BOP Program Statement 6270.02 § 8

a. Air Ambulance. The Clinical Director must certify the inmate is stable before a transfer.

Normally, a Flight Nurse or Physician staffs an air ambulance. Air ambulance is utilized for

inmates who are bed bound, cannot maintain a seated position for transfer, or will require in-flight medical care.

 If contract medical staff are not available, the referring institution will be responsible for

assigning medical escort staff.

 Bureau medical staff are normally not required on these flights.

b. Air Charter. Generally referred to as Specialized Operation Air Program (SOAP) flights, are

private flights typically utilized for emergent/Routine Urgent travel over 400 miles. The Clinical

Director must certify the inmate is stable before transfer. The Clinical Director at the referring

institution will determine the type of health care provider necessary to accompany the inmate to

the receiving institution.

c. Ground Ambulance. The Clinical Director must certify the inmate is stable before transfer.

A ground ambulance may be used to transfer inmates who are near an MRC, e.g., USP

Leavenworth to USMCFP Springfield.

 Emergency care while en route is normally provided by the ambulance

paramedics/EMTs.

6270.02 5/7/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 13

d. Institution Vehicle. Institution vehicles may be used to transfer inmates who are near an

MRC, e.g. USP Leavenworth to USMCFP Springfield.

 An institution vehicle may be used for emergency and direct transfers if the Clinical

Director certifies this is a safe and appropriate mode of transportation.

 The Clinical Director at the referring institution will determine the type of health care

provider and medical equipment necessary to accompany the inmate to the receiving

institution.

e. Commercial Air. The Warden may authorize commercial air transportation for Routine and

Routine Urgent transfers except rare instances when an emergency transfer may be transferred by

commercial air if approved by the Clinical Director and Warden. The Clinical Director must

certify the inmate’s condition is stable.

 Inmates for whom an MRC was designated for mental health treatment will not be

transported by commercial air.

 The referring Clinical Director will determine the type of health care provider and

medical equipment necessary to accompany the inmate.

f. Bureau/ United States Marshals Service (USMS) Airlift. Justice Prisoner and Alien

Transportation System (JPATS) partners with the Bureau and the USMS to transfer

inmates/defendants. They have an intricate system of airlifts and buses strategically structured to

transport inmates across the United States. JPATS utilizes airlifts to transport a large number of

inmates to a region who are then transferred to their designated institution by bus.

 This may be used for Routine transfers only.

g. Bureau Bus. This may be used only for Routine transfers when it is the most efficient means

of transfer.