US · guidance
BOP Program Statement 1210.26 § 8
APPROVAL AND USE OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS
a. Circumstances. Occasionally, it may be appropriate to use a polygraph examination as an
investigative tool. Whenever possible, use the FBI or OIG Polygraph Section. All requests for
polygraph examinations regarding staff misconduct must be coordinated through OIA.
■ Neither staff nor inmates can be compelled to take a polygraph examination.
b. Approval. To ensure the judicious use of polygraph examinations, the Chief, or Acting
Chief, OIA, has the sole authority to approve a polygraph examination during internal
investigations into staff misconduct.
■ OIA approval for polygraph examinations is not necessary in cases unrelated to staff
misconduct or when outside authorities are conducting an external investigation of staff
misconduct.
c. Subject Authorization. Prior to participating in a polygraph examination, a staff member is
required to sign a BP-A0595, Polygraph Authorization form. Prior to allowing an inmate to take
a polygraph examination, the inmate must sign the BP-A0979, Inmate Polygraph Authorization
form.
History
PS 1210.26 dated 2026-02-26
Provenance
- Source
- bop.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-20
- Edition
- bop-ps-2026-09-20
- Content hash
13dd875045e28e43f5dc632dea6f52dfe616c525c9073be5a72e4ce1124831d5
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