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Support Coordinator Program

Information to help external stakeholders and advocates access information pertaining to individuals within BOP institutions.

Support Program Overview

The Support Coordinator Program was created to help external stakeholders and advocates, to include family, friends, and loved ones, access information related to individuals within BOP institutions.

Support Coordinators are available to:

  • Improve access and response to inmate families, friends, and advocacy groups,
  • Receive and process questions or concerns about an individual or agency while providing resources and referrals, and
  • Provide assistance and support to families, friends, and advocacy groups regarding incarcerated individuals in federal custody.

When to contact a Support Coordinator

As the Support Program does not replace institution staff, send your inquiry for an incarcerated individual directly to the institution where the person currently resides. Contact details, including addresses and phone numbers, are available on each facility's webpage under the Locations section of the website. If you are uncertain about an inmate's current location, use the Inmate Locator .

If your contact attempt with the local institution staff has not been successful or you have general questions or concerns, please contact a Support Coordinator.

Examples of concern:

  • Safety: Any knowledge, suspicion, or information involving physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or acts of retaliation.
  • Healthcare: Instances of inadequate treatment, lack of access to essential medical care or medications, or signs of neglect.
  • Mistreatment of vulnerable individuals: Including, but not limited to, women, individuals with cognitive or emotional impairments, and elderly persons.

When to Contact a Support Coordinator

  • Provide direct assistance by supplying general guidance, updates, and/or recommendations to acknowledge, address, and resolve external inquiries.
  • Provide advocates or family members with specific answers to their questions based on publicly accessible policy, programming, or operational processes/rationale.
  • Provide referrals to Subject Matter Expert's (locally, regionally, or nationally) who can provide a follow up response to their inquiry.

Communication Guidelines and Contact Protocols

Your questions and concerns as family members, friends, or concerned parties are important.

Your inquiries sent to the Support Coordinators will be handled accordingly, prioritized by urgency.

Please note:

  • Your contacts with Support Coordinators are not confidential.
  • Support Coordinators cannot provide any public health information to family members, friends, or concerned parties under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliance.

Information regarding applicable policies and procedures, and/or referrals to the appropriate BOP employee and/or department (locally, regionally, or nationally) may be provided.

Safety and security concerns such as Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) violations or allegations of employee misconduct are referred to the Office of Internal Affairs for further review.

How to Contact a Support Coordinator

When contacting a Support Coordinator, please provide the following:

  • Incarcerated individual's Full Name and Register Number.
  • Institution name and location.
  • Detailed description of your inquiry or concern.

To ensure a prompt response and timely processing, please send your inquiries or concerns to BOP-RSD-SupportandAdvocacy-S@bop.gov. This email box is monitored Monday-Friday during normal business hours.

If your matter is urgent, please contact the Bureau of Prisons facility or Regional Office directly.

Additional Resources for External Stakeholders/Advocates

  • Director Hosts Listening Session - Article highlighting former Director Colette S. Peters' engagement with criminal justice stakeholders during a listening session focused on fostering dialogue around prison reform and showcasing key agency initiatives, including the launch of the Support Coordinator Program.
  • Support Coordinator Program - This brochure outlines the mission and services of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Support Coordinators, dedicated professionals who serve as liaisons between incarcerated individuals, their families, advocacy organizations, and Bureau staff.
  • FAQs (Coming Soon)
Questions: Please contact a Support Coordinator to get help with your inquiry or concern.