BOP Program Statement 5217.02 § 1

To provide guidance and procedures for operating Special Management Units (SMU). Some

inmates present unique security and management concerns. Accordingly, the Bureau of Prisons

(Bureau) designates inmates to SMUs, where enhanced management is necessary to ensure the

safety, security, or orderly operation of Bureau facilities, or protection of the public.

SMU designation is non-punitive, and may be appropriate for any inmate meeting the referral

criteria in Section 2 below. Conditions of confinement for SMU inmates are more restrictive than

for general population inmates, and are described in Section 5. Inmates are expected to complete

the SMU program in approximately 12 months, at which time they may be redesignated to a

general population or to another appropriate facility.

a. Summary of Changes

Policy Rescinded

P5217.01 Special Management Units (11/19/08)

■ Purpose and Scope reflects that inmates are expected to complete the SMU program in

approximately 12 months.

■ Program Objectives added that inmates who successfully progress through the SMU program

will be redesignated to a general population or another appropriate facility.

■ The referral criteria now reflect that inmates must have at least 24 months left on their

sentence.

■ Referral procedures reflect that when considering designation criteria, inmates from lower

security institutions will be considered for designation to a higher security facility prior to

recommending SMU placement. The referring institution will take into consideration any

current medical assessment/treatment prior to recommending the referral.

■ The referral packet consists of a completed Request for Transfer/Application of Management

Variable (EMS-A409), copies of pertinent Special Investigative Supervisor reports and

incident reports, a psychological/medical evaluation, and a cover memorandum to the

Warden summarizing the rationale for referral for SMU designation.

■ A copy of the referral will be sent to the Psychology Services Branch, which reviews the

inmate’s mental health record to determine if mental health concerns preclude an inmate from

being placed in a SMU. If there is no evidence to preclude a hearing, the Regional Director

appoints a Hearing Administrator to conduct a hearing into whether the inmate meets the

criteria for SMU designation.

■ Inmates currently in a SMU are provided the BP-A0937, Notice to Inmate of Designation to a

Special Management Unit, which informs the inmates of the right to appeal the designation

decision and their individual conditions of confinement.

■ An inmate in SMU may be removed if it becomes clear his/her mental health does not

reasonably allow him/her to complete the program. The recommendation is forwarded to the

Administrator, Psychology Services Branch, Central Office. If approved, the Psychology

Administrator notifies the Warden.

■ When an inmate serving a sanction of disciplinary segregation is designated to a SMU, the

referring Regional Director may direct that the inmate complete the disciplinary segregation

period at the current institution, or request that the inmate complete the disciplinary

segregation period at the receiving institution before transfer into the SMU.

■ The program structure, differentiated by conditions of confinement and expected completion

times, now has three levels instead of four.

b. Program Objectives. The expected results of this program are:

■ Inmates who meet the criteria for designation to a SMU will be referred for redesignation.

■ Inmates who successfully progress through the SMU program will be redesignated to a

general population, or another appropriate facility.

■ Safe and orderly environments at all institutions will be further enhanced by the operation of

SMUs.

c. Pretrial/Holdover/Detainee Procedures. This Program Statement applies only to sentenced

inmates.

P5217.02 8/09/2016 2