Communication Management Units, 17324-17329 [2010-7728]

Agencies

• Department of Justice
• Bureau of Prisons
• Prisons Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 6, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17324-17329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7728]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Prisons

28 CFR Part 540

[BOP Docket No. 1148-P]
RIN 1120-AB48


Communication Management Units

AGENCY: Bureau of Prisons, Justice.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) proposes to 
establish and describe Communication Management Units (CMUs) by 
regulation. CMUs are designed to provide an inmate housing unit 
environment that enables staff monitoring of all communication between 
CMU inmates and persons in the community. The ability to monitor such 
communication is necessary to ensure the safety, security, and orderly 
operation of correctional facilities, and protect the public. The 
Bureau currently operates CMUs in two of its facilities. This rule 
would clarify existing Bureau practices with respect to CMUs.

DATES: Comments are due by June 7, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to the Rules Unit, 
Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20534. You may view an electronic version of this 
regulation at www.regulations.gov. You may also comment by using the 
www.regulations.gov comment form for this regulation. When submitting 
comments electronically you must include the BOP Docket No. in the 
subject box.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Qureshi, Office of General 
Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, phone (202) 307-2105.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Posting of Public Comments

    Please note that all comments received are considered part of the 
public record and made available for public inspection online at 
www.regulations.gov. Such information includes personal identifying 
information (such as your name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter.
    If you want to submit personal identifying information (such as 
your name, address, etc.) as part of your comment, but do not want it 
to be posted online, you must include the phrase ``PERSONAL IDENTIFYING 
INFORMATION'' in the first paragraph of your comment. You must also 
locate all the personal identifying information you do not want posted 
online in the first paragraph of your comment and identify what 
information you want redacted.
    If you want to submit confidential business information as part of 
your comment but do not want it to be posted online, you must include 
the phrase ``CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION'' in the first paragraph 
of your comment. You must also prominently identify confidential 
business information to be redacted within the comment. If a comment 
has so much confidential business information that it cannot be 
effectively redacted, all or part of that comment may not be posted on 
www.regulations.gov.
    Personal identifying information identified and located as set 
forth above will be placed in the agency's public docket file, but not 
posted online. Confidential business information identified and located 
as set forth above will not be placed in the public docket file. If you 
wish to inspect the agency's public docket file in person by 
appointment, please see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph.

Discussion

    This proposed rule codifies and describes the Bureau's procedures 
for designating inmates to, and limiting communication within, its 
Communication Management Units (CMU). Currently, the Bureau operates 
two CMUs, separately located at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC), 
Terre Haute, Indiana (established in December 2006), and the United 
States Penitentiary (USP), Marion, Illinois (established in March 
2008).
    Current regulatory authority. The Bureau currently has regulatory 
authority to restrict the communications of high-risk inmates. See, 
e.g. 28 CFR 540.12 (authorizing Wardens to establish and exercise 
controls to protect individuals, security, discipline, and the good 
order of the institution); 28 CFR 540.14 (a) (indicating that 
institution staff shall open and inspect all incoming general 
correspondence.); 28 CFR 540.100 et seq. (authorizing limitations upon 
an inmate's telephone privileges consistent with ensuring the security 
or good order of the institution or protection of the public, and 
authorizing Wardens to establish procedures that enable monitoring of 
telephone conversations); 28 CFR 540.40, et seq. (authorizing Wardens 
to limit inmate visiting when necessary to ensure the security and good 
order of the institution).
    Purpose of the CMU regulations. The CMU regulations establish 
specific parameters for Bureau staff when operating CMUs while putting 
inmates and the public on notice of CMU operation.
    The purpose of CMUs is to provide an inmate housing unit 
environment that enables staff to more effectively monitor 
communication between CMU inmates

[[Page 17325]]

and persons in the community. The CMU concept allows the Bureau to 
monitor inmates for whom such monitoring and communication limits are 
necessary, whether due to a terrorist link or otherwise, such as 
inmates who have previously committed an infraction related to mail 
tampering from within an institution, or inmates who may be attempting 
to communicate with past or potential victims. The ability to monitor 
such communication is necessary to ensure the safety, security, and 
orderly operation of correctional facilities, and protect the public. 
The volume, frequency, and methods of CMU inmate contact with persons 
in the community may be limited as necessary to achieve the goal of 
total monitoring, consistent with this subpart.
    A CMU is a general population housing unit where inmates will 
ordinarily reside, eat, and participate in educational, recreational, 
religious, visiting, unit management, and work programming, within the 
confines of the CMU. Additionally, CMUs may contain a range of cells 
dedicated to segregated housing of inmates in administrative detention 
or disciplinary segregation status.
    Under this regulation, initial consideration of inmates for CMU 
designation begins when the Bureau becomes aware of information 
relevant to the criteria described in Sec.  540.201. The Bureau's 
Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, will then make a 
determination based on a review of the evidence presented, and a 
conclusion that the inmate's designation to a CMU is necessary to 
ensure the safety, security, and orderly operation of correctional 
facilities, or protect the public.
    Upon arrival at the designated CMU, inmates will receive written 
notice from the Warden of the facility in which the CMU exists. The 
written notice will explain that designation to a CMU allows greater 
Bureau staff management of communication with persons in the community 
through complete monitoring of telephone use, written correspondence, 
and visiting. The volume, frequency, and methods, of CMU inmate contact 
with persons in the community may be limited as necessary to achieve 
the goal of total monitoring, consistent with this subpart. The written 
notice will also explain that general conditions of confinement in the 
CMU may be limited as necessary to provide greater management of 
communications, and that designation to the CMU is not punitive and, by 
itself, has no effect on the length of the inmate's incarceration. CMU 
inmates continue to earn sentence credit in accordance with law and 
Bureau policy.
    Through the written notice, inmates will also be informed that 
designation to the CMU follows the Assistant Director's decision that 
such placement is necessary for the safe, secure, and orderly operation 
of Bureau institutions, or protection of the public. The inmate will be 
provided an explanation of the decision in sufficient detail, unless 
providing specific information would jeopardize the safety, security, 
or orderly operation of the facility, or protection of the public.
    Continued designation to the CMU will be reviewed regularly by the 
inmate's Unit Team under circumstances providing the inmate notice and 
an opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the Bureau's policy on 
Classification and Program Review of Inmates. The inmate may challenge 
the CMU designation decision and any aspect of confinement therein, 
through the Bureau's administrative remedy program. While this 
regulation may allow for limiting the communication of inmates to whom 
it is applied, it will not extinguish their monitored communication 
abilities absent abuse or violations committed by the inmate.
    With this regulation, the Bureau seeks, when warranted, on a case-
by-case basis, to more effectively monitor communication while still 
accommodating the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to petition 
for redress of grievances. By limiting the communications of these 
inmates, the Bureau seeks to balance First Amendment rights with its 
correctional mission.
    The proposed regulation would clarify current authority for 
imposing limits and restrictions on the communications of inmates in 
the Bureau's custody based on evidence, either from outside sources 
(such as other federal agencies) or from internal sources (such as 
intelligence gained through observation of inmates in Bureau custody). 
Communications would be limited if such evidence indicates, inter alia, 
a high degree of potential risk to national security.
    The approach of this rule will also provide a more effective means 
to implement a previously-published proposed rule (BOP Docket No. 1135) 
providing for limiting the communication opportunities of inmates who 
are: (1) Charged with, convicted of, or detained in relation to an 
offense under title 18 U.S. C. chapters 113B or 115; or (2) charged 
with having engaged in, have engaged in, are detained in relation to, 
or are linked in any way to terrorist-related activity as part of their 
current or previous offense conduct or conduct while incarcerated.
    BOP 1135 contemplated limiting the communications of inmates in a 
general population prison setting who were identified as having an 
identifiable link to terrorist-related activity. It is difficult to 
police inmate communication in the ``open'' context of a general 
population setting because it is harder to detect activity such as 
inmates sending mail under another inmate's name, or using another's 
PIN number, without constant monitoring.
    By physically separating out the properly classified prisoners who 
need comprehensive monitoring, and involving the Assistant Director of 
the Bureau's Correctional Programs Division in addition to the Warden 
in the initial decision to restrict communications, we hope to lessen 
any adverse impact on the vast majority of the other prisoners not 
subject to comprehensive monitoring but still only subject to random 
monitoring.
    After taking into consideration any public comment received after 
publication of this proposed rule, the Bureau will adopt a consolidated 
final rule.
    This regulation, however, will be applied differently from 
regulations in 28 CFR part 501, which authorize the Attorney General to 
impose special administrative measures (SAMs). Under 28 CFR part 501, 
SAMs are imposed after approval by the Attorney General and are 
generally based on information from the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's 
Office (USAO), but are typically not based solely on information from 
internal Bureau of Prisons sources. Unlike 28 CFR part 501, the 
proposed regulations allow the Bureau to impose communication limits 
based on evidence from FBI or another federal law enforcement agency, 
or if Bureau of Prisons information indicates a similar need to impose 
communication restrictions, evidence which does not rise to the same 
degree of potential risk to national security or risk of acts of 
violence or terrorism which would warrant the Attorney General's 
intervention by issuance of a SAM.
    Furthermore, while SAMs have the potential to restrict 
communication entirely, this regulation delineates a floor of limited 
communication, beneath which the Bureau cannot restrict unless 
precipitated by the inmate's violation of imposed limitations, and then 
only as a disciplinary sanction following due process procedures in 28 
CFR part 541.
    Also, the comprehensive monitoring provided by the new regulation 
would lead to greater protection for the public,

[[Page 17326]]

since reconstruction of communications from random monitoring may not 
provide a full scenario if dangerous communications are discovered.
    Likewise, there would be greater protection for inmates as a result 
of the new proposed rule. The initial decision regarding which inmates 
to more closely monitor is made by the Assistant Director of the 
Bureau's Correctional Programs Division, who has a broad scope of 
authority and a global understanding of the security concerns prevalent 
in the Bureau's correctional setting. In addition, the inmate can 
challenge this classification-based treatment decision through the 
Bureau's administrative remedy program. Further, the CMU inmate's 
regular inmate associates will not be general population inmates. In 
the new proposed rule, the only inmates being specially monitored are 
the inmates placed in the CMU.
    Further, CMU monitoring would result in a fuller record that would 
more readily show whether an inmate's use of words may have been taken 
out of context and whether the inmate might not need to remain under 
close communications scrutiny.
    Another advantage of CMU monitoring is that closer scrutiny and 
finer monitoring distinctions can be applied or removed in ``stages'' 
from the defined CMU inmate population, so that work and leisure 
opportunities can be adjusted for the population instead of simply 
excluding them from such opportunities. Also, consolidating high-risk 
inmates in the CMU would make it more operationally feasible to 
minimize the adverse consequences such as the communication delay to 
the monitored inmates, since the marshaling and organizing of resources 
into a standard approach should make it easier for translators and 
officials responding to requests for special exceptions to act quickly.
    Under the proposed regulation, inmates may be designated to a CMU 
if:
     The inmate's current offense(s) of conviction, or offense 
conduct, included association, communication, or involvement, related 
to international or domestic terrorism;
     The inmate's current offense(s) of conviction, offense 
conduct, or activity while incarcerated, indicates a propensity to 
encourage, coordinate, facilitate, or otherwise act in furtherance of, 
illegal activity through communication with persons in the community;
     The inmate has attempted, or indicates a propensity, to 
contact victims of the inmate's current offense(s) of conviction;
     The inmate committed a prohibited activity related to 
misuse/abuse of approved communication methods while incarcerated; or
     There is any other evidence of a potential threat to the 
safe, secure, and orderly operation of prison facilities, or protection 
of the public, as a result of the inmate's communication with persons 
in the community.
    One important category of inmates which might be designated to a 
CMU is inmates whose current offense(s) of conviction, or offense 
conduct, included association, communication, or involvement, related 
to international or domestic terrorism. Past behaviors of terrorist 
inmates provide sufficient grounds to suggest a substantial risk that 
they may inspire or incite terrorist-related activity, especially if 
communicated to groups willing to engage in or to provide equipment or 
logistics to facilitate terrorist-related activity. The potential 
ramifications of this activity outweigh the inmate's interest in 
unlimited communication with persons in the community.
    Communication related to terrorist-related activity can occur in 
codes which are difficult to detect and extremely time-consuming to 
interpret. Inmates involved in such communication, and other persons 
involved or linked to terrorist-related activities, take on an exalted 
status with other like-minded individuals. Their communications acquire 
a special level of inspirational significance for those who are already 
predisposed to these views, causing a substantial risk that such 
recipients of their communications will be incited to unlawful 
terrorist-related activity.
    The danger of coded messages from prisoners has been recognized by 
the courts. See Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78, 93 (1987) (``In any 
event, prisoners could easily write in jargon or codes to prevent 
detection of their real messages.''); United States v. Salameh, 152 
F.3d 88, 108 (2nd Cir. 1998) (``Because Ajaj was in jail and his 
telephone calls were monitored, Ajaj and Yousef spoke in code when 
discussing the bomb plot.''); United States v. Johnson, 223 F.3d 665, 
673 (7th Cir. 2000) (``And we know that anyone who has access to a 
telephone or is permitted to receive visitors may be able to transmit a 
lethal message in code.''); United States v. Hammoud, 381 F.3d 316, 334 
(4th Cir. 2004) (``A conversation that seems innocuous on one day may 
later turn out to be of great significance, particularly if the 
individuals are talking in code.''); United States v. Moncivais, 401 
F.3d 751, 757 (6th Cir. 2005) (noting that seemingly nonsensical 
conversations could be in code and interpreted as indicative of drug 
dealing activity). Also, an Al Qaeda training manual contains the 
following advice regarding communications from prison: ``Take advantage 
of visits to communicate with brothers outside prison and exchange 
information that may be helpful to them in their work outside prison. 
The importance of mastering the art of hiding messages is self evident 
here.''
    There have been cases of imprisoned terrorists communicating with 
their followers regarding future terrorist activity. For example, after 
El Sayyid Nosair assassinated Rabbi Kahane, he was placed in Rikers 
Island, where ``he began to receive a steady stream of visitors, most 
regularly his cousin El-Gabrowny, and also Abouhalima, Salameh, and 
Ayyad. During these visits, as well as subsequent visits once Nosair 
was at Attica, Nosair suggested numerous terrorist operations, 
including the murders of the judge who sentenced him and of Dov Hikind, 
a New York City Assemblyman, and chided his visitors for doing nothing 
to further the jihad against the oppressors. Nosair also tape recorded 
messages while in custody * * *'' United States v. Rahman, 189 F.3d 88, 
105-06 (2d Cir. 1999). Imprisoned, Sheikh Abdel Rahman had urged his 
followers to wage jihad to obtain his release. Violent attacks and 
murders followed. United States v. Sattar, 314 F.Supp.2d 279, 288-89 
(S.D.N.Y. 2004).
    To minimize the risk of terrorist-related communication and other 
similar dangerous communication to or from inmates in Bureau custody, 
this regulation clarifies the Bureau's current authority to limit and 
monitor the communication of CMU inmates to immediate family members, 
U.S. courts, federal judges, U.S. Attorney's Offices, members of U.S. 
Congress, the Bureau, other federal law enforcement entities, and the 
inmate's attorney. The Bureau allows communication with these 
individuals to help inmates maintain family ties, and protect inmates' 
access to courts and other government officials in order to raise 
issues related to their incarceration or their conditions of 
confinement, while minimizing potential internal or external threats.
    Particular consideration has also been given to the ability of CMU 
inmates to communicate via special mail. Special mail is defined in 28 
CFR part 540. For the purposes of CMUs, however, this rule would limit 
special mail to privileged communication with the inmate's attorney. 
Correspondence from the correspondents listed in 28 CFR 540.2(c) as 
``special correspondence,''

[[Page 17327]]

other than attorneys. (e.g. President and Vice President of the United 
States, the Department of Justice, members of Congress, Governors, 
State legislatures, courts, media etc.) will be treated as ``general 
correspondence'' for the purposes of CMUs. There is no frequency or 
volume limitation on correspondence with an inmate's attorney, unless 
necessary as a result of the inmate's abuse or violation of these 
regulations.
    To effectively and efficiently allow monitoring and review of the 
general correspondence communications of CMU inmates, those 
communications may be limited in frequency and volume as follows:
     Written correspondence may be limited to three pieces of 
paper, double-sided, once per week to and from a single recipient;
     Telephone communication may be limited to a single 
completed call per calendar month for up to 15 minutes; and
     Visiting may be limited to one hour each calendar month.
    Unless the quantity to be processed becomes unreasonable or the 
inmate abuses or violates these regulations, there is no frequency or 
volume limitation on written correspondence with the following 
entities: U.S. courts, Federal judges, U.S. Attorney's Offices, Members 
of U.S. Congress, The Bureau of Prisons, other federal law enforcement 
entities, or, as stated earlier, the inmate's attorney (privileged 
communications only). Correspondence with these entities is not limited 
under these regulations in furtherance of inmates' access to courts and 
their ability to defend in litigation.
    By limiting the frequency and volume of the communication to/from 
inmates identified under this regulation, we will reduce the amount of 
communication requiring monitoring and review. Reducing the volume of 
communications will help ensure the Bureau's ability to provide 
heightened scrutiny in reviewing communications, and thereby increasing 
both internal security within correctional facilities, and the security 
of members of the public.
    Inmates may incur additional limitations on their communications as 
the direct result of abusing or violating individualized communication 
limits imposed under this subsection, but additional limitations will 
occur only to the extent possible under this regulation and according 
to the procedures in this subsection. Unmonitored communications with 
verified attorneys may be limited in the form of monitoring only as 
provided in 28 CFR part 501 (regarding national security cases and 
prevention of acts of violence and terrorism) and part 543 (regarding 
inmate legal activities). Inmates may also be subject to disciplinary 
action or criminal prosecution for abusing or violating limits imposed 
under this subsection.

Executive Order 12866

    This regulation falls within a category of actions that the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined to constitute 
``significant regulatory actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive 
Order 12866 and, accordingly, it was reviewed by OMB. The Bureau of 
Prisons has assessed the costs and benefits of this regulation as 
required by Executive Order 12866 Section 1(b)(6) and has made a 
reasoned determination that the benefits of this regulation justify its 
costs. There will be no new costs associated with this regulation.

Executive Order 13132

    This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Therefore, under Executive Order 13132, 
we determine that this regulation does not have sufficient Federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Director of the Bureau of Prisons, under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), reviewed this regulation and by 
approving it certifies that it will not have a significant economic 
impact upon a substantial number of small entities for the following 
reasons: This regulation pertains to the correctional management of 
offenders and immigration detainees committed to the custody of the 
Attorney General or the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, and its 
economic impact is limited to the Bureau's appropriated funds.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This regulation will not result in the expenditure by State, local 
and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 
$100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed 
necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 
1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This regulation is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This 
regulation will not result in an annual effect on the economy of 
$100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, 
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based 
companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and 
export markets.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 540

    Prisoners.

Harley G. Lappin,
Director, Bureau of Prisons.

    Under rulemaking authority vested in the Attorney General in 5 
U.S.C 301; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510 and delegated to the Director, Bureau of 
Prisons in 28 CFR 0.96, we amend 28 CFR part 540 as follows:

SUBCHAPTER C--INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT

PART 540--CONTACT WITH PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY

    1. The authority citation for 28 CFR part 540 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301, 551, 552a; 18 U.S.C. Chapters 113b and 
115, 1791, 3621, 3622, 3624, 4001, 4042, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in 
part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 5006-
5024 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that 
date), 5039; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510, 530C(b)(6).

    2. Add a new subpart J, to read as follows:

SUBPART J--COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT HOUSING UNITS

Sec.
540.200 Purpose and scope.
540.201 Designation criteria.
540.202 Designation procedures.
540.203 Written correspondence limitations.
540.204 Telephone communication limitations.
540.205 Visiting limitations.


Sec.  540.200  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Purpose of this subpart. This subpart authorizes and defines 
the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (Bureau) authority to operate, and 
designate inmates to, Communication Management Housing Units (CMUs) 
within Bureau facilities.
    (b) CMU. A CMU is a general population housing unit where inmates

[[Page 17328]]

ordinarily reside, eat, and participate in all educational, 
recreational, religious, visiting, unit management, and work 
programming, within the confines of the CMU. Additionally, CMUs may 
contain a range of cells dedicated to segregated housing of inmates in 
administrative detention or disciplinary segregation status.
    (c) Purpose of CMUs. The purpose of CMUs is to provide an inmate 
housing unit environment that enables staff to more effectively monitor 
communication between CMU inmates and persons in the community. The 
ability to monitor such communication is necessary to ensure the 
safety, security, and orderly operation of correctional facilities, and 
protect the public. The volume, frequency, and methods, of CMU inmate 
contact with persons in the community may be limited as necessary to 
achieve the goal of total monitoring, consistent with this subpart.
    (d) Application. Any inmate (as defined in 28 CFR Sec.  500.1(c)) 
meeting criteria prescribed by this subpart may be designated to a CMU.
    (e) Relationship to other regulations. The regulations in this 
subpart supercede and control to the extent they conflict with, are 
inconsistent with, or impose greater limitations than the regulations 
in 28 CFR Part 540, or any other regulations in this chapter, except 28 
CFR Part 501.


Sec.  540.201  Designation criteria.

    Inmates may be designated to a CMU if evidence of the following 
criteria exists:
    (a) The inmate's current offense(s) of conviction, or offense 
conduct, included association, communication, or involvement, related 
to international or domestic terrorism;
    (b) The inmate's current offense(s) of conviction, offense conduct, 
or activity while incarcerated, indicates a propensity to encourage, 
coordinate, facilitate, or otherwise act in furtherance of, illegal 
activity through communication with persons in the community;
    (c) The inmate has attempted, or indicates a propensity, to contact 
victims of the inmate's current offense(s) of conviction;
    (d) The inmate committed prohibited activity related to misuse/
abuse of approved communication methods while incarcerated; or
    (e) There is any other evidence of a potential threat to the safe, 
secure, and orderly operation of prison facilities, or protection of 
the public, as a result of the inmate's communication with persons in 
the community.


Sec.  540.202  Designation procedures.

    Inmates may be designated to CMUs only according to the following 
procedures:
    (a) Initial consideration. Initial consideration of inmates for CMU 
designation begins when the Bureau becomes aware of information 
relevant to the criteria described in Sec.  540.201.
    (b) Assistant Director authority. The Bureau's Assistant Director, 
Correctional Programs Division, has authority to approve CMU 
designations. The Assistant Director's decision must be based on a 
review of the evidence, and a conclusion that the inmate's designation 
to a CMU is necessary to ensure the safety, security, and orderly 
operation of correctional facilities, or protect the public.
    (c) Written notice. Upon arrival at the designated CMU, inmates 
will receive written notice from the facility's Warden explaining that:
    (1) Designation to a CMU allows greater Bureau staff management of 
communication with persons in the community through complete monitoring 
of telephone use, written correspondence, and visiting. The volume, 
frequency, and methods, of CMU inmate contact with persons in the 
community may be limited as necessary to achieve the goal of total 
monitoring, consistent with this subpart;
    (2) General conditions of confinement in the CMU may also be 
limited as necessary to provide greater management of communications;
    (3) Designation to the CMU is not punitive and, by itself, has no 
effect on the length of the inmate's incarceration. CMU inmates 
continue to earn sentence credit in accordance with law and Bureau 
policy.
    (4) Designation to the CMU follows the Assistant Director's 
decision that such placement is necessary for the safe, secure, and 
orderly operation of Bureau institutions, or protection of the public. 
The inmate will be provided an explanation of the decision in 
sufficient detail, unless providing specific information would 
jeopardize the safety, security, and orderly operation of correctional 
facilities, or protection of the public.
    (5) Continued designation to the CMU will be reviewed regularly by 
the inmate's Unit Team under circumstances providing the inmate notice 
and an opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the Bureau's policy 
on Classification and Program Review of Inmates.
    (6) The inmate may challenge the CMU designation decision, and any 
aspect of confinement therein, through the Bureau's administrative 
remedy program.


Sec.  540.203  Written correspondence limitations.

    (a) General correspondence. General written correspondence as 
defined by Part 540, may be limited to three pieces of paper (not 
larger than 8.5 x 11 inches), double-sided writing permitted, once per 
calendar week, to and from a single recipient at the discretion of the 
Warden, except as stated in (c) below. This correspondence is subject 
to staff inspection for contraband and for content.
    (b) Special mail.
    (1) Special mail, as defined in Part 540, is limited to privileged 
communication with the inmate's attorney.
    (2) All such correspondence is subject to staff inspection in the 
inmate's presence for contraband and to ensure its qualification as 
privileged communication with the inmate's attorney. Inmates may not 
seal such outgoing mail before giving it to staff for processing. After 
inspection for contraband, the inmate must then seal the approved 
outgoing mail material in the presence of staff and immediately give 
the sealed material to the observing staff for further processing.
    (c) Frequency and volume limitations. Unless the quantity to be 
processed becomes unreasonable or the inmate abuses or violates these 
regulations, there is no frequency or volume limitation on written 
correspondence with the following entities:
    (1) U.S. courts;
    (2) Federal judges;
    (3) U.S. Attorney's Offices;
    (4) Members of U.S. Congress;
    (5) The Bureau of Prisons;
    (6) Other federal law enforcement entities; or
    (7) The inmate's attorney (privileged communications only).


Sec.  540.204  Telephone communication limitations.

    (a) Monitored telephone communication may be limited to immediate 
family members only. The frequency and duration of telephone 
communication may also be limited to a single connected call per 
calendar month, lasting no longer than 15 minutes. The Warden may 
require such communication to be in English, or translated by an 
approved interpreter.
    (b) Unmonitored telephone communication is limited to privileged 
communication with the inmate's attorney. Unmonitored privileged 
telephone communication with the inmate's attorney is permitted as

[[Page 17329]]

necessary in furtherance of active litigation, after establishing that 
communication with the verified attorney by confidential correspondence 
or visiting, or monitored telephone use, is not adequate due to an 
urgent or impending deadline.


Sec.  540.205  Visiting limitations.

    (a) Regular visiting may be limited to immediate family members. 
The frequency and duration of regular visiting may also be limited to a 
one hour visit each calendar month. The number of visitors permitted 
during any visit is within the Warden's discretion. Such visits must 
occur through non-contact visiting facilities.
    (1) Regular visits may be simultaneously monitored and recorded, 
both visually and auditorily, either in person or electronically.
    (2) The Warden may require such visits to be conducted in English, 
or simultaneously translated by an approved interpreter.
    (b) Attorney visiting is limited to attorney-client privileged 
communication as provided in Part 540. These visits may be visually, 
but not auditorily, monitored. Regulations and policies previously 
established under 28 CFR part 543 are applicable.
    (2) For convicted inmates (as defined in 28 CFR part 551), 
regulations and policies previously established under 28 CFR part 543 
are applicable.

[FR Doc. 2010-7728 Filed 4-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-P