Classification
Chapter 11: Imprisonment
Classification
SEX OFFENDER PUBLIC SAFETY FACTOR
Regardless of what a person is incarcerated for, if their history indicates sexual misconduct (in the pre-sentence report or other official documentation), they will receive a “sex offender” Public Safety Factor (PSF).[1] Sexual misconduct includes evidence of non-consensual sexual contact, child pornography offenses, any sexual conduct with a minor, or any aggressive or abusive sexual acts. This PSF means that the person is disqualified from placement in a minimum-security placement, and will thus be placed in at least a low-security institution. They will most likely be housed in standard general prison populations. However, they may remain eligible for halfway house or home confinement placement before the end of their sentence. The sex offender PSF may also result in a prohibition from using the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate electronic mail system (TRULINCS), especially for contact offenders. Sex offenders are also likely to be placed in institutions with Sex Offender Management Programs (SOMP).
[1] Ellis, A., & Henderson, J. M. (2019). Federal Prison Guidebook (Revision 5). James Publishing.
