.pdf Files and FOIA Exemptions

BOP Program Statements (policies) are formatted as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) documents.  To view Adobe Acrobat files, you need the free Acrobat Reader, which is built in to recent browsers (if you don't have it, you can download it from Adobe). Please note that some files are very large, running to hundreds of printed pages.

FOIA Exemptions and Redactions

The Freedom of Information Act or FOIA (Title 5, United States Code [USC], Section 552) applies to all information and records with strictly limited exceptions. Most BOP Program Statements are included on this Internet listing except those classified as Limited Official Use Only and a few that are not of sufficient public interest (such as the accounting manual).

Requests for policies not included on the Internet may be made in writing to the BOP's Freedom of Information Office. Each request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable personnel to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort, and, pursuant to Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 16.3(c), must be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Request." Note: Please be advised that the filing of a formal, written request is deemed to constitute an agreement by the requestor to pay all applicable fees up to $25.00, in the event fees are assessed.

Some material in Program Statements may be "redacted" or withheld. Redacted material is indicated in the text by a bold number in brackets; i.e.,[§552(b)(2)]. The number refers to one of the FOIA exemptions listed below. If you have questions about any specific FOIA exemptions, please contact:

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Office
Office of General Counsel
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First St., NW.
Washington, DC 20534
Telephone 202-514-6655

List of FOIA Exemptions

• 5USC §552(b)(2) exempts from mandatory disclosure records or information relating solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency.
• 5USC §552(b)(3) allows for the withholding of records or information specifically exempted from disclosure by statute.
• 5USC §552(b)(4) exempts from mandatory disclosure trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential.
• 5USC §552(b)(5) exempts from mandatory disclosure inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency.
• 5USC §552(b)(6) exempts personnel and medical files and similar files to preclude a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
• 5USC §552(b)(7)(A) exempts from disclosure records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.
• 5USC §552(b)(7)(B) exempts from disclosure records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication.
• 5USC §552(b)(7)(C) exempts from disclosure records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
• 5USC §552(b)(7)(D) provides for the withholding of records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source or information furnished by a confidential source.
• 5USC §552(b)(7)(E) provides for the withholding of records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law.
• 5USC §552 (b)(7)(F) provides for the withholding of records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes which could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.