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer shall impose at least one sanction B.1, or E through P. The Discipline Hearing Officer may suspend any E through P sanction or sanctions imposed (a B.1 sanction may not be suspended). Except for charges referred to the DHO, the Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) shall impose at least one sanction G through P, but may suspend any sanction or sanctions imposed. The UDC ordinarily shall refer to the DHO a low moderate category charge for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent or for a PLRA inmate if the inmate had been found to have committed two low moderate category offenses during the inmate's current anniversary year (i.e., the twelve month period of time for which an inmate may be eligible to earn good conduct time). The UDC must thoroughly document in writing the reasons why the charge for such an inmate was not referred to the DHO.

(b) Aiding another person to commit any of these offenses, attempting to commit any of these offenses, and making plans to commit any of these offenses, in all categories of severity, shall be considered the same as a commission of the offense itself. In these cases, the letter “A” is combined with the offense code. For example, planning an escape would be considered as Escape and coded 102A. Likewise, attempting the adulteration of any food or drink would be coded 209A.

(c) Suspensions of any sanction cannot exceed six months. Revocation and execution of a suspended sanction require that the inmate first is found to have committed any subsequent prohibited act. Only the Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) may execute, suspend, or revoke and execute suspension of sanctions A through F. The Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) or Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) may execute, suspend, or revoke and execute suspensions of sanctions G through P. Revocations and execution of suspensions may be made only at the level (DHO or UDC) which originally imposed the sanction. The DHO now has that authority for suspensions which were earlier imposed by the Inmate Discipline Committee (IDC).

(d) If the Unit Discipline Committee has previously imposed a suspended sanction and subsequently refers a case to the Discipline Hearing Officer, the referral shall include an advisement to the DHO of any intent to revoke that suspension if the DHO finds that the prohibited act was committed. If the DHO then finds that the prohibited act was committed, the DHO shall so advise the Unit Discipline Committee who may then revoke the previous suspension.

(e) The Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer may impose increased sanctions for repeated, frequent offenses according to the guidelines presented in table 5.

(f) Sanctions by severity of prohibited act, with eligibility for restoration of forfeited and withheld statutory good time are presented in table 6.

(a) Incident report. The Bureau of Prisons encourages informal resolution (requiring consent of both parties) of incidents involving violations of Bureau regulations. However, when staff witnesses or has a reasonable belief that a violation of Bureau regulations has been committed by an inmate, and when staff considers informal resolution of the incident inappropriate or unsuccessful, staff shall prepare an Incident Report and promptly forward it to the appropriate Lieutenant. Except for prohibited acts in the Greatest or High Severity Category, the Lieutenant may informally dispose of the Incident Report or forward the Incident Report for investigation consistent with this section. The Lieutenant shall expunge the inmate's file of the Incident Report if informal resolution is accomplished.Only the DHO may make a final disposition on a prohibited act in the Greatest Severity Category or on a prohibited act in the High Category (when the High Category prohibited act has been committed by a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent or by a PLRA inmate).

(b) Investigation. Staff shall conduct the investigation promptly unless circumstances beyond the control of the investigator intervene.

(1) When it appears likely that the incident may be the subject of criminal prosecution, the investigating officer shall suspend the investigation, and staff may not question the inmate until the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other investigative agency interviews have been completed or until the agency responsible for the criminal investigation advises that staff questioning may occur.

(2) The inmate may receive a copy of the Incident Report prior to being seen by the investigating agency. The investigating officer (Bureau of Prisons) shall give the inmate a copy of the Incident Report at the beginning of the investigation, unless there is good cause for delivery at a later date, such as absence of the inmate from the institution or a medical condition which argues against delivery. If the investigation is delayed for any reason, any employee may deliver the charge(s) to the inmate. The staff member shall note the date and time the inmate received a copy of the Incident Report. The investigator shall also read the charge(s) to the inmate and ask for the inmate's statement concerning the incident unless it appears likely that the incident may be the subject of criminal prosecution. The investigator shall advise the inmate of the right to remain silent at all stages of the disciplinary process but that the inmate's silence may be used to draw an adverse inference against the inmate at any stage of the institutional disciplinary process. The investigator shall also inform the inmate that the inmate's silence alone may not be used to support a finding that the inmate has committed a prohibited act. The investigator shall then thoroughly investigate the incident. The investigator shall record all steps and actions taken on the Incident Report and forward all relevant material to the staff holding the initial hearing. The inmate does not receive a copy of the investigation. However, if the case is ultimately forwarded to the Discipline Hearing Officer, the DHO shall give a copy of the investigation and other relevant materials to the inmate's staff representative for use in presentation on the inmate's behalf.

The Warden shall delegate to one or more institution staff members the authority and duty to hold an initial hearing upon completion of the investigation. In order to ensure impartiality, the appropriate staff member(s) (hereinafter usually referred to as the Unit Discipline Committee (UDC)) may not be the reporting or investigating officer or a witness to the incident, or play any significant part in having the charges referred to the UDC. However, a staff member witnessing an incident may serve on the UDC where virtually every staff member in the institution witnesses the incident in whole or in part. If the UDC finds at the initial hearing that an inmate has committed a prohibited act, the UDC may impose minor dispositions and sanctions. When an alleged violation of Bureau rules is serious and warrants consideration for other than minor sanctions, the UDC shall refer the charges to the Discipline Hearing Officer for further hearing. The UDC must refer all greatest category charges to the DHO. The following minimum standards apply to initial hearings in all institutions.

(a) Staff shall give each inmate charged with violating a Bureau rule a written copy of the charge(s) against the inmate, ordinarily within 24 hours of the time staff became aware of the inmate's involvement in the incident.

(b) Each inmate so charged is entitled to an initial hearing before the UDC, ordinarily held within three work days from the time staff became aware of the inmate's involvement in the incident. This three work day period excludes the day staff became aware of the inmate's involvement in the incident, weekends, and holidays.

(c) The inmate is entitled to be present at the initial hearing except during deliberations of the decision maker(s) or when institutional security would be jeopardized by the inmate's presence. The UDC shall clearly document in the record of the hearing reasons for excluding an inmate from the hearing. An inmate may waive the right to be present at this hearing provided that the waiver is documented by staff and reviewed by the UDC. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. The UDC may conduct a hearing in the absence of an inmate when the inmate waives the right to appear. When an inmate escapes or is otherwise absent from custody, the UDC shall conduct a hearing in the inmate's absence at the institution in which the inmate was last confined.

(d) The inmate is entitled to make a statement and to present documentary evidence in the inmate's own behalf.

(e) The Unit Discipline Committee may drop or informally resolve any Moderate or Low Moderate charge. The UDC shall expunge the inmate's file of the Incident Report if informal resolution is accomplished.

(f) The Unit Discipline Committee shall consider all evidence presented at the hearing and shall make a decision based on at least some facts, and if there is conflicting evidence, it must be based on the greater weight of the evidence. The UDC shall take one of the following actions:

(1) Find that the inmate committed the prohibited act charged and/or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report;

(2) Find that the inmate did not commit the prohibited act charged or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report; or

(3) Refer the case to the DHO for further hearing:

(g) The UDC shall prepare a record of its proceedings which need not be verbatim. A record of the hearing and supporting documents are kept in the inmate's file.

(h) When an alleged violation of Bureau rules is serious and warrants consideration for other than minor sanctions (G through P), the UDC shall refer the charge(s) without indication of findings as to commission of the alleged violation to the Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) for hearing and disposition. The UDC shall forward copies of all relevant documents to the DHO with a brief statement of reasons for the referral along with any recommendations for appropriate disposition if the DHO finds the inmate has committed the act charged and/or a similar prohibited act. The inmate whose charge is being referred to the Discipline Hearing Officer may be retained in administrative detention or other restricted status, but the UDC may not impose a final disposition if the matter is being referred to the DHO.

(i) When charges are to be referred to the Discipline Hearing Officer, the UDC shall advise the inmate of the rights afforded at a hearing before the DHO. The UDC shall ask the inmate to indicate a choice of staff representative, if any, and the names of any witnesses the inmate wishes to be called to testify at the hearing and what testimony they are expected to provide. The UDC shall advise the inmate that the inmate may waive the right to be present at the Institution Discipline hearing, but still elect to have witnesses and/or a staff representative appear in the inmate's behalf at this hearing.

(j) When the Unit Discipline Committee holds a full hearing and determines that the inmate did not commit a prohibited act of High, Moderate or Low Moderate Severity, the UDC shall expunge the inmate's file of the Incident Report and related documents. The UDC must refer to the Discipline Hearing Officer all incidents involving prohibited acts of Greatest Severity.

(k) The UDC may extend time limits imposed in this section for a good cause shown by the inmate or staff and documented in the record of the hearing.

(a) Each Bureau of Prison institution shall have an independent hearing officer (DHO) assigned to conduct administrative fact-finding hearings covering alleged acts of misconduct and violations of prohibited acts, including those acts which could result in criminal charges. In the event of a serious disturbance or other emergency, of if an inmate commits an offense in the presence of the DHO, an alternate Discipline Hearing Officer will be appointed to conduct hearings with approval of the appropriate Regional Director. If the institution's DHO is not able to conduct hearings, the Warden shall arrange for another DHO to conduct the hearings. This person must be trained and certified as a DHO, and meet the other requirements for DHO.

(b) In order to insure impartiality, the DHO may not be the reporting officer, investigating officer, or UDC member, or a witness to the incident or play any significant part in having the charge(s) referred to the DHO.

(c) The Discipline Hearing Officer shall conduct hearings, make findings, and impose appropriate sanctions for incidents of inmate miscounduct referred for disposition following the hearing required by § 541.15 before the UDC. The DHO may not hear any case or impose any sanctions in a case not heard and referred by the UDC. Only the Discipline Hearing Officer shall have the authority to impose or suspend sanctions A through F.

(d) The Warden at each institution shall designate a staff member, hereinafter called the Segregation Review Official (SRO), to conduct reviews of inmates placed in disciplinary segregation and administrative detention in accordance with the requirements of § 541.20 and § 541.22.

The Discipline Hearing Officer shall proceed as follows:

(a) The Warden shall give an inmate advance written notice of the charge(s) against the inmate no less than 24 hours before the inmate's appearance before the Discipline Hearing Officer unless the inmate is to be released from custody within that time. An inmate may waive in writing the 24-hour notice requirement.

(b) The Warden shall provide an inmate the service of a full time staff member to represent the inmate at the hearing before the Discipline Hearing Officer should the inmate so desire. The Warden, the DHO or alternate DHO, the reporting officer, investigating officer, a witness to the incident, and UDC members involved in the case may not act as staff representative. The Warden may exclude staff from acting as staff representative in a particular case when there is a potential conflict in roles. The staff representative shall be available to assist the inmate if the inmate desires by speaking to witnesses and by presenting favorable evidence to the DHO on the merits of the charge(s) or in extenuation or mitigation of the charge(s). The DHO shall arrange for the presence of the staff representative selected by the inmate. If the staff member selected declines or is unavailable because of absence from the institution, the inmate has the option of selecting another representative, or in the case of an absent staff member of waiting a reasonable period for the staff member's return, or of proceeding without a staff representative. When several staff members decline this role, the Warden shall promptly appoint a staff representative to assist the inmate. The DHO shall afford a staff representative adequate time to speak with the inmate and interview requested witnesses where appropriate. While it is expected that a staff member will have had ample time to prepare prior to the hearing, delays in the hearing to allow for adequate preparation may be ordered by the Discipline Hearing Officer. When it appears that the inmate is not able to properly make a presentation on his own behalf (for example, an illiterate inmate), the Warden shall appoint a staff representative for the inmate, even if one is not requested.

(c) The inmate is entitled to make a statement and to present documentary evidence in the inmate's own behalf. An inmate has the right to submit names of requested witnesses and have them called to testify and to present documents in the inmate's behalf, provided the calling of witnesses or the disclosure of documentary evidence does not jeopardize or threaten institutional or an individual's security. The DHO shall call those witnesses who have information directly relevant to the charge(s) and who are reasonably available. This may include witnesses from outside of the institution. The inmate charged may be excluded during the appearance of an outside witness. The appearance of the outside witness should be in an area of the institution in which outside visitors are usually allowed. The DHO need not call repetitive witnesses. The reporting officer and other adverse witnesses need not be called if their knowledge of the incident is adequately summarized in the Incident Report and other investigative materials supplied to the DHO. The DHO shall request submission of written statements from unavailable witnesses who have information directly relevant to the charge(s). The DHO shall document reasons for declining to call requested witnesses in the DHO report, or, if the reasons are confidential, in a separate report, not available to the inmate. The inmate's staff representative, or when the inmate waives staff representation, the DHO, shall question witnesses requested by the inmate who are called before the DHO. The inmate who has waived staff representation may submit questions for requested witnesses in writing to the DHO. The inmate may not question any witness at the hearing.

(d) An inmate has the right to be present throughout the DHO hearing except during a period of deliberation or when institutional security would be jeopardized. The DHO must document in the record the reason(s) for excluding an inmate from the hearing. An inmate may waive the right to be present at the hearing, provided that the waiver is documented by staff and reviewed by the DHO. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. The DHO may conduct a hearing in the absence of an inmate when the inmate waives the right to appear. When an inmate escapes or is otherwise absent from custody, the Discipline Hearing Officer shall conduct a hearing in the inmate's absence at the institution in which the inmate was last confined. When an inmate returns to custody following absence during which sanctions were imposed by the DHO (or the predecessor Institution Discipline Committee (IDC)), the Warden shall have the charges reheard before the Discipline Hearing Officer ordinarily within 60 days after the inmate's arrival at the institution to which the inmate is designated after return to custody, and following appearance before the Unit Discipline Committee at that institution. The UDC shall ensure that the inmate has all rights required for appearance before the Discipline Hearing Officer, including delivery of charge(s), advisement of the right to remain silent and other rights to be exercised before the Discipline Hearing Officer. All the applicable procedural requirements for hearings before the Discipline Hearing Officer apply to this rehearing, except that written statements of witnesses not readily available may be liberally used instead of in-person witnesses. The DHO upon rehearing may affirm the earlier action taken, may dismiss the charge(s), may modify the finding of the original DHO as to the offense which was committed, or may modify but may not increase the sanctions previously imposed in the inmate's absence.

(e) The DHO may refer the case back to the UDC for further information or disposition. The DHO may postpone or, at any time prior to making a decision as to whether or not a prohibited act was committed, may continue the hearing until a later date whenever further investigation or more evidence is needed. A postponement or continuance must be for good cause (determined by the DHO) shown by the inmate or staff and should be documented in the record of the hearing.

(f) The DHO shall consider all evidence presented at the hearing. The decision of the DHO shall be based on at least some facts, and if there is conflicting evidence, it must be based on the greater weight of the evidence. The DHO shall find that the inmate either:

(1) Committed the prohibited act charged and/or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report; or

(2) Did not commit the prohibited act charged or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report.

(g) The Discipline Hearing Officer shall prepare a record of the proceedings which need not be verbatim. This record must be sufficient to document the advisement of inmate rights, the DHO's findings, the DHO's decision and the specific evidence relied on by the DHO, and must include a brief statement of the reasons for the sanctions imposed. The evidence relied upon, the decision, and the reasons for the actions taken must be set out in specific terms unless doing so would jeopardize institutional security. The DHO shall give the inmate a written copy of the decisions and disposition, ordinarily within 10 days of the DHO's decision.

(h) A record of the hearing and supporting documents are to be kept in the inmate central file.

(i) The Discipline Hearing Officer shall expunge an inmate's file of the Incident Report and related documents following a DHO finding that the inmate did not commit a prohibited act. The requirement for expunging the inmate's file does not preclude maintaining for research purposes copies of disciplinary actions resulting in “not guilty” findings in a master file separate from the inmate's institution file. However, institution staff may not use or allow the use of the contents of this master file in a manner which would adversely affect the inmate. Likewise, the expungement requirement does not require the destruction of medical reports or other reports relating to a particular inmate which must be maintained to document medical or other treatment given in a special housing unit. If an inmate's conduct during one continuous incident may constitute more than one prohibited act, and if the incident is reported in a single Incident Report, and if the DHO finds the inmate has not committed every prohibited act charged, or if the DHO finds that the inmate has committed a prohibited act(s) other than the act(s) charged, then the DHO shall record those findings clearly and shall change the Incident Report to show only the incident and code references to charges which were proved. Institution staff may not use the existence of charged but unproved misconduct against the inmate.

The Discipline Hearing Officer has available a broad range of sanctions and dispositions following completion of the hearing. The Discipline Hearing Officer may do any of the following:

(a) Dismiss any charge(s) upon a finding that the inmate did not commit the prohibited act(s). The DHO shall order the record of charge(s) expunged upon such finding.

(b) Impose any of sanctions A through P as provided in § 541.13.

(c) Suspend the execution of a sanction it imposes as provided in § 541.13.

At the time the Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer gives an inmate written notice of its decision, the UDC or DHO shall also advise the inmate that the inmate may appeal the decision under Administrative Remedy Procedures (see part 542 of this chapter). An inmate's initial appeal of a decision of the DHO should be filed directly to the appropriate Regional Office. The inmate should forward a copy of the DHO report or, if not available at the time of filing, should state in his appeal the date of the DHO hearing and the nature of the charges against the inmate. On appeals, the appropriate reviewing official (the Warden, Regional Director, or General Counsel) may approve, modify, reverse, or send back with directions, including ordering a rehearing, any disciplinary action of the Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer but may not increase any valid sanction imposed. On appeals, the appropriate reviewing authority shall consider:

(a) Whether the Unit Discipline Committee or the Discipline Hearing Officer substantially complied with the regulations on inmate discipline;

(b) Whether the Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer based its decision on some facts, and if there was conflicting evidence, whether the decision was based on the greater weight of the evidence; and

(c) Whether an appropriate sanction was imposed according to the severity level of the prohibited act, and other relevant circumstances.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an inmate may be placed in disciplinary segregation only by order of the Discipline Hearing Officer following a hearing in which the inmate has been found to have committed a prohibited act in the Greatest, High, or Moderate Category, or a repeated offense in the Low Moderate Category. The DHO may order placement in disciplinary segregation only when other available dispositions are inadequate to achieve the purpose of punishment and deterrence necessary to regulate an inmate's behavior within acceptable limits.

(b) The Warden may temporarily (not exceeding five days) move an inmate to a more secure cell (which may be in an area ordinarily set aside for disciplinary segregation and which therefore requires the withdrawal of privileges ordinarily afforded in administrative detention status, until a hearing before the DHO can be held) who (1) is causing a serious disruption (threatening life, serious bodily harm, or property) in administrative detention, (2) cannot be controlled within the physical confines of administrative detention, and (3) upon advice of appropriate medical staff, does not require confinement in the institution hospital for mental or physical treatment, or who would ordinarily be housed in the institution hospital for mental or physical treatment, but who cannot safely be housed there because the hospital does not have a room or cell with adequate security provisions. The Warden may delegate this authority no further than to the official in charge of the institution at the time the move is necessary.

(c) The Segregation Review Official (SRO) (see § 541.16(d)) shall conduct a hearing and formally review the status of each inmate who spends seven continuous days in disciplinary segregation and thereafter shall review these cases on the record in the inmate's absence each week and shall conduct a hearing and formally review these cases at least once every 30 days. The inmate appears before the SRO at the 30-day hearings, unless the inmate waives the right to appear. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. Staff shall conduct a psychiatric or psychological assessment, including a personal interview, when disciplinary segregation continues beyond 30 days. The assessment, submitted to the SRO in a written report, shall address the inmate's adjustment to surroundings and the threat the inmate poses to self, staff and other inmates. Staff shall conduct a similar psychiatric or psychological assessment and report at subsequent one-month intervals if segregation continues for this extended period.

(d) The Segregation Review Official may release an inmate from disciplinary segregation earlier than the sanction initially imposed upon finding that continuation in disciplinary segregation is no longer necessary to regulate the inmate's behavior within acceptable limits or for fulfilling the purpose of punishment and deterrence which initially resulted in the inmate's placement in disciplinary segregation status. The SRO may not increase any previously imposed sanction.

(a) Disciplinary segregation is the status of confinement of an inmate housed in a special housing unit in a cell either alone or with other inmates, separated from the general population. Inmates housed in disciplinary segregation have significantly fewer privileges than those housed in administrative detention.

(b) The Warden shall maintain for each segregated inmate basic living levels of decency and humane treatment, regardless of the purpose for which the inmate has been segregated. Living conditions may not be modified for the purpose of reinforcing acceptable behavior and different levels of living arrangements will not be established. Where it is determined necessary to deprive an inmate of a usually authorized item, staff shall prepare written documentation as to the basis for this action, and this document will be signed by the Warden, indicating the Warden's review and approval.

(c) The basic living standards for segregation are as follows:

(1) Segregation conditions. The quarters used for segregation must be well-ventilated, adequately lighted, appropriately heated and maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. All cells must be equipped with beds. Strip cells may not be a part of the segregation unit. Any strip cells which are utilized must be a part of the medical facility and under the supervision and control of the medical staff.

(2) Cell occupancy. The number of inmates confined to each cell or room in segregation should not exceed the number for which the space was designated. The Warden may approve excess occupancy if the Warden finds there is a pressing need for this action, and that other basic living standards of this subsection can still be maintained.

(3) Clothing and bedding. An inmate in segregation may wear normal institution clothing but may not have a belt. Staff shall furnish a mattress and bedding. Cloth or paper slippers may be substituted for shoes at the discretion of the Warden. An inmate may not be segregated without clothing, mattress, blankets and pillow, except when prescribed by the medical officer for medical or psychiatric reasons. Inmates in special housing status will be provided, as nearly as practicable, the same opportunity for the issue and exchange of clothing, bedding, and linen, and for laundry as inmates in the general population. Exceptions to this procedure may be permitted only when found necessary by the Warden or designee. An exception, and the reasons for this, must be recorded in the unit log.

(4) Food. Staff shall give a segregated inmate nutritionally adequate meals, ordinarily from the menu of the day for the institution. Staff may dispense disposable utensils when necessary.

(5) Personal hygiene. Segregated inmates shall have the opportunity to maintain an acceptable level of personal hygiene. Staff shall provide toilet tissue, wash basin, tooth brush, eyeglasses, shaving utensils, etc., as needed. Staff may issue a retrievable kit of toilet articles. Each segregated inmate shall have the opportunity to shower and shave at least three times a week, unless these procedures would present an undue security hazard. This security hazard will be documented and signed by the Warden, indicating the Warden's review and approval. Inmates in special housing will be provided, where practicable, barbering and hair care services. Exceptions to this procedure may be permitted only when found necessary by the Warden or designee.

(6) Exercise. Staff shall permit each segregated inmate no less than five hours exercise each week. Exercise should be provided in five one-hour periods, on five different days, but if circumstances require, one-half hour periods are acceptable if the five-hour minimum and different days schedule is maintained. These provisions must be carried out unless compelling security or safety reasons dictate otherwise. Institution staff shall document these reasons. Exercise periods, not to exceed one week, may be withheld from an inmate by order of the Warden, following a hearing, and recommendation, before a person certified in the discipline hearing officer procedures. This hearing must be held in accordance with the provisions of § 541.17, following those provisions which are appropriate to these circumstances, and only upon a finding by the person conducting the hearing that the actions of the segregated inmate pose a threat to the safety or health conditions of the unit.

(7) Personal property. Institution staff shall ordinarily impound personal property.

(8) Reading material. Staff shall provide a reasonable amount of non-legal reading material, not to exceed five books per inmate at any one time, on a circulating basis. Staff shall provide the inmate opportunity to possess religious scriptures of the inmate's faith. As to legal materials, see part 543, subpart B.

(9) Supervision. In addition to the direct supervision afforded by the unit officer, a member of the medical department and one or more responsible officers designated by the Warden (ordinarily a Lieutenant) shall see each segregated inmate daily, including weekends and holidays. Members of the program staff, including unit staff, shall arrange to visit inmates in special housing within a reasonable time after receiving the inmate's request.

(10) Correspondence and visits. As to correspondence privileges, see part 540, subpart B. Staff shall make reasonable effort to notify approved social visitors of any necessary restriction on ordinary visiting procedures so that they may be spared disappointment and unnecessary inconvenience. If ample time for correspondence exists, staff may place the burden of this notification to visitors on the inmate. As to general visiting and telephone privileges, see part 540, subpart D and subpart I. In respect to legal, religious, and privileged out-going mail, the relevant regulations must be followed by institution staff (see parts 540, 543, and 548 of this chapter).

Administrative detention is the status of confinement of an inmate in a special housing unit in a cell either by self or with other inmates which serves to remove the inmate from the general population.

(a) Placement in administrative detention. The Warden may delegate authority to place an inmate in administrative detention to Lieutenants. Prior to the inmate's placement in administrative detention, the Lieutenant is to review the available information and determine whether the inmate's placement in administrative detention is warranted. The Warden may place an inmate in administrative detention when the inmate is in holdover status (i.e., en route to a designated institution) during transfer, or is a new commitment pending classification. The Warden may also place an inmate in administrative detention when the inmate's continued presence in the general population poses a serious threat to life, property, self, staff, other inmates or to the security or orderly running of the institution and when the inmate:

(1) Is pending a hearing for a violation of Bureau regulations;

(2) Is pending an investigation of a violation of Bureau regulations;

(3) Is pending investigation or trial for a criminal act;

(4) Is pending transfer;

(5) Requests admission to administrative detention for the inmate's own protection, or staff determines that admission to or continuation in administrative detention is necessary for the inmate's own protection (see § 541.23); or

(6) Is terminating confinement in disciplinary segregation and placement in general population is not prudent. The Segregation Review Official is to advise the inmate of this determination and the reasons for such action.

(i) Except for pretrial inmates or inmates in a control unit program, staff ordinarily within 90 days of an inmate's placement in post-disciplinary detention shall either return the inmate to the general inmate population or request regional level assistance to effect a transfer to a more suitable institution.

(ii) The Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall review for purpose of making a disposition, the case of an inmate not transferred from post-disciplinary detention within the time frame specified in paragraph (a)(6)(i) of this section.

(iii) Staff in a control unit will attempt to adhere to the 90-day limit for an inmate's placement in post-disciplinary detention. Because security needs required for an inmate in a control unit program may not be available outside of post-discipline detention, the Warden may approve an extension of this placement upon determining in writing that it is not practicable to release the inmate to the general inmate population or to effect a transfer to a more suitable institution.

(iv) The appropriate Regional Director and the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall review (for purpose of making a disposition) the case of an inmate in a control unit program not transferred from post-disciplinary detention within the 90-day time frame specified in paragraph (a)(6)(iii) of this section. A similar, subsequent review shall be conducted every 60-90 days if post-disciplinary detention continues for this extended period.

(b) Administrative detention order detailing reasons for placement. The Warden shall prepare an administrative detention order detailing the reasons for placing an inmate in administrative detention, with a copy given to the inmate, provided institutional security is not compromised thereby. Staff shall deliver this order to the inmate within 24 hours of the inmate's placement in administrative detention, unless this delivery is precluded by exceptional circumstances. An order is not necessary for an inmate placed in administrative detention when this placement is a direct result of the inmate's holdover status.

(c) Review of inmates housed in administrative detention. (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section, the Segregation Review Official will review the status of inmates housed in administrative detention. The SRO shall conduct a record review within three work days of the inmate's placement in administrative detention and shall hold a hearing and formally review the status of each inmate who spends seven continuous days in administrative detention, and thereafter shall review these cases on the record (in the inmate's absence) each week, and shall hold a hearing and review these cases formally at least every 30 days. The inmate appears before the SRO at the hearing unless the inmate waives the right to appear. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. Staff shall conduct a psychiatric or psychological assessment, including a personal interview, when administrative detention continues beyond 30 days. The assessment, submitted to the SRO in a written report, shall address the inmate's adjustment to surroundings and the threat the inmate poses to self, staff and other inmates. Staff shall conduct a similar psychiatric or psychological assessment and report at subsequent one-month intervals should detention continue for this extended period. Administrative detention is to be used only for short periods of time except where an inmate needs long-term protection (see § 541.23), or where there are exceptional circumstances, ordinarily tied to security or complex investigative concerns. An inmate may be kept in administrative detention for longer term protection only if the need for such protection is documented by the SRO. Provided institutional security is not compromised, the inmate shall receive at each formal review a written copy of the SRO's decision and the basis for this finding. The SRO shall release an inmate from administrative detention when reasons for placement cease to exist.

(2) The Warden shall designate appropriate staff to meet weekly with an inmate in administrative detention when this placement is a direct result of the inmate's holdover status. Staff shall also review this type of case on the record each week.

(3) When an inmate is placed in administrative detention for protection, but not at that inmate's request, the Warden or designee is to review the inmate's status within two work days of this placement to determine if continued protective custody is necessary. A formal hearing is to be held within seven days of the inmate's placement (see § 541.23, Protection Cases).

(d) Conditions of administrative detention. The basic level of conditions as described in § 541.21(c) for disciplinary segregation also apply to administrative detention. If consistent with available resources and the security needs of the unit, the Warden shall give an inmate housed in administrative detention the same general privileges given to inmates in the general population. This includes, but is not limited to, providing an inmate with the opportunity for participation in an education program, library services, social services, counseling, religious guidance and recreation. Unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary, institutions shall provide commissary privileges and reasonable amounts of personal property. An inmate in administrative detention shall be permitted to have a radio, provided that the radio is equipped with ear plugs. Exercise periods, at a minimum, will meet the level established for disciplinary segregation and will exceed this level where resources are available. The Warden shall give an inmate in administrative detention visiting, telephone, and correspondence privileges in accordance with part 540 of this chapter. The Warden may restrict for reasons of security, fire safety, or housekeeping the amount of personal property that an inmate may retain while in administrative detention.

(a) Staff may consider the following categories of inmates as protection cases:

(1) Victims of inmate assaults;

(2) Inmate informants;

(3) Inmates who have received inmate pressure to participate in sexual activity;

(4) Inmates who seek protection through detention, claiming to be former law enforcement officers, informants, or others in sensitive law enforcement positions, whether or not there is official information to verify the claim;

(5) Inmates who have previously served as inmate gun guards, dog caretakers, or in similar positions in state or local correctional facilities;

(6) Inmates who refuse to enter the general population because of alleged pressures from other unidentified inmates;

(7) Inmates who will not provide, and as to whom staff cannot determine, the reason for refusal to return to the general population; and

(8) Inmates about whom staff has good reason to believe the inmate is in serious danger of bodily harm.

(b) Inmates who are placed in administrative detention for protection, but not at their own request or beyond the time when they feel they need to be detained for their own protection, are entitled to a hearing, no later than seven days from the time of their admission (or from the time of their detention beyond their own consent). This hearing is conducted in accordance with the procedural requirements of § 541.17, as to advance written notice, staff representation, right to make a statement and present documentary evidence, to request witnesses, to be present throughout the hearing, and advance advisement of inmate rights at the hearing, and as to making a record of the proceedings.

(c) Ordinarily, staff may place an inmate in administrative detention as provided in paragraph (a) of this rule relating to protection cases, for a period not to exceed 90 days. Staff shall clearly document in the record the reasons for any extension beyond this 90-day period.

(d) Where appropriate, staff shall first attempt to place the inmate in the general population of their particular facility. Where inappropriate, staff shall clearly document the reason(s) and refer the case, with all relevant material, to their Regional Director, who, upon review of the material, may order the transfer of a protection case.

(a) In an effort to maintain a safe and orderly environment within its institutions, the Bureau of Prisons operates control unit programs intended to place into a separate unit those inmates who are unable to function in a less restrictive environment without being a threat to others or to the orderly operation of the institution. The Bureau of Prisons provides written criteria for the:

(1) Referral of an inmate for possible placement within a control unit;

(2) Selection of an inmate for placement within a control unit;

(3) Regular review of an inmate while housed in a control unit; and

(4) Release of an inmate from a control unit.

(b) The Bureau of Prisons provides an inmate confined within a control unit the opportunity to participate in programs and activities restricted as necessary to protect the security, good order, or discipline of the unit.

(a) The Warden shall submit a recommendation for referral of an inmate for placement in a control unit to the Regional Director in the region where the inmate is located.

(b) The Warden shall consider the following factors in a recommendation for control unit placement.

(1) Any incident during confinement in which the inmate has caused injury to other persons.

(2) Any incident in which the inmate has expressed threats to the life or well-being of other persons.

(3) Any incident involving possession by the inmate of deadly weapons or dangerous drugs.

(4) Any incident in which the inmate is involved in a disruption of the orderly operation of a prison, jail or other correctional institution.

(5) An escape from a correctional institution.

(6) An escape attempt. Depending on the circumstances, an escape attempt, considered alone or together with an inmate's prior history, may warrant consideration for a control unit placement.

(7) The nature of the offense for which committed. An inmate may not be considered solely on the nature of the crime which resulted in that inmate's incarceration; however, the nature of the crime may be considered in combination with other factor(s) as described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(c) The Warden may not refer an inmate for placement in a control unit:

(1) If the inmate shows evidence of significant mental disorder or major physical disabilities as documented in a mental health evaluation or a physical examination;

(2) On the basis that the inmate is a protection case, e.g., a homosexual, an informant, etc., unless the inmate meets other criteria as described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(a) The Hearing Administrator shall provide a hearing to an inmate recommended for placement in a control unit. The hearing ordinarily shall take place at the recommending or sending institution.

(b) The hearing shall proceed as follows.

(1) Staff shall provide an inmate with an advance written notice of the hearing and a copy of this rule at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. The notice will advise the inmate of the specific act(s) or other evidence which forms the basis for a recommendation that the inmate be transferred to a control unit, unless such evidence would likely endanger staff or others. If an inmate is illiterate, staff shall explain the notice and this rule to the inmate and document that this explanation has occurred.

(2) The Hearing Administrator shall provide an inmate the service of a full-time staff member to represent the inmate, if the inmate so desires. The Hearing Administrator shall document in the record of the hearing an inmate's request for, or refusal of staff representation. The inmate may select a staff representative from the local institution. If the selected staff member declines or is unavailable, the inmate has the option of selecting another representative or, in the case of an absent staff member, of waiting a reasonable period (determined by the Hearing Administrator) for the staff member's return, or of proceeding without a staff representative. When an inmate is illiterate, the Warden shall provide a staff representative. The staff representative shall be available to assist the inmate and, if the inmate desires, shall contact witnesses and present favorable evidence at the hearing. The Hearing Administrator shall afford the staff representative adequate time to speak with the inmate and to interview available witnesses.

(3) The inmate has the right to be present throughout the hearing, except where institutional security or good order is jeopardized. The Hearing Administrator may conduct a hearing in the absence of the inmate when the inmate refuses to appear. The Hearing Administrator shall document an inmate's refusal to appear, or other reason for non-appearance, in the record of the hearing.

(4) The inmate is entitled to present documentary evidence and to have witnesses appear, provided that calling witnesses would not jeopardize or threaten institutional security or individual safety, and further provided that the witnesses are available at the institution where the hearing is being conducted.

(i) The evidence to be presented must be material and relevant to the issue as to whether the inmate can and would function in a general prison population without being or posing a threat to staff or others or to the orderly operation of the institution. The Hearing Administrator may not consider an attempt to reverse or repeal a prior finding of a disciplinary violation.

(ii) Repetitive witnesses need not be called. Staff who recommend placement in a control unit are not required to appear, provided their recommendation is fully explained in the record. Staff who were involved, in any capacity, in former disciplinary proceedings need not be called as to their involvement in those proceedings, since this hearing is not to go over the factual basis for prior actions which have been decided.

(iii) When a witness is not available within the institution, or not permitted to appear, the inmate may submit a written statement by that witness. The Hearing Administrator shall, upon the inmate's request, postpone any decision following the hearing for a reasonable time to permit the obtaining and forwarding of written statements.

(iv) The Hearing Administrator shall document in the record of the hearing the reasons for declining to permit a witness or to receive documentary evidence.

(a) At the conclusion of the hearing and following review of all material related to the recommendation for placement of an inmate in a control unit, the Hearing Administrator shall prepare a written decision as to whether this placement is warranted. The Hearing Administrator shall:

(1) Prepare a summary of the hearing and of all information presented upon which the decision is based; and

(2) Indicate the specific reasons for the decision, to include a description of the act, or series of acts, or evidence on which the decision is based.

(b) The Hearing Administrator shall advise the inmate in writing of the decision. The inmate shall receive the information described in paragraph (a) of this section unless it is determined that the release of this information could pose a threat to individual safety, or institutional security, in which case that limited information may be withheld. The Hearing Administrator shall advise the inmate that the decision will be submitted for review of the Executive Panel. The Hearing Administrator shall advise the inmate that, if the inmate so desires, the inmate may submit an appeal of the Hearing Administrator's decision to the Executive Panel. This appeal, with supporting documentation and reasons, must be filed within five working days of the inmate's receipt of the Hearing Administrator's decision.

(c) The Hearing Administrator shall send the decision, whether for or against placement in a control unit, and supporting documentation to the Executive Panel. Ordinarily this is done within 20 working days after conclusion of the hearing. Any reason for extension is to be documented.

The Executive Panel is composed of the Regional Director of the region where a control unit is located to which referral is being considered and the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division.

(a) The Executive Panel shall review the decision and supporting documentation of the Hearing Administrator and, if submitted, the information contained in an inmate's appeal. The Panel shall accept or reject the Hearing Administrator's decision within 30 working days of its receipt, unless for good cause there is reason for delay, which shall be documented in the record.

(b) The Executive Panel shall provide a copy of its decision to the Warden at the institution to which the inmate is to be transferred, to the inmate, to the referring Warden and region, and to the Hearing Administrator.

(c) An inmate may appeal a decision of the Executive Panel, through the Administrative Remedy Procedure, directly to the Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, within 30 calendar days of the inmate's receipt of the Executive Panel's decision.

The Warden shall provide the following services to a control unit inmate. These services must be provided unless compelling security or safety reasons dictate otherwise. These reasons will be documented and signed by the Warden, indicating the Warden's review and approval.

(a) Education. The Warden shall assign a member of the education staff to the control unit on at least a part-time basis to assist in developing an educational program to fulfil each inmate's academic needs. The education staff member is ordinarily a member of the control unit team.

(b) Work assignments. Staff may assign inmates to a work assignment, such as range orderly. The manner in which these duties are carried out will reflect the inmate's unit adjustment, and will assist staff in evaluating the inmate.

(c) Industries (UNICOR). If an industry program exists in a control unit each inmate participating in this program may earn industrial pay, subject to the regulations of Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR). The industry program is supervised by an industry foreman. The control unit team will determine when or if an industry assignment is appropriate for each inmate who submits a request for possible assignment to industries work.

(d) Legal. An inmate assigned to a control unit may use that unit's inmate basic law library, upon request and in rotation. Consistent with security considerations, the law library is to include basic legal reference books, and ordinarily a table and chair, typewriter, paper and carbon. Abuse of materials in the inmate law library (for example, a typewriter) may result in a decision by the Warden to limit the use of legal materials. A decision to limit materials due to abuse must be documented in writing and signed by the Warden.

(e) Recreation. The recreation program in a control unit shall include the following requirements:

(1) Each inmate shall have the opportunity to receive a minimum of seven hours weekly recreation and exercise out of the cell.

(2) Staff shall provide various games and exercise materials as consistent with security considerations and orderly operation of the unit. Inmates who alter or intentionally damage recreation equipment may be deprived of the use of that equipment in the future.

(f) Case management services. The case manager is responsible for all areas of case management. This ordinarily includes preparation of the visiting list, notarizing documents, preparation of various reports, and other case management duties. The case manager is ordinarily a member of the control unit team.

(g) Counselor services. The unit counselor ordinarily handles phone call requests, special concerns and requests of inmates, and requests for administrative remedy forms. The unit counselor is also available for consultation and for counseling as recommended in the mental health evaluation (see paragraph (i) of this section—Mental Health Services).

(h) Medical services. A member of the medical staff shall visit control unit inmates daily. A physician will visit the unit as the need arises.

(i) Mental health services. During the first 30-day period in a control unit, staff shall schedule the control unit inmate for a psychological evaluation conducted by a psychologist. Additional individual evaluations shall occur every 30 days. The psychologist shall perform and/or supervise needed psychological services. Psychiatric services will be provided when necessary. Inmates requiring prescribed psychotropic medication are not ordinarily housed in a control unit.

(j) Religion. Staff shall issue religious materials upon request, limited by security consideration and housekeeping rules in the unit. This material may come from an inmate's personal property or from the chaplain's office. The institutional chaplains shall make at least weekly visits to the control unit. While individual prayer and/or worship is allowed in a control unit, religious assemblies or group meetings are not allowed.

(k) Food service and personal hygiene. Staff shall provide food services and personal hygiene care consistent with the requirements of the current rule regarding Special Housing Units.

(l) Correspondence. Inmates confined in a control unit are provided correspondence privileges in accordance with the Bureau of Prisons' rule on Inmate Correspondence (see 28 CFR part 540).

(m) Visiting. Visits for inmates confined in a control unit are conducted in a controlled visiting area, separated from regular visiting facilities. Staff shall allot a minimum of four hours per month visiting time to a control unit inmate. The number of consecutive hours visiting on a particular day may be limited by the number of visitors waiting to visit. All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visiting list.

(n) Commissary. Staff shall establish a commissary purchase schedule. The amount of money which control unit inmates spend per month is comparable to the spending limitation for inmates residing in the general population. Staff may limit commissary items to ensure the safety and security of the unit.

(o) Personal property. Personal property retained by an inmate in a control unit is to be stored in the space provided. Personal property items shall be limited in number and type to ensure the safety and good order of the unit.

Staff shall provide an inmate admitted to a control unit with:

(a) Notice of the projected duration of the inmate's confinement in a control unit;

(b) Notice of the type of personal property which is allowable in the unit (items made of glass or metal will not be permitted);

(c) A summary of the guidelines and disciplinary procedures applicable in the unit;

(d) An explanation of the activities in a control unit;

(e) The expectations of the inmate's involvement in control unit activities; and

(f) The criteria for release from the unit, and how those criteria specifically relate to this confinement period in the unit and any specific requirements in the inmate's individual case.

(a) The Warden at an institution housing a control unit may order a digital or simple instrument search for all new admissions to the control unit. The Warden may also order a digital or simple instrument search for any inmate who is returned to the control unit following contact with the public. Authorization for a digital or simple instrument search must be in writing, signed by the Warden, with a copy placed in the inmate central file. The Warden's authority may not be delegated below the level of Acting Warden.

(b) An inmate in a control unit may request in writing that an X-ray be taken in lieu of the digital search discussed in paragraph (a) of this section. The Warden shall approve this request, provided it is determined and stated in writing by the institution's Clinical Director or Acting Clinical Director (may not be further delegated) that the amount of X-ray exposure previously received by the inmate, or anticipated to be given the inmate in the immediate future, does not make the proposed X-ray medically unwise. Staff are to place documentation of the X-ray, and the inmate's signed request for it, in the inmate's central and medical files. The Warden's authority may not be delegated below the level of Acting Warden.

(c) Staff may not conduct a digital or simple instrument search if it is likely to result in physical injury to the inmate. In this situation, the Warden, upon approval of the Regional Director, may authorize the institution physician to order a non-repetitive X-ray for the purpose of determining if contraband is concealed in or on the inmate. The X-ray examination may not be performed if it is determined by the institution physician that such an examination is likely to result in serious or lasting medical injury or harm to the inmate. Staff are to place documentation of the X-ray examination in the inmate's central file and medical file. The authority of the Warden and Regional Director may not be delegated below the level of Acting Warden and Acting Regional Director respectively. If neither a digital or simple instrument search, nor an X-ray examination may be used, the inmate is to be placed in a dry cell until sufficient time has passed to allow excretion.

(d) Staff shall solicit the inmate's written consent prior to conducting a digital or simple instrument search, or, as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, an X-ray examination. However, the inmate's consent is not required.

(a) Unit staff shall evaluate informally and daily an inmate's adjustment within the control unit. Once every 30 days, the control unit team, comprised of the control unit manager and other members designated by the Warden (ordinarily to include the officer-in-charge or lieutenant, case manager, and education staff member assigned to the unit), shall meet with an inmate in the control unit. The inmate is required to attend the team meeting in order to be eligible for the previous month's stay in the control unit to be credited towards the projected duration of confinement in that unit. The unit team shall make an assessment of the inmate's progress within the unit and may make a recommendation as to readiness for release after considering the inmate's:

(1) Unit status;

(2) Adjustment; and

(3) Readiness for release from the unit. (See § 541.50(a))

(b) The Warden shall serve as the review authority at the institutional level for unit team actions.

(c) An inmate may appeal the Warden's decision to the Executive Panel within five working days of receipt of that decision. The inmate will receive a response to this appeal at the inmate's next appearance before the Executive Panel.

(d) At least once every 60 to 90 days, the Executive Panel shall review the status of an inmate in a control unit to determine the inmate's readiness for release from the Unit. The Executive Panel shall consider those factors specified in § 541.50(a), along with any recommendations by the unit team and Warden.

(e) An inmate may appeal a decision of the Executive Panel, through the Administrative Remedy Procedure, directly to the Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons within 30 calendar days from the date of the Executive Panel's response.

(a) Only the Executive Panel may release an inmate from a control unit. The following factors are considered in the evaluation of an inmate's readiness for release from a control unit:

(1) Relationship with other inmates and staff members, which demonstrates that the inmate is able to function in a less restrictive environment without posing a threat to others or to the orderly operation of the institution;

(2) Involvement in work and recreational activities and assignments;

(3) Adherence to institution guidelines and Bureau of Prisons rules and policy;

(4) Personal grooming and cleanliness; and

(5) Quarters sanitation.

(b) An inmate released from a control unit may be returned:

(1) To the institution from which the inmate was originally transferred;

(2) To another federal or non-federal institution; or

(3) Into the general population of the institution which has a control unit.

An inmate may be placed in a controlled housing status when there is reliable evidence causing staff to believe that the inmate engages in conduct posing a health risk to others. This evidence may be the inmate's behavior, or statements of the inmate, or other reliable evidence.

(a) The Warden shall consider an inmate for controlled housing status when the inmate has been confirmed as testing HIV positive and when there is reliable evidence indicating that the inmate may engage in conduct posing a health risk to others. This evidence may come from the statements of the individual, repeated misconduct (including disciplinary actions), or other behavior suggesting that the inmate may engage in predatory or promiscuous sexual behavior, assaultive behavior where body fluids may be transmitted to another, or the sharing of needles.

(b) The Warden shall submit a recommendation for referral of an inmate for placement in a controlled housing status to the Regional Director in the region where the inmate is located.

(c) Based on the perceived health risk to others posed by the inmate's threatened or actual actions, the Warden may, with the telephonic approval of the Regional Director, temporarily (not to exceed 20 work days) place an inmate in a special housing status (e.g., administrative detention, or a secure health service unit room) pending the inmate's appearance before the Hearing Administrator. Reasons for this placement, and the approval of the Regional Director, shall be documented in the inmate central file. The inmate should be seen daily by case management and medical staff while in this temporary status, and a psychological or psychiatric assessment report should be prepared during this temporary placement period.

(a) The Regional Director in the region where the inmate is located shall review the institution's recommendation for referral of an inmate for controlled housing status. If the Regional Director concurs with the recommendation, the Regional Director shall designate a person in the Regional Office or a person at department head level or above in the institution to conduct a hearing on the appropriateness of an inmate's placement in controlled housing status. This Hearing Administrator shall have correctional experience, no former personal involvement in the instant situation, and a knowledge of the type of behavior that poses a health risk to others, and of the options available for dealing with an inmate who poses such a health risk to others.

(b) The Hearing Administrator shall provide a hearing to an inmate recommended for controlled housing status. The hearing ordinarily shall take place at the institution housing the inmate.

(c) The hearing shall proceed as follows:

(1) Staff shall provide an inmate with an advance written notice of the hearing and a copy of this rule at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. The notice will advise the inmate of the specific act(s) or other evidence which forms the basis for a recommendation that the inmate be placed in a controlled housing status, unless such evidence would likely endanger staff or others. If an inmate is illiterate, staff shall explain the notice and this rule to the inmate and document that this explanation has occurred.

(2) The Hearing Administrator shall upon request of the inmate provide an inmate the service of a full-time staff member to represent the inmate. The Hearing Administrator shall document in the record of the hearing an inmate's request for, or refusal of staff representation. The inmate may select a staff representative from the local institution. If the selected staff member declines for good reason or is unavailable, the inmate has the option of selecting another representative or, in the case of an absent staff member, of waiting a reasonable period (determined by the Hearing Administrator) for the staff member's return, or of proceeding without a staff representative. When an inmate is illiterate, the Warden shall provide a staff representative. The staff representative shall be available to assist the inmate and, if the inmate desires, shall contact witnesses and present favorable evidence at the hearing. The Hearing Administrator shall afford the staff representative adequate time to speak with the inmate and to inteview available witnesses.

(3) The inmate has the right to be present throughout the hearing, except where institutional security or good order is jeopardized. The Hearing Adminstrator may conduct a hearing in the absence of the inmate when the inmate refuses to appear. The Hearing Administrator shall document an inmate's refusal to appear, or other reason for nonappearance, in the record of the hearing.

(4) The inmate is entitled to present documentary evidence and to have witnesses appear, provided that calling witnesses would not jeopardize or threaten institutional security or individual safety, and further provided that the witnesses are available at the institution where the hearing is being conducted.

(i) The evidence to be presented must be material and relevant to the issue as to whether the inmate can and would pose a health risk to others, if allowed to remain in general prison population. This evidence may come from the statements of the individual, repeated misconduct (including disciplinary actions), or other behavior suggesting that the inmate may engage in predatory or promiscuous sexual behavior, assaultive behavior where body fluids may be transmitted to others, or the sharing of needles.

(ii) Repetitive witnesses need not be called. Staff who recommend placement in a controlled housing status are not required to appear, provided their recommendation is fully explained in the record.

(iii) When a witness is not available within the institution, or not permitted to appear, the inmate may submit a written statement by that witness. The Hearing Administrator shall, upon the inmate's request, postpone any decision following the hearing for a reasonable time to permit the obtaining and forwarding of written statements.

(iv) The Hearing Administrator shall document in the record of the hearing the reasons for declining to hear a witness or to receive documentary evidence.

(a) At the conclusion of the hearing and following review of all material related to the recommendation for placement of an inmate in a controlled housing status, the Hearing Administrator shall prepare a written decision as to whether this placement is warranted. The Hearing Administrator shall:

(1) Prepare a summary of the hearing and of all information presented upon which the decision is based; and

(2) Indicate the specific reasons for the decision, to include a description of the act, or series of acts, or other reliable evidence on which the decision is based, along with evidence of the inmate's HIV positive status.

(b) The Hearing Administrator shall advise the inmate in writing of the decision. The inmate shall receive the information described in paragraph (a) of this section unless it is determined that the release of this information could pose a threat to individual safety, or institutional security, in which case that limited information may be withheld. The Hearing Administrator shall advise the inmate that the decision will be submitted for review of the Regional Director in the region where the inmate is located. The Hearing Administrator shall advise the inmate that, if the inmate so desires, the inmate may submit an appeal of the Hearing Administrator's decision to the Regional Director. This appeal, with supporting documentation and reasons, must be filed within five working days of the inmate's receipt of the Hearing Administrator's decision.

(c) The Hearing Administrator may order the continuation of the inmate in special housing pending review by the Regional Director. The Hearing Administrator should state the reasons for this order in the record of the Hearing.

(d) The Hearing Administrator shall send the decision, whether for or against placement in a controlled housing status, and supporting documentation to the Regional Director. Ordinarily, this is done within 20 working days after conclusion of the hearing. Any reason for extension is to be documented.

(a) The Regional Director shall review the decision and supporting documentation of the Hearing Administrator and, if submitted, the information contained in an inmate's appeal. The Regional Director shall accept or reject the Hearing Administrator's decision within 30 working days of its receipt, unless for good cause there is reason for delay, which shall be documented in the record. The authority of the Regional Director may not be delegated below the level of acting Regional Director.

(b) The Regional Director shall provide a copy of his decision to the Warden at the institution housing the inmate, to the inmate, and to the Hearing Administrator.

(c) An inmate may appeal a decision of the Regional Director, through the Administrative Remedy Program, directly to the National Inmate Appeals Administrator, Office of General Counsel, within 30 calendar days of the Regional Director's decision (see 28 CFR 542.15).

To the extent consistent with available resources and the security needs of the institution, an inmate in controlled housing status is to be considered for activities and privileges afforded to the general population. This includes, but is not limited to, providing an inmate with the opportunity for participation in an education program, library services, counseling, and religious guidance, as well as access to case management, medical and mental health assistance, and legal services, including access to the institution's law libraries. An inmate in controlled housing status should be afforded at least five hours weekly recreation and exercise out of the cell. The recreation shall be by himself or under close supervision. Unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary, institutions shall provide commissary privileges and reasonable amounts of personal property. The Warden may restrict for reasons of security, fire safety, or housekeeping the amount of personal property that an inmate may retain while in controlled housing status. An inmate shall be permitted to have a radio, provided it is equipped with ear plugs. Visits shall be carefully monitored.

(a) Staff designated by the Warden shall evaluate regularly an inmate's adjustment while in controlled housing status. A medical staff member shall see the inmate daily, and regularly record medical and behavioral impressions. Once every 90 days, staff, comprised of a correctional and case management supervisor, and a member of the medical staff, shall meet with the inmate. The inmate is required to attend this meeting in order to be considered for release to the general population. Any refusal by the inmate to attend this meeting will be documented. Staff, at this meeting, shall make an assessment of the inmate's adjustment while in controlled housing and the likely health threat the inmate poses to others by his actions.

(b) The Warden shall serve as the review authority at the institutional level, and shall make a recommendation to the Regional Director when he believes the inmate should be considered for release from controlled housing.

(c) An inmate may appeal a Warden's decision not to recommend release from controlled housing to the Regional Director within five working days of receipt of that decision.

(d) Upon recommendation of the Warden, or upon appeal from the inmate, the Regional Director may decide whether or not to release the inmate to general population from controlled housing status.

(e) An inmate may appeal a decision of the Regional Director, through the Administrative Remedy Program, directly to the National Inmate Appeals Administrator, Office of General Counsel, within 30 calendar days of the Regional Director's decision (see 28 CFR 542.15).

(a) Only the Regional Director may release an inmate from controlled housing status. The following factors are considered in the evaluation of an inmate's readiness for return to the general population:

(1) Relationship with other inmates and staff members, which demonstrate that the inmate is able to function in a less restrictive environment without posing a health threat to others or to the orderly operation of the institution;

(2) Involvement in work and recreational activities and assignments or other programs; and

(3) Adherence to institution guidelines and Bureau of Prisons rules and policy.

(b) An inmate released from a controlled housing status may be returned to the general population of that institution, or to another federal or non-federal institution.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Administrative Remedy Program is to allow an inmate to seek formal review of an issue relating to any aspect of his/her own confinement. An inmate may not submit a Request or Appeal on behalf of another inmate.

(b) Scope. This Program applies to all inmates in institutions operated by the Bureau of Prisons, to inmates designated to contract Community Corrections Centers (CCCs) under Bureau of Prisons responsibility, and to former inmates for issues that arose during their confinement. This Program does not apply to inmates confined in other non-federal facilities.

(c) Statutorily-mandated procedures. There are statutorily-mandated procedures in place for tort claims (28 CFR part 543, subpart C), Inmate Accident Compensation claims (28 CFR part 301), and Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act requests (28 CFR part 513, subpart D). If an inmate raises an issue in a request or appeal that cannot be resolved through the Administrative Remedy Program, the Bureau will refer the inmate to the appropriate statutorily-mandated procedures.

(a) Informal resolution. Except as provided in § 542.13(b), an inmate shall first present an issue of concern informally to staff, and staff shall attempt to informally resolve the issue before an inmate submits a Request for Administrative Remedy. Each Warden shall establish procedures to allow for the informal resolution of inmate complaints.

(b) Exceptions. Inmates in CCCs are not required to attempt informal resolution. An informal resolution attempt is not required prior to submission to the Regional or Central Office as provided for in § 542.14(d) of this part. An informal resolution attempt may be waived in individual cases at the Warden or institution Administrative Remedy Coordinator's discretion when the inmate demonstrates an acceptable reason for bypassing informal resolution.

(a) Submission. The deadline for completion of informal resolution and submission of a formal written Administrative Remedy Request, on the appropriate form (BP-9), is 20 calendar days following the date on which the basis for the Request occurred.

(b) Extension. Where the inmate demonstrates a valid reason for delay, an extension in filing time may be allowed. In general, valid reason for delay means a situation which prevented the inmate from submitting the request within the established time frame. Valid reasons for delay include the following: an extended period in-transit during which the inmate was separated from documents needed to prepare the Request or Appeal; an extended period of time during which the inmate was physically incapable of preparing a Request or Appeal; an unusually long period taken for informal resolution attempts; indication by an inmate, verified by staff, that a response to the inmate's request for copies of dispositions requested under § 542.19 of this part was delayed.

(c) Form. (1) The inmate shall obtain the appropriate form from CCC staff or institution staff (ordinarily, the correctional counselor).

(2) The inmate shall place a single complaint or a reasonable number of closely related issues on the form. If the inmate includes on a single form multiple unrelated issues, the submission shall be rejected and returned without response, and the inmate shall be advised to use a separate form for each unrelated issue. For DHO and UDC appeals, each separate incident report number must be appealed on a separate form.

(3) The inmate shall complete the form with all requested identifying information and shall state the complaint in the space provided on the form. If more space is needed, the inmate may use up to one letter-size (81/2” by 11”) continuation page. The inmate must provide an additional copy of any continuation page. The inmate must submit one copy of supporting exhibits. Exhibits will not be returned with the response. Because copies of exhibits must be filed for any appeal (see § 542.15(b)(3)), the inmate is encouraged to retain a copy of all exhibits for his or her personal records.

(4) The inmate shall date and sign the Request and submit it to the institution staff member designated to receive such Requests (ordinarily a correctional counselor). CCC inmates may mail their Requests to the CCM.

(d) Exceptions to initial filing at institution—(1) Sensitive issues. If the inmate reasonably believes the issue is sensitive and the inmate's safety or well-being would be placed in danger if the Request became known at the institution, the inmate may submit the Request directly to the appropriate Regional Director. The inmate shall clearly mark “Sensitive” upon the Request and explain, in writing, the reason for not submitting the Request at the institution. If the Regional Administrative Remedy Coordinator agrees that the Request is sensitive, the Request shall be accepted. Otherwise, the Request will not be accepted, and the inmate shall be advised in writing of that determination, without a return of the Request. The inmate may pursue the matter by submitting an Administrative Remedy Request locally to the Warden. The Warden shall allow a reasonable extension of time for such a resubmission.

(2) DHO appeals. DHO appeals shall be submitted initially to the Regional Director for the region where the inmate is currently located.

(3) Control Unit appeals. Appeals related to Executive Panel Reviews of Control Unit placement shall be submitted directly to the General Counsel.

(4) Controlled housing status appeals. Appeals related to the Regional Director's review of controlled housing status placement may be filed directly with the General Counsel.

(a) Submission. An inmate who is not satisfied with the Warden's response may submit an Appeal on the appropriate form (BP-10) to the appropriate Regional Director within 20 calendar days of the date the Warden signed the response. An inmate who is not satisfied with the Regional Director's response may submit an Appeal on the appropriate form (BP-11) to the General Counsel within 30 calendar days of the date the Regional Director signed the response. When the inmate demonstrates a valid reason for delay, these time limits may be extended. Valid reasons for delay include those situations described in § 542.14(b) of this part. Appeal to the General Counsel is the final administrative appeal.

(b) Form. (1) Appeals to the Regional Director shall be submitted on the form designed for regional Appeals (BP-10) and accompanied by one complete copy or duplicate original of the institution Request and response. Appeals to the General Counsel shall be submitted on the form designed for Central Office Appeals (BP-11) and accompanied by one complete copy or duplicate original of the institution and regional filings and their responses. Appeals shall state specifically the reason for appeal.

(2) An inmate may not raise in an Appeal issues not raised in the lower level filings. An inmate may not combine Appeals of separate lower level responses (different case numbers) into a single Appeal.

(3) An inmate shall complete the appropriate form with all requested identifying information and shall state the reasons for the Appeal in the space provided on the form. If more space is needed, the inmate may use up to one letter-size (81/2″×11″) continuation page. The inmate shall provide two additional copies of any continuation page and exhibits with the regional Appeal, and three additional copies with an Appeal to the Central Office (the inmate is also to provide copies of exhibits used at the prior level(s) of appeal). The inmate shall date and sign the Appeal and mail it to the appropriate Regional Director, if a Regional Appeal, or to the National Inmate Appeals Administrator, Office of General Counsel, if a Central Office Appeal (see 28 CFR part 503 for addresses of the Central Office and Regional Offices).

(a) Rejections. The Coordinator at any level (CCM, institution, region, Central Office) may reject and return to the inmate without response a Request or an Appeal that is written by an inmate in a manner that is obscene or abusive, or does not meet any other requirement of this part.

(b) Notice. When a submission is rejected, the inmate shall be provided a written notice, signed by the Administrative Remedy Coordinator, explaining the reason for rejection. If the defect on which the rejection is based is correctable, the notice shall inform the inmate of a reasonable time extension within which to correct the defect and resubmit the Request or Appeal.

(c) Appeal of rejections. When a Request or Appeal is rejected and the inmate is not given an opportunity to correct the defect and resubmit, the inmate may appeal the rejection, including a rejection on the basis of an exception as described in § 542.14(d), to the next appeal level. The Coordinator at that level may affirm the rejection, may direct that the submission be accepted at the lower level (either upon the inmate's resubmission or direct return to that lower level), or may accept the submission for filing. The inmate shall be informed of the decision by delivery of either a receipt or rejection notice.

If accepted, a Request or Appeal is considered filed on the date it is logged into the Administrative Remedy Index as received. Once filed, response shall be made by the Warden or CCM within 20 calendar days; by the Regional Director within 30 calendar days; and by the General Counsel within 40 calendar days. If the Request is determined to be of an emergency nature which threatens the inmate's immediate health or welfare, the Warden shall respond not later than the third calendar day after filing. If the time period for response to a Request or Appeal is insufficient to make an appropriate decision, the time for response may be extended once by 20 days at the institution level, 30 days at the regional level, or 20 days at the Central Office level. Staff shall inform the inmate of this extension in writing. Staff shall respond in writing to all filed Requests or Appeals. If the inmate does not receive a response within the time allotted for reply, including extension, the inmate may consider the absence of a response to be a denial at that level.

Inmates and members of the public may request access to Administrative Remedy indexes and responses, for which inmate names and Register Numbers have been removed, as indicated below. Each institution shall make available its index, and the indexes of its regional office and the Central Office. Each regional office shall make available its index, the indexes of all institutions in its region, and the index of the Central Office. The Central Office shall make available its index and the indexes of all institutions and regional offices. Responses may be requested from the location where they are maintained and must be identified by Remedy ID number as indicated on an index. Copies of indexes or responses may be inspected during regular office hours at the locations indicated above, or may be purchased in accordance with the regular fees established for copies furnished under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

(a) The Warden or designee must appoint a postsecondary education coordinator (ordinarily an education staff member) for the institution. The postsecondary education coordinator is responsible for coordinating the institution's postsecondary education program.

(b) An inmate who wishes to participate in a postsecondary education course must apply through the postsecondary education coordinator. If the postsecondary education coordinator determines that the course is appropriate in light of the institution's need for discipline, security, and good order, the inmate may enroll provided that:

(1) The inmate meets eligibility requirements for the course which have been set by the course provider,

(2) The inmate is responsible for payment of any tuition either through personal funds, community resources, or scholarships available to the inmate, and

(3) The unit team determines that the course is appropriate for the inmate's apparent needs.

The Bureau of Prisons encourages inmates to make constructive use of leisure time and offers movies, games, sports, social activities, arts and hobbycrafts, wellness and other group and individual activities.

(a) Leisure activities are a wide range of activities in which inmates may participate when not performing assigned duties. Leisure activities include participation in organized and informal games, sports, physical fitness, table games, hobbycrafts, music programs, intramural activities, social and cultural organizations, movies, and stage shows. Religious activities, psychological services, and education classes are not included within this definition, except when they are used specifically to encourage knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to leisure activity involvement.

(b) Organized activities are those activities accounted for by registration or roster of individual participants, and occur at a scheduled time and place.

(c) Art work includes all paintings and sketches rendered in any of the usual media (oils, pastels, crayons, pencils, inks, and charcoal).

(d) Hobbycraft activities include ceramics, leatherwork, models, clay, mosaics, crochet, knitting, sculptures, woodworking, lapidary, and other forms consistent with institution guidelines.

(e) Inmate wellness program activities include screening, assessments, goal setting, fitness/nutrition prescriptions and counseling.

The Warden is to ensure, to the extent possible, that leisure activities are provided to meet social, physical, psychological, and overall wellness needs of inmates.

(a) Leisure activities are designed to attract inmate participation regardless of ethnic, racial, age, or sex difference, or handicap considerations, and to enhance the potential for post-release involvement.

(b) Leisure activities are designed to ensure that an inmate with the need has the opportunity to complete one or more activities (see 28 CFR 544.81).

Running events will ordinarily not exceed 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles. Appropriate medical staff and fluid supplies (e.g., water) should be available for all inmate running events.

(a) An inmate engaged in art or hobbycraft activities may obtain materials through:

(1) The institution art program (if one exists);

(2) The commissary sales unit;

(3) Special purchase commissary orders, if the sales unit is unable to stock a sufficient amount of the needed materials; or

(4) Other sources approved by the Warden.

(b) Each inmate shall identify completed art or hobbycraft products by showing the inmate's name and register number on the reverse side of the item.

(c) Completed or abandoned art or hobbycraft articles must be disposed of in one of the following ways:

(1) Upon approval of the Warden, by giving the item to an authorized visitor. The quantity of items will be determined by the Warden.

(2) By mailing the item to a verified relative or approved visitor at the inmate's expense.

(3) By selling, through an institution art and hobbycraft sales program, if one exists, after the institution price committee has determined the sale price.

(4) Other methods established by the Warden.

(d) Restrictions. Art and hobbycraft programs are intended for the personal enjoyment of an inmate and as an opportunity to learn a new leisure skill. They are not for the mass production of art and hobbycraft items by artists or to provide a means of supplementing an inmate's income.

(1) The Warden may restrict, for reasons of security and housekeeping, the size and quantity of all products made in the art and hobbycraft program. Paintings mailed out of the institution must conform to both institution guidelines and postal regulations. If an inmate's art work or hobbycraft is on public display, the Warden may restrict the content of the work in accordance with community standards of decency.

(2) The Warden may set limits, in compliance with commissary guidelines, on the amount of money an inmate may spend on art or hobbycraft items or materials.

(3) The Warden may restrict for reasons of security, fire safety, and housekeeping, the use or possession of art and hobbycraft items or materials.

(4) Appropriate hobbycraft activities shall be encouraged in the inmate living areas. However, the Warden may limit hobbycraft projects in the cell/living areas to those which can be contained/stored in provided personal property containers. Exceptions may be made for such items as a painting where the size would prohibit placement in a locker. Hobbycraft items must be removed from the living area when completed unless they are approved as personal property.

(5) The Warden shall require the inmate to mail completed hobbycraft articles out of the institution at the inmate's expense, or to give them to an authorized visitor within 30 days of completion, or to dispose of them through approved sales. However, articles offered for sale must be sold within 90 days of completion, or must be given to an authorized visitor or mailed out of the institution at the inmate's expense.

(6) Where space and equipment are limited and demand is high, the Warden may set limits on the amount of time an inmate may use a hobbycraft facility, e.g., the Warden may limit an inmate's use of any workshop or classroom to six months to make room for new students. Hobbycraft participants may be rotated to allow for maximum utilization of the resources.

(7) Disciplinary action may be taken against inmates found with unauthorized hobbycraft materials in their possession. This action may include the removal of the inmate from the hobbycraft program.

The Bureau of Prisons offers eligible inmates the opportunity under its occupational education programs to participate in occupational education courses for the purpose of obtaining marketable skills designed to enhance post-release employment opportunities.

(a) Eligibility. All inmates are eligible to participate in an institution's occupational education program. An eligible inmate must apply through the inmate's unit team for placement consideration. The unit team will determine whether the occupational education course is appropriate for the inmate's apparent needs.

(b) Special considerations for inmates under orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal: (1) Generally, inmates under orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal may participate in an institution's occupational education program if Bureau resources permit after meeting the needs of other eligible inmates.

(2) Inmates under orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal who the Attorney General has determined cannot be removed from the United States because the designated country of removal will not accept the inmate's return are exempted from the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and may participate in an institution's occupational education in the same manner as other eligible inmates.

Occupational education programs are offered at the certificate level and the classroom level. Each level may include the following types of training:

(a) Exploratory Training. Exploratory training is a study of occupations and industries for the purpose of providing the student with a general knowledge of the occupation and the world of work, rather than specific skill development.

(b) Marketable Training. Marketable training provides specific entry-level or advanced job skills. Marketable training may include “live work”, that is, the training would result in a product or service produced by the inmate for actual use by the institution, FPI, another federal agency, or community service project.

(c) Apprentice Training. Apprentice training provides an inmate the opportunity to participate in training which prepares the inmate for employment in various trades through structured apprenticeship programs approved at the state and national levels by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor.

Except as provided for in § 544.71, an inmate confined in a federal institution who does not have a verified General Educational Development (GED) credential or high school diploma is required to attend an adult literacy program for a minimum of 240 instructional hours or until a GED is achieved, whichever occurs first.

(a) The following inmates are not required to attend the literacy program:

(1) Pretrial inmates;

(2) Inmates committed for purpose of study and observation under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 4205(c), 4241(d), or, effective November 1, 1987, 18 U.S.C. 3552(b);

(3) Sentenced deportable aliens;

(4) Inmates determined by staff to be temporarily unable to participate in the literacy program due to special circumstances beyond their control (e.g., due to a medical condition, transfer on writ, on a waiting list for initial placement). Such inmates, however, shall be required to participate when the special circumstances are no longer applicable.

(b) Inmates who have been determined (on the basis of formal diagnostic assessment) to have a documented emotional, mental, or physical individual impediment to learning shall not be required to complete the literacy program beyond those achievement levels indicated as realistic by the formal diagnostic assessment.

(c) Staff shall document in the inmate's education file the specific reasons for not requiring the inmate to participate in, or to complete, the literacy program.

The Warden shall establish a system of incentives to encourage an inmate to obtain a GED credential.

(a) The Warden or designee shall assign to an education staff member the responsibility to coordinate the institution's literacy program. Initially, staff shall meet with the inmate for the purpose of enrolling the inmate in the literacy program. Subsequently, staff shall formally interview each inmate involved in the literacy program when necessary for the purpose of determining a progress assignment. Staff shall place documentation of these interviews in the inmate's education file.

(b)(1) For the purposes of 18 U.S.C. 3624, an inmate subject to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) or the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PLRA) shall be deemed to be making satisfactory progress toward earning a GED credential or high school diploma unless and until the inmate receives a progress assignment confirming that:

(i) The inmate refuses to enroll in the literacy program;

(ii) The inmate has been found to have committed a prohibited act that occurred in a literacy program during the last 240 instructional hours of the inmate's most recent enrollment in the literacy program; or

(iii) The inmate has withdrawn from the literacy program.

(2) When an inmate subject to VCCLEA or PLRA receives a progress assignment indicating that the inmate is not making satisfactory progress, the assignment shall be changed to indicate satisfactory progress only after the inmate is currently and continuously enrolled in a literacy program for a minimum of 240 instructional hours. Any further withdrawal or finding that the inmate has committed a prohibited act in a literacy program during the last 240 instructional hours of the inmate's most recent enrollment in the literacy program shall result in a progress assignment indicating that the inmate is again not making satisfactory progress (see paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section).

(c) At the end of 240 instructional hours, excluding sick time, furloughs, or other absences from scheduled classes, the unit team during scheduled program review sessions shall meet with the inmate to encourage continued participation in the literacy program until the inmate earns a GED credential or high school diploma. At these meetings, the inmate may elect not to continue in the literacy program, and no disciplinary action will be taken. The inmate may not discontinue this program when participation is mandated by statute.

These limitations on work assignment appointment and promotion apply to all inmates, including those exempted from required participation in the literacy program by § 544.71.

(a) Appointment. (1) An inmate who does not meet the literacy requirement may be assigned to a grade 4 position contingent upon the inmate's continued enrollment in the literacy program.

(2) An inmate ordinarily must show prior attainment of a GED credential or high school diploma in order to be considered for a commissary work assignment above minimum pay level, an institution work assignment above grade 4 compensation, or an industrial work assignment above grade four or in a non-graded incentive pay position.

(3) If labor force needs require, an inmate who does not meet the literacy requirement may be assigned to an industrial non-graded incentive pay position if the inmate is simultaneously enrolled in a literacy or related program. Withdrawal from the literacy program shall result in termination of the assignment. Local Federal Prison Industry (FPI) management may elect to retain the reassigned inmate in an hourly rated grade 4 position.

(b) Promotion. An inmate ordinarily must show prior attainment of a GED credential or high school diploma to be promoted above the minimum pay level or grade in a commissary work assignment, an institutional work assignment, or an industrial work assignment. An inmate already in an assignment above the minimum pay grade who had met prior literacy requirements when approved for promotion is eligible for further promotion under the prior standard. Such inmate, however, must meet the current standard if, due to demotion based upon a poor performance appraisal, he or she needs to reapply for a promotion.

(c) Exceptions. The Warden may, for good cause, exempt inmates on a case-by-case basis, from the literacy requirements for work assignment appointment and promotion. Staff shall document such exemption in the inmate's education file and central file.

As with other mandatory programs, such as work assignments, staff may take disciplinary action against an inmate lacking a GED credential or high school diploma if that inmate refuses to enroll in, and to complete, the mandatory 240 instructional hours of the literacy program.

In consideration of inmate education, occupation, and leisure-time needs, the Bureau of Prisons affords inmates the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills through academic, occupation and leisure-time activities. All institutions, except satellite camps, detention centers and metropolitan correctional centers, shall operate a full range of activities as outlined in this rule.

The Warden shall ensure that an inmate with the need, capacity, and sufficient time to serve, has the opportunity to:

(a) Complete an Adult Literacy program leading to a General Educational Development (GED) certificate and/or high school diploma;

(b) Complete one or more levels of English-as-a-Second Language;

(c) Acquire or improve marketable skill through one or more programs of Occupation Education (OE);

(d) Complete one or more Postsecondary Education activities;

(e) Complete one or more Adult Continuing Education activities;

(f) Participate in one or more leisure, fitness, wellness or sport activities;

(g) Participate in a Release Preparation program; and

(h) Participate in Career Counseling. Staff shall encourage each inmate to accept the responsibility to identify any specific education needs, set personal goals, and select activities, programs and/or work experiences which will help to reach those goals.

(a) The Supervisor of Education shall assure that the following minimum criteria are met for the institution's education program set forth in § 544.81.

(1) There is a written curriculum which establishes measurable behavioral objectives and procedures.

(2) There are clear criteria which establish minimum expectations for program completion, as well as provisions for the assessment of student progress.

(3) There are provisions for periodic review of the relevancy and effectiveness of the program.

(4) Unless unusual circumstances (e.g., college credit courses) exist, all programs should allow for open entry and exit, at least on a monthly basis.

(5) The Supervisor of Education may establish other requirements necessary to assure that the stated goals of the program are achieved.

(b) Upon an inmate's completion of a program specified in § 544.81, staff may issue and/or review and file a certificate when it contributes to an inmate's future plans in such a way that it validates the inmate's education and training; supports the inmate's chances of securing employment; improves the inmate's acceptance for advanced education; or enhances the inmate's opportunity for success in any other activity the inmate chooses to pursue. The certificate will confirm that the inmate has completed the requirements to receive a certificate that fits one or a combination of the following categories:

(1) Accredited certificates—high school diplomas and occupation training certificates approved or issued through local school districts, state departments of education, or other recognized accrediting educational organizations;

(2) Postsecondary certificates and transcripts—postsecondary degrees or course certificates approved or issued through a sponsoring accredited educational institution;

(3) General Educational Development tests—programs sponsored by the American Council on Education;

(4) Private certificates—outside agencies, private business and industry, other than those stated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section;

(5) Institutional certificates—approved general education, occupation training, recreation, adult continuing education and social education certificates, issued to an inmate who completes a program, and when the institution cannot provide a certificate as provided in paragraphs (b) (1) and (4) of this section; or

(6) Transcripts—issued to an inmate who completes general education programs, formal occupation training, on-the-job and apprentice training and work assignments. With the inmate's consent, transcripts may be sent to schools and colleges, business, industries and other agencies.

Institutions may establish an inmate tutor/aide program. Guidelines shall be developed regarding the training and supervision of inmate tutors/aides where such programs are available.

The Bureau of Prisons provides inmates within each of its institutions with library services necessary for educational, cultural, and leisure activity. The Warden shall ensure that the inmate library has a wide variety of reading materials. Library services shall ordinarily be available to all inmates daily, including evenings and weekends, except in detention facilities where service shall be scheduled as frequently as possible to ensure reasonable access.

(a) The Warden shall assign a staff member (ordinarily the Supervisor of Education) responsibility for the inmate library.

(b) The inmate library shall offer an inmate a variety of reading materials, including, but not limited to, periodicals, newspapers, fiction, non-fiction, and reference books.

(c) Where the population of an institution includes inmates of foreign origin, staff shall attempt to provide reading materials in the inmates' language.

(d) Inmate library services shall be made available to inmates in special housing units.

(e) The Warden or designee may authorize the use of inmates as library assistants.

The Bureau of Prisons encourages each sentenced inmate to meet his or her legitimate financial obligations. As part of the initial classification process, staff will assist the inmate in developing a financial plan for meeting those obligations, and at subsequent program reviews, staff shall consider the inmate's efforts to fulfill those obligations as indicative of that individual's acceptance and demonstrated level of responsibility. The provisions of this rule apply to all inmates in federal facilities, except: Study and observation cases, pretrial detainees, and inmates in holdover status pending designation.

When an inmate has a financial obligation, unit staff shall help that inmate develop a financial plan and shall monitor the inmate's progress in meeting that obligation.

(a) Developing a financial plan. At initial classification, the unit team shall review an inmate's financial obligations, using all available documentation, including, but not limited to, the Presentence Investigation and the Judgment and Commitment Order(s). The financial plan developed shall be documented and will include the following obligations, ordinarily to be paid in the priority order as listed:

(1) Special Assessments imposed under 18 U.S.C. 3013;

(2) Court-ordered restitution;

(3) Fines and court costs;

(4) State or local court obligations; and

(5) Other federal government obligations.

(b) Payment. The inmate is responsible for making satisfactory progress in meeting his/her financial responsibility plan and for providing documentation of these payments to unit staff. Payments may be made from institution resources or non-institution (community) resources. In developing an inmate's financial plan, the unit team shall first subtract from the trust fund account the inmate's minimum payment schedule for UNICOR or non-UNICOR work assignments, set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section. The unit team shall then exclude from its assessment $75.00 a month deposited into the inmate's trust fund account. This $75.00 is excluded to allow the inmate the opportunity to better maintain telephone communication under the Inmate Telephone System (ITS).

(1) Ordinarily, the minimum payment for non-UNICOR and UNICOR grade 5 inmates will be $25.00 per quarter. This minimum payment may exceed $25.00, taking into consideration the inmate's specific obligations, institution resources, and community resources.

(2) Inmates assigned grades 1 through 4 in UNICOR ordinarily will be expected to allot not less than 50% of their monthly pay to the payment process. Any allotment which is less than the 50% minimum must be approved by the Unit Manager. Allotments may also exceed the 50% minimum after considering the individual's specific obligations and resources.

(c) Monitoring. Participation and/or progress in the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program will be reviewed each time staff assess an inmate's demonstrated level of responsible behavior.

(d) Effects of non-participation. Refusal by an inmate to participate in the financial responsibility program or to comply with the provisions of his financial plan ordinarily shall result in the following:

(1) Where applicable, the Parole Commission will be notified of the inmate's failure to participate;

(2) The inmate will not receive any furlough (other than possibly an emergency or medical furlough);

(3) The inmate will not receive performance pay above the maintenance pay level, or bonus pay, or vacation pay;

(4) The inmate will not be assigned to any work detail outside the secure perimeter of the facility;

(5) The inmate will not be placed in UNICOR. Any inmate assigned to UNICOR who fails to make adequate progress on his/her financial plan will be removed from UNICOR, and once removed, may not be placed on a UNICOR waiting list for six months. Any exceptions to this require approval of the Warden;

(6) The inmate shall be subject to a monthly commissary spending limitation more stringent than the monthly commissary spending limitation set for all inmates. This more stringent commissary spending limitation for IFRP refusees shall be at least $25 per month, excluding purchases of stamps, telephone credits, and, if the inmate is a common fare participant, Kosher/Halal certified shelf-stable entrees to the extent that such purchases are allowable under pertinent Bureau regulations;

(7) The inmate will be quartered in the lowest housing status (dormitory, double bunking, etc.);

(8) The inmate will not be placed in a community-based program;

(9) The inmate will not receive a release gratuity unless approved by the Warden;

(10) [Reserved]

(11) The inmate will not receive an incentive for participation in residential drug treatment programs.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons operates an inmate work program within its institutions. To the extent practicable, the work program:

(1) Reduces inmate idleness, while allowing the inmate to improve and/or develop useful job skills, work habits, and experiences that will assist in post-release employment; and

(2) Ensures that activities necessary to maintain the day-to-day operation of the institution are completed. Sentenced inmates who are physically and mentally able to work are required to participate in the work program. When approved by the Warden or designee, drug treatment programming, education, or vocational training may be substituted for all or part of the work program.

(b) The Warden may recognize an inmate's work performance or productive participation in specified correctional programs by granting performance pay.

(a) Physically and mentally able. For purposes of this rule, this shall include inmates with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential function of the work assignment.

(b) Institution work assignment. A work assignment which contributes to the day-to-day operation of the institution (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, food service).

(c) Industry assignment. A Federal Prison Industries (FPI) work assignment.

(d) Commissary assignment. A Trust Fund work assignment.

(e) Full-time work assignment. A work assignment to which an inmate is assigned for the entire scheduled work day.

(f) Part-time work assignment. A work assignment to which an inmate is assigned for only a portion of the scheduled work day. Part-time work assignments are ordinarily made in conjunction with drug treatment programming, education, and/or vocational training programs.

(g) Medically unassigned. An inmate who, because of medical restrictions, is unable to be assigned to any work program.

(h) Light duty work assignment. A work assignment in which an inmate may, because of physical limitations, temporary or otherwise, only perform limited work functions, e.g., sedentary work, no prolonged standing, no lifting over 25 lbs., etc.

(a) The Warden at each Bureau of Prisons institution is to establish an Institution Inmate Work and Performance Pay Committee to administer the institution's work and performance pay program. The Committee is to be comprised of an Associate Warden, the Inmate Performance Pay Coordinator, and any other member(s) the Warden considers appropriate.

(b) The Committee is responsible for approving the following aspects of the institution's inmate work and performance pay program:

(1) Number of inmates on each work detail;

(2) Number of pay grades in each detail;

(3) Job descriptions;

(4) Performance standards;

(5) Budgeting for special act awards; and

(6) Bonus pay/special bonus pay procedures.

(a) Each sentenced inmate who is physically and mentally able is to be assigned to an institutional, industrial, or commissary work program. Exception shall be made to allow for inmate participation in an education, vocational, or drug abuse treatment program, on either a full or part-time basis, where this involvement is mandated by Bureau policy or statute (for example, the Literacy Program). Where such participation is not required by either policy or statute, exception may be made to allow an inmate to participate in an education, vocational, or drug abuse treatment program rather than work full-time upon the request of the inmate and approval of the Warden or designee.

(b) A pretrial inmate may not be required to work in any assignment or area other than housekeeping tasks in the inmate's own cell and in the community living area, unless the pretrial inmate has signed a waiver of his or her right not to work (see 28 CFR part 551, subpart J).

(c) Medically unassigned inmates may be required, to the extent medically possible, to perform housekeeping tasks in the inmate's own cell and in the community living area.

(d) In making the work and/or program assignment(s), staff shall consider the inmate's capacity to learn, interests, requests, needs, and eligibility, and the availability of the assignment(s). An inmate's assignment shall be made with consideration of the institution's security and operational needs, and should be consistent with the safekeeping of the inmate and protection of the public.

(a) The scheduled work day for an inmate in a federal institution ordinarily consists of a minimum of seven hours.

(b) An inmate is expected to report to the place of assignment at the required time. An inmate may not leave an assignment without permission.

(c) An inmate, regardless of assignment, is expected to perform all assigned tasks diligently and conscientiously. Disciplinary action may be taken against an inmate who refuses to work, who otherwise evades attendance and performance standards in assigned activities, or who encourages others to do so.

(d) Work, vocational, and education programs are to meet the appropriate minimum standards for health and safety. Safety equipment is to be available where needed.

(e) An inmate is expected to perform the work assignment in a safe manner, using safety equipment as instructed by the work supervisor. In the event of any work related injury, the inmate shall notify the work supervisor so that appropriate action (for example, medical attention, and submission of necessary reports) may be taken.

(a) An inmate may receive performance pay for accomplishments in one or more of the following areas:

(1) Institution work assignment;

(2) Literacy program (GED) participation;

(3) Apprenticeship training; and

(4) Vocational training courses (approved by the Bureau of Prisons as certified vocational training instruction).

(b) An inmate is eligible for performance pay from the date of work or program assignment. An inmate is eligible to receive performance pay for each month that the inmate's performance justifies such payment.

(c) An inmate who refuses to participate in the financial responsibility program shall not ordinarily receive performance pay above the maintenance pay level, or bonus pay, or vacation pay in accordance with 28 CFR part 545, subpart B.

(d) An inmate who refuses participation, withdraws, is expelled, or otherwise fails attendance or examination requirements of the drug abuse education course shall be held at the lowest pay grade (Grade 4).

(a) The Warden shall ensure that all institution work assignments have standardized work descriptions. Each inmate work position is assigned one of four pay grade levels. Factors to consider in assigning a grade level to the specific work position include the position's educational and vocational requirements, physical demands, working conditions (exposed to dusts, odors, etc.), and the degree of responsibility held by the inmate worker. The inmate assigned to a specific work position shall sign, and, if requested, receive a copy of, that position description.

(b) In recognition of budgetary constraints and for the effective management of the overall performance pay program, the percentage of inmates assigned to each grade level is approximately as follows (Grade 1 is highest pay):

(c) An inmate may receive performance pay only for that portion of the month that the inmate was working. Performance pay may not be awarded retroactively.

(d) An inmate is eligible to receive performance pay only for those hours during which the inmate is actually performing satisfactory work or actively participating in an education or vocational training program. Absences from an inmate's scheduled assignment for such reasons as call-outs, visits, sick call, interviews, or making telephone calls shall be deducted from the monthly number of hours worked and will accordingly reduce the amount of pay received by the inmate. Any exception to such reduction in pay must be approved by the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, Central Office.

(e) Work evaluation. (1) At the end of each month the work detail/program supervisor shall compute the hours worked by the inmate and the pay to be awarded for that month.

(2) An inmate shall receive performance pay only for those hours during which the inmate is actively participating in a work assignment or an education/vocational program.

(3) The work detail/program supervisor shall rate the inmate's performance in each of several categories on a monthly basis when the inmate's work performance is average or below average or on a quarterly basis when the inmate's work performance is above average. For example, an inmate may be rated in such categories as quality of work, quantity of work, initiative, ability to learn, dependability, response to supervision and instruction, safety and care of equipment, ability to work with others, and overall job proficiency. Any exception to the work performance evaluation procedures cited in this paragraph requires approval of the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, Central Office. The work detail/program supervisor shall review the evaluation with the inmate. The supervisor shall request that the inmate sign the evaluation form. If the inmate refuses to sign the form, the supervisor shall note this refusal on the evaluation and, if known, the reasons for refusal.

(f) Bonus pay. When the supervisor of an inmate worker or program participant believes the inmate has made exceptional accomplishments or appreciably contributed to the work assignment, the supervisor may recommend that the inmate receive a bonus. For example, an inmate who works in excess of the scheduled work day can qualify for bonus pay. Written justification for the bonus request must be forwarded to the Department Head for approval.

(g) Special bonus pay. An inmate may receive special bonus pay based on the inmate's exceptional work in a temporary job assignment, provided this assignment has been previously identified by the Warden, and approved by the Regional Director, as critical to the institution. When the supervisor of an inmate worker assigned to this temporary job assignment believes the inmate has performed exceptionally well, the supervisor may recommend that the inmate received a special bonus. Written justification for the special bonus request must be forwarded to the Department Head for approval.

(h) An inmate's performance pay, once earned, becomes vested.

(i) Each inmate in performance pay status shall be notified of monthly earnings.

(a) An inmate who has worked full-time for 12 consecutive months on an institution work assignment is eligible to take a five-day paid vacation at the inmate's prevailing hourly rate. A recommendation for an inmate to receive vacation credit is made by the inmate's work supervisor, through the Department Head, to the Unit Team, who shall approve the request if the inmate's work performance qualifies for vacation credit.

(b) Staff shall schedule an inmate's vacation so it is compatable with shop production and administrative support requirements.

(c) The Warden or designee may authorize an inmate to accumulate vacation credit when:

(1) The inmate is transferred to another institution for the benefit of the government or because of the inmate's favorable adjustment (custody reduction); or

(2) The inmate is placed in a new work assignment in the institution for the benefit of the government or institution, rather than solely at the inmate's request or because of the inmate's poor performance or adverse behavior.

(a) With prior approval of the Education Department, each inmate who completes the Literacy program, Vocational Training, or related trades classroom work that is part of a certified apprenticeship program may be granted an achievement award from performance pay funds.

(b) With prior approval of the Psychology Services Department, each inmate who is making satisfactory progress or completes a residential drug treatment program may also be granted an achievement award from performance pay funds.

(a) Inmates who perform exceptional services not ordinarily a part of the inmate's regular assignment may be granted a special award regardless of the inmate's work or program status. Examples of actions which may result in the inmate being considered for a special award are the following:

(1) An act of heroism.

(2) Voluntary acceptance and satisfactory performance of an unusually hazardous assignment.

(3) An act which protects the lives of employees or inmates, or the property of the United States. (This does not apply to informants.)

(4) Suggestions which result in substantial improvements or cost-savings in institutional programs or operations.

(5) Other exceptionally meritorious or outstanding services consistent with the general character of the preceding cases.

(b) The special award may be given in the form of a monetary payment in addition to any other award (e.g., extra good time) given.

(c) The Warden of each institution is empowered to approve special awards not exceeding $150. Awards in excess of this amount may not be made unless approved by the Regional Director.

Funds due a deceased inmate for work performed and not yet paid shall be made to a legal representative of the inmate's estate or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution of the state of the inmate's domicile.

The Warden shall ensure that staff receive training on their roles in, and on the operation of, the work and performance pay program. The Warden shall also ensure that the inmate population is informed of the work and performance pay program, and of the hourly rates paid to inmate workers.

The Bureau of Prisons is responsible for procuring and preparing any food or food ingredients to be served to the institution's inmate population. Except as allowed for in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, the Bureau requires that special food or meals prepared for and/or served to any group(s) of inmates also be served to the institution's entire inmate population. Special food or meals, as identified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, may be prepared and/or served to a specific group of inmates rather than to the entire inmate population of the institution.

(a) Food items sold in the institution's commissary.

(b) Religious dietary practices as authorized in accordance with 28 CFR 548.20.

(c) Medical diet foods.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons provides inmates of all faith groups with reasonable and equitable opportunities to pursue religious beliefs and practices, within the constraints of budgetary limitations and consistent with the security and orderly running of the institution and the Bureau of Prisons.

(b) When considered necessary for the security or good order of the institution, the Warden may limit attendance at or discontinue a religious activity. Opportunities for religious activities are open to the entire inmate population, without regard to race, color, nationality, or ordinarily, creed. The Warden, after consulting with the institution chaplain, may limit participation in a particular religious activity or practice to the members of that religious group. Ordinarily, when the nature of the activity or practice (e.g., religious fasts, wearing of headwear, work proscription, ceremonial meals) indicates a need for such a limitation, only those inmates whose files reflect the pertinent religious preference will be included.

(c) The Bureau of Prisons does not require an inmate to profess a religious belief. An inmate may designate any or no religious preference at his/her initial team screening. By notifying the chaplain in writing, an inmate may request to change this designation at any time, and the change will be effected in a timely fashion.

For purposes of this subpart, the term “religious activity” includes religious diets, services, ceremonies, and meetings.

Institution chaplains are responsible for managing religious activities within the institution. Institution chaplains are available upon request to provide pastoral care and counseling to inmates through group programs and individual services. Pastoral care and counseling from representatives in the community are available in accordance with the provisions of §§ 548.14 and 548.19. The chaplain may ask the requesting inmate to provide information regarding specific requested religious activities for the purpose of making an informed decision regarding the request.

(a) Under the general supervision of the Warden, chaplains shall schedule and direct the institution's religious activities.

(b) The Warden may relieve an inmate from an institution program or assignment if a religious activity is also scheduled at that time.

(c) Institutions shall have space designated for the conduct of religious activities.

(a) The institution's chaplain may contract with representatives of faith groups in the community to provide specific religious services which the chaplain cannot personally deliver due to, ordinarily, religious prescriptions or ecclesiastical constraints to which the chaplain adheres.

(b) The institution's chaplain may secure the services of volunteers to assist inmates in observing their religious beliefs.

(c) The Warden or the Warden's designee (ordinarily the chaplain) may require a recognized representative of the faith group to verify a volunteer's or contractor's religious credentials prior to approving his or her entry into the institution.

No one may disparage the religious beliefs of an inmate, nor coerce or harass an inmate to change religious affiliation. Attendance at all religious activities is voluntary and, unless otherwise specifically determined by the Warden, open to all.

(a) Inmate religious property includes but is not limited to rosaries and prayer beads, oils, prayer rugs, phylacteries, medicine pouches, and religious medallions. Such items, which become part of an inmate's personal property, are subject to normal considerations of safety and security. If necessary, their religious significance shall be verified by the chaplain prior to the Warden's approval.

(b) An inmate ordinarily shall be allowed to wear or use personal religious items during religious services, ceremonies, and meetings in the chapel, unless the Warden determines that the wearing or use of such items would threaten institution security, safety, or good order. Upon request of the inmate, the Warden may allow the wearing or use of certain religious items throughout the institution, consistent with considerations of security, safety, or good order. The Warden may request the chaplain to obtain direction from representatives of the inmate's faith group or other appropriate sources concerning the religious significance of the items.

(c) An inmate who wishes to have religious books, magazines or periodicals must comply with the general rules of the institution regarding ordering, purchasing, retaining, and accumulating personal property. Religious literature is permitted in accordance with the procedures governing incoming publications. Distribution to inmates of religious literature purchased by or donated to the Bureau of Prisons is contingent upon the chaplain's granting his or her approval.

When the religious tenets of an inmate's faith are violated or jeopardized by a particular work assignment, a different work assignment ordinarily shall be made after it is requested in writing by the inmate, and the specific religious tenets have been verified by the chaplain. Maintaining security, safety, and good order in the institution are grounds for denial of such request for a different work assignment.

Consistent with maintaining security, safety, and good order in the institution, the Warden shall endeavor to facilitate the observance of important religious holy days which involve special fasts, dietary regulations, worship, or work proscription. The inmate must submit a written request to the chaplain for time off from work to observe a religious holy day. The Warden may request the chaplain to consult with community representatives of the inmate's faith group and/or other appropriate sources to verify the religious significance of the requested observance. The chaplain will work with requesting inmates to accommodate a proper observance of the holy day. The Warden will ordinarily allow an inmate to take earned vacation days, or to make up for missed work, or to change work assignments in order to facilitate the observance of the religious holy day.

If requested by an inmate, the chaplain shall facilitate arrangements for pastoral visits by a clergyperson or representative of the inmate's faith.

(a) The chaplain may request an NCIC check and documentation of such clergyperson's or faith group representative's credentials.

(b) Pastoral visits may not be counted as social visits. They will ordinarily take place in the visiting room during regular visiting hours.

(a) The Bureau provides inmates requesting a religious diet reasonable and equitable opportunity to observe their religious dietary practice within the constraints of budget limitations and the security and orderly running of the institution and the Bureau through a religious diet menu. The inmate will provide a written statement articulating the religious motivation for participation in the religious diet program.

(b) An inmate who has been approved for a religious diet menu must notify the chaplain in writing if the inmate wishes to withdraw from the religious diet. Approval for an inmate's religious diet may be withdrawn by the chaplain if the inmate is documented as being in violation of the terms of the religious diet program to which the inmate has agreed in writing. In order to preserve the integrity and orderly operation of the religious diet program and to prevent fraud, inmates who withdraw (or are removed) may not be immediately reestablished back into the program. The process of reapproving a religious diet for an inmate who voluntarily withdraws or who is removed ordinarily may extend up to thirty days. Repeated withdrawals (voluntary or otherwise), however, may result in inmates being subjected to a waiting period of up to one year.

(c) The chaplain may arrange for inmate religious groups to have one appropriate ceremonial or commemorative meal each year for their members as identified by the religious preference reflected in the inmate's file. An inmate may attend one religious ceremonial meal in a calendar year.

The Bureau will manage infectious diseases in the confined environment of a correctional setting through a comprehensive approach which includes testing, appropriate treatment, prevention, education, and infection control measures.

(a) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). (1) Clinically indicated. The Bureau tests inmates who have sentences of six months or more if health services staff determine, taking into consideration the risk as defined by the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, that the inmate is at risk for HIV infection. If the inmate refuses testing, staff may initiate an incident report for refusing to obey an order.

(2) Exposure incidents. The Bureau tests an inmate, regardless of the length of sentence or pretrial status, when there is a well-founded reason to believe that the inmate may have transmitted the HIV infection, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to Bureau employees or other non-inmates who are lawfully present in a Bureau institution. Exposure incident testing does not require the inmate's consent.

(3) Surveillance Testing. The Bureau conducts HIV testing for surveillance purposes as needed. If the inmate refuses testing, staff may initiate an incident report for refusing to obey an order.

(4) Inmate request. An inmate may request to be tested. The Bureau limits such testing to no more than one per 12-month period unless the Bureau determines that additional testing is warranted.

(5) Counseling. Inmates being tested for HIV will receive pre- and post-test counseling, regardless of the test results.

(b) Tuberculosis (TB). (1) The Bureau screens each inmate for TB within two calendar days of initial incarceration.

(2) The Bureau conducts screening for each inmate annually as medically indicated.

(3) The Bureau will screen an inmate for TB when health services staff determine that the inmate may be at risk for infection.

(4) An inmate who refuses TB screening may be subject to an incident report for refusing to obey an order. If an inmate refuses skin testing, and there is no contraindication to tuberculin skin testing, then, institution medical staff will test the inmate involuntarily.

(5) The Bureau conducts TB contact investigations following any incident in which inmates or staff may have been exposed to tuberculosis. Inmates will be tested according to paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(c) Diagnostics. The Bureau tests an inmate for an infectious or communicable disease when the test is necessary to verify transmission following exposure to bloodborne pathogens or to infectious body fluid. An inmate who refuses diagnostic testing is subject to an incident report for refusing to obey an order.

(a) The CD will assess any inmate with an infectious disease for appropriateness for programming, duty, and housing. Inmates with infectious diseases that are transmitted through casual contact will be prohibited from work assignments in any area, until fully evaluated by a health care provider.

(b) Inmates may be limited in programming, duty, and housing when their infectious disease is transmitted through casual contact. The Warden, in consultation with the CD, may exclude inmates, on a case-by-case basis, from work assignments based upon the security and good order of the institution.

(c) If an inmate tests positive for an infectious disease, that test alone does not constitute sole grounds for disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may be considered when coupled with a secondary action that could lead to transmission of an infectious agent. Inmates testing positive for infectious disease are subject to the same disciplinary policy that applies to all inmates (see 28 CFR part 541, subpart B). Except as provided for in our disciplinary policy, no special or separate housing units may be established for HIV-positive inmates.

(a) The HSA will ensure that a qualified health care professional provides training, incorporating a question-and-answer session, about infectious diseases to all newly committed inmates, during Admission and Orientation.

(b) Inmates in work assignments which staff determine to present the potential for occupational exposure to blood or infectious body fluids will receive annual training on prevention of work-related exposures and will be offered vaccination for Hepatitis B.

This subpart establishes procedures governing inmate access to Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications for all inmates except those in inpatient status at Federal Medical Centers. Inmates may buy OTC medications which are available at the commissary. Inmates may also obtain OTC medications at sick call if the inmate does not already have the OTC medication and:

(a) Health services staff determine that the inmate has an immediate medical need which must be addressed before his or her regularly scheduled commissary visit; or

(b) The inmate is without funds.

(a) The Warden must establish procedures to provide up to two OTC medications per week for an inmate without funds. An inmate without funds is an inmate who has not had a trust fund account balance of $6.00 for the past 30 days.

(b) An inmate without funds may obtain additional OTC medications at sick call if health services staff determine that he/she has an immediate medical need which must be addressed before the inmate may again apply for OTC medications under this section.

(c) To prevent abuses of this section (e.g., inmate shows a pattern of depleting his or her commissary funds before requesting OTC medications), the Warden may impose restrictions on the provisions of this section.

Psychotropic medication is to be used only for a diagnosable psychiatric disorder or symptomatic behavior for which such medication is accepted treatment.

(a) A sentenced inmate may be voluntarily admitted for psychiatric treatment and medication when, in the professional judgment of qualified health personnel, such inmate would benefit from such treatment and demonstrates the ability to give informed consent to such admission. The assessment of the inmate's ability to give informed consent will be documented in the individual's medical record by qualified health personnel.

(b) If an inmate is to receive psychotropic medications voluntarily, his or her informed consent must be obtained, and his or her ability to give such consent must be documented in the medical record by qualified health personnel.

A court determination is necessary for involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric treatment. A sentenced inmate, not currently committed for psychiatric treatment, who is not able or willing to voluntarily consent either to psychiatric admission or to medication, is subject to judicial involuntary commitment procedures. Even after an inmate is involuntarily committed, staff shall follow the administrative due process procedures specified in § 549.43 of this subpart.

Title 18 U.S.C. 4241-4247 and federal court decisions require that certain procedures be followed prior to the involuntary administration of psychiatric treatment and medication to persons in the custody of the Attorney General. Court commitment for hospitalization provides the judicial due process hearing, and no further judicial authorization is needed for the admission decision. However, in order to administer treatment or psychotropic medication on an involuntary basis, further administrative due process procedures, as specified in this section, must be provided to the inmate. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, the procedures outlined herein must be followed after a person is committed for hospitalization and prior to administering involuntary treatment, including medication.

(a) Procedures. When an inmate will not or cannot provide voluntary written informed consent for psychotropic medication, the inmate will be scheduled for an administrative hearing. Absent an emergency situation, the inmate will not be medicated prior to the hearing. In regard to the hearing, the inmate will be given the following procedural safeguards:

(1) Staff shall provide 24-hour advance written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing, including the reasons for the medication proposal.

(2) Staff shall inform the inmate of the right to appear at the hearing, to present evidence, to have a staff representative, to request witnesses, and to request that witnesses be questioned by the staff representative or by the person conducting the hearing. If the inmate does not request a staff representative, or requests a staff representative with insufficient experience or education, the institution mental health division administrator shall appoint a staff representative. Witnesses should be called if they have information relevant to the inmate's mental condition and/or need for medication, and if they are reasonably available. Witnesses who only have repetitive information need not be called.

(3) The hearing is to be conducted by a psychiatrist who is not currently involved in the diagnosis or treatment of the inmate.

(4) The treating/evaluating psychiatrist/clinician must be present at the hearing and must present clinical data and background information relative to the need for medication. Members of the treating/evaluating team may also attend the hearing.

(5) The psychiatrist conducting the hearing shall determine whether treatment or psychotropic medication is necessary in order to attempt to make the inmate competent for trial or is necessary because the inmate is dangerous to self or others, is gravely disabled, or is unable to function in the open population of a mental health referral center or a regular prison. The psychiatrist shall prepare a written report regarding the decision.

(6) The inmate shall be given a copy of the report and shall be advised that he or she may submit an appeal to the institution mental health division administrator regarding the decision within 24 hours of the decision and that the administrator shall review the decision within 24 hours of the inmate's appeal. The administrator shall ensure that the inmate received all necessary procedural protections and that the justification for involuntary treatment or medication is appropriate. Upon request of the inmate, the staff representative shall assist the inmate in preparing and submitting the appeal.

(7) If the inmate appeals, absent a psychiatric emergency, medication will not be administered before the administrator's decision. The inmate's appeal, which may be handwritten, must be filed within 24 hours of the inmate's receipt of the decision.

(8) A psychiatrist, other than the attending psychiatrist, shall provide follow-up monitoring of the patient's treatment or medication at least once every 30 days after the hearing. The follow-up shall be documented in the medical record.

(b) Emergencies. For purpose of this subpart, a psychiatric emergency is defined as one in which a person is suffering from a mental illness which creates an immediate threat of bodily harm to self or others, serious destruction of property, or extreme deterioration of functioning secondary to psychiatric illness. During a psychiatric emergency, psychotropic medication may be administered when the medication constitutes an appropriate treatment for the mental illness and less restrictive alternatives (e.g., seclusion or physical restraint) are not available or indicated, or would not be effective.

(c) Exceptions. Title 18 United States Code, sections 4241 through 4247 do not apply to military prisoners, unsentenced Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) detainees, unsentenced prisoners in Bureau custody as a result of a court order (e.g. a civil contemnor), state or territorial prisoners, and District of Columbia Code offenders. For those persons not covered by sections 4241-4247, the decision to involuntarily admit the person to the hospital must be made at an administrative hearing meeting the requirements of Vitek v. Jones. The decision to provide involuntary treatment, including medication, shall nonetheless be made at an administrative hearing in compliance with § 549.43.

The Bureau of Prisons does not ordinarily perform plastic surgery on inmates to correct preexisting disfigurements (including tattoos) on any part of the body. In circumstances where plastic surgery is a component of a presently medically necessary standard of treatment (for example, part of the treatment for facial lacerations or for mastectomies due to cancer) or it is necessary for the good order and security of the institution, the necessary surgery may be performed.

The Clinical Director shall consider individually any request from an inmate or a BOP medical consultant.

(a) In circumstances where plastic surgery is a component of the presently medically necessary standard of treatment, the Clinical Director shall forward the surgery request to the Office of Medical Designations and Transportation for approval.

(b) If the Clinical Director recommends plastic surgery for the good order and security of the institution, the request for plastic surgery authorization will be forwarded to the Warden for initial approval. The Warden will forward the request through the Regional Director to the Medical Director. The Medical Director shall have the final authority to approve or deny this type of plastic surgery request.

(c) If the Clinical Director is unable to determine whether the plastic surgery qualifies as a component of presently medically necessary standard of treatment, the Clinical Director may forward the request to the Medical Director for a final determination in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section.

Approved plastic surgery procedures may not be performed without the informed consent of the inmate involved.

(a) The Warden may order an autopsy and related scientific or medical tests to be performed on the body of a deceased inmate of the facility in the event of homicide, suicide, fatal illness or accident, or unexplained death. The autopsy or tests may be ordered in one of these situations only when the Warden determines that the autopsy or test is necessary to detect a crime, maintain discipline, protect the health or safety of other inmates, remedy official misconduct, or defend the United States or its employees from civil liability arising from the administration of the facility.

(1) The authority of the Warden under this section may not be delegated below the level of Acting Warden.

(2) Where the Warden has the authority to order an autopsy under this provision, no non-Bureau of Prisons authorization (e.g., from either the coroner or from the inmate's next-of-kin) is required. A decision on whether to order an autopsy is ordinarily made after consultation with the attending physician, and a determination by the Warden that the autopsy is in accordance with the statutory provision. Once it is determined that an autopsy is appropriate, the Warden shall prepare a written statement authorizing this procedure. The written statement is to include the basis for approval.

(b) In any situation other than as described in paragraph (a) of this section, the Warden may order an autopsy or post-mortem operation, including removal of tissue for transplanting, to be performed on the body of a deceased inmate of the facility with the written consent of a person (e.g., coroner, or next-of-kin, or the decedent's consent in the case of tissue removed for transplanting) authorized to permit the autopsy or post-mortem operation under the law of the State in which the facility is located.

(1) The authority of the Warden under this section may not be delegated below the level of Acting Warden.

(2) When the conducting of an autopsy requires permission of the family or next-of-kin, the following message is to be included in the telegram notifying the family or next-of-kin of the death: “Permission is requested to perform a complete autopsy”. Also inform the family or next-of-kin that they may telegraph the institution collect with their response. Where permission is not received from the person (e.g., coroner or next-of-kin) authorized to permit the autopsy or post-mortem operation, an autopsy or post-mortem operation may not be performed under the conditions of this paragraph (b).

(c) In addition to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, each institution also is expected to abide by the following procedures.

(1) Staff shall ensure that the state laws regarding the reporting of deaths are followed.

(2) Time is a critical factor in arranging for an autopsy, as this ordinarily must be performed within 48 hours. While a decision on an autopsy is pending, no action should be taken that will affect the validity of the autopsy results. Therefore, while the body may be released to a funeral home, this should be done only with the written understanding from the funeral home that no preparation for burial, including embalming, should be performed until a final decision is made on the need for an autopsy.

(3) Medical staff shall arrange for the approved autopsy to be performed.

(4) To the extent consistent with the needs of the autopsy or of specific scientific or medical tests, provisions of state and local laws protecting religious beliefs with respect to such autopsies are to be observed.

The Bureau of Prisons maintains a surveillance program in order to deter and to detect the illegal introduction or use of alcohol in its institutions. In an effort to reduce the introduction or use of alcohol, the Warden shall establish procedures for monitoring and testing individual inmates or groups of inmates who are known or suspected to be users of alcohol, or who are considered high risks based on behavior observed or on information received by staff.

(a) Staff may prepare a disciplinary report on an inmate who shows a positive substantiated test result for alcohol.

(b) Staff may initiate disciplinary action against an inmate who refuses to submit to an alcohol test.

The Warden shall establish programs of urine testing for drug use, to monitor specific groups or individual inmates who are considered as high risk for drug use, such as those involved in community activities, those with a history of drug use, and those inmates specifically suspected of drug use. Testing shall be performed with frequency determined by the Warden on at least 50 percent of those inmates who are involved in community activities. In addition, staff shall randomly sample each institution's inmate population during each month to test for drug use.

(a) Staff of the same sex as the inmate tested shall directly supervise the giving of the urine sample. If an inmate is unwilling to provide a urine sample within two hours of a request for it, staff ordinarily shall file an incident report. No waiting period or extra time need be allowed for an inmate who directly and specifically refuses to provide a urine sample. To eliminate the possibility of diluted or adulterated samples, staff shall keep the inmate under direct visual supervision during this two-hour period, or until a complete sample is furnished. To assist the inmate in giving the sample, staff shall offer the inmate eight ounces of water at the beginning of the two-hour time period. An inmate is presumed to be unwilling if the inmate fails to provide a urine sample within the allotted time period. An inmate may rebut this presumption during the disciplinary process.

(b) Institution staff shall determine whether a justifiable reason exists, (e.g., use of prescribed medication) for any positive urine test result. If the inmate's urine test shows a positive test result for the presence of drugs which cannot be justified, staff shall file an incident report.

The Bureau of Prisons requires that an inmate who is serving a sentence in a contract community treatment center (CTC) participate in a program of urine testing for drug use. An inmate who is serving a sentence in a contract CTC, and who has drug aftercare as a condition of release also shall receive drug counseling during the inmate's stay at the contract CTC.

A program of urine testing for drug use shall be established in contract CTCs.

(a) Urine surveillance shall be conducted on all inmates serving their sentence in a contract CTC:

(1) Who have drug aftercare as a condition of release;

(2) Who have a known history of drug abuse; or

(3) Who are suspected of using drugs.

(b) The Center Director shall establish a schedule for random collection for all other sentenced inmates not identified in paragraph (a) of this section.

(a) Contractor authorized personnel of the same sex as the inmate must witness collection of the inmate's urine sample. Inmates may not be involved in the collection, recording, mailing, or processing of the test results.

(b) If an inmate fails to provide a urine sample within two hours of a request for it, center staff may file a disciplinary report. To eliminate the possibility of diluted or adulterated samples, center staff shall keep the inmate under direct supervision during this two-hour period.

(c) Center staff shall have each positive urine test validated to substantiate the positive result. Center staff shall file a disciplinary report if the inmate's urine test shows a positive result for the presence of drugs which the inmate cannot satisfactorily justify to center staff.

(d) The results of disciplinary hearings and a copy of positive urine testing results which the inmate cannot satisfactorily justify to center staff shall be sent to the appropriate Regional U.S. Parole Commission Office, the Community Programs Manager (CPM), and the U.S. Probation Office.

The contract center staff shall hold a program planning conference with a sentenced inmate who has drug aftercare as a condition of release. At this meeting, held within one week of the inmate's arrival at the center, plans are made for the inmate to receive drug counseling. The meeting is attended by center staff, the inmate, and the Chief U.S. Probation Officer or designee.

The Bureau of Prisons provides, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, drug abuse treatment programs to inmates.

(a) Drug abuse treatment coordinator. The Warden shall designate a drug abuse treatment coordinator for his/her institution.

(b) Drug abuse treatment specialist. All institutions shall employ a drug abuse treatment specialist. The drug abuse treatment specialist is responsible for providing drug abuse education and non-residential drug abuse treatment services to the inmate population, under the supervision of the drug abuse treatment coordinator. In institutions with residential drug abuse treatment programs, additional drug abuse treatment specialist staff are employed to provide treatment services on the residential drug abuse treatment unit.

Drug abuse treatment coordinators at all institutions shall ensure that inmates are informed during the Admission and Orientation program about local and Bureau-wide drug abuse programming and treatment opportunities.

A psychologist or drug abuse treatment specialist shall interview all new institution admissions for drug abuse problems. A record review will be performed by a case manager in the normal course of his/her duties. Based on these reviews and interviews, drug abuse treatment staff shall make an appropriate drug education/treatment referral.

(a)(1) Mandatory participation. An inmate is required to participate in the drug abuse education course if he/she has been sentenced or returned to custody as a violator after September 30, 1991 and it is determined by unit and/or drug abuse treatment staff through a combination of interview and file review that:

(i) There is evidence in the Presentence Investigation that alcohol or other drug use contributed to the commission of the instant offense;

(ii) Alcohol or other drug use was a reason for violation either of supervised release, including parole, or BOP community status (CCC placement) for which the inmate is now incarcerated; or

(iii) The inmate was recommended for drug programming during incarceration by the sentencing judge.

(2) Voluntary participation. Inmates who are not required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section to participate in the drug abuse education course may request to participate voluntarily in the drug abuse education course when participant space is available. Volunteers must have the approval of the drug abuse treatment coordinator. Priority consideration shall be given to those inmates whose participation has been recommended by unit or treatment staff.

(b) Sanctions. An inmate who is required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section to participate in the drug abuse education course and who refuses participation, withdraws, is expelled, or otherwise fails to meet the attendance and examination requirements shall be held at the lowest pay grade (Grade 4) within the institution and shall be ineligible for community programs. Inmates may be permitted to receive work promotions during their participation or while on a “waiting list” for the drug abuse education course. The Warden may make exceptions to the provisions of this paragraph for good cause with reasons for such exceptions documented in writing.

(c) Exemptions. An inmate may be exempted from the required drug abuse education course due to cognitive impairment or other learning disabilities only after evaluation and recommendation by a psychologist. An inmate may also be exempted from the drug abuse education course if that inmate does not have enough time remaining to serve to complete the drug abuse education course, or if that inmate volunteers for, enters and completes a residential drug abuse treatment program, or if he/she completes a structured drug abuse treatment program at one of the Bureau of Prisons' Intensive Confinement Centers (ICC).

(d) Written consent. All inmates who enter the drug abuse education course (whether as mandatory or as voluntary participants) are required to sign an agreement to participate prior to admission to the course.

(e) Completion. Completion of the drug abuse education course requires attendance and participation during course sessions and a passing grade on an examination given at the end of the course. Inmates required to participate in this course ordinarily are provided at least three chances to pass the final examination before privileges are lost or sanctions (see paragraph (b) of this section) are invoked. A certificate of achievement will be awarded to all who successfully complete the program. A copy of this certificate will be forwarded to the unit team for placement in the inmate's central file.

Non-residential drug abuse treatment is provided at all institutions and ordinarily consists of individual and/or group counseling and self-help programming provided through the institution's Psychology Services department.

(a) Eligibility. An inmate must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the non-residential drug abuse treatment program.

(1) The inmate must have a verifiable documented drug abuse problem.

(2) The inmate must have no serious mental impairment which would substantially interfere with or preclude full participation in the program.

(3) The inmate must sign an agreement acknowledging his/her program responsibility.

(b) Application/Referral/Placement. Participation in the non-residential drug abuse treatment program is voluntary. An inmate may be referred for treatment by unit and/or drug treatment staff or may apply for these programs by submitting a request to a staff member (ordinarily, a member of the inmate's unit team or the drug abuse treatment coordinator). The decision on placement is made by the drug abuse treatment coordinator.

(c) Withdrawal/expulsion. An inmate may withdraw voluntarily from the program. The drug abuse treatment coordinator may remove an inmate from the program based upon disruptive or negative behavior.

Residential drug abuse treatment is available at selected Bureau of Prisons institutions. It is a course of individual and group activities provided by a team of drug abuse treatment specialists and the drug abuse treatment coordinator in a treatment unit set apart from the general prison population, lasting a minimum of 500 hours over a six to twelve-month period. Inmates enrolled in a residential drug abuse treatment program shall be required to complete subsequent transitional services programming in a community-based program and/or in a Bureau institution.

(a) Eligibility. An inmate must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the residential drug abuse treatment program.

(1) The inmate must have a verifiable documented drug abuse problem.

(2) The inmate must have no serious mental impairment which would substantially interfere with or preclude full participation in the program.

(3) The inmate must sign an agreement acknowledging his/her program responsibility.

(4) Ordinarily, the inmate must be within thirty-six months of release.

(5) The security level of the residential program institution must be appropriate for the inmate.

(b) Application/Referral/Placement. Participation in the residential drug abuse treatment program is voluntary. An inmate may be referred for treatment by unit or drug treatment staff or apply for the program by submitting a request to a staff member (ordinarily, a member of the inmate's unit team or the drug abuse treatment coordinator). The decision on placement is made by the drug abuse treatment coordinator.

(c) Completion. Completion of the residential drug abuse treatment program requires attendance and participation in scheduled individual and group activities and a passing grade on examinations covering each separate subject module of the program. An inmate who fails an examination on any subject module ordinarily shall be allowed to retest one time. A certificate of achievement will be awarded to all who successfully complete the program. A copy of this certificate will be forwarded to the unit team for placement in the inmate's central file.

(d) Withdrawal/expulsion. (1) An inmate may withdraw voluntarily from the program.

(2) The drug abuse treatment coordinator may remove an inmate from the program based upon disruptive behavior related to the program. Ordinarily, staff shall provide the inmate with at least one warning prior to removal. An inmate may not ordinarily be removed immediately without warning unless the inmate, pursuant to an incident report, is found by the DHO to have:

(i) Used or possessed alcohol or drugs;

(ii) Been violent or threatened violence against staff or another inmate; or

(iii) Committed a 100 level prohibited act.

(3) Withdrawal or removal from the residential program may result in the inmate's being returned to his/her prior institution (when the inmate had been specifically transferred for the purpose of program participation).

(a) An inmate may receive incentives for his or her satisfactory involvement in the residential program. These incentives may include, but are not limited to, the following.

(1) Limited financial awards, based upon the inmate's achievement/completion of program phases.

(2) Consideration for the maximum period of time (currently 180 days) in a Community Corrections Center placement, provided the inmate is otherwise eligible for this designation.

(3) Local institution incentives such as preferred living quarters or special recognition privileges.

(4) If eligible under § 550.58, consideration for early release.

(b) An inmate must meet his/her financial program responsibility obligations (see 28 CFR part 545) prior to being able to receive an incentive for his/her residential program participation.

(c) Withdrawal or removal from the residential program may result in the loss of incentives previously achieved.

Transitional treatment programming is required for all inmates completing an institution's residential treatment program. Transitional treatment includes treatment provided to inmates who, upon completing the residential program, return to the general population of that or another institution or who are transferred to a community-based program. An inmate's refusal to participate in this program is considered a program failure and disqualifies the inmate for any additional incentives consideration, and may result in the inmate's redesignation.

(a) An inmate who successfully completes a residential drug abuse program and who participates in transitional treatment programming at an institution is required to participate in such programming for a minimum of one hour per month.

(b) An inmate who successfully completes a residential drug abuse program and who, based on eligibility, is transferred to a Community Corrections Center (CCC), is required to participate in a community-based treatment program, in addition to the required employment and other program activities of the CCC. The inmate's failure to meet the requirements of treatment may result in the inmate's being returned to the institution for refusing a program assignment.

(c) An inmate with a documented drug abuse problem but who did not choose to volunteer for the residential drug abuse program may be required to participate in transitional services as a condition of participation in a community-based program with the approval of the transitional services manager.

(a) Administrative remedy procedures for the formal review of a complaint relating to any aspect of an inmate's confinement (including the operation of the drug abuse treatment programs) are contained in 28 CFR part 542, subpart B.

(b) In order to expedite staff response, an inmate who has previously been found to be eligible for early release must, when filing an administrative remedy request pursuant to 28 part CFR 542, subpart B on an action which would result in the inmate's loss of early release eligibility, indicate in the first sentence of the request that the request affects the inmate's early release.

The Bureau of Prisons permits an inmate to select the hair style of personal choice, and expects personal cleanliness and dress in keeping with standards of good grooming and the security, good order, and discipline of the institution.

An inmate may wear a mustache or beard or both. The Warden shall require an inmate with a beard to wear a beard covering when working in food service or where a beard could result in increased likelihood of work injury.

Inmates may not wear wigs or artificial hairpieces, unless medical authorization to do so is approved by the Warden.

(a) The Warden may not restrict hair length if the inmate keeps it neat and clean.

(b) The Warden shall require an inmate with long hair to wear a cap or hair net when working in food service or where long hair could result in increased likelihood of work injury.

(c) The Warden shall make available to an inmate hair care services which comply with applicable health and sanitation requirements.

The Warden may impose restrictions or exceptions for documented medical reasons.

The Warden shall make available to an inmate those articles necessary for maintaining personal hygiene.

Each inmate must observe the standards concerning bathing and clothing that exist in the institution as required by standards of § 551.1.

The Warden shall approve an inmate's request to marry except where a legal restriction to the marriage exists, or where the proposed marriage presents a threat to the security or good order of the institution, or to the protection of the public. The Warden may approve the use of institution facilities for an inmate's marriage ceremony. If a marriage ceremony poses a threat to the security or good order of the institution, the Warden may disapprove a marriage ceremony in the institution.

(a) The Warden may approve the marriage of a federal inmate confined in a federal institution. This authority may not be delegated below the level of Acting Warden.

(b) The appropriate Community Corrections Manager may approve the request to marry of a federal inmate who is not confined in a federal institution (for example, a federal inmate who is in a community corrections center, in home confinement, in state custody, or in a local detention facility).

An inmate's request to marry shall be approved provided:

(a) The inmate is legally eligible to marry;

(b) The inmate is mentally competent;

(c) The intended spouse has verified, ordinarily in writing, an intention to marry the inmate; and

(d) The marriage poses no threat to institution security or good order, or to the protection of the public.

(a) A federal inmate confined in a Bureau institution who wants to get married shall submit a request to marry to the inmate's unit team. The unit team shall evaluate the request based on the criteria identified in §551.12. A written report of the unit team's findings, and its recommendation, shall be forwarded to the Warden for a final decision.

(b) The Warden shall notify the inmate in writing whether the inmate's request to marry is approved or disapproved. A copy of this notification shall be placed in the inmate's central file. When the Warden's decision is to disapprove the inmate's request, the notification to the inmate shall include a statement of reason(s) for that action. The Warden shall advise the inmate that the decision may be appealed through the Administrative Remedy Procedure.

(c) All expenses of the marriage (for example, a marriage license) shall be paid by the inmate, the inmate's intended spouse, the inmate's family, or other appropriate source approved by the Warden. The Warden may not permit appropriated funds to be used for an inmate marriage.

(a) Detainers and pending charges. Staff review of a marriage request from an inmate who has a detainer(s) and/or a pending charge(s) shall include an assessment of the legal effects of the marriage on these actions. For example, an inmate could request to marry a potential witness in litigation pending against that inmate. Approving this marriage could affect the status of this litigation.

(b) Pretrial inmates. A pretrial inmate may request permission to marry in accordance with the provisions of this rule. Staff shall contact the court, U.S. Attorney, and in the case of an alien, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, to advise of the marriage request of the pretrial inmate and to request their comments.

(c) Federal inmates not in Federal institutions. A federal inmate who is not confined in a federal institution who wants to get married shall submit a request to the appropriate Community Corrections Manager. Prior to making a decision on the inmate's request, the Community Corrections Manager shall advise the confining authority of the inmate's request and ask that information on the criteria identified in § 551.12 be furnished.

An inmate whose request to marry is approved, and who also meets the Bureau's criteria for furlough (see part 570, subpart C), may be considered for a furlough for the purpose of getting married.

(a) The Warden may approve the use of institution facilities for an inmate's marriage ceremony. If a marriage ceremony poses a threat to the security or good order of the institution, the Warden may disapprove a marriage ceremony in the institution. The Warden may not delegate the authority to approve or to disapprove a marriage ceremony in the institution below the level of Acting Warden.

(b) Expenses for a marriage ceremony in the institution shall be paid by the inmate, the inmate's intended spouse, the inmate's family, or other appropriate source approved by the Warden. The Warden may not permit appropriated funds to be used for the marriage ceremony, except for those inherent in providing the place and supervision for the event. Upon request of the inmate, Bureau of Prisons or community clergy, or a justice of the peace may be authorized to assist in a marriage ceremony at the institution.

(1) The marriage ceremony may be performed by Bureau of Prisons or community clergy, or by a justice of the peace.

(2) Because of ecclesiastical constraints, Bureau of Prisons chaplains may decline to perform the marriage ceremony. Upon request of the inmate, a Bureau chaplain will assist that inmate in preparing for an approved marriage; for example, by providing, or arranging for an inmate to receive, pre-nuptial marriage counseling.

(c) The Warden shall require that a marriage ceremony at the institution be a private ceremony conducted without media publicity.

The Bureau of Prisons provides an inmate with medical and social services related to birth control, pregnancy, child placement, and abortion. The Warden shall ensure compliance with the applicable law regarding these matters.

Medical staff shall provide an inmate with advice and consultation about methods for birth control and, where medically appropriate, prescribe and provide methods for birth control.

(a) The Warden shall ensure that each pregnant inmate is provided medical, case management, and counseling services.

(b) In order to ensure proper medical and social services, the inmate shall inform the institution medical staff as soon as she suspects she is pregnant.

(c) Medical staff shall arrange for the childbirth to take place at a hospital outside the institution.

(a) The Warden may not permit the inmate's new born child to return to the institution except in accordance with the Bureau of Prisons policy governing visiting.

(b) Child placement is the inmate's responsibility. The Warden shall provide opportunities for counseling by institution staff and community social agencies to aid the inmate with placement.

(c) The institution staff shall work closely with community agencies and persons to ensure the child is appropriately placed. The staff shall give notice to the responsible community agency of the inmate's plan for her child. Child welfare workers may come to the institution in appropriate cases to interview and counsel an inmate.

The Bureau of Prisons permits inmates and persons in the community to participate in approved inmate organizations for recreational, social, civic, and benevolent purposes.

(a) An inmate must submit a request for recognition of a proposed inmate organization to the Warden. The organization may not become active without the Warden's approval.

(b) The Warden may approve an inmate organization upon determining that:

(1) The organization has a constitution and bylaws duly approved by its members; the constitution and bylaws must include the organization's purpose and objectives, the duties and responsibilities of its officer(s), and the requirements for activities reporting and operational review; and

(2) The organization does not operate in opposition to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution.

(a) The Warden shall appoint a staff member as the institution's Inmate Organization Manager (IOM). The IOM shall be responsible for monitoring the activities of the institution's inmate organizations and staff sponsors.

(b) The Warden or designee shall assign to a staff sponsor responsibility for supervising the activities of an individual inmate organization. The staff sponsor's duties are performed while in official duty status.

Dues may be collected if they are required by the national organization, are collected by that same national organization, and the rate and method of institution collection have been approved by the Warden. No portion of the dues may be kept by the inmate organization for use at the institution. The organization may not make payment of dues a requirement of membership for an inmate who lacks funds.

(a) An officer of the inmate organization must submit a written request for approval of an activity to the Warden or designee. Activities include, but are not limited to, meetings, guest speakers, sports competitions, banquets, or community programs. Activities may not include fund-raising projects. The request must specifically include:

(1) Name of the organization;

(2) Nature or purpose of the activity;

(3) Date, time, and estimated duration of the activity;

(4) Estimated cost;

(5) Information concerning guest participation; and

(6) Other pertinent information requested by the Warden.

(b) The Warden may approve the request if the activity:

(1) Does not conflict with scheduled inmate work or program activities;

(2) Has confirmation of staff supervision;

(3) Can be appropriately funded when applicable (see § 551.36); and

(4) Does not conflict with the security, good order, or discipline of the institution.

(c) When an activity requires the expenditure of government funds, the Warden ordinarily shall require reimbursement from non-inmate participants (guests or members).

(d) Each inmate organization shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of its activities.

(e) The activities of an inmate organization may be suspended temporarily due to noncompliance with Bureau policy. The IOM is responsible for recommending the specific suspension sanction for the Warden's approval. The inmate organization is to receive written notice of the proposed suspension sanction and shall have the opportunity to respond to the Warden. Continued noncompliance with Bureau policy shall result in an increase in the severity of the suspension sanction, and may include withdrawal of approval of the organization.

The Warden may withdraw approval of an inmate organization for reasons of the security, good order, and discipline of the institution, or in accordance with § 551.34(e).

The Bureau of Prisons may fund approved activities of inmate organizations or organization requests for purchase of equipment or services for all inmates subject to the availability of designated funds.

(a) An inmate may contribute to a candidate for election to a federal, state or local office, in a primary, general, or special election.

(b) An inmate may contribute to any international, national or local organization, including political parties, so long as the contribution does not violate any law or regulation.

(a) A volunteer community service project is a project sponsored and developed by local government or by a nonprofit charitable organization, submitted to the institution, and recommended by the Warden for approval of the Regional Director. Volunteer community service projects are designed to provide for the public good in keeping with the overall goals of the community, such as community-wide beautification or public safety. The sponsoring organization is responsible for certifying to the Bureau that the community service project does not displace regular employees, supplant employment opportunities ordinarily available within the sponsoring organization, or impair contracts for services. These projects are not work assignments. Any inmate who chooses to participate does so voluntarily, and may not receive performance pay or any other salaried compensation for participation in the project, nor be eligible to submit a claim under the provisions of the Inmate Accident Compensation Program.

(b) An inmate may volunteer to participate in a community service project by submitting a written request for the Warden's approval. The inmate must have custody classification appropriate for the project and be otherwise eligible for the conditions of the project. The decision of the Warden to approve or disapprove an inmate's request shall be documented in writing.

(c) An inmate may appeal the Warden's decision through the Administrative Remedy Procedure (see 28 CFR part 542).

The Bureau of Prisons cooperates with law enforcement officials and other authorized individuals in the performance of their duties by permitting them to administer polygraph tests to an inmate if the inmate consents to the testing.

(a) The Warden may permit polygraph tests in connection with a State or Federal criminal felony investigation.

(b) The Warden may permit polygraph tests in connection with misdemeanor offenses, civil proceedings, or any other matters. This type of request, however, is generally disapproved, absent a federal court order for the test.

(c) The Warden may permit a polygraph test at the request of a defense counsel or other representative of the inmate. These requests are subject to the same standards and procedures applicable to testing by law enforcement officials.

(d) The Warden may deny any request for testing which may disrupt the security or good order of the institution.

(e) Upon written request to conduct a polygraph examination of an inmate, the Warden may approve the request if:

(1) The validity of the request and of the examining agency can be confirmed;

(2) The request complies with this section; and

(3) The inmate gives written consent to the testing.

(f) If the request is approved, the Warden shall notify the requestor that he is responsible for meeting all state and local requirements in administering the test.

(g) The Bureau of Prisons maintains a record in the inmate's central file of the polygraph test indicating the inmate's consent and the time and place of and the personnel involved in the testing.

As used in this rule, manuscript means fiction, nonfiction, poetry, music and lyrics, drawings and cartoons, and other writings of a similar nature.

An inmate may prepare a manuscript for private use or for publication while in custody without staff approval. The inmate may use only non-work time to prepare a manuscript.

An inmate may mail a manuscript as general correspondence, in accordance with part 540, subpart B of this chapter. An inmate may not circulate his manuscript within the institution.

The Warden may limit, for housekeeping, fire-prevention, or security reasons, the amount of accumulated inmate manuscript material.

Bureau staff shall not discriminate against inmates on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or political belief. This includes the making of administrative decisions and providing access to work, housing and programs.

The Bureau of Prisons provides a requesting victim and/or witness of a serious crime with information on the release from a Bureau institution of the inmate convicted of that serious crime.

(a) A victim and/or witness of a serious crime who wants to be notified of a specific inmate's release must make this request to the United States Attorney in the district where the prosecution occurred. Requests for notification received by the Bureau of Prisons directly from a victim and/or witness will be referred to the U.S. Attorney in the district of prosecution for approval.

(b) Institution staff shall promptly notify the victim and/or witness when his or her request for notification has been received. Staff shall advise each approved victim and/or witness of that person's responsibility for notifying the Bureau of Prisons of any address and/or telephone number changes.

(a) A victim and/or witness may request cancellation of the notification by contacting either the Bureau of Prisons or the U.S. Attorney from the prosecuting district. The Bureau of Prisons shall notify the victim and/or witness that his or her request for notification has been cancelled.

(b) Bureau of Prisons staff may cancel a notification request when the victim and/or witness has not responded within 60 calendar days to a Bureau of Prisons inquiry concerning whether the victim and/or witness wishes to continue receiving notification of the inmate's release(s).

(c) A notification request by a victim and/or witness ordinarily terminates when the inmate has completed service of the sentence for the serious crime which resulted in the request for notification.

To advance towards becoming a clean air environment and to protect the health and safety of staff and inmates, the Bureau of Prisons will restrict areas and circumstances where smoking is permitted within its institutions and offices.

For purpose of this subpart, smoking is defined as carrying or inhaling a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted tobacco products.

(a) The Warden must designate a smoking area for use in instances where smoking is part of an authorized inmate religious activity.

(b)(1) The Warden may designate only outdoor smoking areas for general inmate use (that is, for smoking which is not part of an authorized religious activity). These smoking areas must be clearly identified.

(2) The Warden, with the Regional Director's concurrence, may choose not to designate smoking areas for general use. Once this occurs, the Regional Director's concurrence is required if the Warden later chooses to designate smoking areas for general use at the institution.

In order to further the safe, secure, and orderly running of its institutions, the Bureau of Prisons conducts searches of inmates and of inmate housing and work areas to locate contraband and to deter its introduction and movement. Staff shall employ the least intrusive method of search practicable, as indicated by the type of contraband and the method of suspected introduction.

(a) Pat search— an inspection of an inmate, using the hands, that does not require the inmate to remove clothing. The inspection includes a search of the inmate's clothing and personal effects. A metal detector search may be done under the same circumstances. Staff may conduct a pat search of an inmate on a routine or random basis to control contraband.

(b) Visual search— a visual inspection of all body surfaces and body cavities.

(1) Staff may conduct a visual search where there is reasonable belief that contraband may be concealed on the person, or a good opportunity for concealment has occured. For example, placement in a special housing unit (see 28 CFR part 541, subpart B), leaving the institution, or re-entry into an institution after contact with the public (after a community trip, court transfer, or after a “contact” visit in a visiting room) is sufficient to justify a visual search. The visual search shall be made in a manner designed to assure as much privacy to the inmate as practicable.

(2) Staff of the same sex as the inmate shall make the search, except where circumstances are such that delay would mean the likely loss of contraband. Where staff of the opposite sex makes a visual search, staff shall document the reasons for the opposite sex search in the inmate's central file.

(c) Digital or simple instrument search—inspection for contraband or any other foreign item in a body cavity of an inmate by use of fingers or simple instruments, such as an otoscope, tongue blade, short nasal speculum, and simple forceps. A digital or simple instrument search may be conducted only by designated qualified health personnel (for example, physicians, physician assistants, and nurses) upon approval of the Warden or Acting Warden and only if the Warden or Acting Warden has reasonable belief that an inmate is concealing contraband in or on his person. If located, the contraband or foreign item may be removed immediately by medical staff if such removal can easily be effected by use of fingers or the simple instruments referred to above. Staff shall document all digital and simple instrument searches and the reasons for the searches in the inmate's central file.

(1) Staff shall solicit the inmate's written consent prior to conducting a digital or simple instrument search. However, the inmate's consent is not required.

(2) Staff may not conduct a digital or simple instrument search if it is likely to result in physical injury to the inmate.

When there is reasonable belief that an inmate has ingested contraband or concealed contraband in a body cavity and the methods of search specified in § 552.11 are inappropriate or likely to result in physical injury to the inmate, the Warden or designee may authorize the placement of an inmate in a room or cell for the purpose of staff's closely observing that inmate until the inmate has voided the contraband or until sufficient time has elapsed to preclude the possibility that the inmate is concealing contraband.

(a) The length of close observation status will be determined on an individual basis. Ordinarily, the Captain, in consultation with qualified health personnel, shall determine when termination is appropriate. The status of an inmate under close observation for as long as three days must be reviewed by the Segregation Review Official according to the provisions in § 541.22(c) of this chapter, and the initial SRO review conducted within three work days shall be a formal hearing. Maintaining an inmate under close observation beyond seven days requires approval of the Warden, who makes this decision in consultation with the Captain and qualified health personnel.

(b) The supervising staff member shall be the same sex as the inmate and shall maintain complete and constant visual supervision of the inmate.

(c) The supervisor responsible for initiating the close observation watch shall advise the inmate of the conditions and of what is expected.

(1) The inmate shall be required to provide a urine sample within two hours of placement under close observation in accordance with the provisions of § 550.30 of this chapter on urine surveillance. A second urine sample is required prior to releasing the inmate from close observation.

(2) The light will be kept on at all times.

(3) No inmate under close observation status may be allowed to come into contact with another inmate.

(4) The inmate ordinarily may not be allowed personal property while under close observation status, except legal and personal mail and a reasonable amount of legal materials when requested. Personal hygiene items will be controlled by staff.

(5) When the inmate is lying on a bed, the inmate shall be required to lie on top of the mattress in full view, weather and room temperature permitting. When necessary for the inmate to use cover, hands must remain visible at all times so that staff can observe any attempt to move contraband.

(6) Due to security concerns, the inmate ordinarily may not be permitted recreation outside of the cell.

(7) The inmate is to be served the same meals as those served to the general population, unless medically contraindicated.

(8) No medications may be given to the inmate except for those prescribed and given by hospital personnel. No laxatives may be given except natural laxatives, i.e., coffee, prune juice, etc.

(9) When the inmate needs to urinate and/or defecate, the inmate will be furnished an empty hospital bed pan.

(10) When the inmate requests to shave, to brush teeth, or other such request, a wash pan and container of water is to be provided for use in the cell.

(11) Institution staff shall be available to the inmate upon request, within reason and within the bounds of security concerns.

(a) The institution physician may authorize use of a fluoroscope, major instrument (including anoscope or vaginal speculum), or surgical intrusion for medical reasons only, with the inmate's consent.

(b) The institution physician may authorize use of an X-ray for medical reasons and only with the consent of the inmate. When there exists no reasonable alternative, and an X-ray examination is determined necessary for the security, good order, or discipline of the institution, the Warden, upon approval of the Regional Director, may authorize the institution physician to order a non-repetitive X-ray examination for the purpose of determining if contraband is concealed in or on the inmate (for example: in a cast or body cavity). The X-ray examination may not be performed if it is determined by the institution physician that it is likely to result in serious or lasting medical injury or harm to the inmate. Staff shall place documentation of the examination and the reasons for the examination in the inmate's central file and medical file.

(1) The Warden and Regional Director or persons officially acting in that capacity may not redelegate the authority to approve an X-ray examination for the purpose of determining if contrabrand is present. An Acting Warden or Acting Regional Director may, however, perform this function.

(2) Staff shall solicit the inmate's consent prior to the X-ray examination. However, the inmate's consent is not required.

(c) The Warden may direct X-rays of inanimate objects where the inmate is not exposed.

(a) Staff may search an inmate's housing and work area, and personal items contained within those areas, without notice to or prior approval from the inmate and without the inmate's presence.

(b) Staff conducting the search shall leave the housing or work area as nearly as practicable in its original order.

The Bureau of Prisons authorizes staff to use force only as a last alternative after all other reasonable efforts to resolve a situation have failed. When authorized, staff must use only that amount of force necessary to gain control of the inmate, to protect and ensure the safety of inmates, staff, and others, to prevent serious property damage and to ensure institution security and good order. Staff are authorized to apply physical restraints necessary to gain control of an inmate who appears to be dangerous because the inmate:

(a) Assaults another individual;

(b) Destroys government property;

(c) Attempts suicide;

(d) Inflicts injury upon self; or

(e) Becomes violent or displays signs of imminent violence.

(a) Immediate use of force. Staff may immediately use force and/or apply restraints when the behavior described in § 552.20 constitutes an immediate, serious threat to the inmate, staff, others, property, or to institution security and good order.

(b) Calculated use of force and/or application of restraints. This occurs in situations where an inmate is in an area that can be isolated (e.g., a locked cell, a range) and where there is no immediate, direct threat to the inmate or others. When there is time for the calculated use of force or application of restraints, staff must first determine if the situation can be resolved without resorting to force (see § 552.23).

(c) Use of Force Team Technique. If use of force is determined to be necessary, and other means of gaining control of an inmate are deemed inappropriate or ineffective, then the Use of Force Team Technique shall be used to control the inmate and to apply soft restraints, to include ambulatory leg restraints. The Use of Force Team Technique ordinarily involves trained staff, clothed in protective gear, who enter the inmate's area in tandem, each with a coordinated responsibility for helping achieve immediate control of the inmate.

(d) Exceptions. Any exception to this rule is prohibited, except where the facts and circumstances known to the staff member would warrant a person using sound correctional judgment to reasonably believe other action is necessary (as a last resort) to prevent serious physical injury, or serious property damage which would immediately endanger the safety of staff, inmates, or others.

(a) Staff ordinarily shall first attempt to gain the inmate's voluntary cooperation before using force.

(b) Force may not be used to punish an inmate.

(c) Staff shall use only that amount of force necessary to gain control of the inmate. Situations when an appropriate amount of force may be warranted include, but are not limited to:

(1) Defense or protection of self or others;

(2) Enforcement of institutional regulations; and

(3) The prevention of a crime or apprehension of one who has committed a crime.

(d) Where immediate use of restraints is indicated, staff may temporarily apply such restraints to an inmate to prevent that inmate from hurting self, staff, or others, and/or to prevent serious property damage. When the temporary application of restraints is determined necessary, and after staff have gained control of the inmate, the Warden or designee is to be notified immediately for a decision on whether the use of restraints should continue.

(e) Staff may apply restraints (for example, handcuffs) to the inmate who continues to resist after staff achieve physical control of that inmate, and may apply restraints to any inmate who is placed under control by the Use of Force Team Technique. If an inmate in a forcible restraint situation refuses to move to another area on his own, staff may physically move that inmate by lifting and carrying the inmate to the appropriate destination.

(f) Restraints should remain on the inmate until self-control is regained.

(g) Except when the immediate use of restraints is required for control of the inmate, staff may apply restraints to, or continue the use of progressive restraints on, an inmate while in a cell in administrative detention or disciplinary segregation only with approval of the Warden or designee.

(h) Restraint equipment or devices (e.g., handcuffs) may not be used in any of the following ways:

(1) As a method of punishing an inmate.

(2) About an inmate's neck or face, or in any manner which restricts blood circulation or obstructs the inmate's airways.

(3) In a manner that causes unnecessary physical pain or extreme discomfort.

(4) To secure an inmate to a fixed object, such as a cell door or cell grill, except as provided in § 552.24.

(i) Medication may not be used as a restraint solely for security purposes.

(j) All incidents involving the use of force and the application of restraints (as specified in § 552.27) must be carefully documented.

Prior to any calculated use of force, the ranking custodial official (ordinarily the Captain or shift Lieutenant), a designated mental health professional, and others shall confer and gather pertinent information about the inmate and the immediate situation. Based on their assessment of that information, they shall identify a staff member(s) to attempt to obtain the inmate's voluntary cooperation and, using the knowledge they have gained about the inmate and the incident, determine if use of force is necessary.

When the Warden determines that four-point restraints are the only means available to obtain and maintain control over an inmate, the following procedures must be followed:

(a) Soft restraints (e.g., vinyl) must be used to restrain an inmate, unless:

(1) Such restraints previously have proven ineffective with respect to that inmate, or

(2) Such restraints are proven ineffective during the initial application procedure.

(b) Inmates will be dressed in clothing appropriate to the temperature.

(c) Beds will be covered with a mattress, and a blanket/sheet will be provided to the inmate.

(d) Staff shall check the inmate at least every 15 minutes, both to ensure that the restraints are not hampering circulation and for the general welfare of the inmate. When an inmate is restrained to a bed, staff shall periodically rotate the inmate's position to avoid soreness or stiffness.

(e) A review of the inmate's placement in four-point restraints shall be made by a Lieutenant every two hours to determine if the use of restraints has had the required calming effect and so that the inmate may be released from these restraints (completely or to lesser restraints) as soon as possible. At every two-hour review, the inmate will be afforded the opportunity to use the toilet, unless the inmate is continuing to actively resist or becomes violent while being released from the restraints for this purpose.

(f) When the inmate is placed in four-point restraints, qualified health personnel shall initially assess the inmate to ensure appropriate breathing and response (physical or verbal). Staff shall also ensure that the restraints have not restricted or impaired the inmate's circulation. When inmates are so restrained, qualified health personnel ordinarily are to visit the inmate at least twice during each eight hour shift. Use of four-point restraints beyond eight hours requires the supervision of qualified health personnel. Mental health and qualified health personnel may be asked for advice regarding the appropriate time for removal of the restraints.

(g) When it is necessary to restrain an inmate for longer than eight hours, the Warden (or designee) or institution administrative duty officer shall notify the Regional Director or Regional Duty Officer by telephone.

The Warden may authorize the use of chemical agents or non-lethal weapons only when the situation is such that the inmate:

(a) Is armed and/or barricaded; or

(b) Cannot be approached without danger to self or others; and

(c) It is determined that a delay in bringing the situation under control would constitute a serious hazard to the inmate or others, or would result in a major disturbance or serious property damage.

(a) In immediate use of force situations, staff shall seek the assistance of mental health or qualified health personnel upon gaining physical control of the inmate. When possible, staff shall seek such assistance at the onset of the violent behavior. In calculated use of force situations, the use of force team leader shall seek the guidance of qualified health personnel (based upon a review of the inmate's medical record) to identify physical or mental problems. When mental health staff or qualified health personnel determine that an inmate requires continuing care, and particularly when the inmate to be restrained is pregnant, the deciding staff shall assume responsibility for the inmate's care, to include possible admission to the institution hospital, or, in the case of a pregnant inmate, restraining her in other than face down four-point restraints.

(b) After any use of force or forcible application of restraints, the inmate shall be examined by qualified health personnel, and any injuries noted, immediately treated.

Staff shall appropriately document all incidents involving the use of force, chemical agents, or non-lethal weapons. Staff shall also document, in writing, the use of restraints on an inmate who becomes violent or displays signs of imminent violence. A copy of the report shall be placed in the inmate's central file.

The Bureau of Prisons primary objectives in all hostage situations are to safely free the hostage(s) and to regain control of the institution.

The Warden is not ordinarily involved directly in the negotiation process. Instead, this responsibility is ordinarily assigned to a team of individuals specifically trained in hostage negotiation techniques.

(a) Negotiators have no decision-making authority in hostage situations, but rather serve as intermediaries between hostage takers and command center staff.

(b) During the negotiation process, the following items are non-negotiable: release of captors from custody, providing of weapons, exchange of hostages, and immunity from prosecution.

Captive staff have no authority and their directives shall be disregarded.

The Warden shall assign staff to handle all news releases and news media inquiries in accordance with the rule on Contact with News Media (see 28 CFR 540.65).

The Bureau of Prisons provides guidelines for the management of potentially suicidal inmates. While suicides cannot be totally eliminated, the Bureau of Prisons is responsible for monitoring the health and welfare of individual inmates and for ensuring that procedures are pursued to help preserve life.

Each Warden shall designate in writing a full-time staff member to serve as Program Coordinator for an institution Suicide Prevention Program. The Program Coordinator shall be responsible for managing the treatment of suicidal inmates and for ensuring that the institution's suicide prevention program conforms to the guidelines for training, identification, referral, and assessment/intervention outlined in this rule.

(a) Training. The Program Coordinator will ensure that all staff will be trained (ordinarily by psychology services personnel) to recognize signs indicative of a potential suicide, the appropriate referral process, and suicide prevention techniques.

(b) Identification. All newly admitted inmates will be screened by a physician's assistant (PA) ordinarily within twenty-four hours of admission to the institution for both obvious and subtle signs of potential for suicide. Except for inmates confined at Metropolitan Correctional Centers, Federal Detention Centers or in Federal Detention Units, psychology staff will conduct a second, more comprehensive appraisal, ordinarily within 14 days of the inmate's admission to the institution.

(c) Referral. During regular working hours staff shall immediately advise the Program Coordinator of any inmate who exhibits behavior indicative of suicide potential. In emergency situations or during non-routine working hours, the potentially suicidal individual will be placed on formal suicide watch pending evaluation by the Program Coordinator or delegatee at his or her earliest opportunity.

(d) Assessment/Intervention. There are varying degrees of potential for suicidal and other deliberate self-injurious behavior which may necessitate a variety of clinical interventions other than placing an inmate on suicide watch. These recommendations might include heightened staff or inmate interaction, a room/cell change, greater observation, or referral for psychotropic medication.

(1) Non-suicidal inmates. If the Program Coordinator determines that the inmate does not appear imminently suicidal, he/she shall document in writing the basis for this conclusion and any treatment recommendations made. This documentation is placed in the inmate's medical, psychology, and central file.

(2) Suicidal inmates. If the Program Coordinator determines the individual to have an imminent potential for suicide, the inmate will be placed on suicide watch in the institution's designated suicide prevention room. The actions and findings of the Program Coordinator will be documented, with copies going to the central file, medical record, psychology file, and the Warden. The inmate on watch will ordinarily be seen by the Program Coordinator on at least a daily basis. Unit staff will have frequent contact with the inmate while he/she is on watch. Only the Program Coordinator will have the authority to remove an inmate from suicide watch. Termination of the watch will be documented with copies to the central file, medical record, psychology file, and the Warden. There should be a clear description of the resolution of the crisis and guidelines for follow-up care.

Inmates on watch will be placed in the institution's designated suicide prevention room, a non-administrative detention/segregation cell ordinarily located in the health services area. Despite the cell's location, the inmate will not be admitted as an in-patient unless there are medical indications that would necessitate immediate hospitalization.

The Program Coordinator will have responsibility for determining the specific conditions of the watch.

The Program Coordinator will arrange for a potentially suicidal inmate to be removed from Special Housing Unit status prior to completion of his/her administrative detention or sanction and placed on suicide watch. Once the suicide crisis is over, the inmate will be expected to satisfy the administrative detention or Disciplinary Segregation sanction unless the Segregation Review Official finds the completion of the administrative detention or sanction no longer necessary and/or advisable.

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for making emergency referrals of suicidal inmates to the appropriate medical center. No inmate who is determined to be imminently suicidal will be transferred to another institution, except to a medical center on an emergency basis.

If an inmate suicide does occur, the Program Coordinator will immediately notify the Regional Administrator, Psychology Services, who will arrange for a psychological reconstruction of the suicide to be completed by a psychologist from another institution.

It is the policy of the Bureau of Prisons that an inmate may possess ordinarily only that property which the inmate is authorized to retain upon admission to the institution, which is issued while the inmate is in custody, which the inmate purchases in the institution commissary, or which is approved by staff to be mailed to, or otherwise received by an inmate. These rules contribute to the management of inmate personal property in the institution, and contribute to a safe environment for staff and inmates by reducing fire hazards, security risks, and sanitation problems which relate to inmate personal property. Consistent with the mission of the institution, each Warden shall identify in writing that personal property which may be retained by an inmate in addition to that personal property which has been approved by the Director for retention at all institutions.

(a) Contraband is defined in § 500.1(h) of this chapter. Items possessed by an inmate ordinarily are not considered to be contraband if the inmate was authorized to retain the item upon admission to the institution, the item was issued by authorized staff, purchased by the inmate from the commissary, or purchased or received through approved channels (to include approved for receipt by an authorized staff member or authorized by institution guidelines).

(b) For the purposes of this subpart, there are two types of contraband.

(1) Staff shall consider as hard contraband any item which poses a serious threat to the security of an institution and which ordinarily is not approved for possession by an inmate or for admission into the institution. Examples of hard contraband include weapons, intoxicants, and currency (where prohibited).

(2) Staff shall consider as nuisance contraband any item other than hard contraband, which has never been authorized, or which may be, or which previously has been authorized for possession by an inmate, but whose possession is prohibited when it presents a threat to security or its condition or excessive quantities of it present a health, fire, or housekeeping hazard. Examples of nuisance contraband include: personal property no longer permitted for admission to the institution or permitted for sale in the commissary; altered personal property; excessive accumulation of commissary, newspapers, letters, or magazines which cannot be stored neatly and safely in the designated area; food items which are spoiled or retained beyond the point of safe consumption; government-issued items which have been altered, or other items made from government property without staff authorization.

(a) Staff shall seize any item in the institution which has been identified as contraband whether the item is found in the physical possession of an inmate, in an inmate's living quarters, or in common areas of the institution.

(b) Staff shall dispose of items seized as contraband in accordance with the following procedures.

(1) Staff shall return to the institution's issuing authority any item of government property seized as contraband, except where the item is needed as evidence for disciplinary action or criminal prosecution. In such cases, staff may retain the seized property as evidence.

(2) Items of personal property confiscated by staff as contraband are to be inventoried and stored pending identification of the true owner (if in question) and possible disciplinary action. Following an inventory of the confiscated items, staff shall employ the following procedures.

(i) Staff shall provide the inmate with a copy of the inventory as soon as practicable. A copy of this inventory shall also be placed in the inmate's central file.

(ii) The inmate shall have seven days following receipt of the inventory to provide staff with evidence of ownership of the listed items. A claim of ownership may not be accepted for an item made from the unauthorized use of government property. Items obtained from another inmate (for example, through purchase, or as a gift) without staff authorization may be considered nuisance contraband for which a claim of ownership is ordinarily not accepted.

(iii) If the inmate establishes ownership, but the item is identified as contraband, staff shall mail such items (other than hard contraband), at the inmate's expense, to a destination of the inmate's choice. The Warden or designee may authorize the institution to pay the cost of such mailings when the item had not been altered and originally had been permitted for admission to the institution or had been purchased from the commissary, or where the inmate has insufficient funds and no likelihood of new funds being received. Where the inmate has established ownership of a contraband item, but is unwilling, although financially able to pay postage as required, or refuses to provide a mailing address for return of the property, the property is to be disposed of through approved methods, including destruction of the property.

(iv) If the inmate is unable to establish ownership, staff shall make reasonable efforts to identify the owner of the property before any decision to destroy the property is made.

(v) Staff shall prepare and retain written documentation describing any items destroyed and the reasons for such action.

(vi) Where disciplinary action is appropriate, staff shall delay disposition of property until completion of such action (including appeals).

(c) Staff shall retain items of hard contraband for disciplinary action or prosecution or both. The contraband items may be delivered to law enforcement personnel for official use. When it is determined that the item is not needed for criminal prosecution, the hard contraband shall be destroyed as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section. Written documentation of the destruction shall be maintained for at least two years.

(d) Staff may not allow an inmate to possess funds in excess of established institutional limits. Staff shall deliver to the cashier any cash or negotiable instruments found in an inmate's possession which exceed the institution's allowable limits. Funds determined to be contraband shall be confiscated for crediting to the U.S. Treasury.

(1) Where disciplinary action against the inmate is appropriate, staff shall delay final disposition of the funds until such action (including appeals) is completed.

(2) Prior to a decision on the disposition of funds, staff shall allow the inmate a reasonable amount of time to prove ownership.

(a) Except as provided for in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section, authorized personal property shall be shipped by staff to the receiving institution.

(1) The Warden ordinarily shall allow an inmate transferring to another institution to transport personal items determined necessary or appropriate by staff and, if applicable, legal materials for active court cases.

(2) The Warden may require or allow an inmate who is transferring to another institution under furlough conditions to transport all the inmate's authorized personal property with him or her.

(3) An inmate who is being released or who is transferring to a Community Corrections Center may arrange to ship personal property at the inmate's expense. The inmate is responsible for transporting any personal property not so shipped.

(b) If the inmate's personal property is not authorized for retention by the receiving institution, staff at the receiving institution shall arrange for the inmate's excess personal property to be mailed to a non-Bureau destination of the inmate's choice. The inmate shall bear the expense for this mailing.

(c) Whenever the inmate refuses to provide a mailing address for return of the property or, when required, refuses to bear the expense of mailing the property, the property is to be disposed of through approved methods, including destruction of the property.

The Warden shall set a limit on the amount of personal property that may accompany an inmate transferring to a medical facility. For purpose of this rule, a medical facility is one which provides observation and/or treatment of a medical, surgical, or psychiatric nature, or any combination of these. Such medical transfers are ordinarily of a short-term duration (30-120 days).

(a) The Wardens of the sending and receiving institutions shall allow the inmate to retain those legal materials specifically needed in respect to on-going litigation. Questions as to the need for such material may be referred to Regional Counsel.

(b) The Warden of the sending institution shall designate a secure location for storage of all inmate personal property not accompanying the inmate.

(c) Personal property permitted in the sending institution, but not in the receiving institution, shall either be retained at the sending institution or be mailed to a destination of the inmate's choice.

(1) If the inmate is expected to return to the sending institution within 120 days of transfer, staff shall advise the inmate that property not allowed in the medical facility may be held at the sending institution or sent to a destination of the inmate's choice (other than the medical facility), at the inmate's expense. Where lack of space prevents retention of the inmate's property at the sending institution, that institution shall pay postage costs connected with mailing the inmate's property to a destination of the inmate's choice. Where lack of space prevents the retention of the inmate's property at the sending institution, and the inmate refuses to provide a mailing address for return of the property, the property is to be disposed of through approved methods, including destruction of the property.

(2) The inmate's property may be sent with the inmate to the medical facility when the inmate is not expected to return to the sending institution, will be at the medical facility over 120 days, or for any other justified reason. The Warden at the sending institution shall prepare and place in the inmate's central file written documentation for forwarding the inmate's personal property.

(d) The Warden of the medical facility shall return an inmate's personal property ordinarily in the same or equivalent size container as originally used by the sending institution. Property accumulated over that amount, at the option of the inmate, will either be sent to a destination selected by the inmate, at the inmate's expense, donated, or destroyed. If the inmate is financially able but refuses to pay for the mailing, or if the inmate refuses to provide a mailing address for forwarding of the property, the property is to be disposed of through approved methods, including destruction of the property.

(a) This subpart provides the Bureau of Prisons' (Bureau) categorical exercise of discretion for designating inmates to community confinement. The Bureau designates inmates to community confinement only as part of pre-release custody and programming which will afford the prisoner a reasonable opportunity to adjust to and prepare for re-entry into the community.

(b) As discussed in this subpart, the term “community confinement” includes Community Corrections Centers (CCC) (also known as “halfway houses”) and home confinement.

(a) The Bureau will designate inmates to community confinement only as part of pre-release custody and programming, during the last ten percent of the prison sentence being served, not to exceed six months.

(b) We may exceed these time-frames only when specific Bureau programs allow greater periods of community confinement, as provided by separate statutory authority (for example, residential substance abuse treatment program (18 U.S.C. 3621(e)(2)(A)), or shock incarceration program (18 U.S.C. 4046(c)).

The furlough program of the Bureau of Prisons is intended to help the inmate to attain correctional goals. A furlough is not a right, but a privilege granted an inmate under prescribed conditions. It is not a reward for good behavior, nor a means to shorten a criminal sentence.

(a) A furlough is an authorized absence from an institution by an inmate who is not under escort of a staff member, U.S. Marshal, or state or federal agents. The two types of furlough are:

(1) Day furlough— A furlough within the geographic limits of the commuting area of the institution (approximately a 100-mile radius), which lasts 16 hours or less and ends before midnight.

(2) Overnight furlough— A furlough which falls outside or beyond the criteria of a day furlough.

(b) An anticipated release date, for purposes of this rule, refers to the first of the following dates which applies to an inmate requesting a furlough:

(1) The inmate's mandatory (statutory) release date;

(2) The inmate's minimum expiration date;

(3) The inmate's presumptive parole date; or

(4) The inmate's effective parole date.

(a) The authority to approve furloughs in Bureau of Prisons institutions is delegated to the Warden or Acting Warden. This authority may not be further delegated. An inmate may be authorized a furlough:

(1) To be present during a crisis in the immediate family, or in other urgent situations;

(2) To participate in the development of release plans;

(3) To reestablish family and community ties;

(4) To participate in selected educational, social, civic, religious, and recreational activities which will facilitate release transition;

(5) To transfer directly to another institution or to a non-federal facility;

(6) To appear in court in connection with a civil action;

(7) To comply with an official request to appear before a grand jury, or to comply with a request from a legislative body or regulatory or licensing agency;

(8) To appear in a criminal court proceeding, but only when the use of a furlough is requested or recommended by the applicable court or prosecuting attorney; or

(9) To participate in special training courses or in institution work assignments, including Federal Prison Industries (FPI) work assignments, of 30 calendar days or less, when daily commuting from the institution is not feasible.

(b) The Warden may recommend a furlough for an inmate to obtain necessary medical, surgical, psychiatric, or dental treatment not otherwise available. In addition to the recommendation of the Warden, a furlough of this nature requires the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer (Chief of Health Programs). Approval for a furlough of this type occurs in one of the following ways:

(1) Staff shall contact the Regional Health Services Administrator for approval when the cost of medical care is at the expense of the government. In case of medical emergency, staff may authorize a furlough for hospitalization and shall notify the Regional Health Services Administrator as soon after the emergency admission as possible.

(2) When medical care expenditures are borne by the inmate, or other non-governmental source, the furlough request requires the approval of the Medical Director and the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division.

(c) The Warden may refer a request for a furlough in other situations through the Regional Director to the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division for approval.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the inmate or the inmate's family or other appropriate source approved by the Warden shall bear all expenses of a furlough, including transportation, food, lodging, and incidentals.

(b) The government may bear the expense of a furlough only when the purpose of the furlough is to obtain necessary medical, surgical, psychiatric, or dental treatment not otherwise available, or to transfer an inmate to another correctional institution (includes community corrections centers), or, if it is for the primary benefit of the government, to participate in special training courses or institutional work assignments (including FPI work assignments) as outlined in § 570.32(a)(9).

(c) The Warden may allow an inmate scheduled for transfer to a community corrections center (CCC) to choose the means of transportation to the CCC if all transportation costs are borne by the inmate. An inmate traveling under these provisions is expected to go directly as scheduled from the institution to the CCC.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the Warden may grant a furlough only to an inmate with community custody.

(b) The Warden may grant a furlough to an inmate with “out” custody only when the furlough is for the purpose of transferring directly to another institution (except community corrections centers) or for obtaining local medical treatment not otherwise available at the institution.

(c) The Warden may grant a furlough only to an inmate the Warden determines to be physically and mentally capable of completing the furlough.

(d) The Warden may grant a furlough only to an inmate who has demonstrated sufficient responsibility to provide reasonable assurance that furlough requirements will be met.

(e) The Warden shall determine the eligibility of an inmate for furlough in accord with the inmate's anticipated release date and the basis for the furlough request.

(1) The Warden may approve only an emergency furlough (family crisis or other urgent situation) for an inmate who has been confined at the initially designated institution for less than 90 days.

(2) The Warden may approve only an emergency furlough for an inmate with more than two years remaining until the inmate's anticipated release date.

(3) The Warden may approve a day furlough for an inmate with two years or less remaining until the inmate's anticipated release date.

(4) The Warden may approve an overnight furlough within the institution's commuting area for an inmate with 18 months or less remaining until the inmate's anticipated release date.

(5) The Warden may approve an overnight furlough outside the institution's commuting area for an inmate with one year or less remaining until the inmate's anticipated release date. The Warden may ordinarily approve an overnight furlough not to exceed once each 90 days.

(6) If the Warden approves a furlough outside the above guidelines, the Warden shall document the reasons in the inmates's central file.

(a) The Warden ordinarily may not grant a furlough to an inmate convicted of a serious crime against the person and/or whose presence in the community could attract undue public attention, create unusual concern, or depreciate the seriousness of the offense. If the Warden approves a furlough for such an inmate, the Warden must place a statement of the reasons for this action in the inmate's central file.

(b) The Warden may approve a furlough for an inmate classified a central monitoring case upon compliance with the requirements of this rule and the requirements of part 524, subpart F.

(c) Staff at a contract facility may approve a furlough for a sentenced inmate housed in the contract facility as specified in that facility's written agreement with the Bureau of Prisons.

(d) The Bureau of Prisons does not have the authority to furlough U.S. Marshals prisoners in contract jails. Staff are to refer requests for such furloughs to the U.S. Marshals.

(e) Furlough for pretrial inmates will be arranged in accordance with the rule on pretrial inmates (see part 551, subpart J).

(a) An inmate who meets the eligibility requirements of this rule may submit to staff an application for furlough.

(b) Before approving the application, staff shall verify that a furlough is indicated.

(c) Staff shall notify an inmate of the decision on the inmate's application for furlough. Where an application for furlough is denied, staff shall notify the inmate of the reasons for denial.

(d) Each inmate who is approved for a furlough must agree to abide by the specified conditions (table 1) of the furlough.

(e) Upon completion of an inmate's furlough, staff shall record in the inmate's central file anything unusual which occurred during the furlough.

An inmate who absconds from furlough or fails to meet any of the conditions of the furlough is deemed to be an escapee under 18 U.S.C. 4082, 751.

(a) Staff shall process as an escapee an inmate who absconds from furlough.

(b) Staff may take disciplinary action against an inmate who fails to comply with any of the conditions of the furlough.

The Bureau of Prisons provides approved inmates with staff-escorted trips into the community for such purposes as receiving medical treatment not otherwise available, for visiting a critically-ill member of the inmate's immediate family, or for participating in program or work-related functions.

(a) Medical escorted trips are intended to provide an inmate with medical treatment not available within the institution. There are two types of medical escorted trips.

(1) Emergency medical escorted trip. An escorted trip occurring as the result of an unexpected life-threatening medical situation requiring immediate medical treatment not available at the institution. The required treatment may be on either an in-patient or out-patient basis.

(2) Non-emergency medical escorted trip. A pre-planned escorted trip for the purpose of providing an inmate with medical treatment ordinarily not available at the institution. The required treatment may be on either an in-patient or out-patient basis.

(b) The Clinical Director or designee is responsible for determining whether a medical escorted trip is appropriate.

(c) Escorted trip procedures—out-patient medical treatment. A recommendation for an inmate to receive a medical escorted trip is prepared by medical staff, forwarded through the appropriate staff for screening and clearance, and then submitted to the Warden for review. The Warden may approve an inmate for an out-patient medical escorted trip.

(d) Escorted trip procedures—in-patient medical treatment. A recommendation for an inmate to receive a medical escorted trip is prepared by medical staff, forwarded through the appropriate staff for screening and clearance, and then submitted to the Warden. The Warden may approve an inmate for an in-patient medical escorted trip.

(a) Non-medical escorted trips allow an inmate to leave the institution under staff escort for approved, non-medical reasons. There are two types of non-medical escorted trips.

(1) Emergency non-medical escorted trip. An escorted trip for such purposes as allowing an inmate to attend the funeral of, or to make a bedside visit to, a member of an inmate's immediate family. For purposes of this rule, immediate family refers to mother, father, brother, sister, spouse, children, step-parents, and foster parents.

(2) Non-emergency, non-medical escorted trip. An escorted trip for such purposes as allowing inmates to participate in program-related functions, such an educational or religious activities, or in work-related functions.

(b) Escorted trip procedures—emergency non-medical reasons. Unit staff are to investigate, and determine, the merits of an escorted trip following a review of the available information. This includes contacting those persons (e.g., attending physician, hospital staff, funeral home staff, family members, U.S. Probation Officer) who can contribute to a determination on whether an escorted trip should be approved.

(1) The government assumes the salary expenses of escort staff for the first eight hours of each day. All other expenses, including transportation costs, are assumed by the inmate, the inmate's family, or other appropriate source approved by the Warden. The necessary funds must be deposited to the inmate's trust fund account prior to the trip. Funds paid by the inmate for purposes of the escorted trip are then drawn, payable to the Treasury of the United States. Unexpended funds are returned to the inmate's trust fund account following the completion of the trip.

(2) A request for an inmate to receive an emergency non-medical escorted trip is prepared by unit staff, forwarded through the appropriate staff for screening and clearance, and then submitted to the Warden. Except as specified in § 570.43, the Warden may approve an inmate for an emergency non-medical escorted trip.

(c) Escorted trip procedures—non-emergency, non-medical reasons. This type of escorted trip is considered for an inmate who has been at the institution for at least 90 days, and who is considered eligible for less secure housing and for work details, under minimal supervision, outside the institution's perimeter. A recommendation for an inmate to receive an escorted trip for non-emergency, non-medical reasons is prepared by the recommending staff, forwarded through the appropriate staff for screening and clearance, and then submitted to the Warden. Except as specified in § 570.43, the Warden may approve an inmate for a non-emergency, non-medical escorted trip.

Only the Regional Director may approve a non-medical escorted trip (either emergency or non-emergency) for an inmate determined to require a high degree of control and supervision.

Inmates under escort will be within the constant and immediate visual supervision of escorting staff at all times. Restraints may be applied to an inmate going on an escorted trip, after considering the purpose of the escorted trip and the degree of supervision required by the inmate. Except for escorted trips for a medical emergency, an inmate going on an escorted trip must agree in writing to the conditions of the escorted trip (for example, agrees not to consume alcohol).

(a) Staff shall process as an escapee an inmate who absconds from an escorted trip.

(b) Staff may take disciplinary action against an inmate who fails to comply with any of the conditions of the escorted trip.

The Bureau of Prisons recognizes that an inmate's preparation for release begins at initial commitment and continues throughout incarceration and until final release to the community. This subpart establishes a standardized release preparation program for all sentenced inmates reintegrating into the community from Bureau facilities. Exception to this subpart may be made by the Warden of a Bureau facility which has been designated as an administrative maximum security institution.

The Warden shall designate to a staff member the responsibility to:

(a) Determine the general release needs of the inmate population;

(b) Coordinate the institution release preparation program;

(c) Chair the Release Preparation Program Committee;

(d) Contact and schedule volunteers from the local community to participate in the release preparation program.

(a) Staff shall structure the release preparation program to make extensive use of staff, inmate, and community resources.

(b) Staff shall strongly encourage and support an inmate's participation in the institution release preparation program. Staff shall document the inmate's participation in the program in the inmate's central file.

(a) The institution release preparation program shall be administered by the Release Preparation Program Committee.

(b) The institution release preparation program will be based on a core curriculum of topics/courses organized into six broad categories. The six categories are:

(1) Health and nutrition.

(2) Employment.

(3) Personal finance/consumer skills.

(4) Information/community resources.

(5) Release requirements and procedures.

(6) Personal growth and development.

(c) To assist in the release process, the Warden may, in accordance with the Bureau of Prisons' rule on furloughs, grant an inmate a furlough for release preparation purposes.

(d) Staff shall help an inmate obtain proper identification (social security card, driver's license, birth certificate, and/or any other documents needed by the inmate) prior to release.

(e) An inmate who is not being released through a Community Corrections Center (CCC) may ask staff to request the assistance of a United States Probation Officer in establishing a release plan. Bureau staff are to encourage the inmate to give at least one employment lead or contact. Where the inmate or the inmate's family has already identified employment, the case manager shall notify the United States Probation Officer so that the usual verification of release plans may be made. Where employment has not been identified, the case manager shall notify the United States Probation Officer of the employment need. This notification should ordinarily occur at least six weeks prior to the inmate's release.

It is the policy of the Bureau of Prisons that an inmate being released to the community will have suitable clothing, transportation to the inmate's release destination, and some funds to use until he or she begins to receive income. Based on the inmate's need and financial resources, a discretionary gratuity up to the amount permitted by statute may be granted.

(a) An inmate is eligible for a gratuity as determined by the availability of personal and community resources. Greater consideration may be given to an inmate without funds or community resources.

(b) A federal prisoner boarded in a non-federal facility is eligible for a release gratuity. The director of the non-federal facility housing federal inmates or the community corrections manager shall determine the amount of release gratuity in accordance with the purpose and scope of this regulation for federal inmates housed in non-federal facilities.

(c) An inmate who is without personal funds may receive a gratuity when transferred to a community corrections center. The amount shall enable the inmate to care for needs in transit and allow for the purchase of necessary personal items upon arrival.

(d) Staff shall provide the inmate released to a detainer with information on how to apply for a gratuity if released prior to expiration of the federal sentence.

(e) Staff will ensure that each alien released to immigration authorities for the purpose of release or transfer to a community corrections center has $10 cash. This provision does not apply to aliens being released for the purpose of deportation, exclusion, or removal, or to aliens detained or serving 60 days or less in contract facilities.

(a) Staff shall provide release clothing appropriate for the time of year and the inmate's geographical destination. Upon request, work clothing will be provided. Nonavailability of work clothing may limit this practice.

(b) Inmates transferring to a community corrections center will be provided adequate clothing to complete a job search and perform work. Additionally, an outer garment, seasonably suited for the geographical destination will be provided.

(c) Transportation will be provided to an inmate's place of conviction or to his/her legal residence within the United States or its territories.

The Bureau of Prisons may release an inmate whose release date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, on the last preceding weekday unless it is necessary to detain the inmate for another jurisdiction seeking custody under a detainer, or for any other reason which might indicate that the inmate should not be released until the inmate's scheduled release date.

(a) The release authority for inmates convicted of offenses occurring prior to November 1, 1987 is pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 4163. The number of days used under 18 U.S.C. 4163 may not be added to the number of days remaining to be served to release an inmate “as if * * * on parole” (18 U.S.C. 4164) who would otherwise have been released by expiration of sentence.

(b) The release authority for inmates sentenced under the provisions of the Sentencing Reform Act of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 for offenses committed on/or after November 1, 1987 is pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3624(a).

An inmate may file a petition for commutation of sentence in accordance with the provisions of 28 CFR part 1.

(a) An inmate may request from the inmate's case manager the appropriate forms (and instructions) for filing a petition for commutation of sentence.

(b) When specifically requested by the U.S. Pardon Attorney, the Director, Bureau of Prisons will forward a recommendation on the inmate's petition for commutation of sentence.

(a) Staff shall suggest that an inmate who wishes to submit a petition for commutation of sentence do so through the Warden to the U.S. Pardon Attorney. This procedure allows institution staff to forward with the application the necessary supplemental information (for example, sentencing information, presentence report, progress report, pertinent medical records if the petition involves the inmate's health, etc.). Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no Bureau of Prisons recommendation is to be forwarded with the package of material submitted to the U.S. Pardon Attorney.

(b) When specifically requested by the U.S. Pardon Attorney, the Director, Bureau of Prisons shall submit a recommendation on the petition. Prior to making a recommendation, the Director may request comments from the Warden at the institution where the inmate is confined. Upon review of those comments, the Director will forward a recommendation on the petition to the U.S. Pardon Attorney.

(c) When a petition for commutation of sentence is granted by the President of the United States, the U.S. Pardon Attorney will forward the original of the signed and sealed warrant of clemency evidencing the President's action to the Warden at the detaining institution, with a copy to the Director, Bureau of Prisons. The Warden shall deliver the original warrant to the affected inmate, and obtain a signed receipt for return to the U.S. Pardon Attorney. The Warden shall take such action as is indicated in the warrant of clemency.

(1) If a petition for commutation of sentence is granted, institutional staff shall recalculate the inmate's sentence in accordance with the terms of the commutation order.

(2) If the commutation grants parole eligibility, the inmate is to be placed on the appropriate parole docket.

(d) When a petition for commutation of sentence is denied, the U.S. Pardon Attorney ordinarily notifies the Warden, requesting that the Warden notify the inmate of the denial.

This subpart establishes procedures for processing a fine, or fine and costs ordered by the court with respect to an inmate convicted of an offense committed before November 1, 1987. When the court orders a prisoner's confinement until payment of a fine, or fine and costs under 18 U.S.C. 3565, the Bureau of Prisons shall confine that inmate until the fine, or fine and costs are paid, unless the inmate qualifies for release under 18 U.S.C. 3569.

(a) An inmate held on the sole basis of his/her inability to pay such fine, or fine and costs, and whose non-exempt property does not exceed $20.00 may request discharge from imprisonment on the basis of indigency (see 18 U.S.C. 3569).

(b) Under 18 U.S.C. 3569, the determination of indigency may be made by a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Where the U.S. Magistrate Judge makes a finding of non-indigency based on the inmate's application for a determination of his ability to pay the committed fine, or fine and costs, staff shall refer the application to the appropriate United States Attorney for the purpose of making a final decision on the inmate's discharge under 18 U.S.C. 3569. It is to be noted that 18 U.S.C. 3569 provides for confining an inmate for nonpayment of a committed fine, or fine and costs.

(a) Fine— a monetary penalty associated with an offense imposed as part of a judgment and commitment. There are two types of fines.

(1) Committed fine— a monetary penalty imposed with a condition of imprisonment until the fine is paid.

(2) Non-committed fine— a monetary penalty which has no condition of confinement imposed.

(b) Costs—Monetary costs of the legal proceeding which the court may levy. Imposition of costs is similar in legal effect to imposition of a fine. The court may also impose costs with a condition of imprisonment.

(a) An inmate with a committed fine, or fine and costs who is imprisoned in a federal institution may make application for a determination of indigency directly to the U.S. Magistrate Judge in the district where the inmate is imprisoned under 18 U.S.C. 3569.

(b) After completion of the application, staff shall offer to forward the completed forms and any other applicable information the inmate chooses to the U.S. Magistrate Judge.

(c) If the U.S. Magistrate Judge finds that the inmate is indigent, the U.S. Magistrate Judge will administer the oath to the inmate. The inmate shall be released no earlier than the regularly established release date.

(d) If the U.S. Magistrate Judge finds that the inmate is not indigent, Bureau staff shall forward a referral package to the appropriate United States Attorney for a final determination as to the inmate's ability to pay the committed fine, or fine and costs.

(a) Inmates with a committed fine, or fine and costs may be transferred to contract community-based facilities, state institutions as boarders, or state institutions for service of federal sentences running concurrently with state sentences.

(b) Inmates with a committed fine, or fine and costs may be committed directly to contract community-based facilities or state institutions as boarders or may be designated to state institutions for service of federal sentences running concurrently with state sentences.

(c) An inmate with a committed fine, or fine and costs who is imprisoned in a contract community-based facility or state institution and desires to make application for a determination of ability to pay the committed fine, or fine and costs under 18 U.S.C. 3569 may make application directly to the U.S. Magistrate Judge.

(d) Upon receipt of a finding by the U.S. Magistrate Judge that the inmate is not indigent, Bureau staff shall forward a referral package to the appropriate United States Attorney for a final determination as to the inmate's ability to pay the committed fine, or fine and costs.

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons is required to provide release and registration information (offender's name, criminal history, projected address, release conditions or restrictions) to state/local law enforcement and registration officials at least five calendar days prior to release of offenders who have been convicted of certain sexual offenses listed in 18 U.S.C. 4042(c)(4)(A) through (D). Under 18 U.S.C. 4042(c)(4)(E), the Attorney General is authorized to designate additional offenses as sexual offenses for the purpose of sex offender release notification and other related purposes. This authority has been delegated to the Director.

The following offenses are designated as additional sexual offenses for purposes of 18 U.S.C. 4042(c):

(a) Any offense under the law of any jurisdiction that involved:

(1) Engaging in sexual contact with another person without obtaining permission to do so (forcible rape, sexual assault, or sexual battery);

(2) Possession, distribution, mailing, production, or receipt of child pornography or related paraphernalia;

(3) Any sexual contact with a minor or other person physically or mentally incapable of granting consent (indecent liberties with a minor, statutory rape, sexual abuse of the mentally ill, rape by administering a drug or substance);

(4) Any sexual act or contact not identified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section that is aggressive or abusive in nature (rape by instrument, encouraging use of a minor for prostitution purposes, incest);

(5) An attempt to commit any of the actions described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section.

(b) The following Defense Incident Based Reporting System (DIBRS) Code offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice:

(1) 120A (Rape);

(2) 120B1/2 (Carnal knowledge);

(3) 125A (Forcible sodomy);

(4) 125B1/2 (Sodomy of a minor);

(5) 133D (Conduct unbecoming an Officer [involving any sexually violent offense or a criminal offense of a sexual nature against a minor or kidnaping of a minor]);

(6) 134-B6 (Prostitution involving a minor);

(7) 134-C1 (Indecent assault);

(8) 134-C4 (Assault with intent to commit rape);

(9) 134-C6 (Assault with intent to commit sodomy);

(10) 134-R1 (Indecent act with a minor);

(11) 134-R3 (Indecent language to a minor);

(12) 134-S1 (Kidnaping of a minor (by a person not a parent));

(13) 134-Z (Pornography involving a minor);

(14) 134-Z (Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline (involving any sexually violent offense or a criminal offense of a sexual nature against a minor or kidnaping of a minor));

(15) 134-Y2 (Assimilative crime conviction (of a sexually violent offense or a criminal offense of a sexual nature against a minor or kidnaping of a minor)).

(16) 080-A (Attempt (to commit any offense listed in paragraphs (b)(1)—(15) of this section));

(17) 081-A (Conspiracy (to commit any offense listed in paragraphs (b)(1)—(15) of this section));

(18) 082-A (Solicitation (to commit any offense listed in paragraphs (b)(1)—(15) of this section)).

(c) The following District of Columbia Code offenses:

(1) § 22-501 (Assault) if it includes assault with the intent to commit first degree sexual abuse, second degree sexual abuse, or child sexual abuse;

(2) § 22-2012 (Sexual performances using minors—prohibited acts);

(3) § 22-2013 (Sexual performances using minors—penalties);

(4) § 22-2101 (Kidnaping) where the victim is a minor;

(5) § 22-2401 (Murder in the first degree) if it includes murder while committing or attempting to commit first degree sexual abuse;

(6) § 22-2704 (Abducting or enticing child from his or her home for purposes of prostitution; harboring such child);

(7) § 22-4102 (First degree sexual abuse);

(8) § 22-4103 (Second degree sexual abuse);

(9) § 22-4104 (Third degree sexual abuse);

(10) § 22-4105 (Fourth degree sexual abuse);

(11) § 22-4106 (Misdemeanor sexual abuse);

(12) § 22-4108 (First degree child sexual abuse);

(13) § 22-4109 (Second degree child sexual abuse);

(14) § 22-4110 (Enticing a child);

(15) § 22-4113 (First degree sexual abuse of a ward);

(16) § 22-4114 (Second degree sexual abuse of a ward);

(17) § 22-4115 (First degree sexual abuse of a patient or client);

(18) § 22-4116 (Second degree sexual abuse of a patient or client);

(19) § 22-4118 (Attempts to commit sexual offenses);

(20) § 22-4120 (Aggravating circumstances).

(21) § 22-103 (Attempts to commit crime) if it includes an attempt to commit any offense listed in paragraphs (c)(1)-(20) of this section.

The Bureau of Prisons provides the U.S. Parole Commission with a Violator Report for use at the revocation hearing of a parole or mandatory release violator, when that hearing is conducted in an institution of the Bureau of Prisons.

Staff shall prepare the Violator Report to include the following information:

(a) The inmate's original offense, sentence imposed, date and district;

(b) Description of release procedure;

(c) Alleged violation(s) of parole or mandatory release;

(d) Inmate's comments concerning the alleged violation(s);

(e) An outline of the inmate's activities while under supervison on parole or mandatory release; and

(f) At the option of the inmate, statement of current release plans and available community resources.

18 U.S.C. 4205(g) was repealed effective November 1, 1987, but remains the controlling law for inmates whose offenses occurred prior to that date. For inmates whose offenses occurred on or after November 1, 1987, the applicable statute is 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A). Procedures for compassionate release of an inmate under either provision are contained in 28 CFR part 571, subpart G.