Transfers in Prison

After a federal judge imposes a sentence, jurisdiction changes. The judge says, "I sentence you to the custody of the Attorney General of the United States." The Attorney General delegates authority to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Administrators in the BOP will use a "decentralized" system to assign where the person serves the term. It isn't always close to home.

Personal Experience with Transfers

To help readers understand the process, I'll share stories from my experience. My judge sentenced me to serve a 45-year sentence in the late 1980s. A different sentencing law existed back then, though I didn't understand how it worked. I'd spent my first year in solitary confinement and I would have to learn as I went along.

When administrators make a determination on where a person serves time, they use the term "designate." Authorities designated me to serve my sentence in a high-security penitentiary on the East Coast. I'd grown up in Seattle, and my family lived in Seattle. The designation would keep me far from home, making it difficult and expensive for my family to visit.

Since I'd spent the first year of my term in solitary, I felt happy to get to prison. We've got to celebrate the small victories. While in solitary, I couldn't breathe fresh air or see the sky. In prison, I appreciated the environment, despite being in one of the nation's most violent prisons.

After six or seven years there, I wanted to transfer. By then, I had earned a bachelor's degree and I was enrolled in a master's program. I had grown used to prison and it was more important for me to finish my formal education than to transfer close to home. Still, it would be a challenge. When we request a transfer, we never know where administrators will send us. We don't get to interact with the administrators directly. The people who designate prisons operate out of an office in Grand Prairie, Texas, and they never meet face to face with the people they're transferring.

I was number 16377-004.

Despite the impersonal nature of a transfer request, I found opportunities to influence where I wanted to go. Writing about all the steps I took would make this blog article much too long. For those who want to read the details of all the steps I took, I encourage you to read Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term. Learn more about how to get a copy by visiting our books page.

I used those strategies to transfer from a high-security penitentiary, to a medium-security prison, to a low-security prison, to a minimum-security camp. In my case, however, it took 17 years to maneuver my way from prisons on the East Coast, to prisons on the West Coast.

If you're going to prison, contemplate the following information to engineer a transfer that works best for you. Start with understanding how administrators think.

Why Transfers Happen 

Transfers in prison occur for various reasons. Some are initiated by the Bureau of Prisons for bed space, security reclassification, or program placements, such as RDAP (the Residential Drug Abuse Program). Others happen because of disciplinary issues or, ideally, as people's points drop, which qualifies them for placement in lower-security prisons. 

Additionally, the First Step Act now encourages prison officials to consider family proximity, allowing incarcerated individuals to be placed within 500 miles of their release residence. While this law offers hope, it’s not always guaranteed. Delays, administrative priorities, and limited bed space mean transfers often take time and persistence. 

For me, moving closer to home only came after consistent effort, disciplined behavior, and tapping into my support networks. It’s a process, and I want to share how you can better prepare for that journey if you face a transfer. 

How to Prepare for a Federal Prison Transfer 

To prepare for a transfer, consider your long-term goals. These steps helped me stay disciplined and driven through every move, and they can help you too. 

Build and Maintain a Routine 

Structure your day with activities that support your personal growth and stability. Whether it’s exercising, writing, reading, or goal-setting, having a routine helps you stay grounded during transitions. 

I always kept a journal outlining my daily schedule. This gave me the mindset to focus and continue my resilience, regardless of where authorities kept me. Write down what matters most to you so you have a foundation ready to reestablish after the move. Although you want to get back to society as quickly as possible, you should know that administrators don't share the same goals as you. It's best to expect obstacles and obstructions. Build a body of work to help you overcome.

Prepare a Transfer Packet 

I learned early on that power and influence comes with preparation. Remember that administrators will want to follow policy, which means that a person may only be able to request a transfer at various times—such as after the person has been in a specific location for at least 18 months. Build a plan, and memorialize all the ways that you've used time inside to prepare for success outside.

Your transfer packet might include:

• Certificates for education or vocational courses 
• Letters of recommendation from staff, mentors, or program coordinators 
• A detailed release plan 
• A progress log documenting books you’ve read, programs completed, and steps you’ve taken toward rehabilitation 

When transferred, staff administrators at the new facility will look over your file. Having this evidence of progress demonstrates your focus and sets a positive tone upon arrival.  I encourage you to build a profile on PrisonProfessorsTalent, and memorialize everything. Build a case that makes you an outstanding candidate for any relief, at every stage of the journey.

If you’re actively participating in programs, working with mentors, or receiving treatment, build a case to show that the transfer will not disrupt progress. To the extent possible, build a case to show why a transfer will facilitate your preparation for success upon release.  

When I transferred from high-security to lower-security, I had already built relationships at my previous facilities. Before I left, I reached out to mentors and staff members, asking them to document my efforts. This made it easier for me to continue working on my goals after the transition.   Build an advocacy team that can influence better outcomes when dealing with prison administrators, as I wrote about in Earning Freedom.

Stay Positive and Expect Challenges 

Transfers bring delays, periods of uncertainty, and often physical discomfort. I had to spend several weeks in temporary housing facilities, including the Special Housing Unit (SHU), where conditions aren’t ideal.  But we get through it.

Leaders like Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, taught me how to build a strong mindset. Even in the harshest environments, you have control over how you respond. Stay focused on what you can control, like developing your character, learning new skills, or strengthening your resilience.

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