US LAWS, STATUTES & CODES ON-LINE

§ 541.13   Prohibited acts and disciplinary severity scale.

(a) There are four categories of prohibited acts—Greatest, High, Moderate, and Low Moderate (see table 3 for identification of the prohibited acts within each category). Specific sanctions are authorized for each category (see table 4 for a discussion of each sanction). Imposition of a sanction requires that the inmate first is found to have committed a prohibited act.

(1) Greatest category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) shall impose and execute one or more of sanctions A through E. Sanction B.1 must be imposed for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent (i.e., an inmate who, as specified in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, committed a crime of violence on or after September 13, 1994) and for a PLRA inmate (i.e., an inmate who has been sentenced for an offense committed on or after April 26, 1996). The DHO may impose and execute sanction F and/or G only in addition to execution of one or more of sanctions A through E. Except as noted in the sanction, the DHO may also suspend one or more additional sanctions A through G.

(2) High category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer shall impose and execute one or more of sanctions A through M, and, except as noted in the sanction, may also suspend one or more additional sanctions A through M. Sanction B.1 must be imposed for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent and for a PLRA inmate. The Unit Discipline Committee shall impose and execute one or more of sanctions G through M, and may also suspend one or more additional sanctions G through M, except for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent. All high category offense charges for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent and for a PLRA inmate must be referred to the DHO.

(3) Moderate category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer shall impose at least one sanction A through N, but, except as noted in the sanction, may suspend any sanction or sanctions imposed. Sanction B.1 ordinarily must be imposed for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent and for a PLRA inmate. Except for charges referred to the DHO, the Unit Discipline Committee shall impose at least one sanction G through N, but may suspend any sanction or sanctions imposed. The UDC ordinarily shall refer to the DHO a moderate category charge for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent or for a PLRA inmate if the inmate had been found to have committed a moderate category offense during the inmate's current anniversary year (i.e., the twelve month period of time for which an inmate may be eligible to earn good conduct time). The UDC must thoroughly document in writing the reasons why the charge for such an inmate was not referred to the DHO.

(4) Low moderate category offenses. The Discipline Hearing Officer shall impose at least one sanction B.1, or E through P. The Discipline Hearing Officer may suspend any E through P sanction or sanctions imposed (a B.1 sanction may not be suspended). Except for charges referred to the DHO, the Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) shall impose at least one sanction G through P, but may suspend any sanction or sanctions imposed. The UDC ordinarily shall refer to the DHO a low moderate category charge for a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent or for a PLRA inmate if the inmate had been found to have committed two low moderate category offenses during the inmate's current anniversary year (i.e., the twelve month period of time for which an inmate may be eligible to earn good conduct time). The UDC must thoroughly document in writing the reasons why the charge for such an inmate was not referred to the DHO.

(b) Aiding another person to commit any of these offenses, attempting to commit any of these offenses, and making plans to commit any of these offenses, in all categories of severity, shall be considered the same as a commission of the offense itself. In these cases, the letter “A” is combined with the offense code. For example, planning an escape would be considered as Escape and coded 102A. Likewise, attempting the adulteration of any food or drink would be coded 209A.

(c) Suspensions of any sanction cannot exceed six months. Revocation and execution of a suspended sanction require that the inmate first is found to have committed any subsequent prohibited act. Only the Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) may execute, suspend, or revoke and execute suspension of sanctions A through F. The Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) or Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) may execute, suspend, or revoke and execute suspensions of sanctions G through P. Revocations and execution of suspensions may be made only at the level (DHO or UDC) which originally imposed the sanction. The DHO now has that authority for suspensions which were earlier imposed by the Inmate Discipline Committee (IDC).

(d) If the Unit Discipline Committee has previously imposed a suspended sanction and subsequently refers a case to the Discipline Hearing Officer, the referral shall include an advisement to the DHO of any intent to revoke that suspension if the DHO finds that the prohibited act was committed. If the DHO then finds that the prohibited act was committed, the DHO shall so advise the Unit Discipline Committee who may then revoke the previous suspension.

(e) The Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer may impose increased sanctions for repeated, frequent offenses according to the guidelines presented in table 5.

(f) Sanctions by severity of prohibited act, with eligibility for restoration of forfeited and withheld statutory good time are presented in table 6.

Table 4—Sanctions

[53 FR 197, Jan, 5, 1988, as amended at 53 FR 40686, Oct. 17, 1988; 54 FR 38987, Sept. 22, 1989; 54 FR 39095, Sept. 22, 1989; 58 FR 39095, July 21, 1993; 62 FR 50788, Sept. 26, 1997; 65 FR 59726, Oct. 6, 2000; 67 FR 77428, Dec. 18, 2002]

§ 541.14   Incident report and investigation.

(a) Incident report. The Bureau of Prisons encourages informal resolution (requiring consent of both parties) of incidents involving violations of Bureau regulations. However, when staff witnesses or has a reasonable belief that a violation of Bureau regulations has been committed by an inmate, and when staff considers informal resolution of the incident inappropriate or unsuccessful, staff shall prepare an Incident Report and promptly forward it to the appropriate Lieutenant. Except for prohibited acts in the Greatest or High Severity Category, the Lieutenant may informally dispose of the Incident Report or forward the Incident Report for investigation consistent with this section. The Lieutenant shall expunge the inmate's file of the Incident Report if informal resolution is accomplished. Only the DHO may make a final disposition on a prohibited act in the Greatest Severity Category or on a prohibited act in the High Category (when the High Category prohibited act has been committed by a VCCLEA inmate rated as violent or by a PLRA inmate).

(b) Investigation. Staff shall conduct the investigation promptly unless circumstances beyond the control of the investigator intervene.

(1) When it appears likely that the incident may be the subject of criminal prosecution, the investigating officer shall suspend the investigation, and staff may not question the inmate until the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other investigative agency interviews have been completed or until the agency responsible for the criminal investigation advises that staff questioning may occur.

(2) The inmate may receive a copy of the Incident Report prior to being seen by the investigating agency. The investigating officer (Bureau of Prisons) shall give the inmate a copy of the Incident Report at the beginning of the investigation, unless there is good cause for delivery at a later date, such as absence of the inmate from the institution or a medical condition which argues against delivery. If the investigation is delayed for any reason, any employee may deliver the charge(s) to the inmate. The staff member shall note the date and time the inmate received a copy of the Incident Report. The investigator shall also read the charge(s) to the inmate and ask for the inmate's statement concerning the incident unless it appears likely that the incident may be the subject of criminal prosecution. The investigator shall advise the inmate of the right to remain silent at all stages of the disciplinary process but that the inmate's silence may be used to draw an adverse inference against the inmate at any stage of the institutional disciplinary process. The investigator shall also inform the inmate that the inmate's silence alone may not be used to support a finding that the inmate has committed a prohibited act. The investigator shall then thoroughly investigate the incident. The investigator shall record all steps and actions taken on the Incident Report and forward all relevant material to the staff holding the initial hearing. The inmate does not receive a copy of the investigation. However, if the case is ultimately forwarded to the Discipline Hearing Officer, the DHO shall give a copy of the investigation and other relevant materials to the inmate's staff representative for use in presentation on the inmate's behalf.

[53 FR 197, Jan. 5, 1988, as amended at 62 FR 50791, Sept. 26, 1997]

§ 541.15   Initial hearing.

The Warden shall delegate to one or more institution staff members the authority and duty to hold an initial hearing upon completion of the investigation. In order to ensure impartiality, the appropriate staff member(s) (hereinafter usually referred to as the Unit Discipline Committee (UDC)) may not be the reporting or investigating officer or a witness to the incident, or play any significant part in having the charges referred to the UDC. However, a staff member witnessing an incident may serve on the UDC where virtually every staff member in the institution witnesses the incident in whole or in part. If the UDC finds at the initial hearing that an inmate has committed a prohibited act, the UDC may impose minor dispositions and sanctions. When an alleged violation of Bureau rules is serious and warrants consideration for other than minor sanctions, the UDC shall refer the charges to the Discipline Hearing Officer for further hearing. The UDC must refer all greatest category charges to the DHO. The following minimum standards apply to initial hearings in all institutions.

(a) Staff shall give each inmate charged with violating a Bureau rule a written copy of the charge(s) against the inmate, ordinarily within 24 hours of the time staff became aware of the inmate's involvement in the incident.

(b) Each inmate so charged is entitled to an initial hearing before the UDC, ordinarily held within three work days from the time staff became aware of the inmate's involvement in the incident. This three work day period excludes the day staff became aware of the inmate's involvement in the incident, weekends, and holidays.

(c) The inmate is entitled to be present at the initial hearing except during deliberations of the decision maker(s) or when institutional security would be jeopardized by the inmate's presence. The UDC shall clearly document in the record of the hearing reasons for excluding an inmate from the hearing. An inmate may waive the right to be present at this hearing provided that the waiver is documented by staff and reviewed by the UDC. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. The UDC may conduct a hearing in the absence of an inmate when the inmate waives the right to appear. When an inmate escapes or is otherwise absent from custody, the UDC shall conduct a hearing in the inmate's absence at the institution in which the inmate was last confined.

(d) The inmate is entitled to make a statement and to present documentary evidence in the inmate's own behalf.

(e) The Unit Discipline Committee may drop or informally resolve any Moderate or Low Moderate charge. The UDC shall expunge the inmate's file of the Incident Report if informal resolution is accomplished.

(f) The Unit Discipline Committee shall consider all evidence presented at the hearing and shall make a decision based on at least some facts, and if there is conflicting evidence, it must be based on the greater weight of the evidence. The UDC shall take one of the following actions:

(1) Find that the inmate committed the prohibited act charged and/or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report;

(2) Find that the inmate did not commit the prohibited act charged or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report; or

(3) Refer the case to the DHO for further hearing:

The UDC shall give the inmate a written copy of the decision and disposition by the close of business the next work day. Any action taken as a minor disposition is reviewable under the Administration Remedy Procedure (see part 542 of this chapter).

(g) The UDC shall prepare a record of its proceedings which need not be verbatim. A record of the hearing and supporting documents are kept in the inmate's file.

(h) When an alleged violation of Bureau rules is serious and warrants consideration for other than minor sanctions (G through P), the UDC shall refer the charge(s) without indication of findings as to commission of the alleged violation to the Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO) for hearing and disposition. The UDC shall forward copies of all relevant documents to the DHO with a brief statement of reasons for the referral along with any recommendations for appropriate disposition if the DHO finds the inmate has committed the act charged and/or a similar prohibited act. The inmate whose charge is being referred to the Discipline Hearing Officer may be retained in administrative detention or other restricted status, but the UDC may not impose a final disposition if the matter is being referred to the DHO.

(i) When charges are to be referred to the Discipline Hearing Officer, the UDC shall advise the inmate of the rights afforded at a hearing before the DHO. The UDC shall ask the inmate to indicate a choice of staff representative, if any, and the names of any witnesses the inmate wishes to be called to testify at the hearing and what testimony they are expected to provide. The UDC shall advise the inmate that the inmate may waive the right to be present at the Institution Discipline hearing, but still elect to have witnesses and/or a staff representative appear in the inmate's behalf at this hearing.

(j) When the Unit Discipline Committee holds a full hearing and determines that the inmate did not commit a prohibited act of High, Moderate or Low Moderate Severity, the UDC shall expunge the inmate's file of the Incident Report and related documents. The UDC must refer to the Discipline Hearing Officer all incidents involving prohibited acts of Greatest Severity.

(k) The UDC may extend time limits imposed in this section for a good cause shown by the inmate or staff and documented in the record of the hearing.

§ 541.16   Establishment and functioning of the Discipline Hearing Officer.

(a) Each Bureau of Prison institution shall have an independent hearing officer (DHO) assigned to conduct administrative fact-finding hearings covering alleged acts of misconduct and violations of prohibited acts, including those acts which could result in criminal charges. In the event of a serious disturbance or other emergency, of if an inmate commits an offense in the presence of the DHO, an alternate Discipline Hearing Officer will be appointed to conduct hearings with approval of the appropriate Regional Director. If the institution's DHO is not able to conduct hearings, the Warden shall arrange for another DHO to conduct the hearings. This person must be trained and certified as a DHO, and meet the other requirements for DHO.

(b) In order to insure impartiality, the DHO may not be the reporting officer, investigating officer, or UDC member, or a witness to the incident or play any significant part in having the charge(s) referred to the DHO.

(c) The Discipline Hearing Officer shall conduct hearings, make findings, and impose appropriate sanctions for incidents of inmate miscounduct referred for disposition following the hearing required by §541.15 before the UDC. The DHO may not hear any case or impose any sanctions in a case not heard and referred by the UDC. Only the Discipline Hearing Officer shall have the authority to impose or suspend sanctions A through F.

(d) The Warden at each institution shall designate a staff member, hereinafter called the Segregation Review Official (SRO), to conduct reviews of inmates placed in disciplinary segregation and administrative detention in accordance with the requirements of §541.20 and §541.22.

§ 541.17   Procedures before the Discipline Hearing Officer.

The Discipline Hearing Officer shall proceed as follows:

(a) The Warden shall give an inmate advance written notice of the charge(s) against the inmate no less than 24 hours before the inmate's appearance before the Discipline Hearing Officer unless the inmate is to be released from custody within that time. An inmate may waive in writing the 24-hour notice requirement.

(b) The Warden shall provide an inmate the service of a full time staff member to represent the inmate at the hearing before the Discipline Hearing Officer should the inmate so desire. The Warden, the DHO or alternate DHO, the reporting officer, investigating officer, a witness to the incident, and UDC members involved in the case may not act as staff representative. The Warden may exclude staff from acting as staff representative in a particular case when there is a potential conflict in roles. The staff representative shall be available to assist the inmate if the inmate desires by speaking to witnesses and by presenting favorable evidence to the DHO on the merits of the charge(s) or in extenuation or mitigation of the charge(s). The DHO shall arrange for the presence of the staff representative selected by the inmate. If the staff member selected declines or is unavailable because of absence from the institution, the inmate has the option of selecting another representative, or in the case of an absent staff member of waiting a reasonable period for the staff member's return, or of proceeding without a staff representative. When several staff members decline this role, the Warden shall promptly appoint a staff representative to assist the inmate. The DHO shall afford a staff representative adequate time to speak with the inmate and interview requested witnesses where appropriate. While it is expected that a staff member will have had ample time to prepare prior to the hearing, delays in the hearing to allow for adequate preparation may be ordered by the Discipline Hearing Officer. When it appears that the inmate is not able to properly make a presentation on his own behalf (for example, an illiterate inmate), the Warden shall appoint a staff representative for the inmate, even if one is not requested.

(c) The inmate is entitled to make a statement and to present documentary evidence in the inmate's own behalf. An inmate has the right to submit names of requested witnesses and have them called to testify and to present documents in the inmate's behalf, provided the calling of witnesses or the disclosure of documentary evidence does not jeopardize or threaten institutional or an individual's security. The DHO shall call those witnesses who have information directly relevant to the charge(s) and who are reasonably available. This may include witnesses from outside of the institution. The inmate charged may be excluded during the appearance of an outside witness. The appearance of the outside witness should be in an area of the institution in which outside visitors are usually allowed. The DHO need not call repetitive witnesses. The reporting officer and other adverse witnesses need not be called if their knowledge of the incident is adequately summarized in the Incident Report and other investigative materials supplied to the DHO. The DHO shall request submission of written statements from unavailable witnesses who have information directly relevant to the charge(s). The DHO shall document reasons for declining to call requested witnesses in the DHO report, or, if the reasons are confidential, in a separate report, not available to the inmate. The inmate's staff representative, or when the inmate waives staff representation, the DHO, shall question witnesses requested by the inmate who are called before the DHO. The inmate who has waived staff representation may submit questions for requested witnesses in writing to the DHO. The inmate may not question any witness at the hearing.

(d) An inmate has the right to be present throughout the DHO hearing except during a period of deliberation or when institutional security would be jeopardized. The DHO must document in the record the reason(s) for excluding an inmate from the hearing. An inmate may waive the right to be present at the hearing, provided that the waiver is documented by staff and reviewed by the DHO. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. The DHO may conduct a hearing in the absence of an inmate when the inmate waives the right to appear. When an inmate escapes or is otherwise absent from custody, the Discipline Hearing Officer shall conduct a hearing in the inmate's absence at the institution in which the inmate was last confined. When an inmate returns to custody following absence during which sanctions were imposed by the DHO (or the predecessor Institution Discipline Committee (IDC)), the Warden shall have the charges reheard before the Discipline Hearing Officer ordinarily within 60 days after the inmate's arrival at the institution to which the inmate is designated after return to custody, and following appearance before the Unit Discipline Committee at that institution. The UDC shall ensure that the inmate has all rights required for appearance before the Discipline Hearing Officer, including delivery of charge(s), advisement of the right to remain silent and other rights to be exercised before the Discipline Hearing Officer. All the applicable procedural requirements for hearings before the Discipline Hearing Officer apply to this rehearing, except that written statements of witnesses not readily available may be liberally used instead of in-person witnesses. The DHO upon rehearing may affirm the earlier action taken, may dismiss the charge(s), may modify the finding of the original DHO as to the offense which was committed, or may modify but may not increase the sanctions previously imposed in the inmate's absence.

(e) The DHO may refer the case back to the UDC for further information or disposition. The DHO may postpone or, at any time prior to making a decision as to whether or not a prohibited act was committed, may continue the hearing until a later date whenever further investigation or more evidence is needed. A postponement or continuance must be for good cause (determined by the DHO) shown by the inmate or staff and should be documented in the record of the hearing.

(f) The DHO shall consider all evidence presented at the hearing. The decision of the DHO shall be based on at least some facts, and if there is conflicting evidence, it must be based on the greater weight of the evidence. The DHO shall find that the inmate either:

(1) Committed the prohibited act charged and/or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report; or

(2) Did not commit the prohibited act charged or a similar prohibited act if reflected in the Incident Report.

When a disciplinary decision is based on confidential informant information, the UDC or DHO shall document, ordinarily in the hearing report, the finding as to the reliability of each confidential informant relied on and the factual basis for that finding. When it appears that this documentation in the report would reveal the confidential informant's identity, the finding as to the reliability of each confidential informant relied on and the factual basis for that finding shall be made part of the hearing record in a separate report, prepared by the UDC chairman or DHO, not available to the inmate.

(g) The Discipline Hearing Officer shall prepare a record of the proceedings which need not be verbatim. This record must be sufficient to document the advisement of inmate rights, the DHO's findings, the DHO's decision and the specific evidence relied on by the DHO, and must include a brief statement of the reasons for the sanctions imposed. The evidence relied upon, the decision, and the reasons for the actions taken must be set out in specific terms unless doing so would jeopardize institutional security. The DHO shall give the inmate a written copy of the decisions and disposition, ordinarily within 10 days of the DHO's decision.

(h) A record of the hearing and supporting documents are to be kept in the inmate central file.

(i) The Discipline Hearing Officer shall expunge an inmate's file of the Incident Report and related documents following a DHO finding that the inmate did not commit a prohibited act. The requirement for expunging the inmate's file does not preclude maintaining for research purposes copies of disciplinary actions resulting in “not guilty” findings in a master file separate from the inmate's institution file. However, institution staff may not use or allow the use of the contents of this master file in a manner which would adversely affect the inmate. Likewise, the expungement requirement does not require the destruction of medical reports or other reports relating to a particular inmate which must be maintained to document medical or other treatment given in a special housing unit. If an inmate's conduct during one continuous incident may constitute more than one prohibited act, and if the incident is reported in a single Incident Report, and if the DHO finds the inmate has not committed every prohibited act charged, or if the DHO finds that the inmate has committed a prohibited act(s) other than the act(s) charged, then the DHO shall record those findings clearly and shall change the Incident Report to show only the incident and code references to charges which were proved. Institution staff may not use the existence of charged but unproved misconduct against the inmate.

§ 541.18   Dispositions of the Discipline Hearing Officer.

The Discipline Hearing Officer has available a broad range of sanctions and dispositions following completion of the hearing. The Discipline Hearing Officer may do any of the following:

(a) Dismiss any charge(s) upon a finding that the inmate did not commit the prohibited act(s). The DHO shall order the record of charge(s) expunged upon such finding.

(b) Impose any of sanctions A through P as provided in §541.13.

(c) Suspend the execution of a sanction it imposes as provided in §541.13.

§ 541.19   Appeals from Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer actions.

At the time the Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer gives an inmate written notice of its decision, the UDC or DHO shall also advise the inmate that the inmate may appeal the decision under Administrative Remedy Procedures (see part 542 of this chapter). An inmate's initial appeal of a decision of the DHO should be filed directly to the appropriate Regional Office. The inmate should forward a copy of the DHO report or, if not available at the time of filing, should state in his appeal the date of the DHO hearing and the nature of the charges against the inmate. On appeals, the appropriate reviewing official (the Warden, Regional Director, or General Counsel) may approve, modify, reverse, or send back with directions, including ordering a rehearing, any disciplinary action of the Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer but may not increase any valid sanction imposed. On appeals, the appropriate reviewing authority shall consider:

(a) Whether the Unit Discipline Committee or the Discipline Hearing Officer substantially complied with the regulations on inmate discipline;

(b) Whether the Unit Discipline Committee or Discipline Hearing Officer based its decision on some facts, and if there was conflicting evidence, whether the decision was based on the greater weight of the evidence; and

(c) Whether an appropriate sanction was imposed according to the severity level of the prohibited act, and other relevant circumstances.

§ 541.20   Justification for placement in disciplinary segregation and review of inmates in disciplinary segregation.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an inmate may be placed in disciplinary segregation only by order of the Discipline Hearing Officer following a hearing in which the inmate has been found to have committed a prohibited act in the Greatest, High, or Moderate Category, or a repeated offense in the Low Moderate Category. The DHO may order placement in disciplinary segregation only when other available dispositions are inadequate to achieve the purpose of punishment and deterrence necessary to regulate an inmate's behavior within acceptable limits.

(b) The Warden may temporarily (not exceeding five days) move an inmate to a more secure cell (which may be in an area ordinarily set aside for disciplinary segregation and which therefore requires the withdrawal of privileges ordinarily afforded in administrative detention status, until a hearing before the DHO can be held) who (1) is causing a serious disruption (threatening life, serious bodily harm, or property) in administrative detention, (2) cannot be controlled within the physical confines of administrative detention, and (3) upon advice of appropriate medical staff, does not require confinement in the institution hospital for mental or physical treatment, or who would ordinarily be housed in the institution hospital for mental or physical treatment, but who cannot safely be housed there because the hospital does not have a room or cell with adequate security provisions. The Warden may delegate this authority no further than to the official in charge of the institution at the time the move is necessary.

(c) The Segregation Review Official (SRO) (see §541.16(d)) shall conduct a hearing and formally review the status of each inmate who spends seven continuous days in disciplinary segregation and thereafter shall review these cases on the record in the inmate's absence each week and shall conduct a hearing and formally review these cases at least once every 30 days. The inmate appears before the SRO at the 30-day hearings, unless the inmate waives the right to appear. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. Staff shall conduct a psychiatric or psychological assessment, including a personal interview, when disciplinary segregation continues beyond 30 days. The assessment, submitted to the SRO in a written report, shall address the inmate's adjustment to surroundings and the threat the inmate poses to self, staff and other inmates. Staff shall conduct a similar psychiatric or psychological assessment and report at subsequent one-month intervals if segregation continues for this extended period.

(d) The Segregation Review Official may release an inmate from disciplinary segregation earlier than the sanction initially imposed upon finding that continuation in disciplinary segregation is no longer necessary to regulate the inmate's behavior within acceptable limits or for fulfilling the purpose of punishment and deterrence which initially resulted in the inmate's placement in disciplinary segregation status. The SRO may not increase any previously imposed sanction.

§ 541.21   Conditions of disciplinary segregation.

(a) Disciplinary segregation is the status of confinement of an inmate housed in a special housing unit in a cell either alone or with other inmates, separated from the general population. Inmates housed in disciplinary segregation have significantly fewer privileges than those housed in administrative detention.

(b) The Warden shall maintain for each segregated inmate basic living levels of decency and humane treatment, regardless of the purpose for which the inmate has been segregated. Living conditions may not be modified for the purpose of reinforcing acceptable behavior and different levels of living arrangements will not be established. Where it is determined necessary to deprive an inmate of a usually authorized item, staff shall prepare written documentation as to the basis for this action, and this document will be signed by the Warden, indicating the Warden's review and approval.

(c) The basic living standards for segregation are as follows:

(1) Segregation conditions. The quarters used for segregation must be well-ventilated, adequately lighted, appropriately heated and maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. All cells must be equipped with beds. Strip cells may not be a part of the segregation unit. Any strip cells which are utilized must be a part of the medical facility and under the supervision and control of the medical staff.

(2) Cell occupancy. The number of inmates confined to each cell or room in segregation should not exceed the number for which the space was designated. The Warden may approve excess occupancy if the Warden finds there is a pressing need for this action, and that other basic living standards of this subsection can still be maintained.

(3) Clothing and bedding. An inmate in segregation may wear normal institution clothing but may not have a belt. Staff shall furnish a mattress and bedding. Cloth or paper slippers may be substituted for shoes at the discretion of the Warden. An inmate may not be segregated without clothing, mattress, blankets and pillow, except when prescribed by the medical officer for medical or psychiatric reasons. Inmates in special housing status will be provided, as nearly as practicable, the same opportunity for the issue and exchange of clothing, bedding, and linen, and for laundry as inmates in the general population. Exceptions to this procedure may be permitted only when found necessary by the Warden or designee. An exception, and the reasons for this, must be recorded in the unit log.

(4) Food. Staff shall give a segregated inmate nutritionally adequate meals, ordinarily from the menu of the day for the institution. Staff may dispense disposable utensils when necessary.

(5) Personal hygiene. Segregated inmates shall have the opportunity to maintain an acceptable level of personal hygiene. Staff shall provide toilet tissue, wash basin, tooth brush, eyeglasses, shaving utensils, etc., as needed. Staff may issue a retrievable kit of toilet articles. Each segregated inmate shall have the opportunity to shower and shave at least three times a week, unless these procedures would present an undue security hazard. This security hazard will be documented and signed by the Warden, indicating the Warden's review and approval. Inmates in special housing will be provided, where practicable, barbering and hair care services. Exceptions to this procedure may be permitted only when found necessary by the Warden or designee.

(6) Exercise. Staff shall permit each segregated inmate no less than five hours exercise each week. Exercise should be provided in five one-hour periods, on five different days, but if circumstances require, one-half hour periods are acceptable if the five-hour minimum and different days schedule is maintained. These provisions must be carried out unless compelling security or safety reasons dictate otherwise. Institution staff shall document these reasons. Exercise periods, not to exceed one week, may be withheld from an inmate by order of the Warden, following a hearing, and recommendation, before a person certified in the discipline hearing officer procedures. This hearing must be held in accordance with the provisions of §541.17, following those provisions which are appropriate to these circumstances, and only upon a finding by the person conducting the hearing that the actions of the segregated inmate pose a threat to the safety or health conditions of the unit.

(7) Personal property. Institution staff shall ordinarily impound personal property.

(8) Reading material. Staff shall provide a reasonable amount of non-legal reading material, not to exceed five books per inmate at any one time, on a circulating basis. Staff shall provide the inmate opportunity to possess religious scriptures of the inmate's faith. As to legal materials, see part 543, subpart B.

(9) Supervision. In addition to the direct supervision afforded by the unit officer, a member of the medical department and one or more responsible officers designated by the Warden (ordinarily a Lieutenant) shall see each segregated inmate daily, including weekends and holidays. Members of the program staff, including unit staff, shall arrange to visit inmates in special housing within a reasonable time after receiving the inmate's request.

(10) Correspondence and visits. As to correspondence privileges, see part 540, subpart B. Staff shall make reasonable effort to notify approved social visitors of any necessary restriction on ordinary visiting procedures so that they may be spared disappointment and unnecessary inconvenience. If ample time for correspondence exists, staff may place the burden of this notification to visitors on the inmate. As to general visiting and telephone privileges, see part 540, subpart D and subpart I. In respect to legal, religious, and privileged out-going mail, the relevant regulations must be followed by institution staff (see parts 540, 543, and 548 of this chapter).

§ 541.22   Administrative detention.

Administrative detention is the status of confinement of an inmate in a special housing unit in a cell either by self or with other inmates which serves to remove the inmate from the general population.

(a) Placement in administrative detention. The Warden may delegate authority to place an inmate in administrative detention to Lieutenants. Prior to the inmate's placement in administrative detention, the Lieutenant is to review the available information and determine whether the inmate's placement in administrative detention is warranted. The Warden may place an inmate in administrative detention when the inmate is in holdover status (i.e., en route to a designated institution) during transfer, or is a new commitment pending classification. The Warden may also place an inmate in administrative detention when the inmate's continued presence in the general population poses a serious threat to life, property, self, staff, other inmates or to the security or orderly running of the institution and when the inmate:

(1) Is pending a hearing for a violation of Bureau regulations;

(2) Is pending an investigation of a violation of Bureau regulations;

(3) Is pending investigation or trial for a criminal act;

(4) Is pending transfer;

(5) Requests admission to administrative detention for the inmate's own protection, or staff determines that admission to or continuation in administrative detention is necessary for the inmate's own protection (see §541.23); or

(6) Is terminating confinement in disciplinary segregation and placement in general population is not prudent. The Segregation Review Official is to advise the inmate of this determination and the reasons for such action.

(i) Except for pretrial inmates or inmates in a control unit program, staff ordinarily within 90 days of an inmate's placement in post-disciplinary detention shall either return the inmate to the general inmate population or request regional level assistance to effect a transfer to a more suitable institution.

(ii) The Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall review for purpose of making a disposition, the case of an inmate not transferred from post-disciplinary detention within the time frame specified in paragraph (a)(6)(i) of this section.

(iii) Staff in a control unit will attempt to adhere to the 90-day limit for an inmate's placement in post-disciplinary detention. Because security needs required for an inmate in a control unit program may not be available outside of post-discipline detention, the Warden may approve an extension of this placement upon determining in writing that it is not practicable to release the inmate to the general inmate population or to effect a transfer to a more suitable institution.

(iv) The appropriate Regional Director and the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, shall review (for purpose of making a disposition) the case of an inmate in a control unit program not transferred from post-disciplinary detention within the 90-day time frame specified in paragraph (a)(6)(iii) of this section. A similar, subsequent review shall be conducted every 60–90 days if post-disciplinary detention continues for this extended period.

(b) Administrative detention order detailing reasons for placement. The Warden shall prepare an administrative detention order detailing the reasons for placing an inmate in administrative detention, with a copy given to the inmate, provided institutional security is not compromised thereby. Staff shall deliver this order to the inmate within 24 hours of the inmate's placement in administrative detention, unless this delivery is precluded by exceptional circumstances. An order is not necessary for an inmate placed in administrative detention when this placement is a direct result of the inmate's holdover status.

(c) Review of inmates housed in administrative detention. (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section, the Segregation Review Official will review the status of inmates housed in administrative detention. The SRO shall conduct a record review within three work days of the inmate's placement in administrative detention and shall hold a hearing and formally review the status of each inmate who spends seven continuous days in administrative detention, and thereafter shall review these cases on the record (in the inmate's absence) each week, and shall hold a hearing and review these cases formally at least every 30 days. The inmate appears before the SRO at the hearing unless the inmate waives the right to appear. A waiver may be in writing, signed by the inmate, or if the inmate refuses to sign a waiver, it shall be shown by a memorandum signed by staff and witnessed by a second staff member indicating the inmate's refusal to appear at the hearing. Staff shall conduct a psychiatric or psychological assessment, including a personal interview, when administrative detention continues beyond 30 days. The assessment, submitted to the SRO in a written report, shall address the inmate's adjustment to surroundings and the threat the inmate poses to self, staff and other inmates. Staff shall conduct a similar psychiatric or psychological assessment and report at subsequent one-month intervals should detention continue for this extended period. Administrative detention is to be used only for short periods of time except where an inmate needs long-term protection (see §541.23), or where there are exceptional circumstances, ordinarily tied to security or complex investigative concerns. An inmate may be kept in administrative detention for longer term protection only if the need for such protection is documented by the SRO. Provided institutional security is not compromised, the inmate shall receive at each formal review a written copy of the SRO's decision and the basis for this finding. The SRO shall release an inmate from administrative detention when reasons for placement cease to exist.

(2) The Warden shall designate appropriate staff to meet weekly with an inmate in administrative detention when this placement is a direct result of the inmate's holdover status. Staff shall also review this type of case on the record each week.

(3) When an inmate is placed in administrative detention for protection, but not at that inmate's request, the Warden or designee is to review the inmate's status within two work days of this placement to determine if continued protective custody is necessary. A formal hearing is to be held within seven days of the inmate's placement (see §541.23, Protection Cases).

(d) Conditions of administrative detention. The basic level of conditions as described in §541.21(c) for disciplinary segregation also apply to administrative detention. If consistent with available resources and the security needs of the unit, the Warden shall give an inmate housed in administrative detention the same general privileges given to inmates in the general population. This includes, but is not limited to, providing an inmate with the opportunity for participation in an education program, library services, social services, counseling, religious guidance and recreation. Unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary, institutions shall provide commissary privileges and reasonable amounts of personal property. An inmate in administrative detention shall be permitted to have a radio, provided that the radio is equipped with ear plugs. Exercise periods, at a minimum, will meet the level established for disciplinary segregation and will exceed this level where resources are available. The Warden shall give an inmate in administrative detention visiting, telephone, and correspondence privileges in accordance with part 540 of this chapter. The Warden may restrict for reasons of security, fire safety, or housekeeping the amount of personal property that an inmate may retain while in administrative detention.

[53 FR 197, Jan. 5, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 4159, Feb. 1, 1991; 56 FR 31530, July 10, 1991; 57 FR 23260, June 2, 1992; 61 FR 47795, Sept. 10, 1996]

§ 541.23   Protection cases.

(a) Staff may consider the following categories of inmates as protection cases:

(1) Victims of inmate assaults;

(2) Inmate informants;

(3) Inmates who have received inmate pressure to participate in sexual activity;

(4) Inmates who seek protection through detention, claiming to be former law enforcement officers, informants, or others in sensitive law enforcement positions, whether or not there is official information to verify the claim;

(5) Inmates who have previously served as inmate gun guards, dog caretakers, or in similar positions in state or local correctional facilities;

(6) Inmates who refuse to enter the general population because of alleged pressures from other unidentified inmates;

(7) Inmates who will not provide, and as to whom staff cannot determine, the reason for refusal to return to the general population; and

(8) Inmates about whom staff has good reason to believe the inmate is in serious danger of bodily harm.

(b) Inmates who are placed in administrative detention for protection, but not at their own request or beyond the time when they feel they need to be detained for their own protection, are entitled to a hearing, no later than seven days from the time of their admission (or from the time of their detention beyond their own consent). This hearing is conducted in accordance with the procedural requirements of §541.17, as to advance written notice, staff representation, right to make a statement and present documentary evidence, to request witnesses, to be present throughout the hearing, and advance advisement of inmate rights at the hearing, and as to making a record of the proceedings.

(c) Ordinarily, staff may place an inmate in administrative detention as provided in paragraph (a) of this rule relating to protection cases, for a period not to exceed 90 days. Staff shall clearly document in the record the reasons for any extension beyond this 90-day period.

(d) Where appropriate, staff shall first attempt to place the inmate in the general population of their particular facility. Where inappropriate, staff shall clearly document the reason(s) and refer the case, with all relevant material, to their Regional Director, who, upon review of the material, may order the transfer of a protection case.

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