Security scores, facility placement, and FSA earned time credits explained.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO
BOP Custody Classification,
Prison Designation & the First Step Act
How Your Score Is Calculated, Where You Go, How It Changes, and What It Means for Early Release
Part 1: The Big Picture – How Classification Works
The Bureau of Prisons uses a point-based scoring system to make two separate but related decisions about every federal inmate: (1) what security level institution you will be housed in, and (2) what custody level you will be assigned within that institution. These two decisions determine virtually everything about your daily life in prison – where you sleep, what work you can do, whether you can go outside the fence, and ultimately how quickly you can move toward release.
The governing document is Program Statement 5100.08 (Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification), updated by Change Notice CN-1 in September 2019 to incorporate the First Step Act. All classification decisions are made at the Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC) in Grand Prairie, Texas, based on data entered into the SENTRY computer system.
Part 2: Institution Security Levels
BOP institutions are classified into five security levels based on the physical features of the facility and the level of staffing:
| Level | Characteristics |
| MINIMUM (Federal Prison Camps) | No perimeter fencing or only a single fence. Low staff-to-inmate ratio. Dormitory housing. Work details outside the facility with minimal supervision. Adjacent to or near a larger institution or military base. Approximately 17% of the federal prison population. |
| LOW | Double-fenced perimeters. Dormitory or cubicle housing. Higher staff-to-inmate ratio than minimum. Work assignments inside the secure perimeter. Some outside work details with supervision. |
| MEDIUM | Double fences with electronic detection systems. Primarily locked cell housing (two or three-person rooms). Higher staff ratios. Controlled movement. Internal security patrols. |
| HIGH (U.S. Penitentiaries / USPs) | Reinforced fences or walls. Single or double-cell housing. Highest staff-to-inmate ratio. Very controlled movement. Close supervision of all daily activities. |
| ADMINISTRATIVE | Special mission facilities that can house inmates of any security level. Includes Metropolitan Detention Centers (pretrial), Federal Medical Centers, and the ADX Florence supermax. Security varies by mission. |
★ KEY POINT: Your security level determines WHICH institution you go to. Your custody level determines WHAT you can do once you’re there. They are separate calculations.
Part 3: How Your Security Score Is Calculated
The DSCC calculates your security score using data from the Presentence Investigation Report (PSR), the Judgment in a Criminal Case, the Statement of Reasons (SOR), and information from the U.S. Marshals Service. The score is entered on the BP-337 (Inmate Load and Security Designation Form). Here are the scoring categories:
The Security Point Categories
| Category | How It Works |
| 1. Severity of Current Offense | Points are assigned based on the most severe documented offense BEHAVIOR, not necessarily the conviction offense. The BOP looks at the actual conduct described in the PSR, not just what you pled to. Scored from Appendix A of P.S. 5100.08 (Offense Severity Scale). The more serious the conduct, the more points. |
| 2. Criminal History Score | Derived from your Criminal History Points as calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines (Chapter 4 of the Guidelines Manual). Higher criminal history = more points. Falls into one of six categories. |
| 3. History of Escape or Attempts | Any documented escape or escape attempt is scored by severity. “Minor” escapes (from minimum security, no violence) score lower than “serious” escapes (from higher security, violence, or threat of violence). |
| 4. History of Violence | Any documented act of violence is assessed by the underlying conduct. This includes both criminal convictions AND institutional incidents. The severity of the act matters, not just the finding or conviction. |
| 5. Type of Detainers | Active detainers or pending charges are scored based on severity. Higher-severity detainers add more points. |
| 6. Age | Your current age. Younger inmates generally score higher (more points = higher security). Age is a recognized predictor of recidivism risk. |
| 7. Education Level | Your level of educational attainment at the time of designation. Higher education = fewer points. |
| 8. Drug/Alcohol Abuse | Whether there is a documented history of substance abuse within the past five years. This is based on what the BOP’s records show, not what you claim. |
| 9. Voluntary Surrender | If the court allowed you to self-surrender to BOP custody (not a supervised release violation), three points are SUBTRACTED from your security total. This is the only factor that reduces your score and can mean the difference between a camp and a low. |
The total of all points = your Security Point Score. This score maps to a security level:
| Score Range | Security Level |
| 0–11 points | MINIMUM security |
| 12–15 points | LOW security |
| 16–23 points | MEDIUM security |
| 24+ points | HIGH security |
⛔ WARNING: These ranges are approximate and can be adjusted by Management Variables and Public Safety Factors (described below). Your score alone does not guarantee a particular placement.
Public Safety Factors (PSFs)
Public Safety Factors can OVERRIDE your security score and force you into a higher security level regardless of your points. PSFs evaluate underlying risks that the point score may not capture:
| PSF | What Triggers It |
| Sex Offense | Any sex offense conviction or documented sexually abusive behavior. |
| Threat to Government Officials | Documented threats against public officials, judges, law enforcement. |
| Deportable Alien | Non-U.S. citizen subject to deportation proceedings. |
| Sentence Length | Sentences of 30+ years or life. |
| Serious Escape | Prior serious escape or escape attempt from a secure facility. |
| Prison Disturbance | History of participation in prison riots or disturbances. |
| Greatest Severity Offense | Conviction for the most severe offenses on the Offense Severity Scale. |
| Males with Violent Convictions | Male inmates with disqualifying violent offenses under certain categories. |
PSFs can be waived by the DSCC Administrator. If a PSF is waived, the inmate can be placed at the security level indicated by their score. If not waived, the PSF dictates a higher placement. Furloughs and other privileges may require PSF waivers as well.
Management Variables (MGTVs)
Management Variables allow BOP staff to adjust your security level up or down based on professional judgment when the score doesn’t fully reflect your needs. A Management Variable is REQUIRED whenever an inmate is placed at a level inconsistent with their score. Common MGTVs include: Greater Security (for protection cases, ongoing investigations, high-profile cases), Lesser Security (for inmates who score higher but have demonstrated exceptional institutional adjustment), Medical/Psychiatric needs, Judicial Recommendation, Population Management, and Central Inmate Monitoring.
Part 4: Custody Classification – What You Can Do Inside
Once you’re designated to an institution, a SEPARATE scoring process determines your custody level within that facility. This is calculated on the BP-338 (Custody Classification Form) and reviewed regularly.
The Four Custody Levels
| Level | What It Means |
| COMMUNITY | The LOWEST custody. You may be housed outside the secure perimeter. You can work on outside details with minimal supervision. You are eligible for community-based programs, furloughs, and the most open movement. This is the custody level required for transfer to an RRC (halfway house) and for most First Step Act prerelease transfers. |
| OUT | Second lowest. You may be assigned to less secure housing. You are eligible for work details OUTSIDE the institution’s secure perimeter with a minimum of two-hour intermittent staff supervision. You can be transferred to another institution via transfer furlough. |
| IN | Second highest. You are assigned to regular quarters and eligible for regular work assignments under normal supervision. You are NOT eligible for work outside the secure perimeter. |
| MAXIMUM | The HIGHEST custody. You require ultimate control and supervision. Assigned to the most restrictive quarters and work assignments. Reserved for inmates identified as assaultive, predacious, riotous, serious escape risks, or seriously disruptive. Change to or from MAXIMUM must be thoroughly justified on the BP-338. |
★ KEY POINT: COMMUNITY custody is the gateway to everything: halfway house, home confinement, furloughs, transfer furloughs, and First Step Act prerelease placements. Getting to COMMUNITY custody is one of the most important milestones in a federal sentence.
How Custody Score Is Calculated (BP-338)
The BP-338 has two sections. Section B is the Base Score (largely static factors similar to the security score). Section C is the Custody Score, which evaluates institutional adjustment and changes over time:
| Factor | How It’s Scored |
| Percentage of Time Served | How much of your sentence you have completed. More time served = lower score. This is the built-in mechanism by which custody improves over time. |
| Severity of Current Offense | Same as the security score – based on actual conduct documented in the PSR. |
| History of Violence | Same as security score. |
| History of Escape | Same as security score. |
| Voluntary Surrender | Three-point reduction if applicable. |
| Drug/Alcohol Abuse | Documented history in past five years. |
| Age | Current age at time of review. |
| Education Level | Attainment level. |
| Living Skills | Assessment of daily functioning and self-management. |
| Program Participation | Active engagement in recommended programs. Completing programs REDUCES your custody score. |
| Family/Community Ties | Strength of outside support network. Documented relationships, verified release plans. |
| Disciplinary Record | Incident reports (100, 200, 300-level) within specified timeframes. Clean conduct = lower score. This is the single most controllable factor. |
Custody reviews happen regularly – ordinarily every 12 months for inmates at LOW or MINIMUM security, and every 6 months for those at MEDIUM or HIGH. Your unit team reviews the BP-338 and can recommend custody changes based on your updated scores.
Part 5: How Designation to a Specific Prison Works
After the DSCC calculates your security score and applies any PSFs or MGTVs, they designate you to a specific institution. Under the First Step Act (amending 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b)), the BOP must place inmates within 500 driving miles of their primary residence to the extent practicable. The DSCC considers:
Your security level (as determined by the scoring system).
Bed availability at facilities within 500 miles of your release residence.
Your programmatic needs (RDAP, sex offender treatment, educational programs, mental health treatment).
Your medical and mental health care level.
Judicial recommendations from the sentencing court.
Faith-based program requests (added by the First Step Act).
Separation needs (co-defendants, enemies, protection concerns).
Population management needs across the BOP system.
The DSCC aims to complete designation within seven business days of receiving all case documents. If you have a serious medical condition, the BOP’s Office of Medical Designations and Transportation may also review the case.
⚠ TIP: The PSR is the most important document in your designation. It contains the offense conduct, criminal history, and personal information that the DSCC uses for scoring. Challenge inaccurate information in the PSR BEFORE sentencing if possible – it follows you through your entire federal sentence.
Part 6: How Your Custody and Security Level Change Over Time
Your classification is not permanent. It is reviewed and recalculated throughout your sentence. Here is how movement happens:
Routine Reviews
Your unit team reviews your custody classification (BP-338) at least annually (every 12 months at minimum/low, every 6 months at medium/high). At each review, updated scores are calculated. If your score has dropped due to time served, clean conduct, program completion, and aging, your custody level may be reduced – for example, from IN to OUT, or from OUT to COMMUNITY.
Redesignation (Transfers)
If your security score has dropped enough to qualify for a lower-security institution, your unit team can submit a redesignation request to the DSCC. The DSCC reviews the request and, if approved, transfers you to a lower-security facility. Common triggers: completing a significant percentage of your sentence, dropping below the threshold for your current security level, clean disciplinary record, or the need for a program available at another facility.
How Custody Gets WORSE
Your custody and security level can increase due to:
Disciplinary incidents (especially 100 and 200-level severity) – this is the #1 cause of upward movement.
New criminal charges or detainers filed during incarceration.
Escape or attempted escape.
Application of a new Public Safety Factor.
Institutional violence, threats, or disruptive behavior.
SHU (Special Housing Unit) placement for disciplinary reasons.
⛔ WARNING: A single serious incident report can undo years of good conduct and move you from minimum security back to medium or higher. The most important thing any inmate can do is avoid disciplinary infractions. Nothing else in the classification system is as controllable – or as consequential.
Part 7: The First Step Act Connection
The First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-391) changed federal prison in three ways that directly connect to custody classification and designation:
1. The 500-Mile Placement Requirement
The Act amended 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b) to require the BOP to place inmates within 500 driving miles of their primary residence, subject to bed availability, security needs, and program needs. The 2019 Change Notice (CN-1) to P.S. 5100.08 formally incorporated this requirement into the designation process. This means your release residence directly influences which institutions are available to you.
2. PATTERN Risk Assessment
The First Step Act required the Attorney General to develop the PATTERN (Prisoner Assessment Tool Targeting Estimated Risk and Needs) system to evaluate every inmate’s risk of recidivism. PATTERN assigns one of four risk levels:
| PATTERN Level | What It Means for FSA Credits |
| MINIMUM Risk | Lowest recidivism risk. Earns the enhanced credit rate (15 days per 30 days of programming). Most favorable for FSA credit application. |
| LOW Risk | Second lowest. Also earns 15 days per 30 days after two consecutive low-or-minimum assessments. Eligible for FSA credit application. |
| MEDIUM Risk | Higher risk. Earns the base rate (10 days per 30 days). Generally NOT eligible to APPLY credits toward prerelease custody unless the Warden makes an exception. |
| HIGH Risk | Highest risk. Earns the base rate (10 days per 30 days). Generally NOT eligible to apply credits. The Warden can approve exceptions if the inmate has made good-faith efforts to reduce risk. |
PATTERN is separate from your BOP custody classification, but they overlap significantly. Many of the same factors that reduce your custody score (clean conduct, program completion, aging, education) also reduce your PATTERN score. Improving one tends to improve the other.
★ KEY POINT: PATTERN assessments happen at least annually (some are quarterly). Your PATTERN score can improve over time. You MUST take the PATTERN assessment survey as soon as you arrive at your facility. No survey = no earned time credits. Find the survey on the institutional computers.
3. Earned Time Credits (ETCs) – The Early Release Mechanism
This is where custody classification meets early release. Here is how FSA Earned Time Credits work:
| Detail | How It Works |
| Earning Rate (Minimum/Low PATTERN) | 15 days of credit for every 30 days of successful participation in approved EBRR programs or Productive Activities (after maintaining minimum/low risk for two consecutive assessments). |
| Earning Rate (Medium/High PATTERN) | 10 days of credit for every 30 days of participation. Credits accrue but generally cannot be APPLIED until PATTERN score improves. |
| What Credits Buy | Earlier transfer to prerelease custody (halfway house or home confinement) OR earlier placement onto supervised release. Credits do NOT reduce the sentence itself – they move you out of secure BOP custody sooner. |
| Eligibility to Apply Credits | You must have earned enough credits to cover the remaining time AND maintained minimum/low PATTERN for two consecutive assessments AND not have a disqualifying offense. |
| Disqualifying Offenses | Violent crimes, terrorism, espionage, human trafficking, sex offenses, repeat felon-in-possession, high-level drug offenses, and others listed in 18 U.S.C. § 3632(d)(4)(D). These inmates can still earn other incentives but NOT time credits. |
| Losing Credits | Disciplinary infractions can result in loss of earned credits. The BOP has a process for earning back lost credits through subsequent good conduct and programming. |
The FSA Conditional Placement Date (FCPD)
In a significant operational shift, the BOP now anchors inmate management decisions to the FSA Conditional Placement Date (FCPD) – also called the time credit worksheet date. This is the projected date when an inmate, based on their earned time credits, should be eligible for prerelease custody or supervised release.
Previously, the BOP used a Projected Placement Date that only reflected credits earned to date. The FCPD projects forward, assuming continued programming and good conduct. The BOP now directs staff to use this date for:
Classification and reclassification decisions – if your FCPD shows you’re nearing the prerelease window, your team can initiate reclassification sooner.
Facility placement – inmates approaching their FCPD may be transferred to lower-security facilities or camps to prepare for transition.
RRC/home confinement planning – the FCPD drives when staff begin the paperwork for halfway house or home confinement placement.
★ KEY POINT: This is a major cultural shift. The BOP is effectively saying that earned time credits are the organizing principle for how inmates move through the system. If your FCPD shows you’re within 12–18 months of release, push your unit team to begin reclassification and RRC planning. Reports indicate this policy change will move over 1,500 people from low-security facilities to minimum-security camps.
Part 8: Putting It All Together – The Typical Path
Here is how the system works in practice for a typical federal inmate:
SENTENCING: The judge imposes a sentence. The PSR, Judgment, and SOR are sent to the DSCC.
INITIAL DESIGNATION: The DSCC enters your data into SENTRY, calculates your security score, applies any PSFs or MGTVs, and designates you to a specific institution within 500 miles of your release residence.
ARRIVAL: You arrive at the designated facility. Staff assign your initial custody level (typically IN for most new commitments). You take the PATTERN assessment survey.
FIRST YEAR: You participate in recommended EBRR programs and Productive Activities. Credits begin accruing. Your PATTERN score is assessed.
ANNUAL REVIEWS: Your unit team reviews your BP-338. If your scores have improved (time served, clean conduct, programs), your custody may drop from IN to OUT. Your PATTERN score is reassessed.
CONTINUED PROGRESSION: Over successive reviews, your custody drops from OUT to COMMUNITY. Your security score may also drop enough to qualify for redesignation to a lower-security facility.
FSA CREDIT APPLICATION: Once you have COMMUNITY custody, a minimum/low PATTERN for two consecutive assessments, and enough accrued credits, you become eligible for prerelease placement.
PRERELEASE: You transfer to an RRC (halfway house), home confinement, or supervised release – potentially months or even a year or more earlier than your original projected release date.
⛔ WARNING: The path described above is the ideal. Reality involves waitlists for programs, inconsistent credit calculations across facilities, staff turnover, transfer delays, and the ever-present risk that a single disciplinary incident can reset the clock. Be persistent, document everything, and use the administrative remedy process to challenge errors.
Part 9: What Families Can Do
Understand the scoring system: Read P.S. 5100.08. Use online security point calculators to estimate your loved one’s score. Knowledge is leverage.
Challenge the PSR: Before sentencing, work with the defense attorney to correct inaccuracies in the Presentence Investigation Report. Every factual error in the PSR becomes a permanent scoring input.
Request judicial recommendations: Ask the sentencing judge to recommend a specific facility, camp placement, RDAP participation, or other programs. Judicial recommendations are a factor in designation.
Request voluntary surrender: If safety allows, request that the judge allow self-surrender. The three-point deduction can be the difference between a camp and a low.
Document family ties: Strong verified family/community ties reduce the custody score. Provide documentation of family relationships, employment offers, housing plans, and community support.
Push for program access: If your loved one is on a waitlist for RDAP or other programs, advocate. Contact the case manager, the unit team, and if needed, file through the administrative remedy process.
Monitor PATTERN assessments: Ask your loved one about their PATTERN score at every assessment. If it seems wrong, they should challenge it through the administrative remedy process.
Track the FCPD: The FSA Conditional Placement Date should be on your loved one’s sentence computation sheet. If it’s not being used to drive classification decisions, raise it with the unit team.
Key Legal References
| Reference | Description |
| P.S. 5100.08 | Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification (Sept. 2006). |
| P.S. 5100.08 CN-1 | First Step Act Change Notice (Sept. 4, 2019). |
| 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b) | Placement of inmates – 500-mile requirement, designation factors. |
| 18 U.S.C. § 3632 | First Step Act risk/needs assessment and earned time credits. |
| 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b) | Good conduct time (separate from FSA credits). |
| 18 U.S.C. § 3624(g) | Application of FSA time credits toward prerelease/supervised release. |
| 28 C.F.R. Part 523, Subpart E | Regulations governing FSA Time Credits. |
| P.S. 5410.01 CN-2 | First Step Act Time Credits computation procedures. |
| BP-337 | Inmate Load and Security Designation Form (initial security scoring). |
| BP-338 | Custody Classification Form (custody level scoring and reviews). |
| DSCC | Designation and Sentence Computation Center, Grand Prairie, Texas. |
Prepared as a public resource by DrPrison.org
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