Prison Security Levels

The Bureau of Prisons in the United States classifies each prison as per its security, medical, and mental health care levels. This classification facilitates the provision of services and safe interaction between inmates, staff, and visitors. In turn, each correctional facility classifies, assesses, and manages the prison population as per their assigned security, medical, and mental health care needs. Further, it carries out periodic security audits to ensure that the set system is effective. Then, do you know the various prison security levels available? This prisons security levels guide clarifies below:

Identifying a Prison Security Level

The prison definition of security level for any correctional institution is determined by:

  • The presence of perimeter barriers separating the inmate population from the nearby communities
  • The presence of mobile patrols within the perimeter fence on a 24-hour basis
  • The use of gun towers outside the prison perimeter wall or fence. Here, an armed BOP guard keeps watching on movement and activities in and outside the prison facility on a 24-hour basis
  • The use of electronic detectors like sound guns and metal detectors to tap into prisoner conversations
  • Use of steel locks and bars on doors and windows
  • Presence of cages, locked rooms, or open dormitories within the correctional facility
  • The current staff to inmate ratio

Types of Security Levels

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is in charge of 122 federal prisons scattered throughout the United States. Each of these prisons is assigned a prison security level depending on the nature of the inmate population. In turn, this security level will determine the level of freedom to be accorded to the inmates, the ideal inmate-staff ratio, the most suitable inmate housing arrangement, and the type of physical security measures to monitor the facilities. As expected, higher security detention centers observe more stringent restrictions than lower security ones. Hence, the prisons have any of the following five security levels: –

1.       Minimum Security Level

A minimum security level prison holds non-violent inmates in dormitory-styled housing. These inmates include those found guilty of fraud, or embezzlement. Though considered as serious crimes, the inmates are less likely to engage in violence. Here, most of the inmates are serving sentences for non-violent criminal charges, hence monitored by fewer prison staff. Likewise, the inmates are free to mingle with prison staff and other inmates in their housing unit. Plus, there are fewer fences and physical surveillance systems in place.

In contrast, sex offenders and inmates with a history of taking part in group demonstrations or escaping the prison facilities are precluded from minimum security prisons regardless of their non-violent offenses.

All Federal Prison Camps (FPCs) are classified as minimum security prisons. These are work and program-oriented detention facilities that include the Federal Prison Camp Alderson, Bryan, Duluth, Florence, Montgomery, Pensacola, and Yankton. In turn, they are near military bases and other institutions where the inmates work. Inmates in Federal Prison Camps have less than 10 years remaining on their sentences. There is limited or no perimeter fencing.

2.       Low-Security Level

Low-security level prisons are open cubicles or dormitory-style correctional facilities holding inmates with a minimal history of violence. That is, it’s been several years since such inmates had an incidence of documented violent behavior. These prisons run highly monitored work and treatment programs within single or double row perimeter fence confinements. Due to the higher security needs, the staff to inmate ratio is much higher than in minimum security prisons. The inmates here have less than 20 years remaining on their sentences. They share bathrooms and enjoy minimal privacy. Such inmates include:

  • Sex offenders
  • Those transferred from minimum security prisons due to a disciplinary action
  • Inmates on a special program that requires them to be under a low-security housing arrangement

The Federal Correctional Institutions (FCIs) are classified as low-security prisons. They include the Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville (women’s prison), Bastrop, Coleman, Fairton, and Yazoo City. They feature perimeter fences with electronic detection systems and detailed internal control procedures.

3.       Medium Security Level

A medium-security prison holds inmates with a recent history of violence. These inmates stay in correctional institutions with reinforced security. That is,

  • Stay in small rooms or cells that feature heavy deadbolt locks
  • Within perimeter fences that feature spools of razor wire
  • Travel from one location to another in armed perimeter vehicles
  • Are under physical and electronic security surveillance day and night
  • Enjoy restricted movements with limited access to the recreational areas

A prisoner assigned to a medium-security prison must have less than 30 years remaining before their release. These inmates are charged with criminal offenses that exclude street crimes. The Federal Correctional Institutions (FCIs) are classified as medium security prisons when they hold inmates with the above profiles.  These institutions have a higher staff to inmate ratio than low-security prisons.

4.       High-Security Level

The United States Penitentiaries (USPs) are high-security prisons. Being the maximum security level available, these prisons have the highest number of prison staff per institution. These correctional facilities hold the most volatile inmates.  These inmates are known to cause violence, manipulate, extort, and cause altercations within the prison system. In turn, they reside in closet-sized rooms. The rooms can accommodate up to two inmates at a time. It features a metal bunk bed, metal toilet, a metal sink, and heavy deadbolt locks on steel doors. Outside, there are multiple reinforced perimeter fences and/or walls and gun towers.

Inmates in USPs have an extensive history of violence. They include:

  • Former or current gang members
  • Inmates convicted of organized crime
  • Inmates with a history of psychotic challenges that impede any expectation of them living a normal life
  • Inmates that stubbornly resist authority
  • Violent sex offenders

5.       Administrative Security Level

Any unclassified prison in the United States has an administrative security level. Hence, their purposes and security measures vary as follows:

  • Metropolitan Correctional Centers (MTCs) use a metropolitan area to hold sentenced offenders and pre-trial detainees
  • Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP) hold prisoners suffering various forms of mental illnesses
  • Federal Transit Centers (FTCs) hold inmates awaiting transfer via bus or plane to another correctional facility
  • Federal Detention Centers(FDCs) hold detainees awaiting their trial hearing
  • Federal Medical Centers (FMCs) hold inmates in need of serious medical care

 Criteria for Assigning an Inmate to a Particular Prison

The Federal Bureau of Prisons assigns a prisoner to a particular federal prison level 1,2,3,4, 5 depend on: –

  • The Nature of Their Offense

Inmates charged with serious criminal offenses may serve in minimum security prisons if these offenses are non-violent.

  • Past Criminal Record

An inmate with a past criminal record of violence will reside in higher security prisons and vice versa.

  • Mental and Physical Health

A prisoner’s mental and physical health dictates their quality of life and prison experience while serving their sentences. Hence, an inmate in need of specialized mental or medical care shall reside at a facility that offers the best available care.

  • Proximity to Family

The Bureau of Prisons’ Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC) relies on the above criteria to determine the inmate’s classification score. It is this score that will dictate the most likely prison where they can serve their sentences. Still, the case manager may recalculate this score and transfer an inmate to a higher or lower security prison whenever necessary.

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