BOP Program Statement 5580.10 § 2

(a) Numerical limitations. Authorized personal property may be subject to numerical

limitations. The institution's Admission and Orientation program shall include notification to

the inmate of any numerical limitations in effect at the institution and a current list of any

numerical limitations shall be posted on inmate unit bulletin boards.

(b) Storage space. Staff shall set aside space within each housing area for use by an inmate.

The designated area shall include a locker or other securable area in which the inmate is to

store authorized personal property. The inmate shall be allowed to purchase an approved

locking device for personal property storage in regular living units. Staff may not allow an

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inmate to accumulate materials to the point where the materials become a fire, sanitation,

security, or housekeeping hazard.

The amount of space provided depends upon the number of inmates assigned to that housing

area. Allowing an inmate to retain excess personal property increases the likelihood property will

be damaged or lost and thereby increases the risk for liability claims. See the Program Statement

Inmate Property Claims for additional information. By providing secured space and adhering

to guidelines on retention of property, the individual inmate has responsibility for securing their

personal property.

Based on available storage space, the Warden may set limits locally, on the amount of

commissary, newspapers, magazines, etc., each inmate may retain.

(c) Clothing. Civilian clothing (i.e., clothing not issued to the inmate by the Bureau or

purchased by the inmate from the commissary) ordinarily is not authorized for retention by the

inmate. Civilian clothing which previously had been approved for retention may not be

retained after August 6, 1999. Prerelease civilian clothing for an inmate may be retained by

staff in the Receiving and Discharge area during the last 30 days of the inmate's confinement.

Additionally, all inmates are prohibited from wearing any clothing not issued by the government

or purchased in the commissary.

The Warden must restrict inmate clothing colors to the following:

■ For male inmates, only gray and/or white clothing may be sold.

■ For female inmates, only pastel green, gray, and/or white clothing may be sold.

The only exception is for religious headgear. Inmates may only purchase athletic shoes from the

commissary.

(d) Legal materials. Staff may allow an inmate to possess legal materials in accordance with

the provisions on inmate legal activities (see § 543.11 of this chapter).

(e) Hobbycraft materials. Staff shall limit an inmate's hobby shop projects within the cell or

living area to those projects which the inmate may store in designated personal property

containers. Staff may make an exception for an item (for example, a painting) where size

would prohibit placing the item in a locker. This exception is made with the understanding that

the placement of the item is at the inmate's own risk. Staff shall require that hobby shop items

be removed from the living area when completed, and be disposed of in accordance with the

provisions of part 544, subpart D, of this chapter.

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Part 544, Subpart D refers to the Program Statement Recreation Programs, Inmate which

establishes limits on the amount of hobbycraft materials which can be purchased quarterly.

(f) Radios and Watches. An inmate may possess only one approved radio and one approved

watch at a time. The inmate must be able to demonstrate proof of ownership. An inmate who

purchases a radio or watch through a Bureau of Prisons commissary is ordinarily permitted the

use of that radio or watch at any Bureau institution if the inmate is later transferred. If the

inmate is not allowed to use the radio or watch at the new institution, the inmate shall be

permitted to mail, at the receiving institution's expense, the radio or watch to a destination of

the inmate's choice. Where the inmate refuses to provide a mailing address, the radio and/or

watch may be disposed of through approved methods, including destruction of the property.

Inmates may have one approved MP3 player in lieu of a radio. They are also authorized to

purchase one tablet, if locally approved. Appropriate department heads (e.g., Supervisor of

Education, Supervisory Chaplain, Unit Manager) may provide this type of equipment for use by

inmates participating in self-study courses or other programs.

Smartwatches or watches with stones are not authorized. The declared value must be $100 or

less.

(g) Education Program Materials. Education program materials or current correspondence

courses may be retained even if not stored as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

Once an inmate completes a religious, educational, or programming course, they may keep the

books and materials related to the course as part of their personal correspondence and reading

materials.

(h) Personal Photos. An inmate may possess photographs, subject to the limitations of

paragraph (b) of this section, so long as they are not detrimental to personal safety or security,

or to the good order of the institution.

A personal photograph is defined as a photograph intended for individual viewing, as opposed to

a photograph published for commercial use. Personal photographs may be stored or displayed in

the inmate’s assigned locker within their living quarter according to local sanitation and

cleanliness guidelines. Ordinarily, photographs, particularly those of family and friends, are

approved. Polaroid photos are not authorized.

Inmates are authorized to have up to 25 loose photographs. In addition, they are authorized one

photo album with properly stored photos.

Sexually explicit material is not authorized. Refer to the Program Statement Correspondence for

further guidance.

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Refer to the Program Statement Incoming Publications for photographs purchased, printed or

received from a publisher, social media, or online printing company.

i. Religious Items. When an inmate is committed, they may keep religious items approved by

the Warden.

Ordinarily, inmates are allowed to possess one non-metallic religious medallion and chain with

no stones. The item must not have a declared value of more than $100.

The Warden must authorize the retention of religious items unless those items pose a security

risk or interfere with the orderly running of the institution.

Inmates cannot receive religious items from home.

Religious clothing and accessories include, but are not limited to:

■ prayer shawls and robes,

■ Kurda or ribbon shirts,

■ medals and pendants (as noted above),

■ medicine pouches, and

■ various types of approved headwear.

Inmates may only purchase personal religious items from the commissary or a Chaplain-

approved catalogue using the BP-A0200, Special Purchase Order Request – Inmate form.

process. Guidance for approved religious headwear and clothing is detailed in the Program

Statement Religious Beliefs and Practices.

Religious headwear is permitted in all areas of the institution, subject to normal considerations of

security and good order, including inspection by staff.

Religious headwear and/or attire which has been altered without staff approval is contraband.

j. Awards. Bureau departments such as Education, UNICOR, Psychology, and Recreation may

provide awards to recognize inmate achievements.

k. Packages from Home. Inmates may only receive packages from home that contain release

clothing and authorized medical devices.

Release clothing can be received within the last 30 days of confinement and will be stored in

Receiving and Discharge (R&D).

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Medical devices such as hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, wheelchairs, braces, orthopedic

shoes, and artificial limbs are authorized if medically required and approved by the Health

Services Administrator.

l. Inmates with Disabilities. Wardens will take steps to reasonably accommodate inmates with

disabilities in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination

against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal assistance.