BOP Program Statement 5353.02 § 3

The following Bureau components are responsible for ensuring consistent establishment of

CTE programs, services, and resource allocations.

a. Central Office Education Services Branch (ESB). The ESB is the agency’s source for

expertise on the development, coordination, and management of CTE programs.

Specifically, the ESB is responsible for the following functions:

■ Providing national oversight of CTE programs and initiatives for the inmate population.

■ Identifying and developing CTE programs in high-demand career fields which

pay a living wage and meet the needs of the inmate population.

■ Developing a comprehensive list of CTE programs institutions may implement.

■ Preparing budgetary requests and managing the distribution of CTE program funds.

■ Coordinating with Regional Education Administrators (REAs) and institutions to

implement and monitor CTE programs.

■ Representing the Bureau at internal and external events/conferences by providing

information regarding inmate CTE programs.

■ Providing leadership and guidance to regional and institution staff.

■ Developing and providing staff training to enhance job performance.

■ Monitoring and reporting CTE program performance and outcomes to internal and

external Bureau stakeholders.

ESB staff will meet regularly with other Central Office Reentry Services Division staff to

discuss issues affecting CTE programs. During these meetings, the ESB staff will share

program participation and outcome information.

b. Regional Education Administrators (REAs).

■ Ensuring all Bureau institutions in their region offer CTE programs.

■ Serving as a liaison between the ESB and the field regarding issues and concerns

affecting CTE program offerings at the institutions in their region.

■ Providing oversight to institutions regarding the implementation and monitoring of new

and existing CTE programs approved by ESB.

c. Institutions.

■ Consulting with the respective REA and ESB to establish and expand CTE programs and

5353.02 6/22/2026 Federal Regulations from 28 CFR: this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 3

services that target the needs and interests of the inmate population.

■ Tracking participation in programs by updating the applicable Bureau inmate

management system and other databases as appropriate.

■ Monitoring and reporting of CTE program performance and outcomes.

■ Providing training to Education staff on the proper use of education group codes in the

applicable Bureau inmate management system.

■ Establish written enrollment and approval procedures for CTE programs to be

discussed during Admission and Orientation and posted on the Education Department

bulletin board.

3. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

§ 544.51 Procedures.

(a) Eligibility. All inmates are eligible to participate in an institution's occupational education

program. An eligible inmate must apply through the inmate's unit team for placement

consideration. The unit team will determine whether the occupational education course is

appropriate for the inmate's apparent needs.

(b) Special considerations for inmates under orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal:

(1) Generally, inmates under orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal may participate in

an institution's occupational education program if Bureau resources permit after meeting the

needs of other eligible inmates.

(2) Inmates under orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal who the Attorney General has

determined cannot be removed from the United States because the designated country of

removal will not accept the inmate's return are exempted from the limitation in paragraph

(b)(1) of this section, and may participate in an institution's occupational education in the

same manner as other eligible inmates.

In accordance with the Program Statement First Step Act Needs Assessment, Programming

and Incentives, inmates who wish to enroll in CTE programs must consult their Unit

Management team at a regularly scheduled program review. Based on the Unit Management

team’s recommendations, the inmate must then request enrollment in the appropriate program

through Education. Education staff will determine an inmate’s academic eligibility for

enrollment, and if appropriate, add the inmate to the waiting list. Education staff will make

notifications of their action via Insight Feedback in the Insight Application Suite prior to the

inmate’s next program review meeting. Inmates with an identified work need on the Needs

Assessment portion of the Risk and Needs Assessment System will be given enrollment priority.

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