BOP Program Statement 5270.12 § 1

§ 541.20 Purpose.

This subpart describes the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (Bureau) operation of special housing units

(SHU) at Bureau institutions. The Bureau’s operation of SHUs is authorized by 18 U.S.C.

4042(a)(2) and (3).

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

■ Special Housing Unit (SHU) placement should always serve a specific penological purpose.

■ Inmates are housed in the least restrictive setting necessary to ensure their own safety, as

well as the safety of employees, other inmates, and the public.

■ A safe and orderly environment will be provided for employees and inmates.

■ Living conditions for inmates in disciplinary segregation and administrative detention

will meet or exceed applicable standards.

■ Accurate and complete records will be maintained on conditions and events in SHU.

b. Summary of Changes.

Policy Rescinded

5270.11 Special Housing Units (11/23/2016)

■ Provides guidance for the Special Confinement Unit (SCU) to follow the requirements of

the SCU Institution Supplement.

■ Requires all SHUs with an inmate population of more than 50 be staffed with a second

officer on the Morning Watch shift.

■ Provides guidance for the placement of pregnant inmates in the Special Housing Unit.

■ Provides updated guidance for required SHU training.

■ Notice received when placed in the SHU has been updated requiring Health Services be

notified of all new arrivals to SHU.

■ Review of placement in the SHU has been updated with requirements for

the multidisciplinary team.

■ Conditions of Confinement in the SHU Section 13 (b) has been updated with requirements

of placing an inmate in a single cell status.

■ Conditions of Confinement in the SHU Section 13 (g) has been updated with guidance

in cases where cover is not provided to mitigate inclement weather, requiring

appropriate weather-related equipment and/or attire to be made available to inmates.

■ Conditions of Confinement in the SHU Section 13 (h) has been updated allowing

transgender inmates to retain their accommodations (e.g., binders, stand-to-pee cups,

etc.) at the Warden’s discretion.

■ Conditions of Confinement in the SHU Section 13 (m) has been updated requiring

mental health and education employees to visit all inmates in the SHU at least weekly.

■ Conditions of Confinement in the SHU Section 13 (m) has been updated with

the requirement of making meaningful contact to the inmate population in

SHU.

■ Medical and Mental Health Care in the SHU Section 14 (b) has been updated to

provide definition of extended restrictive housing.

■ Section 15, Special Accountability has been added to this Program Statement.

■ New BP-A1117, Multidisciplinary Team Review form provided for weekly SHU reviews.

■ New BP-A1121, Single Cell Review form provided for review of single cell inmates.

■ For purposes of this Program Statement, the term “employee” is used in black

implementing text and is intended to have the same meaning as the term “staff” used in

blue regulatory text. The terms “staff” and “staff member(s)” have been replaced with the

term “employee(s)” throughout the black implementing text.

In addition, the requirements of Section 301 of the First Step Act, codified at 18 § USC 4322

have been added to this version of the Program Statement:

■ Guidance on placing inmates in the Special Housing Unit during and after

pregnancy, miscarriage, and pregnancy termination.

■ Guidance on the use of restraints during and after pregnancy, miscarriage, and

pregnancy termination.

P5270.12 3/5/2024 Federal Regulations are shown in this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 2

c. Institution Supplement. None required. Should local facilities make any changes outside

the required in the national policy or establish any additional local procedures to implement the

national policy, the local Union may invoke to negotiate procedures or appropriate

arrangements.