25. Prison Designation

A person going into the criminal justice system should have a basic understanding of how the prison system operates. The Bureau of Prisons is a large agency, with more than 100 different federal prisons that operate in six different regions across the United States.

In an effort to advance our mission of building pathways for people to earn freedom through merit, I’ve visited more than 80 different federal prisons. When I go to the prisons, I meet with staff members, and make presentations to people who have interest in participating in our self-directed study programs. Those interactions give me a lot of insight, even more insight than I gained while living in prison for 9,500 days. During that journey of confinement, I served time in the following institutions and settings:

1. County jails
2. City jails
3. Federal detention centers
4. USP Atlanta
5. USP Lewisburg
6. FCI McKean
7. FCI Fairton
8. FCI Ft. Dix
9. FPC Florence
10. FPC Lompoc
11. FPC Taft
12. FPC Atwater
13. San Francisco Halfway House
14. Home Confinement

Cumulatively, the experience gives me insight into the importance of understanding the system, but also, the importance of learning to make decisions that lead to progress toward goals regardless of where administrators assign a person to serve the term.

Learn how administrators make placement decisions, identify facilities that could support your preparation, and build a reasoned request.

Designation Decisions

The Federal Bureau of Prisons ordinarily decides where a person will serve a federal prison sentence. Its Designation and Sentence Computation Center, known as the DSCC, operates in Grand Prairie, Texas. Staff there handle initial designations after reviewing materials from the court, probation office, and other agencies.

Administrators consider security requirements, medical and mental health needs, programs, available beds, separation concerns, residence, and judicial recommendations. The Presentence Investigation Report, the Court’s written judgment, and the Statement of Reasons provide information that can influence those decisions.

Federal law directs placement as close as practicable to the person’s primary residence and, when practicable, within 500 driving miles, subject to the required considerations. That provision does not guarantee placement at the nearest prison.

Learn the Security Levels

The Bureau operates institutions in five categories:

• Minimum security: Federal prison camps generally have dormitory housing, limited or no perimeter fencing, and work and program assignments. Some operate beside larger prisons.
• Low security: These institutions generally have double-fenced perimeters, dormitory or cubicle housing, and more staff supervision than camps.
• Medium security: These prisons generally use cells, strengthened perimeters, and greater controls over movement and daily activities.
• High security: Usually called United States Penitentiaries, these institutions have highly secured perimeters, cell housing, and close control of movement.
• Administrative: These facilities serve special purposes, including medical treatment, detention, and transfers. This category includes institutions with very different missions and restrictions.

Placement begins with an objective classification, which considers factors such as offense severity, criminal history, age, escape or violence history, and sentence length. Additional security rules can affect placement even when a numerical score suggests a lower level. A nonviolent conviction alone does not guarantee eligibility for a camp.

Prison Culture

Two prisons with the same security level can offer different experiences. Leadership, staffing, population, program access, and the way people interact help shape each institution’s culture. Conditions can also change when administrators or populations change.

Consider how the environment may affect your goals. Someone working toward a credential needs reliable opportunities to study. Someone addressing substance use needs access to appropriate treatment. A parent may place particular value on a location that makes visits possible.

Our website offers an abundance of information on all federal prisons. I encourage members of our community to use those resources. They will provide insight. Those who have specific questions about programs, housing, visiting, and daily routines may find value in our interactive webinars.

Prepare a Request Before Sentencing

A judge may recommend a particular institution, geographic area, or program. The recommendation does not bind the Bureau of Prisons, but administrators consider judicial recommendations. Bureau policy says staff attempt to satisfy recommendations when consistent with policy and sound correctional management.

Begin developing the request before the sentencing hearing. Identify a preferred placement and reasonable alternatives that fit your likely classification and needs. Explain how the requested placement would support treatment, family relationships, education, or preparation for release.

For example, a person might document that an elderly parent cannot travel long distances and that a nearby institution offers relevant programming. Those details give the judge concrete reasons to consider the request. For example, a person convicted of a sex offense may want to serve the term in an institution that offers treatment. A person who suffers with a history of substance abuse may request to serve the term in a prison that is most likely to offer treatment.

Prepare a concise explanation and supporting information for inclusion in the sentencing submission through your attorney. Request that any recommendation appear in the written judgment, or in the Statement of Reasons. Review the PSR for accurate information about residence, health, education, and other designation factors. Raise objections before sentencing and explain how disputed information could affect placement or access to programs. If a dispute remains unresolved, request a ruling from the judge, and ask the judge to state his ruling in the Statement of Reasons. Seek confirmation that the court’s findings accompany the PSR sent to the Bureau of Prisons.

Connect Placement to Your Larger Plan

A designation request should explain what you intend to accomplish in the proposed environment. Identify the skills you want to develop, the relationships you need to maintain, and the milestones you will document.

If administrators choose another institution, revise your plan around the resources available. Continue studying, contributing, and building support. Seeking an appropriate designation forms one part of a comprehensive mitigation strategy; the work you complete after arrival gives that strategy substance.