BOP Program Statement 5300.22 § 8

a. Background Investigations. A background investigation will be conducted on all volunteers

as outlined in the chart below. The RAC or program manager, as applicable per the Distribution

of Duties Chart, ensures background investigation requirements are completed for each volunteer

prior to serving as a Level I or Level II volunteer. Level II volunteer candidates may attend

volunteer training prior to completion of the background investigation.

If a volunteer is serving at one or more institutions, training only has to be completed yearly at

one facility. When a volunteer serves at more than one facility, it is the responsibility of all the

serviced institutions to ensure the volunteer’s information is uploaded in the national automated

volunteer system, training requirements are met, and each institution maintains copies of all

necessary OVF forms, except at complexes where one centralized copy will be maintained.

The Warden determines the suitability of non-citizens to serve as volunteers. Non-citizens who

are approved as volunteers are subject to all background investigation requirements for the level

of service to be provided.

Background Clearance Requirements For Volunteer Service

Form/Requirement Level I Level II

Initial Annual 5-Year Initial Annual 5-Year

Application for Volunteer BP-A1070 BP- BP-A0580 BP-

Service A1070 A0580

Volunteer Interview X

Summary (BP-A0585)

Letter of Endorsement or two X X X X

Letters of Reference

(Both required for Religious

Volunteers)

NCIC (National Crime X X X X

Information/NLETS and

Wants Check) Results

MBI (if applicable) X X

NCIC Check X X X X

(BP-A0660)

Certification for Release of X X X X

Information (BP-A0673)

Acknowledgement of Receipt X X

of Standards of Employee or as

Conduct (BP-A0165) updated

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Fingerprint Check (FD- X

258)/Results or CJIS Name

Check Request (BP-A1069)/Results and Non U.S.

Citizen Name Check(BP-A1071)/Results )

Volunteer Gratuitous Service X X

Agreement Training

Certification Form

(BP-A0483)

Volunteer Training X X

Affirmation (BP-A1066)

Waiver of Escort and X X

Supervision (BP-A0484)

(if applicable)

Information Security X X

Awareness Training

Certification

Non-Disclosure Agreement X X

Credentials of Religious X X X X

Volunteer (BP-A0777)

(if applicable)

Professional Credentials/ X X X X

License (if applicable)

(1) Level I. Required background clearance procedures are completed prior to the volunteer

being permitted entrance into the institution.

(2) Level II. Background investigations are ordinarily completed within 45 days from the date

the application is received. If this timeframe cannot be met, the RAC documents the reason in

the OVF. If clearance is not obtained within six months, the RAC provides a report to the RAA

for further resolution. However, badges may not be issued to Level II volunteers until all

clearances are obtained. While a volunteer is waiting for background clearance approval as a

Level II volunteer, he/she may serve as a Level I volunteer in accordance with Level I

requirements. However, visitation volunteers will not be limited to four visits per year while

pending background clearance, as long as other requirements are met; e.g., training.

All Level II volunteer applicants will be given two opportunities to obtain fingerprint clearance.

After two negative responses are received from the Civil Applicant System (CAS) due to

unreadable prints, a Name Check is conducted following standardized national procedures for

either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens. These procedures are available on the Reentry

Sallyport page. If the fingerprint or Name Check reveals previous criminal activity that would

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compromise institution security as determined by the Warden, the volunteer application for a

Level II status will be denied. The volunteer may be granted Level I status by the Warden.

b. National Automated Volunteer System. The national automated volunteer system allows

users at institutions, regional offices, and the Central Office to enter demographic and other key

information regarding Level I and II volunteers. Requests for access to the system are made

through the RAA, who submits a help desk ticket.

RACs are responsible for entering active, inactive, and service discontinued for Level II

volunteers, as outlined in the system manual. A copy of the Training Manual can be accessed

via Sallyport.

c. Processing of Volunteers. Program managers provide Level 1 Volunteer Application/

Training (BP-A1070) information to RACs as appropriate, ordinarily at least 5 business days

prior to their planned activity. RACs ensure they enter information and check the discontinued

services Volunteer Section of the automated system to screen potential volunteers before

approval to serve as Level I or Level II volunteers. Volunteers whose services are discontinued

from any BOP institution or facility may not be approved for service at any BOP location and

will not be considered for future volunteer service. RACs maintain records for Level I

volunteers for data collection. Program Managers generate entrance memos for processing

Level I volunteers. RACs will receive a copy of the paperwork.

d. Records

(1) Level I. Program managers provide completed background and application documentation

to RACs. The RACs maintain records for Level I volunteers for three (3) years in a secure

cabinet. The contents include:

■ NCIC background clearance materials.

■ Level I Volunteer Application/Training (BP-A1070).

■ Letter of Endorsement or Reference.

■ Certification for Release of Information (BP-A0673).

■ Professional Credential/License (if applicable).

■ Credentials of Religious Volunteer (BP-A0777, if applicable).

(2) Level II. RACs maintain six-part Official Volunteer Files (OVF) containing records and

training documents relative to each Level II volunteer in a secure cabinet. The contents of the

OVF must be maintained per Attachment A.

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The institution or administrative office must retain the OVF for volunteers who have been denied

or discontinued from service for three years and then destroy it. For volunteers in inactive status,

the file is maintained for three years past the date placed in inactive status and then destroyed.