BOP Program Statement 5525.01 § 2

a. Lockdown. A total cessation of normal institution operations to maintain or restore the safety

and security of an institution, staff, and inmates. During a lockdown, inmates are typically

confined to their cells for extended periods, significantly restricting their movement and

activities. A full lockdown is only authorized by the Warden or designee and should be limited to

situations having broad security implications which cannot be isolated or resolved to allow for

lesser security restrictions.

b. Modified Operations. A precise, temporary security measure within a correctional

institution, allowing for targeted restrictions in specific isolated areas while maintaining standard

activities in unaffected areas of the institution. This approach involves restrictions on movement

to certain areas, changes to daily routines, or the suspension of specific programs to isolate and

contain a security threat or vulnerability and manage risk while allowing the least restrictive

operation conducive to the orderly running of the institution. Modified operations are only

authorized by the Warden or designee.

5525.01 5/7/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 2

c. Temporarily Secured. An institution may be temporarily secured for emergent or non-emergent reasons such as conducting a preliminary investigation following an incident,

conducting controlled maintenance, staff recalls, and other regulated events not considered

lockdown or modified operations requiring reporting procedures. These instances should be

limited to the time required to facilitate these events and ordinarily should not extend past one

operational shift. The Warden or the highest-ranking Correctional Supervisor is authorized to

temporarily secure the institution when deemed necessary.