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.
Related InmateAid Services
It is a good sign when an inmate's custody level is reduced. It means that the sentence is getting shorter and the inmate's behavior and programming has been exemplary. The system is saying they trust this person more than when they began their sentence. The inmate gets more freedom in the new setting, more privileges (and in prison, it means a lot).
Read moreBroward is only a one county from Miami (Dade County). They are separate institutions so the transition will take a few days before phone and visitation privileges are restored.
Read moreThe administrative transfer could mean a number of things. The first thing that comes to mind is the inmate has some issue with another inmate in that facility. It could be a co-defendant he cannot be placed in the same facility. But if this is happening often, it could be that he was a confidential informant. They get moved routinely to keep their whereabouts changing. The short-term stays (8 months at a time) make it seem like he is in protective
Read moreThis depends on the bed space at the processing center and the transfer schedule of the marshals. As an example, I was in county jail for 8 days, then transferred to a CoreCivic facility for 89 days and then air marshaled to Oklahoma City for one night before finally getting to the prison I was designated to. Be patient, they never seem to be in a hurry.
Read moreYes, provided they are in good standing (no incident reports) and that there is a similar security level prison with available bed space.
Read moreThe call list should remain intact with the transfer. Depending on their local rules, he should be able to call once he gets assigned his new housing situation.
Read moreIf this is federal, all of the inmate's calling list remains in tact. As long as there is money, they should be able to call. Don't forget, InmateAid can get you a local number to almost any federal facility - making the calls only 6 cents per minute.
Read moreThere are no set time period for detainee pick-ups. Depending on the distance the sheriffs must travel to arrange for the transfer, it could be the same date of release OR it could be upto a couple of weeks before they get him. He will get time-served credit for the overlap in time towards the new charge.
Read moreThe inmate's designation is determined by the Bureau of Prisons in Beaumont TX. No one can influence the determination of the custody level and type facility they place an offender in. There are many possible reasons for Colorado over Texas but no one more probable than bedspace. It could also be that someone else connected to his charge is incarcerated in the prison where he wanted to be. They call that "separatee" which essentially requires the co-defendants be separated. Another
Read moreIt's all about bed space, not a time limit. She'll just have to be patient and wait for the call.
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