US · guidance
BOP Program Statement 5217.02 § 8
REDESIGNATION
a. Redesignation Criteria. To be redesignated from SMU status, an inmate must demonstrate
successful progression through SMU programming, and for a minimum of 9 months, abstain
from all of the following:
■ Geographical group/gang-related activity.
■ Serious and/or disruptive disciplinary infractions.
■ Group misconduct that adversely affects the orderly operation of a correctional facility.
The inmate must demonstrate a sustained ability to coexist with other inmates, staff, and other
persons.
b. Referral Procedures. When an inmate has met the redesignation criteria, the Unit Team
submits a memorandum to the Warden for designation to the general population, normally at
another institution.
c. SMU Failures. The total allowed designation time in a SMU is 24 consecutive months. If
an inmate fails to complete the SMU program within 24 consecutive months, he/she will be placed
in SMU FAIL status (CMA); the institution notifies the regional administrators for correctional
services and correctional programs. The regional administrators then notify the Correctional
Programs Division (CPD), Central Office, and provide all relevant SMU referral and designation
documents. A thorough review will be conducted by CPD, which will make a recommendation
for the inmate’s placement in an appropriate institution.
d. SMU Returns. The maximum time an inmate may spend in SMU is 24 consecutive months.
Inmates will not be returned to the program unless they engage in additional disruptive behavior that
warrants a new referral, which will be subject to approval as provided in policy.
History
PS 5217.02 dated 2016-08-09
Provenance
- Source
- bop.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-20
- Edition
- bop-ps-2026-09-20
- Content hash
1a1b5b33eeb4ea664275ac277104dab29bae0643b7658697bc217815d22cf0e5
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