US · guidance
BOP Program Statement 5353.02 § 1
§ 544.50 P
urpose and scope.
T
he Bureau of Prisons offers eligible inmates the opportunity under its occupational education
programs to participate in occupational education courses for the purpose of obtaining
marketable skills designed to enhance post-release employment opportunities.
This program statement defines the scope of occupational training programs in institutions
managed by the Bureau of Prisons (Bureau). Occupational training programs, as referred to in
blue regulatory text, are now known as Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE
programs include vocational training, occupational training, apprenticeship, job readiness, and
job certificate programs.
Quality CTE programs consist of:
■ Competency-based curriculums, materials and classroom resources, which teach specific
job skills to inmates.
■ Contemporary job skills that assist inmates with post-release employment.
■ Nationally, regionally, or industry-recognized certification or accreditation from
a state or other recognized accreditation from an association or agency.
■ Sufficient hands-on experience and/or simulation experience.
§ 544.80 Purpose and scope.
In consideration of inmate education, occupation, and leisure-time needs, the Bureau of Prisons
affords inmates the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills through academic,
occupation and leisure-time activities. All institutions, except satellite camps, detention centers
and metropolitan correctional centers, shall operate a full range of activities as outlined in this
rule.
To support inmate job skill development efforts, Satellite Prison Camps, Federal Detention
Centers (to include the Federal Transfer Center), Metropolitan Correctional Centers,
Metropolitan Detention Centers, Administrative Maximum, and Federal Medical Centers
are also strongly encouraged to offer training programs as described in Section 4 of this
program statement.
a. Program Objectives.
■ Inmates with job skill needs and interest will be provided the opportunity to
enroll in CTE training programs.
■ Where offered, inmates will receive nationally, regionally, or industry-recognized credentials.
b. Institution Supplement. None.
History
PS 5353.02 dated 2026-06-22
Provenance
- Source
- bop.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-20
- Edition
- bop-ps-2026-09-20
- Content hash
ea1679f132e3e4efa5b8ff18d50b653f392237e55f41b4ff1ce452c8b14d4671
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