SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2009
Disciplinary Matters In Federal Prison--Part 1
Through nine months at Taft Camp, I've seen many inmates escorted to SHU (Segregated Housing Unit). A month or so ago I wrote a blog about my friend Albert who, as a result of mouthing off to an officer, spent 30 days in SHU, 24 of them sleeping on the cold unfinished concrete floor. Since launching this blog last October, I've yet to address the disciplinary process which leads inmates to the SHU or a transfer to a higher security prison or even new criminal charges.
Studying BOP (Bureau of Prisons) policy and interviewing inmates taught me a great deal about this seemingly one-sided process. Incoming inmates should familiarize themselves with the rigid rules outlined by the institution. My next four blogs will cover the four stages of the disciplinary process: shots; unit disciplinary committee; disciplinary hearing officers and effects and administrative remedy.
Prior to my incarceration I made almost every mistake in the book while traveling through the criminal justice system. Had I continued on that dangerous road, my sentence could have been a disaster. Instead, I've focused on activities that bring meaning and value to my life. This approach has helped me avoid altercations with both staff and other inmates. When inmates choose a different path, the initial disciplinary result is a "shot".
Any staff member - officer, secretary, warden, chaplain - has the authority to write an inmate disciplinary infraction. In federal prison these infractions are called shots. When an inmate arrives at the institution, he's given a handbook which, amongst other items, details all prohibited acts. I strongly encourage all incoming inmates to read their handbook rather than disposing of it like many do. Prison is a different world and inmates are often taken back when they learn (the hard way) what constitutes an infraction.
There are four levels of prohibited acts coded as greatest (100 series), high (200 series), moderate (300 series) and low moderate (400 series). 100 series shots include rape, murder, rioting and drug dealing. (Mom .. no need to worry as these things do not happen at camps). 200 series shots include stealing, fighting and drinking. 300 series shots are being out of bounds, disobeying an order or having contraband such as a lighter or unapproved pills. 400 series shots (the most common) include running a business or being late to work.
According to BOP policy, any staff member who chooses to write a shot must notify the inmate within 24 hours of the time the staff member becomes aware of the incident. If the shot is serious (100 or 200 series), the inmate will likely be placed in handcuffs and taken to the SHU. For 300 and 400 series shots, the inmate will likely be released to the compound.
Tomorrow, in part two of my series I'll discuss the Unit Disciplinary Committee.
