The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice, administers the federal prison system.
As of 2024, BOP operates 122 prison facilities nationwide, including minimum-security prison camps, medium-security correctional institutions, high-security penitentiaries, and administrative facilities that handle special needs.
Locating a Prisoner in Federal Prison
You can use the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ online inmate locator service to locate a prisoner in the federal system. Here’s how you can do this:
- Go to the BOP’s official website.
- Navigate to the “Inmates” section and select “Find an inmate”.
- Search by Inmate Name or BOP Register Number.
- You can also search using the inmate’s FBI or INS Number.
- Retrieve Inmate Details: The search will provide details about the inmate’s location, incarceration status, and projected release date.
Federal Family Visitations
The Federal Bureau of Prisons manages family visitation in federal prisons in the United States. It is subject to specific rules and policies designed to maintain security and order while allowing inmates to connect with their families and loved ones.
These policies can vary slightly from one institution to another. Still, some standard guidelines and procedures are generally followed across all federal facilities.
Here are the major visitation rules and policies you should know:
Eligibility for Federal Prison Visitations
Not all inmates may be eligible for visits, depending on their custodial status, disciplinary history, and the specifics of their incarceration.
Typically, visitors must be approved by the BOP before visiting an inmate. This involves a background check, and the inmate must list each visitor on their visiting list.
Visitor Approval Process
Potential visitors must complete a visitor application process, which includes a background check. The institution where the inmate is housed must approve this application.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and also need approval.
Scheduling Visits
Visits are usually scheduled to avoid conflicts and overcrowding. The frequency and duration of visits often depend on the facility’s capacity and the inmate’s privileges.
Some facilities require visit appointments, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitation Rules
Visitors are expected to behave in a manner that does not disrupt the order of the facility. Physical contact between visitors and inmates may be limited to brief hugs and kisses at the beginning and end of each visit. A dress code typically prohibits attire that is considered revealing or inappropriate.
Visitations Security Procedures
All visitors go through security screening similar to airport security procedures. This can include metal detectors, pat-down searches, and sometimes, searches of personal items.
Prohibited items include weapons, contraband, cell phones, and sometimes even certain types of jewelry and clothing.
Special Types of Visits
Under certain circumstances, certain types of visits can be arranged. These might be allowed if a visitor has traveled a long distance, has a specific family circumstance, or if the inmate has not received visits for an extended period.
Video Visitation
Many federal prisons now offer video visitation options, which allow family and friends to interact with inmates without needing to travel to the facility. This can be particularly useful for maintaining relationships between inmates and family members who live far away.
Legal Visits
Legal representatives have different visitation rights and procedures to ensure confidential communications with their clients. These are generally less restrictive but still require adherence to specific security protocols.
Federal Inmate Population and Facilities
This population includes individuals charged with or convicted of federal offenses, ranging from white-collar crimes to drug offenses and violent crimes.
As of the latest data, the federal inmate population is approximately 156,000.
How Federal Prisons Are Classified
Federal facilities are classified into five security levels:
- Minimum
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Administrative
(Source: bop.gov- https://www.bop.gov./about/statistics/statistics_inmate_offenses.jsp)
How Federal Inmates Are Classified
The classification is based on the inmate’s custody and security needs, which are assessed through various factors, including the nature of their crime, sentence length, and past criminal behavior.
Federal Rehabilitation Programs
The federal prison system offers programs aimed at rehabilitation and includes:
Educational Programs: Through prison-based learning and correspondence studies, literacy classes, secondary education, and post-secondary education.
Vocational Training: Job training in various trades that can be useful upon reentry into society.
Substance Abuse Programs: Comprehensive substance abuse treatment ranging from drug education to residential drug abuse programs.
Current Problems Facing Federal Prison System
The federal prison system faces numerous challenges, including:
Overcrowding: Although the numbers have decreased slightly in recent years, many facilities operate at or above their designed capacities.
Aging Infrastructure: Many federal facilities are old and need significant repairs or replacements, which can be extremely costly.
Staffing Issues: Similar to state systems, the BOP frequently deals with issues related to understaffing, which can impact the security and operational efficiency of the institutions.
Facts and Statistics on Federal Prisons
- A large majority of prisoners in the federal prison population are male (93.3%)
- Proportions of prisoners in the federal prison population by race: Black (34.5%) Latino (35.2%), White (26.9%), and Other Races (3.4%)
- More than three-quarters (76.7%) of these offenders are United States citizens
- Most incarcerated non-citizens were from Mexico (71.0%), followed by Colombia (4.1%), and the Dominican Republic (3.6%)
- The average age of incarcerated prisoners is 40 years. One in five prisoners (19.4%) is 50 or older, and 5.6% of all prisoners are 60 or older.
- Almost one-third of federal prisoners (31.7%) have little or no prior criminal history.
Source: usa.gov and prison policy initiative: Federal Criminal Law And Procedure
Federal Prison News
The Crumbling Federal Prison System
Pros and Cons of Being in a Federal Prison
PROS – Federal Prisons
Standardization and Quality of Facilities: Federal prisons typically have better funding and resources. This can translate into better-maintained and newer facilities compared to some state prisons.
Consistency in Treatment: The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates under a unified system with standard policies across all its institutions, potentially leading to more consistent treatment of inmates.
Programs and Services: Federal prisons often offer a wide range of educational and vocational training programs. These can include opportunities to earn degrees and specialized technical skills.
Health Care: Federal prisons generally offer better healthcare services compared to many state systems, which can be crucial for inmates with chronic conditions or those requiring regular medical attention.
CONS – Federal Prisons
Location: Federal prisons can be far from an inmate’s home state because the federal system is not restricted to any state. This can make family visits more difficult and reduce community ties.
Higher Security Levels: Many federal prisons are of higher security classifications, which can mean stricter regulations and less freedom of movement within the facility.
Length of Sentences: Sentences in federal prison can be longer, especially for certain types of crimes, such as drug offenses, due to mandatory minimum sentencing laws at the federal level.
Article Sources, References, and Resources
Federal Bureau of Prisons Official Website
This is the official site of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It includes information about the facilities, inmate programs, and policies. The site also features an inmate locator tool for finding individuals incarcerated in federal prisons.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Includes information on federal law and enforcement including federal correction facilities.
Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) provides comprehensive data on all aspects of U.S. incarceration, including annual reports that detail the populations in federal, state, and local facilities.
The Marshall Project is a nonprofit news organization focusing on criminal justice. It provides in-depth investigative articles, data, and reports about issues affecting the prison system, including federal prisons. Its coverage offers insights into reforms, personal stories, and systemic issues.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums
FAMM is a nonprofit organization focused on creating a more fair and effective justice system. It provides resources and support for families affected by mandatory minimum sentencing and advocates for sentencing reform. The organization’s site offers information on legislation, inmate advocacy, and personal support resources.
American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Their focus includes the rights of inmates and prison reform. The ACLU provides resources on legal rights, current litigation, and ways to get involved in advocacy efforts.
The History Of Prisoner Access To the Internet
FEDERAL PRISONS BY STATE:
Alabama
Aliceville FCI
Montgomery FPC
Montgomery RRM
Talladega FCI
Arkansas
Arizona
Phoenix FCI
Phoenix RRM
Safford FCI
Tucson FCC
California
Atwater USP
Dublin FCI
Herlong FCI
Lompoc FCC
Long Beach RRM
Los Angeles MDC
Mendota FCI
Sacramento RRM
San Diego MCC
Taft CI
Terminal Island FCI
Victorville FCC
Western RO
Colorado
Denver RRM
Englewood FCI
Florence FCC
MSTC
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Coleman FCC
Marianna FCI
Miami FCI
Miami FDC
Miami RRM
Orlando RRM
Pensacola FPC
Tallahassee FCI
Georgia
Atlanta RRM
Atlanta USP
D. Ray James CI
Glynco
Jesup FCI
McRae CI
Southeast RO
Hawaii
Illinois
Chicago MCC
Chicago RRM
Greenville FCI
Marion USP
Pekin FCI
Thomson AUSP
Indiana
Kansas
Kansas City RRM
Leavenworth USP
North Central RO
Kentucky
Ashland FCI
Big Sandy USP
Lexington FMC
Manchester FCI
McCreary USP
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Baltimore RRM
Cumberland FCI
Mid-Atlantic RO
Washington, DC RRM
Michigan
Minnesota
Duluth FPC
Minneapolis RRM
Rochester FMC
Sandstone FCI
Waseca FCI
Missouri
Mississippi
Adams County CI
Yazoo City FCC
North Carolina
Butner FCC
Raleigh RRM
Rivers CI
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Brooklyn MDC
New York MCC
New York RRM
Otisville FCI
Ray Brook FCI
Ohio
Oklahoma
El Reno FCI
Great Plains CI
Oklahoma City FTC
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Allenwood FCC
Canaan USP
Lewisburg USP
Loretto FCI
McKean FCI
Moshannon Valley CI
Northeast RO
Philadelphia FDC
Philadelphia RRM
Pittsburgh RRM
Schuylkill FCI
Puerto Rico
South Carolina
Bennettsville FCI
Edgefield FCI
Estill FCI
Williamsburg FCI
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Bastrop FCI
Beaumont FCC
Big Spring CI
Big Spring FCI
Bryan FPC
Carswell FMC
Dallas RRM
Eden CI
Fort Worth FCI
Giles W. Dalby CI
Grand Prairie
Houston FDC
Houston RRM
La Tuna FCI
Reeves I & II CI
Reeves III CI
San Antonio RRM
Seagoville FCI
South Central RO
Texarkana FCI
Three Rivers FCI
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Alderson FPC
Beckley FCI
Gilmer FCI
Hazelton FCC
McDowell FCI
Morgantown FCI
