Staying up to date with the Bureau of Prisons news and trends is a difficult task. One reason is that the prisons and other facilities are so far apart. While all of the institutions in this system fall under US Bureau of Prisons control, many are state bureau of prisons offices or private sector companies.

Use the following suggestions to stay up to date on all the latest Bureau of Prisons news and trends.

1. Stay up to date on the current events happening in the Bureau of Prisons system.

2. Search the inmate database to find out the earliest release dates and other information for federal prisoners.

3. Keep track of the latest available statistics concerning the Bureau of Prisons.

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Find out about current events in the Bureau of Prisons system

Things change a lot in federal prisons. Keeping up to date with what is going on in the Federal Bureau of Prisons system is a full time job unless you know where to look for comprehensive information.

I recommend: The American Civil Liberties Union offers RSS feeds for numerous blogs that offer information about the Bureau of Prisons. Examiner.com offers current information about things happening in the Bureau of Prisons, even on the state level, such as situations in the Louisiana Bureau of Prisons, including updates on legal cases brought against the Bureau by inmates.

Learn about inmate public records with the Bureau of Prisons

Because of the seriousness of their crimes, federal inmates are closely monitored. In some cases, employers may feel the need to search the Bureau of Prisons public databases to find out if an applicant for a job has a record. Other times, a victim may want to keep tabs on their assailant. In either case, the information is usually just a mouse click away.

I recommend: The Bureau of Prisons maintains a database of federal inmates, including inmates in the California Bureau of Prisons, incarcerated since the system was inducted in 1982. You can search for any inmate incarcerated from 1982 to present, even if the inmate is no longer behind bars. USA.gov offers a state specific search of inmates incarcerated for violating state and local laws.

Check the Bureau of Prisons statistics

The Bureau of Prisons is audited often. Through these audits, it is possible to find out various statistics about the system. Some of the information available to the public includes repeat offender percentages, most common crimes, average sentence length for crimes and the population make up.

I recommend: The Office of the Inspector General maintains a complete list of audits of the Federal Bureau of Prisons programs, including the Witness Security Program, Missouri Bureau of Prisons audits and health care records for all present and former inmates in the system. The Bureau of Justice Statistics offers a wealth of information concerning inmates in the justice system, including statistics regarding charges filed against individuals that haven't yet gone to trial.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Search information about ways the Bureau of Federal Prisons handles situations to get suggestions of ways to handle situations in your facility.

Since 1930, the Bureau of Federal Prisons has operated within the U.S. Department of Justice to supervise the operation of more than 100 federal prison facilities across the country. The US Bureau of Prisons depends upon businesses within the private and public sectors to help the Bureau provide correctional services to the American public.

Small, medium and large businesses alike may compete for solicitation awards to supply the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) with acquisitions its facilities depend on. The BOP operates according to a federally approved acquisitions policy that outlines which vendors are eligible to receive contract awards, how those vendors may register for awards and the method by which business owners may contact certain state facilities to determine individual needs. Information about the bureau of prisons in general is widely available on its website as well as specific information on business solicitations:

1. Access the solicitation policies and procedures that the Bureau of Prisons follows.

2. Search for business opportunities online or with a regional Bureau of Prisons office.

3. Confine your search to acquisitions that state bureau of prison facilities require.

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Learn how to do business with the Federal Bureau of Prisons

You may take certain steps before you can be considered eligible to provide services to a state or federal prison facility.

I recommend: Acquisitions Regulations lays out the acquisitions policy guidelines vendors must follow in order to do business with the BOP. Register at the ORCA website so you can get notifications from the BOP about current solicitations. Signing up at ORCA makes you eligible to search the database of recent opportunities that the Central Contractor Registration publishes.

Locate online business opportunities with the Bureau of Prisons in your state

You may perform online searches of the federal database or you may contact a regional prison facility office to begin soliciting for awards.

I recommend: FedBizOpps.gov lets eligible vendors who have registered with the federal government search business opportunities by state. Acquisition Offices Contact Information identifies the central office procurement executive and the administration offices for regional branches. To locate a particular facility, use the facility locator the Federal Prison Facilities page provides.

Contact state bureau of prisons to find out about specific needs

If you prefer direct contact with a state bureau of prisons, the BOP's website allows you to locate state facilities. Contact the directors within these facilities to learn more about their particular acquisitions.

I recommend: The CCM Long Beach Contact Information puts you in touch with the offices that provide contracts to vendors, and in particular, faith-based organizations for the California Bureau of Prisons. CCM St. Louis Contact Information links you to two offices in the Missouri Bureau of Prisons, which can help you with acquisitions to those facilities. The FMC Devens Contact Information site helps you identify offices of the Massachusetts Bureau of Prisons you may contact to ascertain that facility's particular needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Federal Bureau of Prisons offers equal opportunities to faith based organizations attempting to provide goods and services to state prison facilities.

All prisons in the United States fall under the control of the federal Bureau of Prisons. However, when broken down further, there is also a state Bureau of Prisons which may need separate educational instructions, based on the requirements of your state. As such, it is important for employees to be aware not only of the Bureau of Federal Prisons but also their individual states, such as the California Bureau of Prisons or the Missouri Bureau of Prisons.

The goals of the Federal Bureau of Prisons are clearly outlined, including the ability to protect society through the confinement of offenders, offer offenders controlled environments which are safe, humane, secure and cost efficient and provide assistance and opportunities to help transition offenders into positive, law-abiding citizens. Individuals and businesses working with the US Bureau of Prisons should be well-versed on how to achieve these goals in order to focus their Bureau of Prisons education and training by:

1. Understanding and achieving the general educational requirements for these types of positions.

2. Completing necessary training for all prison employees so that everyone dealing with inmates meets state and federal regulations.

3. Becoming involved in supportive environments and groups, such as Bureau of Prison forums and related discussion boards.

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Investigate general education requirements for employment with the Bureau of Prisons

There are a number of employment opportunities when working with the US Bureau of Prisons. For each opportunity, it is likely that education requirements will vary. To this end, it is important to investigate each field to determine whether or not individuals, third-party businesses or staffing businesses will have the necessary resources and training to become employed with the US Bureau of Prisons and learn additional, important information about the Bureau of Prisons, both on a federal level and a state level for establishments such as the Kansas bureau of prisons or the Kentucky bureau of prisons.

I recommend: CareerRequirement.com offers educational and additional requirements for many different occupational fields, including those for prison guards. Education Portal discusses not only the educational requirements of potential employees at the US Bureau of Prisons, but also potential positions within the prison system.

Establish a solid foundation of training at the Bureau of Prisons training centers or other locales

The federal Bureau of Prisons offers two main, official training centers for their employees. However, there are other establishments which will offer training for the various occupational fields at federal prisons, as well as state prisons and organizations, such as the Minnesota Bureau of prisons or the Louisiana Bureau of Prisons.

I recommend: BOP.gov lists the specific staff training centers for the Federal Bureau of Prisons which are located in Colorado and Georgia. State prison systems also adopt specific training curriculum options in order to increase the efficiency of events taking place in the prison. This is the only official option for professional training at the Bureau of Prisons. For assistance in understanding what is expected of individuals at these academies, Archive.org offers a film of what training is like at the Bureau of Prisons, as well as tips for new arrivals.

Take part in discussion boards designed for those employed by state or federal Bureau of Prisons

Sometimes, employees will have questions, suggestions and comments that they want to share with others, but may not be sure of how to do that. The Internet has a number of forums and discussion boards designed specifically for employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in order to assist with these concerns and issues. This can allow a more expansive sharing of education, as well as advice on which training methods work and which may need more review.

I recommend: NICIC.org is a beneficial resource offering communication with regards to training and education, but also prison inmate management and other important fields. Officer.com also offers a training-specific area on their discussion board.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Bureau of Prisons also relies on private and civilian companies in order to run smoothly. Their official website reviews ways in which other organizations can become involved and to work with the Bureau of Prisons.

Each state has a bureau of prisons that's in charge of overseeing the management of each prison and correctional facility in its state. The Federal Bureau of Prisons manages all federal prisons and facilities. This network of prison bureaus makes up the structure of the correctional system in the country.

Because there are so many different prison bureaus, it's important understand a few key terms associated with prison bureaus and their facilities. Learn prison bureau terminology to better navigate the prison bureau systems.

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Privately managed secure facility

Privately managed secure facilities, also referred to as private correctional centers, are state centers housing minimum security inmates that are usually first-time offenders.

I recommend: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice explains privately managed secure facilities & private correctional centers and their importance in corrections.

Bureau of Prisons Acquisition Policy

The Bureau of Prisons Acquisition Policy, often referred to as BPAP, is a funding policy that supplements the Federal Acqusition Regulation and ensures uniform internal acquisitions in each prison bureau.

I recommend: The Federal Bureau of Prisons explains the purpose of the BPAP and provides resources to read the policy and learn more.

Residential re-entry center

A residential reentry center is a housing program that gradually reintroduces inmates back into society in anticipation of their release. Reentry centers are organized and funded by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and require the inmates to work, meet curfew and meet other requirements.

I recommend: The Volunteers of America explains how the reentry center it runs through the Federal Bureau of Prisons helps inmates adjust to life outside prison and prepare them to lead successful lives.

Minimum security

Minimum security prison facilities mainly house first offenders and non-violent offenders and feature dormitory-style housing and a low ratio of staff to inmates. This is the lowest level of secured facility.

I recommend: Ezinearticles.com explains how to survive in a minimum security prison.

Maximum security

Maximum security prison facilities, also referred to as high security, house inmates that are violent offenders that pose a serious threat to society. These prisons feature cells with sliding locking doors and restrict inmate activities and privileges.

I recommend: The North Carolina Department of Corrections explains the different levels of security assignments in prisons and describes a maximum security prison.

UNICOR

UNICOR, also known as the Federal Prison Industries, is a government owned corporation that was established in 1934 to provide job training to confined prison inmates.

I recommend: Learn about the mission and history of UNICOR at its website.