BOP Program Statement 6270.02 § 9

Routine inmate/prisoner movement is usually accomplished via the Bureau/USMS Airlift. A

USMS-employed Flight Nurse accompanies all flights. The Flight Nurse has the authority to

exclude any inmate, including a medically re-designated, routine level inmate, from the flight

based on:

 information, or lack of information, presented in the transfer packet

 evaluation of the inmate’s current condition prior to boarding

 medical information provided on the Exit Summary

 inmate not medicated prior to transfer

 inmates without a seven-day supply of medication

6270.02 5/7/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 14

The Clinical Director and HSA at the referring institution are responsible for reviewing the most

recent Aerospace Medical Association Medical Guidelines for Air Travel.

Conditions not considered for transport on Bureau/USMS Airlift. Generally, the

following conditions will not be considered for transport on the Bureau/USMS airlift:

 type I diabetes (must be direct transfer)

 unstable cardiac conditions

 severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

 pregnancy in the third trimester and those with a history of spontaneous abortion

 exception: authorization by an obstetrician given within 72 hours of departure allowing

air travel by direct transport without holdover stops

 acute psychosis

 symptomatic sickle cell disease or previous history of attacks with air transportation

 Required sickle cell documentation and labs must be completed by medical staff and

documented in the Exit Summary prior to transfer.

 inmates who require respiratory equipment, including oxygen

 inmates who have a history of myocardial infarction (MI) with restricted ambulation and/or

suffer from angina with slight or moderate exertion

 any inmate who is unable to walk

 any dental appliance or device which prevents the mouth from opening

 hemoglobin (Hgb) that is not at least Hgb 8 mg/dL or above

 If no current laboratory information is available, travel will be approved for ground

transportation only