Prison Security Levels in the BOP

The Bureau runs organizations at four security levels (minimum, low, medium, and high) and has one maximum-security jail for the less than one percent of inmates who need that level of security. It also has administrative facilities, such as pretrial detention centers and medical recommendation centers, that have actually specialized missions and confine offenders of all security levels. The Bureau likewise classifies its institutions based on the level of medical services readily offered, as care levels 1-4.

https://www.prisonerresource.com/prison-life/prison-security-levels/ that assist specify the security level of an institution are perimeter security (such as fences, patrol officers, and towers), level of staffing, internal controls for prisoner

motion and responsibility, and type of living quarters ( for instance, cells or open dorms). The Bureau's finished security and medical category levels permit personnel to appoint an inmate to an institution in accordance with his/her specific needs. Thus, inmates who are able to work with fairly less supervision, without disrupting organization operations or threatening the safety of personnel or other inmates, can be housed in lower security level organizations.

Regardless of the specific discipline in which a personnel member works, all workers are "correctional employees first." This indicates everyone is accountable for the security and great order of the organization. All staff are anticipated to be vigilant and attentive to inmate accountability and security issues, to react to emergencies, and to preserve a proficiency in custodial and security matters, as well as in their particular job specialty. This approach permits the Bureau to operate in the most economical way with fewer correctional officers and still keep direct guidance of prisoners.

The Bureau relies on security innovations to help guarantee the security of staff and inmates. In addition we have supplied staff additional devices, such as oleoresin capsicum spray, to further enhance their security.


The Bureau operates organizations at 4 security levels (minimum, low, medium, and high) and has one maximum-security jail for the less than one percent of prisoners who require that level of security. Therefore, inmates who are able to operate with fairly less supervision, without interrupting institution operations or threatening the security of staff or other inmates, can be housed in lower security level organizations.

All staff are expected to be mindful and watchful to inmate accountability and security concerns, to react to emergencies, and to maintain a efficiency in custodial and security matters, as well as in their specific task specialized.