BOP Program Statement 5265.14 § 17

§ 540.25 Change of address and forwarding of mail for inmates.

(a) Staff shall make available to an inmate who is being released or transferred

appropriate Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Postal Service forms for change of

address.

A U.S. Postal Service “Change of Address” kit is made available to each inmate being

transferred to notify correspondents. (Note: The “kit” is a notice to publishers, businesses,

correspondents, etc.; it is not a notification to the U.S. Postal Service.) Staff obtain supplies of

these kits from the servicing U.S. postal facility. Kits are kept in Receiving and Discharge and

the mail room for inmates leaving the institution.

(b) Inmates are responsible for informing their correspondents of a change of

address.

(c) Postage for mailing change of address cards is paid by the inmate.

(d) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) through (g) of this section, all mail

received for a released or transferred inmate will be returned to the U.S. Postal

Service for disposition in accordance with U.S. Postal Service regulations.

(e) Staff shall use all means practicable to forward special mail.

The Program Statement Mail Management Manual provides more detailed instructions on

forwarding inmate special mail.

(f) Staff shall forward inmate general correspondence to the new address for a

period of 30 days.

Inmate general mail (as opposed to special mail) is forwarded to the new address for 30 days.

General mail is forwarded to the address in the SENTRY database. After 30 days, general mail

is returned to the sender with the notation “Not at this address — return to sender.”

(g) Staff shall permit an inmate released temporarily on writ to elect either to

have general correspondence held at the institution for a period not to exceed 30

days, or returned to the U.S. Postal Service for disposition.

Use the form Disposition of General Correspondence While Inmate is Released Temporarily on

Writ (BP-A0398).

(1) If the inmate refuses to make this election, staff at the institution shall

document this refusal, and any reasons, in the inmate’s central file. Staff shall

P5265.14 4/5/2011 Federal Regulations are shown in this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 23

return to the U.S. Postal Service all general correspondence received for such as

inmate after the inmate’s departure.

Document the refusal on the Disposition of General Correspondence While Inmate is Released

Temporarily on Writ (BP-A0398).

(2) If the inmate does not return from writ within the time indicated, staff shall

return to the U.S. Postal Service all general correspondence being held for that

inmate for disposition in accordance with postal regulations.