Alcohol Surveillance and Testing Program – BOP Program Statement 6590.07

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Prisons

OPI: CPD

NUMBER: 6590.07

DATE: December 31, 1996

SUBJECT: Alcohol Surveillance and Testing Program

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE §550.10

The Bureau of Prisons maintains a surveillance program in order to deter and to detect the illegal introduction or use of alcohol in its institutions. In an effort to reduce the introduction or use of alcohol, the Warden shall establish procedures for monitoring and testing individual inmates or groups of inmates who are known or suspected to be users of alcohol, or who are considered high risks based on behavior observed or on information received by staff.

Ordinarily, the Warden shall designate the Captain as the institution’s alcohol testing coordinator.

2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The expected results of this program are:

An inmate’s use of alcohol will be detected.
Use of alcohol by inmates will be deterred.
A safe and orderly environment will be provided for inmates.

3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED

a. Directive Rescinded

PS 6590.05 Alcohol Testing (02/03/88)

b. Directive Referenced

PS 1627.01 Commercial Drivers, Testing for Use of Controlled Substance and Alcohol (11/29/96)

PS 5270.07 Inmate Discipline and Special Housing Units (12/29/87)

PS 5360.06 Religious Beliefs and Practices of Committed Offenders (08/29/96)

c. Rules cited in this Program Statement are contained in 28 CFR 550.10

3. STANDARDS REFERENCED

None.

4. PRETRIAL/HOLDOVER PROCEDURES

Procedures required in this Program Statement are applicable to pretrial and holdover inmates.

5. LEVEL OF TESTING

Each Warden shall determine the appropriate level of monitoring and testing to ensure adequate control of alcohol. Among the factors that shall be consider are:

Security level of the institution,
Opportunity for inmates to acquire alcohol through community contacts,
Specific work areas where the ingredients for making alcoholic beverages are located, and
The work and living areas of inmates who have histories of alcohol abuse.

6. ALCOHOL TESTING EQUIPMENT

The Alco-Sensor Model II, III or IV, shall be used for testing. Employees assigned to use the instrument shall be knowledgeable of its operation as described in the company brochure.

Calibration checks shall be performed on the Alco-Sensor at least monthly according to procedures outlined in the company brochure, and each calibration shall be documented in the alcohol test log.

7. ALCOHOL TEST LOG

An alcohol test log shall be maintained in a bound ledger, which can be a log book, loose leaf binder, or other documentation, indicating:

Identification of inmate being tested,
Identification of employee performing the test,
Date and time test administered,
Test results,
Whether the inmate refused to cooperate, and
Type of test.

8. TESTING PROCEDURES

Alcohol testing shall be accomplished through the following procedure:

Employees shall ensure that the inmate being tested is not permitted to eat, drink or smoke.
A reading of .02 or higher shall be considered positive.
If the first test is positive, a second confirmation test shall be administered 15 minutes after the initial test.

a. Staff may prepare a disciplinary report on an inmate who shows a positive substantiated test result for alcohol.

If the confirmation test registers .02 or higher, an incident report shall be prepared, unless there are exceptional circumstances to prove otherwise, charging the inmate with using intoxicants.

b. Staff may initiate disciplinary action against an inmate who refuses to submit to an alcohol test.

An inmate’s refusal to be tested may be by word or action. The employee who writes the disciplinary report shall clearly document the statements or actions which indicated a refusal.

See the Program Statement on Inmate Discipline and Special Housing Units for further information.

9. TESTING SUSPECT LIQUIDS

The Alco-Sensor instrument shall be used to test liquids suspected of containing alcohol following procedures outlined in the company brochure.

Liquids with a test reading of .02 or higher shall be considered positive for alcohol.

10. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (FHWA) TESTING

Inmates assigned to drive a vehicle requiring a commercial drivers license, under FHWA guidelines are also subject to alcohol testing.

11. INSTITUTION SUPPLEMENT

An Institution Supplement shall be developed at each institution to implement this Program Statement.

\s\ Kathleen M. Hawk
Director

Alcohol Surveillance and Testing Program – BOP Program Statement 6590.07 Download

Published Feb 6, 2025 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Feb 11, 2025 at 8:48 am