Inmate Transfer — Ask the Inmate
An inmate transfer can happen with little or no warning and the period of silence that follows, when families do not know where their loved one is or how to reach them, is one of the most anxious experiences in the entire incarceration journey. This section covers why transfers happen, how the transfer process works in federal and state systems, what diesel therapy is and why it occurs, how long the transit period typically lasts, why an inmate may temporarily disappear from the BOP locator during a transfer, and what families can do to locate their loved one and restore communication as quickly as possible. The guidance here comes from real experience with the transfer process, including what it feels like from inside and how families on the outside can best support someone going through it. See also our sections on Inmate Search, Inmate Phone Calls, and Send Inmate Mail.
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Only items purchased through the commissary AND all personal mail, legal documents or writings.
Read moreWhen the CO says "pack your stuff", you throw everything into a big plastic bin. You are allowed to take everything in your locker, including all of the commissary items you have bought.
Read moreTransfers are done "in the dark" and the inmates cannot make calls until they are safely in their new location. This process takes no longer than a week to 10 days
Read moreThey will try to get him moved as soon as they have a bed and transfer route in place.
Read moreIf Butner is his designation, then he will eventually get transferred. They are not going to give you (or him) any indication of when that will happen for obvious reasons. The transfer guards keep dates, times, and travel routes confidential. They are very efficient at what they do, just be patient... one day you'll get a call from Butner saying, "I'm here".
Read moreThere are several reasons why this could happen, not all are bad reasons. They could be moved to a lower security level facility as their custody status could change as they get closer to the door. They could be moved to a jail near where they are going to appear in court. OR, they could be moved to a higher security level facility for infractions including fighting, contraband or separate issues. Ask your inmate why they moved him, he definitely
Read moreTransfers rarely happen by request, especially from someone on the outside. In federal, you have to serve 9 months in the current prison before they would even consider a transfer to another. They want a track record of excellent behavior and programming to get "stepped down" in custody levels which leads to work release.
Read moreThe transfers are done in complete secrecy so you won't have a timetable. They'll usually say, "transferred in the next 30-60 days". There is a safety issue transporting inmates which is why the exact dates are never known to the public. In fact, the inmate doesn't know until 5:00am the morning they are being moved.
Read moreMoving an inmate within 2 months of their release is unusual. There might have been an incident that created the necessity to move the inmate. Or, it could be as simple as a stepping down process where they are moved preparing for reentry. Whatever the case, 2 months is short-time for sure!
Read moreThe sheriff deputies from the county that issued the warrant will come to pick the inmate up. They do not and will not say when they are coming (for obvious reasons) and there is zero chance they will forget to pick him up.
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