Federal prisons have five different levels of security custody for inmates: High, Medium, Low, Minimum, and Administrative. Depending on what an inmate scores on the Security Classification Form (BP-337), he will be assigned to one of the previous five custody levels. Below is a brief description of each level.
also known as Federal Prison
Minimum Security:
Camps (FPCs) are work- and program-oriented facilities
with dormitory housing, limited or no perimeter fencing,
and a relatively low staff-to-inmate ratio. Some FPCs are
located next to military bases, making it possible for
inmates to help serve the labor needs of the base. A
number of BOP facilities have a small, minimum
security camp adjacent to the main facility. Sometimes
referred to as satellite prison camps (SPCs), these
provide inmate labor to the main institution and to offsite
work programs.
Low Security Federal Correctional Institutions
(FCIs):
detection systems, mostly dormitory or cubicle housing,
and strong work and program components. The staff-toinmate
ratio is somewhat higher than that in FPCs.
Medium Security FCIs:
with electronic detection systems) perimeters,
mostly cell-type housing, a wide variety of work and
treatment programs, a higher staff-to-inmate ratio than
that in low security FCIs, and greater internal controls.
High Security United States Penitentiaries (USPs):
have highly secured perimeters featuring walls or
reinforced fences, multiple- and single-occupant cell
housing, the highest staff-to-inmate ratio, and close
control of inmate movement.
Administrative Facilities:
as the detention of pretrial offenders; the treatment of
inmates with serious or chronic medical problems; or the
containment of extremely dangerous, violent, or escapeprone
inmates. Administrative facilities include
Metropolitan Correctional Centers (MCCs), Metropolitan
Detention Centers (MDCs), Federal Detention Centers
(FDCs), Federal Medical Centers (FMCs), the Medical
Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP), the Federal
Transfer Center (FTC), and the Administrative-
Maximum USP (ADX).
Federal Correctional Complexes (FCCs):
include institutions with different missions and security
levels located in close proximity, allowing them to share
services, enable staff to gain experience at institutions of
many security levels, and enhance emergency
preparedness by having additional resources readily
available.
Satellite Low Security Facilities:
Jesup each have a small low security satellite facility
adjacent to the main institution. FCI La Tuna has a low
security facility affiliated with, but not adjacent to, the
main institution. FCIs Elkton andFCCshave special missions, suchhave strengthened (doublefencedhave double-fenced perimeters with electronic
