Overview of Federal Prison Designation

Federal prison designation is the process by which the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) assigns individuals sentenced to federal custody to a specific facility and security level. Designation decisions are made centrally by the BOP’s Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC) in Grand Prairie, Texas, using national classification policy, medical care levels, program needs, and capacity to determine placement. Facility assignment affects daily conditions, access to rehabilitative services, and family visitation logistics, because institutions differ in security, programming, and geography. |title_mode=replace

Courts may include judicial recommendations regarding placement or programs in the judgment, but recommendations are non-binding. The BOP considers them alongside classification scoring, Public Safety Factors (PSFs), Management Variables, medical needs, and bed space under national policy (e.g., Program Statement 5100.08). |title_mode=replace

How it works

After sentencing, the U.S. Marshals Service transmits judgment and commitment documents to the BOP. The DSCC reviews each case, computes the sentence, and assigns an initial facility consistent with security level, medical care level, program needs, and capacity. |title_mode=replace

Process steps

1. Records intake: DSCC receives the judgment, presentence investigation report (PSR), and supporting records from the court and U.S. Marshals.

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1. Classification: DSCC applies security scoring, PSFs, and Management Variables; reviews detainers and proposed release residence under PS 5100.08.

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1. Medical/program match: Care Levels (1–4) and program requirements (e.g., RDAP) are matched to facilities with appropriate services.

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1. Facility assignment: DSCC designates an institution consistent with security level, care level, programming, capacity, and proximity to release residence when feasible.

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1. Transport scheduling: The U.S. Marshals coordinate movement to the designated facility, often via the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS).

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Timing

Designation typically occurs within weeks of sentencing, depending on record completeness, classification complexity, bed availability, and transport logistics. |title_mode=replace

Eligibility

All individuals sentenced to federal imprisonment undergo designation. Verified medical documentation supports placement in facilities with specialized care. Detainers or pending charges may affect custody level, program eligibility, and placement options, including access to community-based programs. |title_mode=replace

Key classification and placement factors

Security levels

BOP institutions include minimum (camps), low, medium, high security, and administrative facilities (e.g., medical centers, detention centers). Designation aligns classification scores and factors to the appropriate level and facility mission. |title_mode=replace

Custody scoring

Custody levels govern movement and housing within institutions and influence eligibility for minimum-security camps and certain work details, as outlined in PS 5100.08. |title_mode=replace

Public Safety Factors and Management Variables

PSFs (e.g., sex offense, greatest severity, deportable alien) mandate minimum placement thresholds, while Management Variables allow DSCC to deviate from standard scoring to address mission, safety, or capacity needs. |title_mode=replace

Medical Care Levels

Care Levels 1–4 reflect clinical needs and available services, with higher care levels generally placed at medical centers or institutions with expanded health resources. |title_mode=replace

Program needs

Program placement (e.g., RDAP, education, vocational training) is considered during designation when feasible; some programs require placement at specific facilities with accredited services and staffing. |title_mode=replace

Judicial recommendations

Courts may include judicial recommendations regarding facility, security level, or program in the judgment. The BOP treats these recommendations as non-binding input; designation remains governed by classification policy, medical needs, institutional capacity, and safety considerations. |title_mode=replace

Transportation and arrival

Following designation, the U.S. Marshals coordinate transport to the facility, often via JPATS air or ground movements that may include intermediate stops. Arrival processing includes intake screening, identification verification, and orientation at Receiving & Discharge (R&D). |title_mode=replace

Re-designation and transfers

Individuals may be re-designated due to changes in custody level, program enrollment, medical status, detainers, or institutional needs. Transfer requests typically proceed through the unit team and warden to DSCC for review under national policy and capacity constraints. |title_mode=replace

Proximity and family considerations

Proximity to the release residence is a stated goal, but security, programming, and bed space often limit placements. Transfers to improve proximity may be considered when consistent with classification and institutional needs. |title_mode=replace

Programs and services affected by designation

Designation determines access to:

• Substance use treatment (including RDAP)

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• Education and vocational programs (literacy, GED, postsecondary, trades)

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• Medical and mental health services aligned to care level

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• Faith-based and volunteer programs that vary by institution mission and staffing

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Impact

Designation influences:

• Family visitation and communication due to geographic distance and travel constraints

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• Program access and incentives under the First Step Act

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• Safety and security conditions associated with different security levels and facility missions

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• Reentry preparation through work, education, and programming availability

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Criticisms and challenges

Observers have criticized the limited transparency of designation criteria and the frequent inability to honor judicial recommendations due to capacity, security, or program constraints. Placement far from family can hinder visitation and support networks, and individuals may wait for transfers to access specialized programs like RDAP. Administrative needs and bed space pressures can override proximity goals. |title_mode=replace

History

Centralized designation evolved as the BOP expanded and standardized classification in the late 20th century, culminating in national policy frameworks and consolidation of designation and sentence computation functions at DSCC. Subsequent refinements incorporated medical care levels, PSFs, and program-placement considerations. Recent statutory changes under the First Step Act affected programming incentives and movement, indirectly influencing designation and transfer priorities. |title_mode=replace

Terminology

• Designation – Assignment to a specific BOP facility after sentencing

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• DSCC – Central office that conducts designation and sentence computation

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• Security level – Minimum, low, medium, high, administrative

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• Custody level – Movement and housing classification under PS 5100.08

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• Public Safety Factors (PSFs) – Mandatory thresholds for placement (e.g., greatest severity, sex offense)

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• Management Variables – Exceptions applied for mission, safety, or capacity reasons

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• Care Level – Medical resource tier guiding placement (1–4)

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• Judicial recommendation – Non-binding placement or program suggestion in the judgment

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See also

• Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Residential Drug Abuse Program
• First Step Act
• Security levels in federal prisons
• Inmate classification

External links

• BOP locations overview
• BOP Program Statements and forms
• BOP federal inmates portal
• Entering prison – orientation overview
• U.S. Marshals – Prisoner transportation (JPATS)
• U.S. Marshals – Custody of prisoners overview