500 mile law limit (for families being able to visit relative in federal prison)

DFU NOTE: if Hillary is sent away and Bill wants to visit, will the BOP incarcerate her within 500 miles of home to facilitate such visits? Here are some answers.

Prison Talk > U.S. REGIONAL FORUMS > FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM > Federal Legal Issues > 500 mile law limit

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irishbrwneyez11-07-2011, 02:37 PM Hi everyone. I heard from the PSI in my dad's case and she told me that legally, inmates MUST be located no further than 500 miles from their home. Has anyone had to deal with this? Do anyone have LO's further away than that? Have you done anything about it??

My dad was told he was being sent to Yazoo City, MS and family is in Tampa, FL. This is 778 miles away. We are contemplating taking legal action. Just curious what other people have dealt with. :hmm:

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fbopnomore11-07-2011, 02:55 PM Sorry, no such thing. The bop policy says they try to place inmates within 500 miles of home, but they sure don't try very hard. The closest I got was 1200 miles, which was closer than 2000+ miles away at the next prison. Why have a policy they ignore, well that's how the bop operates.

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Princess102911-07-2011, 03:07 PM They try yes, but don't always get that. My husband is 580 miles away from home. I heard of someone that was much more further then that from home when they went. After 18 months I think they can request to be transferred.

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irishbrwneyez11-07-2011, 03:39 PM That really sucks...Well the PSI in my dad's case said that if he's not within 500 miles she will get involved and make sure he is...She said to let them know that he won't be 500 miles away and request a place (even though it's already in the sentencing by the judge) and he should get moved..But she seems pretty adamant to get involved in stuff... I guess it's back to the "sit and wait" game...

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bellisq11-07-2011, 05:26 PM Sorry about the distance, especially since there are so many facilities in FL. The PSI writer works for a different agency and has no input on designation. The BOP has total control.

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DexterThedog11-07-2011, 05:44 PM I promise you - the person that wrote the PSI might think she can do something, but in reality that won't happen. As mentioned - two separate agencies and she has NO say so in this.

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DRUID120811-07-2011, 05:48 PM at one time or a nuther that was how it was done now days it a lot like the odd old laws in your states law books that while they may be on the books are not realy used ever it more of a goil of the bop if they can do that but do to over crowding and other things that go into finding the best prison for your loved ones in moest of the cases they end up anywhere they can find room and fits the inmate and bops needs now days sorry to say but can allways be worse good luck

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lopez4ever11-07-2011, 06:15 PM Mine is 435 miles away... i guess just far enough to fall within the 500 but still very far away.... i honestly think they look at where the family is, and then try to place them as far as they can... i'm sorry but that's just how i feel about it.... and them saying anything else is just a cover up... :(

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shawnee7711-08-2011, 10:29 AM My husband was moved over 600 miles away a couple months ago from a facility he had spent 15 years in. I am still trying to find out how we appeal the move, and about any harship transfers etc.

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irishbrwneyez11-08-2011, 12:28 PM I think the whole system is stupid.. You would think the govt would want to keep them happy..They encourage mail and phone calls so why not visits?? and not all of us can fly across the US to visit our loved ones!! And that puts a strain on them. It's so frustrating...Most of us are closer to each others loved ones than our own!! At least with state jails, if you are convicted in your home state they won't move you from out of that state....Federal should be the same...There are so many differences that irk me...I used to send packages to my cousin in state but NOOOOOO not in Federal....

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english279111-08-2011, 04:27 PM My husband is about 50 miles from where he grew up but now we are married we are trying to get him closer to me.Right now he is 850 miles away so we are trying for berlin in NH which is 322 miles.

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2chelle4T11-08-2011, 08:54 PM We live in NC and my husband was sent to California....then after a year he got sent to Louisiana....still 14 hours away from home. They say that he has to stay there for 18 months before he can be transfered. It has been 3 years since his daughter and his mother have been able to see him due to the miles.... BOP states that they will place IF they have space available. They pretty much do what they want to do.:mad:

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Sheryl P.11-08-2011, 11:54 PM Sorry but some California inmates are sent all the way across the country and that is state prison and not Federal.They go to Arizona and then a lot just keep going till they are all the way across the country.The money they spend to move them back and forth must be quite a bit.It does seem their goal is to isolate them from any support systems.I think they make better "sheeple" when they are "broken".Less sense of "self" = more control.

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jlw70fl11-08-2011, 11:57 PM Good luck having him placed close, My hubby is 880 miles away, the judge recommended he not be more than the 500 miles away, umm no such luck.

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shawnee7711-09-2011, 10:38 AM He is originally from Missouri, his crime was committed in Iowa... so he was in Iowa 17 years and now "for his protection" was sent out of state to a federal prison... Grrr

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irishbrwneyez11-09-2011, 12:39 PM Oh my God...I feel for all of us....Some of you are so far away...It's horrible...The amount of money it costs the govt to move them is ridiculous...Such a waste of taxpayer's money...Not to mention everything has to be a hassle and expensive...Right now my dad and I are trying to get the email situation dealt with...Nothing can be easy that's for sure...especially for us who are new to the whole situation..I'm stumbling along as I try to learn all of this crap...

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DexterThedog11-10-2011, 07:58 AM Not every state has a federal prison in it and even if it does have one it may not be the security level needed. And then there's those that medical facilities - even fewer states have those. In fact, for females there's only one and that's in TX.

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titiqueen4eva11-10-2011, 01:21 PM Good luck, more than likely won't happen. I'm in Ga and mine is in Oregon. Even with a letter from my dr nothing worked, they don't care what we feel or need!

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irishbrwneyez11-10-2011, 02:45 PM I understand that the govt might feel that our loved one's don't deserve certain rights and that's why they are in prison because they did something against the law and lost some of their rights, but what about those of us on the outside??

Titiqueen4eva, you said your dr note didn't even help...My grandparents are in very bad health and might not even make it until my dad gets out..My grandmother is on oxygen and needs a wheelchair...They can barely pay their bills and might lose their home. How are they supposed to find the money to fly across the damn US to visit their son?? I'm in NY and I'm an unemployed college student..How do I fly there?? Why do we have to suffer as well?? There should be a new system, something to be done...When my dad was in county jail there were NO entrances to the jail that were handicap accessible...That is unacceptable!!!

Oh my God, I'm sorry I'm ranting and raving...But why should we, the family members, get punished by the govt as well??

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Zelda5011-10-2011, 09:38 PM You are in the same boat as a lot of people but I know it doesn't make it any easier. Just keep the letters, emails and phone calls going once he gets there. Then, after he's there about a year, he should begin requesting a transfer at the 18 month mark. And he should keep up good behavior. Then perhaps he'll be transferred closer to home if there's a closer facility with his security level. Keep the faith! Oh - and you can vent all you want here. Just don't rant and rave with the BOP counselor. The counselors can't hit you upside the head so they end up taking it out on you and yours in other ways - usually passive aggressive tactics. Like not processing a transfer request.

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titiqueen4eva11-13-2011, 10:29 AM Yea I have a brain tumor and can't fly bc the pressure will cause me to get worse. I need surgery to put tubes in my head. But have no ins. Mine tried at 18 months after bring there to get transferred, they dont care. It took him 4 years just to finally get approved but only bc I sent my dr letter to the sentencing judge and it worked, he still hasn't got here closer to me. Been in transit 3 weeks sitting in a facility that won't even give him his meds. I've tried calling everyone! Nothing gets done. I so wish something can be done to these ppl the way they are getting away with things! Makes me sick to my stomach.

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nicksjellybean11-13-2011, 08:53 PM Mine is 435 miles away... i guess just far enough to fall within the 500 but still very far away.... i honestly think they look at where the family is, and then try to place them as far as they can... i'm sorry but that's just how i feel about it.... and them saying anything else is just a cover up... :(

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nicksjellybean11-13-2011, 08:56 PM No way!!!! Why should they let you see or at least send stuff to your LO in Federal????? This system can literally drive me insane. My husband is in FL and I'm in san Antonio... we have an infant daughter. She has no clue who he is cause the last time we visited she was 2 months old...

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dmichelle11-14-2011, 11:29 PM I just had to weigh in on this thread...for those of you that saw my intro or posts...my guy has been down 12 years & the last few in Sheridan fci in Oregon which is a 12-13 hour drive from our home town in central cali. Think he was in Herlong before that...anyway first took his teenager up to see him a year ago since teen was living with me, and it was heartbreaking, hadnt seen him since he was a boy and he has become a man. Since then I started making the 13 hour drive by myself to see my inmate as it kills me hasn't had family visit at all in MANY years due to distance. As Ive fallen in love I just decided I'm going to visit no matter how gruelling. Now boyfriend has asked for transfers closer for a while but it just seemed to stall like for all of you. Then suddenly after my last visit boyfriend just said its so wonderful us getting to be together but he was having an about me driving alone esp since I have a five year old at homefighting terminal cancer. He said Mendota would fix a this! He got real persistent I think with the counselor (which I think he agrees with Zelda that usually poking at them isnt good) but maybe it was because he rarely asks for things....he was just transferred down to Cali! Now I have a small ulcer becuz he's going nuts in lockdown 23.5 waiting to go from Victorville to hopefully Mendota..and Zelda my update is he was calling every other day and emailing each and then today he missed our call & didnt email so I am REALLY worried, but my hopes are that he transferred out today cuz he never misses an email...but anyhow he got the transfer becuz he'd done 18 good months and literally hadnt seen family for holidays in like 5 years! So don't give up. But boyfriends opinion is certainly that they sure don't make it easy. Sorry for long post, this has just been a really taxing process. Zelda I was noting your post back in Sept about Sheridan installing new bathrooms etc & needing to empty a building...think thats how we got our break? Wanted all of you across the country to know that when I finally get to hug my guy...I will be thinking of all of you and rooting for your transfers.... D

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RubioCruz11-15-2011, 07:54 PM Hi everyone. I heard from the PSI in my dad's case and she told me that legally, inmates MUST be located no further than 500 miles from their home. Has anyone had to deal with this? Do anyone have LO's further away than that? Have you done anything about it??

My dad was told he was being sent to Yazoo City, MS and family is in Tampa, FL. This is 778 miles away. We are contemplating taking legal action. Just curious what other people have dealt with. :hmm:

We live in Miami and my hubby was designated 1100 miles away to Kentucky. I tried through a Senators office, providing documentation of elderly sick parents, 5 children, yada yada and to no avail. Now I have initiated internal review, through same said Senators office, of BOP current business practices and how they don't coincide with their mission statements and waste taxpayers to the max..Lets see how that goes.:confused:

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alwaysmylove11-20-2011, 07:00 AM My fiancee sent to Federal prisons in Texas. That is way more than 500 miles from Michigan. I think they do it out of spite.....

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lopez4ever11-20-2011, 06:04 PM Congrats on having your man closer to you....maybe there is hope for some of us!!!! :) . I hope so!!! i'm praying and hoping every day! Mine says he is going to request a transfer in May 2012, which will be 18 months since he's been there, but who knows what will happn!!!!

I just had to weigh in on this thread...for those of you that saw my intro or posts...my guy has been down 12 years & the last few in Sheridan fci in Oregon which is a 12-13 hour drive from our home town in central cali. Think he was in Herlong before that...anyway first took his teenager up to see him a year ago since teen was living with me, and it was heartbreaking, hadnt seen him since he was a boy and he has become a man. Since then I started making the 13 hour drive by myself to see my inmate as it kills me hasn't had family visit at all in MANY years due to distance. As Ive fallen in love I just decided I'm going to visit no matter how gruelling. Now boyfriend has asked for transfers closer for a while but it just seemed to stall like for all of you. Then suddenly after my last visit boyfriend just said its so wonderful us getting to be together but he was having an about me driving alone esp since I have a five year old at homefighting terminal cancer. He said Mendota would fix a this! He got real persistent I think with the counselor (which I think he agrees with Zelda that usually poking at them isnt good) but maybe it was because he rarely asks for things....he was just transferred down to Cali! Now I have a small ulcer becuz he's going nuts in lockdown 23.5 waiting to go from Victorville to hopefully Mendota..and Zelda my update is he was calling every other day and emailing each and then today he missed our call & didnt email so I am REALLY worried, but my hopes are that he transferred out today cuz he never misses an email...but anyhow he got the transfer becuz he'd done 18 good months and literally hadnt seen family for holidays in like 5 years! So don't give up. But boyfriends opinion is certainly that they sure don't make it easy. Sorry for long post, this has just been a really taxing process. Zelda I was noting your post back in Sept about Sheridan installing new bathrooms etc & needing to empty a building...think thats how we got our break? Wanted all of you across the country to know that when I finally get to hug my guy...I will be thinking of all of you and rooting for your transfers.... D

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Kayla2811-22-2011, 03:01 PM This law is no longer in effect. We tried to fight it and the DSCC says that they use the 500 miles as a 'courtesy' and do not have to follow it. They will put an inmate where there are programs for them, where their security level needs are, and any risk management issues have to be handled. My guy is 3000 miles away! And is supposed to be at a medium and is at a high. They do not even accept requests for transfer until 18 months of good time. There's nothing he can do accept keep behaving and make sure that when he meets with his unit team he has all of his ducks in a row and voices any concerns regarding his placement in a calm manor.

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mburton00011-29-2011, 07:07 PM The directive states (not a law, a directve) they will try to place within 500 miles but it always goes back to population.

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patrick8812-10-2011, 12:40 PM BOP says a lot of things. wish there was a true 500 mile rule. In all my time the closest I ever got was 3 states away

Well, I'm with Titiqueen.

titiqueen4eva11-10-2011, 01:21 PM Good luck, more than likely won't happen.

See how titiqueen4eva11 wishes good fortune upon others?

I'm in Ga and mine is in Oregon.

titiqueen4eva11 has a clear and obvious need to travel.

Even with a letter from my dr nothing worked, they don't care what we feel or need!

See the unfairness? titiqueen4eva11 has a letter from a "dr"..
That could be a director of research or a doctor of redaction
or a dog in rehab or doubt of responsibility.. so who the hell are we to deny this?

DFU NOTE: if Hillary is sent away and Bill wants to visit, will the BOP incarcerate her within 500 miles of home to facilitate such visits?

Where is her home?

Chicago?

Arkansas?

New York?

Moscow?

She should be sent to Huntsville in TX.

They execute people there, btw.

DFU NOTE: if Hillary is sent away and Bill wants to visit, will the BOP incarcerate her within 500 miles of home to facilitate such visits? Here are some answers.

Danbury's right up the street from Chappaqua...about 30 minutes in light traffic.I do that dive regularly.And I've read *many* times that it's a country club and,IIRC,it's now women only.

Of course that doesn't guarantee that BillyBob will visit.

"Oh,don't you fret,sweet thing...the wife's out of town.Why don't you slip into something more comfortable".

The ‘500 mile’ rule is a crock. There are large chunks of the country without a women’s prison within 500 miles. There are more men’s prisons, but by the time you factor in level, you still have some big gaps.

And, if you tick off the BoP, they’ll give what is called ‘diesel therapy’.

That being said, she’d probably get country club treatment like Martha Stewart.

I don’t break the law.

I can live as close (or as far) to family as I choose.

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