Transfer Requests

The Bureau of Prisons has implemented procedures and policies for inmate transfers that are outlined in Chapter 7 of the Security Designation and Custody Classification Manual. Transfers, also known as redesignations, are used to move inmates from one federal prison to another. Each transfer has a specific purpose and objective it is to achieve. Transfers can be escorted or unescorted. Some transfers may be requested by the inmate. Other transfers are the result of the inmate’s actions and are instigated by the Bureau of Prisons. Normally, any inmate requested transfer requires eighteen (18) months of clear conduct at the inmates current federal prison before a transfer will be considered.

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A Nearer Release Transfer is a transfer for the purpose of placing an inmate currently in a federal prison nearer his release destination or his home. These transfers move the inmate closer to his legal residence as indicated in his Pre-Sentencing Investigation Report (PSR) or release destination. The federal prison the inmate is being transferred to must be consistent with his security level. Inmates may only be considered for a Nearer Release Transfer after serving eighteen (18) consecutive months of clear conduct in general population in his current federal prison. Nearer Release Transfers are normally incorporated with Lesser Security Transfers whenever possible. This means the inmate is being transferred to a federal prison which has a security level equal to or less than the sending institution. Once the inmate has been transferred within 500 miles of his release residence, no further referrals will be made for Nearer Release consideration.

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The Bureau of Prisons attempts, on an inmate’s initial designation, to place the inmate within 500 miles of his or her legal residence. Unfortunately, this cannot always be accomplished. The problem of federal prison overcrowding, mandatory minimum sentences, longer sentences, not enough federal prisons to house the inmates as well as a backlog of prosecution cases all play a major role in the inmate designation process. A nearer release transfer can be used to place an inmate already in a federal prison in a federal prison closer to his home. Another transfer that may be requested by the inmate is a Transfer for Training Purposes or Program Participation. This transfer is only permitted for specialized national programs not offered at the inmate’s current facility. Those national programs include the 500-Hour Residential Drug Abuse Program, the Life Connections Program, and the Mothers and Infants Together (MINT) Program.

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When the placement of an inmate in a program is inconsistent with his assigned security level, an appropriate Management Variable may be applied by the Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC) in Grand Prairie, Texas. This will enable the inmate to transfer to the institution that provides this specialized national program. Ordinarily, the inmate will be returned to the referring institution upon completion of the specialized program if the inmate has eighteen (18) months or more remaining until his release date. If the program facility is nearer to the inmate’s release residence than the referring institution, the inmate may be permitted to remain at the program facility.

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PCG is a specialist in assisting our clients in securing both Nearer Release Transfers and Transfers for Training Purposes or Program Participation. We will explain, inform, educate, and assist eligible inmates in their quest for a federal prison transfer. PCG is an expert on the BOP’s policy on Inmate Transfers as well as the eligibility requirements, custody and security requirements, reasons for transfer justification, required documentation, and inmate transfer initiation procedures.

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