28 C.F.R. Subpart D—Inmate Organizations
Title 28 - Judicial Administration
Source: 61 FR 11275, Mar. 19, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
The Bureau of Prisons permits inmates and persons in the community to participate in approved inmate organizations for recreational, social, civic, and benevolent purposes. (a) An inmate must submit a request for recognition of a proposed inmate organization to the Warden. The organization may not become active without the Warden's approval. (b) The Warden may approve an inmate organization upon determining that: (1) The organization has a constitution and bylaws duly approved by its members; the constitution and bylaws must include the organization's purpose and objectives, the duties and responsibilities of its officer(s), and the requirements for activities reporting and operational review; and (2) The organization does not operate in opposition to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution. (a) The Warden shall appoint a staff member as the institution's Inmate Organization Manager (IOM). The IOM shall be responsible for monitoring the activities of the institution's inmate organizations and staff sponsors. (b) The Warden or designee shall assign to a staff sponsor responsibility for supervising the activities of an individual inmate organization. The staff sponsor's duties are performed while in official duty status. Dues may be collected if they are required by the national organization, are collected by that same national organization, and the rate and method of institution collection have been approved by the Warden. No portion of the dues may be kept by the inmate organization for use at the institution. The organization may not make payment of dues a requirement of membership for an inmate who lacks funds. (a) An officer of the inmate organization must submit a written request for approval of an activity to the Warden or designee. Activities include, but are not limited to, meetings, guest speakers, sports competitions, banquets, or community programs. Activities may not include fund-raising projects. The request must specifically include: (1) Name of the organization; (2) Nature or purpose of the activity; (3) Date, time, and estimated duration of the activity; (4) Estimated cost; (5) Information concerning guest participation; and (6) Other pertinent information requested by the Warden. (b) The Warden may approve the request if the activity: (1) Does not conflict with scheduled inmate work or program activities; (2) Has confirmation of staff supervision; (3) Can be appropriately funded when applicable (see §551.36); and (4) Does not conflict with the security, good order, or discipline of the institution. (c) When an activity requires the expenditure of government funds, the Warden ordinarily shall require reimbursement from non-inmate participants (guests or members). (d) Each inmate organization shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of its activities. (e) The activities of an inmate organization may be suspended temporarily due to noncompliance with Bureau policy. The IOM is responsible for recommending the specific suspension sanction for the Warden's approval. The inmate organization is to receive written notice of the proposed suspension sanction and shall have the opportunity to respond to the Warden. Continued noncompliance with Bureau policy shall result in an increase in the severity of the suspension sanction, and may include withdrawal of approval of the organization. The Warden may withdraw approval of an inmate organization for reasons of the security, good order, and discipline of the institution, or in accordance with §551.34(e). The Bureau of Prisons may fund approved activities of inmate organizations or organization requests for purchase of equipment or services for all inmates subject to the availability of designated funds.
Title 28: Judicial Administration
PART 551—MISCELLANEOUS
Subpart D—Inmate Organizations
§ 551.30 Purpose and scope.
§ 551.31 Approval of an organization.
§ 551.32 Staff supervision.
§ 551.33 Dues.
§ 551.34 Organization activities.
§ 551.35 Withdrawal of approval of an organization.
§ 551.36 Funding.
