BOP Program Statement 1075.01 § 4

(a) An applicant may submit a preliminary research proposal for review by the Office of

1075.01 5/7/2026 Federal Regulations from 28 CFR: this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 7

Research and Evaluation, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., Washington,

DC 20534. Staff response to the preliminary proposal does not constitute a final decision.

(b) If the study is to be conducted at only one institution, the applicant shall submit a formal

proposal to the warden of that institution. Proposal processing will be as follows:

In instances where a study is to be conducted at only one institution, prior to

submitting a proposal to the BRRB, the researcher must submit a formal proposal to

the Warden of that institution for review and approval by the local research review

board prior to BRRB review.

(1) The warden shall appoint a local research review board to consult with

operational staff, to evaluate the proposal for compliance with research

policy, and to make recommendations to the warden. The local research

review board is encouraged, but not required, to meet the membership

requirements of an IRB, as specified in 28 CFR part 46.

(2) The warden shall review the comments of the board, make a recommendation

regarding the proposal, and forward the proposal package to the Regional

Director, with a copy to the Chief, ORE.

(3) The Regional Director shall review the proposal and forward recommendations to

the Chief, ORE.

(c) If the study is to be conducted at more than one institution or at any other Bureau

location, the applicant shall submit the research proposal to the Chief, Office of Research

and Evaluation, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC

20534. The Chief, ORE, shall determine an appropriate review process.

(d) All formal proposals will be reviewed by the BRRB.

(e) The BRRB chairperson may exercise the authority of the full BRRB under an

expedited review process when another official IRB (either within or outside the

Bureau) has approved the research, or when, in his/her judgment, the research

proposal meets the minimal risk standard and involves only the following:

(1) The study of existing data, documents, or records; and/or

(2) The study of individual or group behavior or characteristics of individuals, where

the investigator does not manipulate subjects' behavior and the research will not

involve stress to subjects. Such research would include test development and

studies of perception, cognition, or game theory. If a proposal is processed under

1075.01 5/7/2026 Federal Regulations from 28 CFR: this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 8

expedited review, the BRRB chairperson must document in writing the reason for

that determination.

(f) The Chief, ORE, shall review all recommendations made and shall submit them in

writing to the Director, Bureau of Prisons.

(g) The Director, Bureau of Prisons, has final authority to approve or disapprove all

research proposals. The Director may delegate this authority to the Assistant

Director, Information, Policy, and Public Affairs Division.

(h) The approving authority shall notify in writing the involved region(s), institution(s),

and prospective researcher of the final decision on a research proposal.