The Bureau of Prisons operates five security levels for federal inmates: minimum, low, medium, high, and administrative. Your security level determines which facility you’re assigned to, what restrictions you face, and what programs are available. Understanding how the BOP assigns security classifications helps you know what to expect and whether you can request a lower security designation.
Most white collar defendants serve time at minimum security camps or low security facilities. Violent offenders typically go to medium or high security prisons. The BOP uses objective criteria including your offense, criminal history, sentence length, and other factors to calculate your security score.
How Federal Prison Security Levels Work
The Bureau of Prisons assigns every federal prisoner a security level based on a point system. More points mean higher security. Fewer points mean lower security and more freedom.
The BOP evaluates these factors:
Severity of current offense: Violent crimes score higher than nonviolent offenses. A white collar fraud might score 1-2 points. Armed robbery might score 6-7 points.
Criminal history: Prior convictions increase your score. First-time offenders score lower than repeat offenders.
Sentence length: Longer sentences mean higher security. Someone serving 3 years typically needs less security than someone serving 20 years.
Escape history: Any escape attempts or history result in maximum points and high security placement.
Violence history: Prior assaults, weapons charges, or violent behavior increase your security level significantly.
Detainers or pending charges: Outstanding warrants or charges from other jurisdictions affect placement.
Age: Younger prisoners typically require higher security than older inmates due to statistical risk factors.
Institutional behavior: If you’ve been in custody before, your prior behavior affects current classification.
The BOP adds these factors to calculate a total score. That score determines your security level:
- 0-11 points: Minimum security (camp)
- 12-15 points: Low security
- 16-23 points: Medium security
- 24+ points: High security
Certain factors override the point system. Sex offenses, serious violence, escape history, or deportation orders can force higher security placement regardless of your score.
Minimum Security (Level 1) Federal Prisons
Minimum security facilities are called federal prison camps or FCPs. These are the lowest security level in the federal system and provide the most freedom. Most white collar defendants serve their sentences at camps.
Physical characteristics of camps:
Camps have no perimeter fencing or guard towers. Nothing physically prevents you from walking away, though doing so results in escape charges. Dormitory-style housing holds 50-150 inmates in open bay rooms with bunk beds and lockers. No cells or bars exist at camps.
The environment resembles a college dormitory more than a traditional prison. You move freely around the facility during approved hours. Officers conduct inmate counts multiple times daily, but physical restraints and constant supervision are minimal.
Who goes to federal prison camps:
To qualify for federal prison camp placement, you typically need:
- Nonviolent offense
- No violent criminal history
- Sentence of less than 10-12 years
- No escape history
- No sex offense convictions
- No serious detainers
Most people at camps are convicted of white collar crimes, drug trafficking (nonviolent), tax crimes, or other federal nonviolent offenses. You’ll find businesspeople, professionals, and first-time federal offenders.
Daily life at minimum security (Generally Speaking)
You wake up for morning count at 6:00 AM. After breakfast, you report to your job assignment. Camps operate work programs where inmates maintain the facility, work in food service, or perform other jobs. You’re required to work unless you’re in educational programming.
Lunch happens around 11:30 AM. Afternoon consists of more work, educational programs, or recreation. You have significant free time to use the gym, library, outdoor track, or TV rooms. Email and phone access is available during designated hours.
Visiting happens on weekends and holidays. Camps generally allow more generous visiting than higher security facilities. You can sit with visitors at tables without barriers and have physical contact.
Commissary shopping happens weekly. You can purchase food, hygiene items, clothing, and electronics within spending limits.
Programs at camps:
Most camps offer:
- RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program) at select facilities
- GED and continuing education
- Vocational training programs
- UNICOR work programs
- Religious services
- Recreation and fitness programs
The relaxed environment at camps makes programming more accessible. You can participate in multiple programs simultaneously.
Examples of federal prison camps:
Well-known minimum security camps include FPC Pensacola, FPC Nellis, FPC Montgomery, and FPC Yankton. These facilities house 200-600 prisoners and operate with minimal security infrastructure. As noted in the RDAP program guide, several camps offer RDAP treatment for eligible inmates.
Low Security (Level 2) Federal Prisons
Low security facilities are Federal Correctional Institutions or FCIs with enhanced security compared to camps. Low security houses inmates who need more supervision than camps provide but don’t require medium security measures.
Physical characteristics:
Low security FCIs have perimeter fencing with electronic detection systems. Some facilities have towers with armed officers. Razor wire tops the fencing. Housing consists of dormitories or cubicles rather than cells, though some facilities have two-person rooms.
You’re not locked in cells at night. Housing units remain open with controlled movement between buildings. Officers conduct regular patrols and counts. Cameras monitor common areas.
Who goes to low security:
Low security prisoners typically have:
- Nonviolent offenses but longer sentences
- Minor violent history or weapons involvement
- Higher criminal history points
- Immigration detainers or deportation orders
- Scores that place them above camp level but below medium
You’ll find drug traffickers, white collar defendants with longer sentences, and some violent offenders nearing release who’ve transferred down from medium security.
Daily life at low security:
The routine resembles camps but with more structure and restrictions. You wake for count, work your assigned job, and participate in required programming. Movement is more controlled. You need passes to travel between areas during certain hours.
Work assignments include facility maintenance, food service, warehouse operations, and UNICOR factory jobs. Pay ranges from $0.12 to $0.40 per hour depending on your assignment and performance.
Recreation happens during designated times. Low security facilities have gyms, outdoor recreation yards, and hobby craft programs. You have scheduled times for phone calls and email.
Visiting occurs on weekends with contact visits allowed. Security is stricter than camps with more thorough searches and monitoring.
Programs at low security:
Low security facilities offer comprehensive programming:
- RDAP at many facilities
- Educational programs including GED and college courses
- Vocational training in various trades
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment
- Challenge Program (alternative to RDAP)
- Religious programming
- UNICOR work opportunities
Examples of low security facilities:
Major low security FCIs include FCI Fort Dix, FCI Sheridan, FCI Miami, FCI Otisville, and FCI Danbury. These facilities house 1,000-1,500 people and balance security with rehabilitation programming.
Medium Security (Level 3) Federal Prisons
Medium security facilities house people who require more supervision and control than low security provides. These are Federal Correctional Institutions with enhanced security measures and restrictions.
Physical characteristics:
Medium security prisons have double perimeter fencing with electronic detection and armed towers staffed 24/7. Razor wire covers all fencing. Housing consists of cells with solid doors, though some facilities have hybrid dormitory-cell layouts.
You’re locked in cells during counts and overnight. Cell doors are controlled electronically by officers. Movement throughout the facility is highly controlled and supervised. Cameras and officers monitor all areas constantly.
Who goes to medium security:
Medium security inmates include:
- Violent offenders
- Gang members or affiliates
- Inmates with institutional violence history
- Long sentences (10-20+ years)
- Higher criminal history scores
- Organized crime convictions
- Escape risks
You’ll find drug kingpins, violent criminals, career offenders, and inmates who had disciplinary problems at lower security facilities.
Daily life at medium security:
Regimentation increases significantly at medium security. You’re locked in your cell for all counts, overnight, and during certain hours. Movement requires officer escort or specific authorization. Work assignments are mandatory but pay the same low rates as low security.
Recreation happens in secured areas with time limits. You’ll spend more time in your housing unit and less time moving freely. Phone and email access continues but with more monitoring and restrictions.
Contact visits are allowed but occur in more controlled environments. All visitors and inmates are searched thoroughly. Some facilities limit contact visits to special occasions.
Programs at medium security:
Despite enhanced security, medium facilities offer programming:
- Mental health treatment for violent offenders
- Drug treatment including RDAP
- Educational programming
- Vocational training
- Faith-based programs
- Challenge Program
Participation is often required rather than optional. Inmates with long sentences are strongly encouraged to engage in programming to demonstrate rehabilitation.
Examples of medium security facilities:
Medium security FCIs include FCI Terminal Island, FCI Schuylkill, FCI Loretto, and FCI Beckley. These facilities house 1,000-1,200 inmates serving longer sentences for more serious crimes.
High Security (Level 4) Federal Prisons
High security facilities are United States Penitentiaries or USPs. These prisons house the most dangerous federal inmates with the tightest restrictions and security measures.
Physical characteristics:
USPs have multiple layers of perimeter security with double fencing, armed towers, and lethal electric fencing in some cases. Housing consists of single or double-occupancy cells with solid metal doors. Entire cell blocks can be locked down instantly.
Movement is extremely controlled. You’re escorted by officers for most activities. Security cameras cover every area. Multiple daily counts happen with inmates locked in cells.
Who goes to high security:
High security houses:
- Violent career criminals
- Gang leaders
- Murderers serving long sentences
- Inmates with serious escape attempts
- Prison violence perpetrators
- Organized crime leaders
- Terrorism-related convictions
White collar defendants almost never go to high security unless they have significant violent history or institutional problems.
Daily life at high security:
Life at a USP is heavily regimented with minimal freedom. You’re locked in your cell 14-16 hours per day. Recreation happens in enclosed areas with razor wire overhead. Work assignments exist but are limited.
Communication with the outside is restricted and heavily monitored. Visiting is limited with restricted contact in some cases. The environment is tense with violence occurring more frequently than at lower security levels.
Programs at high security:
Programming exists but access is limited:
- Mental health services
- Limited drug treatment
- GED education
- Religious services
- Restricted recreation
The focus at high security is containment and control rather than rehabilitation, though programs are available for inmates willing to participate.
Examples of high security facilities:
Major USPs include USP Leavenworth, USP Lewisburg, USP Atlanta, USP Terre Haute, and USP Florence. These facilities house the federal system’s most dangerous inmates.
Administrative Security Facilities
Administrative facilities don’t fit the standard security level system. They house inmates in pretrial detention, with serious medical needs, or requiring specialized management.
Metropolitan Detention Centers (MDCs):
MDCs hold pretrial detainees awaiting court proceedings. Security is high but you’re presumed innocent. MDC Brooklyn, MDC Los Angeles, and others house defendants from arrest through trial.
Federal Medical Centers (FMCs):
FMCs provide specialized medical care for inmates with serious health conditions. FMC Butner, FMC Rochester, and FMC Lexington treat inmates requiring surgery, long-term care, or psychiatric services.
FCC Coleman and other administrative facilities:
Some complexes contain multiple security levels at one location. Administrative units at these facilities house protective custody inmates, high-profile cases, or those requiring separation from general population.
Federal Prison Camps vs. Federal Correctional Institutions
Understanding the difference between camps and institutions helps you know what to expect.
Federal Prison Camps (FPCs):
- Minimum security only
- No perimeter fencing
- Dormitory housing
- Work-focused environment
- Most freedom and privileges
- Typically fewer than 500 inmates
- Adjacent to larger institutions in many cases
Federal Correctional Institutions (FCIs):
- Low, medium, or high security
- Fenced perimeters with towers
- Cell or dormitory housing depending on level
- More programming and services
- More restrictions and structure
- 1,000-1,500+ inmates typically
- May have satellite camps attached
Many facilities are complexes with multiple security levels at one location. FCI Cumberland has a low security institution and adjacent minimum security camp. Inmates at the camp are separated from the main institution.
BOP Prison Designation Process
The Bureau of Prisons designates you to a facility based on your security score, program needs, and available bed space. Understanding the process helps you know what factors you can influence.
When designation happens:
Designation typically occurs 4-8 weeks after sentencing. You remain in county jail or a transfer facility during this period. The BOP’s Designation and Sentence Computation Center in Grand Prairie, Texas handles all designations.
Factors the BOP considers:
Security level: Your calculated score determines which security levels you’re eligible for.
Geography: The BOP tries to place inmates within 500 miles of their release residence. This is a goal, not a guarantee.
Bed space: Availability at facilities within your security level affects placement. Overcrowded facilities may be skipped.
Program needs: If you need RDAP, medical care, or other specialized programming, you’ll be designated to facilities offering those services.
Medical conditions: Serious health needs may result in placement at medical facilities or institutions with better healthcare.
Court orders: Judges sometimes recommend specific facilities. The BOP considers these recommendations but isn’t bound by them.
Your preferences: You can submit a request for specific facilities, but the BOP makes the final decision.
Security Level and Your Criminal History
Your criminal history significantly affects your security classification. Understanding how prior convictions impact your score helps you anticipate your designation.
How criminal history affects security level:
No criminal history: First-time federal offenders with no state convictions typically score minimum security (camp eligible) if their current offense is nonviolent.
Minor prior convictions: DUIs, minor drug possession, or other misdemeanors add 1-3 points but usually don’t prevent camp placement for nonviolent federal crimes.
Prior felonies: State felony convictions add significant points. Multiple felonies or violent felonies typically push you to low or medium security.
Violence history: Any prior assaults, weapons charges, or violent crimes add maximum points and usually result in medium or high security regardless of current offense.
Sex offenses: Prior sex offense convictions prevent camp placement automatically. You’ll be designated to low security minimum.
Gang affiliation: Documented gang membership or STG (Security Threat Group) affiliation increases security level substantially.
Can You Transfer to Lower Security Level?
Many inmates start at higher security and transfer down as they serve their sentences and demonstrate good behavior. Understanding the process helps you plan for potential transfers.
When transfers happen:
The BOP reviews your security level every 12 months automatically. You can also request reviews if circumstances change. Transfers typically happen when:
- Your security score decreases below your current level’s threshold
- You’ve served substantial time without incident
- You’re within 24 months of release
- You complete programs that reduce risk factors
- Bed space opens at lower security facilities
How to request a transfer:
Submit a written request (cop-out) to your counselor requesting security level review. Document why you believe you qualify for lower security:
- Time served without incidents
- Programs completed
- Changed custody score
- Proximity to release
- Medical or family reasons
Your counselor submits the request to the unit team who review your case. If approved, you enter the transfer pipeline. Actual transfer takes weeks or months depending on bed availability.
What helps you transfer down:
- Clean conduct for at least 18-24 months
- Program participation and completion
- Work assignment performance
- Approaching release (within 24 months)
- Completion of RDAP or other major programs
- Age (older inmates transfer more easily)
- Medical issues requiring different care
What prevents transfers:
- Recent disciplinary infractions
- Violence or threats
- Gang activity
- Escape attempts
- Sex offense history (limited transfer options)
- Immigration detainers
- Higher security needs identified
Life in Each Security Level: What to Expect
Daily life varies dramatically between security levels. Understanding what each level entails helps you prepare mentally.
Minimum security (camps):
- Wake at 6 AM for count
- Work 7 AM to 3:30 PM
- Free time after work for gym, recreation, calls, email
- Relatively relaxed atmosphere
- Weekly commissary shopping
- Contact visits on weekends
- Limited officer interaction
- Freedom to move around facility
Low security:
- More structured daily routine
- Controlled movement between buildings
- Work or programming all day
- Recreation during set times
- Regular security checks
- Contact visits with thorough searches
- Mix of dormitory and room housing
- More officer presence and supervision
Medium security:
- Cell housing with lockdowns
- Controlled movement with escorts
- Limited recreation time
- More restrictive visiting
- Heightened security awareness needed
- Gang dynamics more present
- Work assignments mandatory
- Less personal freedom
High security:
- Cells locked 14-16 hours daily
- Minimal movement or freedom
- Tense atmosphere
- Everything heavily monitored
- Limited contact with outside world
- Violence more common
- Focus on security over rehabilitation
- Survival mentality necessary
Requesting Specific Security Level Designation
While you can’t dictate your placement, you can submit requests that the BOP considers during designation. Knowing what carries weight helps you advocate effectively.
How to request specific placement:
Through your attorney: Your lawyer can submit a request to the BOP after sentencing. Include specific reasons:
- Family proximity for visiting
- Medical needs at specific facilities
- Programs you need (RDAP at specific institutions)
- Documented hardship
Judge recommendations: Judges can recommend facilities in sentencing orders. The BOP considers judicial recommendations seriously but isn’t required to follow them.
Self-surrender paperwork: When you self-surrender, bring copies of any placement requests, medical documentation, or supporting materials to your intake.
What the BOP considers:
The BOP weighs these factors:
- Proximity to family (500-mile goal)
- Medical needs and facility capabilities
- Program requirements and availability
- Security level requirements
- Bed space at requested facilities
- Court recommendations
- Administrative logistics
What doesn’t work:
These requests typically fail:
- Personal preference for “nicer” facilities
- Wanting to be near friends in custody
- Dislike of certain geographic areas
- Unsubstantiated claims
- Requests outside your security level
Be strategic. Request 2-3 facilities within your security level rather than one specific prison. Provide legitimate reasons. Document any special circumstances. The BOP is more likely to honor reasonable requests backed by valid rationale than demands based solely on preference.
Ready to prepare for federal prison designation? Learn from professionals who have navigated the federal prison system at White Collar Advice and understand what to expect at your security level.
Justin Paperny
