BOP Program Statement 5355.04 § 4

The Bureau relies on a broad definition of parents and families as outlined in the Program

Statement Visiting Regulations. This may include immediate family members such as mother,

father, step-parents, foster parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, and children; other relatives such as

grandparents, uncles, aunts, in-laws, and cousins; and friends and associates of the inmate if a

relationship existed prior to incarceration. All information in this policy is based on this

definition unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Section 2. COMMUNICATION

Positive family relationships may reduce the likelihood of recidivism. Therefore, inmates are

provided opportunities to establish, maintain, and enhance prosocial ties with their families

through visitation, letters, email, and telephone. Inmates may be precluded from participating in

programs due to disciplinary infractions as outlined in the Program Statements Visiting

Regulations and Inmate Discipline Program.

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When an inmate is disciplined for an infraction, staff will ensure at least one method of

contacting minor children remains available. When all methods of contact with minor children

are removed for visiting related infractions, documentation is provided by the staff removing it,

to the Unit Team for notation in progress notes. When inmates receive sanctions impacting

contact with minor children, they can appeal to the CEO or Region as outlined in the Program

Statement Administrative Remedy Program on a case-by-case basis to further promote family

relationships.

As resources and local policies allow, mementos such as family photographs and arts and crafts,

made during visitation with materials provided by the institution, may be shared among the

inmate and family members. In particular, it is strongly encouraged that children be allowed to

keep these items when there is no discernible threat to security. Items allowed to be taken from

the Visiting Room are considered personal property of the visitor and may be searched according

to the Program Statement Searching, Detaining, or Arresting Visitors to Bureau Grounds

and Facilities.

Institution Admission and Orientation Handbooks include information about the importance of

family connections and ongoing communication during incarceration. Information related to

local opportunities for positive parent-child engagement, such as Children’s Day and other

family events, should also be referenced.

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Section 3. PARENTING AND FAMILY PROGRAMS

1. NATIONAL PARENTING PROGRAM

All institutions are required to offer programming from the FSA Approved Programs Guide that

meets the family/parenting need. Parenting programs are delivered via a two-phase model. The

National Parenting Program is the first phase of this model; it consists of a standardized four-

session course. This phase must be offered quarterly to inmates, with the exception of pretrial

inmates, holdover inmates, and detainees. For pretrial inmates, this phase must be offered at

least once every six months; and for holdover and detainee inmates, this phase may be offered,

although it is not required.

Any inmate who is identified as having the family/parenting need is considered for class

enrollment. Program wait lists, enrollments, and completions are tracked locally utilizing

standardized SENTRY codes.

Wardens assign the delivery of the program to Special Populations Coordinators. If the facility

does not have a Special Populations Coordinator, the Warden assigns the delivery of this

program to Reentry Affairs Coordinators or Social Workers. In the event the Special

Populations Coordinator, Reentry Affairs Coordinator, and/or Social Workers positions are

vacant, Correctional Counselors may facilitate this program until the position is filled. During

these circumstances, Correctional Counselors’ caseloads and institution staffing will be taken

into consideration when assigning this duty. The standardized material is delivered by this

person, who also completes tracking and enrollment functions.

2. SPECIALTY PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES

The second phase of parenting programming includes a series of specialized programs for

targeted segments of the parenting population, such as programs for parents of adolescent

children or those for inmates raising their grandchild. All institutions must offer phase two

programs from the FSA Approved Programs Guide to meet the individual needs of the local

population.

A list of approved programs is available on the WASPB intranet page. New programs are added

as they become available.

Wardens assign the delivery of the program to Special Populations Coordinators. If the facility

does not have a Special Populations Coordinator, the Warden assigns the delivery of this

program to Reentry Affairs Coordinators or Social Workers. In the event the Special

Populations Coordinator, Reentry Affairs Coordinator, and/or Social Workers positions are

vacant, Correctional Counselors may facilitate this program until the position is filled. During

these circumstances, Correctional Counselors’ caseloads and institution staffing will be taken

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into consideration when assigning this duty. The Warden may elect to have specialty programs

delivered by a community volunteer, but Bureau staff must provide oversight, tracking, and

enrollment functions. The facilitator must have experience with conducting groups. This

experience can include guiding support, self-help, or treatment groups in the community or

professional setting. Volunteers are not permitted to alter the programs in any way or share the

content outside of the agency.

Program wait lists, enrollments, and completions are monitored locally using standardized

SENTRY codes. Inmates who have completed the National Parenting Program are given priority

for enrollment in a phase two parenting program.

If an institution identifies a need for a parenting program that does not currently exist, the

Associate Warden of Programs contacts the WASPB for consultation. Local parenting programs

are not offered without prior consultation. Special parenting or family events are addressed via

different standards presented in the next section of this policy.

3. CHILDREN’S DAY AND OTHER FAMILY EVENTS

Annually, every institution must offer at least one event focused on children and family

engagement. Wardens assign the coordination of the event to Special Populations Coordinators.

If the facility does not have a Special Populations Coordinator, the Warden assigns the

coordination of this event to Reentry Affairs Coordinators or Social Workers. In the event the

Special Populations Coordinator, Reentry Affairs Coordinator, and/or Social Workers positions

are vacant, Correctional Counselors may coordinate this event until the position is filled. During

these circumstances, Correctional Counselors’ caseloads and institution staffing will be taken

into consideration when assigning this duty. The assigned staff member’s duties will also

include tracking functions. Events are inclusive of all inmates who are parents; however, local

facilities may set specific guidelines and participation criteria to meet the needs of their

population and/or to enhance the safety of inmates, visitors, and staff. Staff will consider

institutional conduct, such as positive program participation and lack of or reduced number of

incident reports, not just an inmate’s criminal history (as long as the safety of others is not

compromised), when allowing inmates to participate in such programs. Wardens may use these

events to incentivize inmates to participate in and complete other parenting-related courses. The

goal of these events is to promote healthy family relationships that support institutional

adjustment, successful reentry, and positive child development. While fun activities may take

place, the institution is not to be represented as anything other than a correctional setting. Inmate

and visitor dress codes, as well as safety and security regulations must be adhered to at all times.

For events that include activities other than arts and crafts, reading books, and educational

activities/games, a written justification must be available for resources used that explains costs,

including staff time. This justification must be consistent with relevant appropriation and ethics

authorities, and will be submitted to the WASPB for review at least one month prior to the

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scheduled event. Should there be costs associated with these events, the amount will be minimal

and will not include the purchase of food items. The Warden will determine an appropriate cost

center to cover expenses.

Some measure of event impact must also be included in the written justification. This will

include feedback from inmates, families, or staff.

Unstructured time is important for family bonding; however, children’s events must also include

some type of structured activity that encourages positive interaction between parent and

child(ren). Examples include creating joint art projects, reading books, or completing some sort

of lesson or workshop. All materials for these events will be provided by the institution. Items

allowed to be taken from the Visiting Room are considered personal property of the visitor and

may be searched according to the Program Statement Searching, Detaining, or Arresting

Visitors to Bureau Grounds and Facilities.

Documentation must be maintained that shows at least two community agencies were asked to

participate in the event.

Ideally, events are able to accommodate all interested and qualified inmates and families. When

space limits event capacity, priority for participation is linked to parenting program completion

or wait list status.

Transportation to family engagement events is sometimes a challenge for inmate families.

Institutions wishing to partner with non-profit organizations for this purpose should contact the

WASPB for guidance.

4. PROGRAMS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

The Bureau offers two programs for pregnant women, Mothers and Infants Together (MINT) and

the Residential Parenting Program. Information about these programs and associated referral

processes is available in the Program Statement Female Offender Manual.

Women who participate in one of these programs and return to prison, or who give birth while

incarcerated and immediately relinquish custody of the child, may be at risk for post-partum

depression. Psychologists meet with any woman who gives birth in Bureau custody to screen for

this condition and provide services accordingly.