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Ask the Right Office: Federal (BOP)

Pick a problem to see the office, the official rule, the deadlines and who must file. Then fill in a plain-English letter in your browser, print or save it as a PDF, and add a follow-up date to your calendar.

What this page can and can't tell you

Can: Which office to write to and how to put together a clear letter.

Can't: It can't give an official release date, say whether a specific person qualifies, or give legal advice. Only the DOC, the board or a court decides.

A letter doesn't replace the required official grievance form or procedure, and those have deadlines. If you're worried about retaliation, keep copies and dates of everything you send, and tell the person's attorney or a legal aid office if anything changes afterward.

Free legal help: Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid (civil matters). For criminal cases, ask the public defender's office that handled the case.






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Federal (BOP) at a glance

ProblemOfficeDeadline to fileResponse deadline
Time calculation reviewWarden (Administrative Remedy Request, form BP-9, after trying informal resolution with staff)20 calendar days after the event (28 CFR 542.14).Warden: 20 calendar days (28 CFR 542.18).
Credit (good time) disputeWarden (Administrative Remedy Request, form BP-9, after trying informal resolution with staff)20 calendar days after the event (28 CFR 542.14).Warden: 20 calendar days (28 CFR 542.18).
Medical request or complaintWarden (Administrative Remedy Request, form BP-9, after trying informal resolution with staff)20 calendar days after the event (28 CFR 542.14).Warden: 20 calendar days (28 CFR 542.18).
Visit or mail denial appealWarden (Administrative Remedy Request, form BP-9, after trying informal resolution with staff)20 calendar days after the event (28 CFR 542.14).Warden: 20 calendar days (28 CFR 542.18).
Records requestThe records custodian at the agency that keeps the recordNo filing deadline in the statute.The agency must decide within 20 working days (5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(A)(i)). You can appeal a denial within at least 90 days.
Parole fileNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Disability (ADA) accommodationWarden (Administrative Remedy Request, form BP-9, after trying informal resolution with staff)20 calendar days after the event (28 CFR 542.14).Warden: 20 calendar days (28 CFR 542.18).
Transfer or classificationWarden (Administrative Remedy Request, form BP-9, after trying informal resolution with staff)20 calendar days after the event (28 CFR 542.14).Warden: 20 calendar days (28 CFR 542.18).

Grievance rule: 28 CFR part 542, Administrative Remedy Program (opens in new tab). Records: 5 U.S.C. § 552 (Freedom of Information Act) (opens in new tab). Who files a grievance: The inmate. No one may file for another inmate (28 CFR 542.10).

Not legal advice. Rules change and facilities may add local steps; the official text controls. Missing a deadline can end a claim. Find free legal aid (LSC) (opens in new tab). Last checked .

Other states · Federal (BOP) credit rules · Check a release calculation · Release countdown · What do I do now?

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