Bureau of Prisons Security Level Classification

• Federal Prison Camps (FPC)- minimum security camps have low staff to inmate ratios. These facilities are designed to be work/program based. They offer dormitory-style housing. There is generally no perimeter fencing surrounding the facility. These facilities are often adjacent to military bases or institutions where the population provides general labor.
• Federal Correction Institution (FCI)- may be low- or medium-security.
• • Low-security institutions have a higher staff to inmate ratio than FPCs. These institutions have double, razor-wire fences protecting their boundaries. The population is housed in cubicles or  dormitories.
  • Medium-security institutions have a higher staff to inmate ratio than low-security prisons. Additional security monitoring is present inside the facility. The populaiton is usually housed in cells.
• United States Penitentiary (USP) – designated for high-security populations.
  • High-security penitentiaries offer the highest staff to inmate ratio. Inmate movements are closely monitored within the facility, which is bordered by high security walls, gun towers, and reinforced fencing with constant monitoring.  The population is housed in single or multiple occupant cells.
• Administration – these facilities are institutions with special missions and can hold prisoners of all security-level classifications.
  • Metropolitan Correctional Centers (MCCs)
  • Metropolitan Detention Centers (MDCs)
  • Federal Detention Centers (FDCs)
  • Federal Medical Centers (FMCs)
  • Federal Transfer Center (FTC)
  • Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP)
  • Administrative-Maximum (ADX) “Supermax” U.S. Penitentiary.