Frequently Asked Questions regarding potential inmate home confinement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the surge in positive cases at select sites and in response to the Attorney General Barr's directives, the BOP began immediately reviewing all inmates who have COVID-19 risk factors, as described by the CDC, to determine which inmates are suitable for home confinement. Since the release of the Attorney General's original memo
to the Bureau of Prisons on March 26, 2020 instructing us to prioritize home confinement as an appropriate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BOP has significantly increased its placement of offenders on home confinement. Currently, the BOP has --- inmates on home confinement.
The total number of inmates placed in home confinement from March 26, 2020 to the present
(including inmates who have completed service of their sentence) is
---.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The eligibility requirements for an inmate to be considered for Home Confinement are
set forth in the Attorney General's March 26 and April 3, 2020 Memoranda:
All inmates are reviewed for placement in Residential Reentry Centers and Home
Confinement near the end of their sentence in accordance with the Second Chance Act
and First Step Act. Every effort is being made to review inmates with impending
releases dates for placement in Residential Reentry Centers.
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
Submitting inmate names is not necessary. BOP staff are able to run and establish
lists of inmates who meet the guidance provided by the Attorney General. This
process ensures that all eligible inmates who meet the criteria are reviewed and
considered for movement to Home Confinement.
The BOP has identified a cohort of inmates eligible for review under the expanded
guidelines. Staff are working diligently to process applications as quickly as
possible for those that meet the eligibility requirements for Home Confinement.
You may assist the incarcerated individual by helping him or her develop a viable
release plan with appropriate housing in the community.
We ask that you do not call or contact the institution, as staff are not able
to discuss an individual's eligibility due to privacy concerns.
INMATES IN RDAP
Community Treatment Services (CTS) is the third required component of the
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) that inmates must successfully complete in the
community to finish RDAP and earn a 3621(e) early release. Inmates can still
complete this requirement while on home confinement, as long as they participate in
required counseling. Inmates who are currently participating in the unit-based
component of RDAP must complete this component before they can be placed on home
confinement.
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENT
Yes. In order to protect the public, prior to transfer to home confinement, all
inmates must be quarantined at an appropriate BOP facility for 14 days. As the
Bureau identifies potential priority candidates for Home Confinement, they will
begin to start the quarantine process, regardless of whether they have officially
been approved for Home Confinement. This step should enable those inmates to move
out of the facility sooner, upon identification and verification of a suitable
living situation.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation from the institution to the approved residence may be provided by
any approved visitor on the inmate's visitation list. This option is especially
important, as public transportation options may currently be limited in many areas
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RECONSIDERATION
Yes. Inmates who have an updated home situation should raise that issue with their
case manager to see if that new setting makes them better suited to Home
Confinement.