BOP Program Statement 5200.09 § 8

MINT is a residential program promoting bonding skills for designated pregnant inmates housed

in RRC Facilities. The inmate resides with the child at all times inside a contract Residential

Reentry Center (RRC). Female inmates are eligible to enter the program at the RRC generally

during their last two months of pregnancy. After birth, the mother is allowed at least three

additional months to bond with the child, although a minimum of six months is recommended.

The mother is then returned to an institution to complete her sentence, if necessary. If she is

eligible for prerelease services, she may remain at that facility only if she is going to be

supervised in that judicial district.

The CEO may approve early or extended placements with a recommendation by the treating

obstetrician and Clinical Director’s concurrence. A placement extending beyond 180 days

requires the Regional Director’s approval. The Assistant Directors of Health Services and

Reentry Services are advised of these placement approvals and denials. Direct court

commitments have a secondary designation noted on form BP-A0377, Inmate Load and Security

Designation form. This is used to determine the institution responsible for the inmate’s medical

expenses while she is confined in the MINT Program.

Health Services staff confirm an inmate’s pregnancy and evaluate her medical condition. For

inmates not yet in custody, reviews are conducted before arrival whenever possible to allow the

inmate to go straight to a MINT site. Health Services staff indicate whether RRC placement is

medically appropriate and document this on form BP-A0351, Medical/Psychological Pre-Release

Evaluation, which is forwarded to unit management. Unit management expeditiously completes

the referral and forwards to the Residential Reentry Management Branch for consideration.

When unit management has concerns regarding the appropriateness of such a placement,

procedures are followed according to Program Statement Community Corrections Center

(CCC) Utilization and Transfer Procedures. Additional guidance on RRC placement

concerns is located in this program statement. When a pregnant inmate is determined not

medically appropriate for placement, the Women and Special Populations Branch must be

notified.

To qualify for the program, inmates must be pregnant upon commitment, with an expected

delivery prior to release. The inmate or guardian must assume financial responsibility for the

child’s care, medical and support, while residing at the RRC. Should the inmate or the guardian

5200.09 2/19/2025 Federal Regulations from 28 CFR: this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 20

be unable or unwilling to bear the child’s financial cost, the inmate may be transferred back to

her parent institution. An inmate who becomes pregnant while on furlough, has more than five

years remaining to serve on her sentence(s), or plans to place her baby up for adoption must not

be referred for MINT placement.

Referrals should state a specific date of placement approximately two months prior to the

inmate’s expected delivery date.

The RRC’s Terminal Report should fully describe the inmate’s experience in, and reaction to, the

MINT Program. It should also summarize counseling received in the program and include

medical or program recommendations for the institution to facilitate the inmate’s transition.

Inmates in need of foster care placement assistance are referred to the institution Social Worker,

or, if the institution does not have a Social Worker, the regional Social Worker, who should

facilitate community assistance.