Table of Contents
Hostage Situation Management
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
OPI: CPD
NUMBER: 5557.06
DATE: July 18, 1996
SUBJECT: Hostage Situation Management
RULES EFFECTIVE DATE: July 22, 1996
PURPOSE AND SCOPE §552.30
The Bureau of Prisons primary objectives in all hostage situations are to safely free the hostage(s) and to regain control of the institution.
Staff are advised to refer to the Correctional Services Manual, for additional guidance on managing hostage situations.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The expected results of this program are:
- Any hostage situation that occurs will be managed to safely free hostages and regain control of the institution.
- Decision making authority in any hostage situation will be clearly delineated.
- Negotiations in hostage situations will ordinarily be done by staff trained in negotiation techniques.
- Contacts with representatives of the news media will be done by specifically assigned staff and in accordance with Bureau policy.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED
Directive Rescinded: PS 5557.05 Hostage Situations (12/11/91)
Directives Referenced
PS 1480.03 News Media Contacts (10/07/94)
PS 5500.07 Correctional Services Manual (09/18/95)
Rules cited in this Program Statement are contained in 28 CFR 552.30-33.
Rules referenced in this Program Statement are contained in 28 CFR 540.65.
STANDARDS REFERENCED
American Correctional Association Foundation/Core Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions: FC2-4055
American Correctional Association 3rd Edition Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions: 3-4212
American Correctional Association Foundation/Core Standards, Adult Local Detention Facilities: FC2-5053
NEGOTIATIONS §552.31
The Warden is not ordinarily involved directly in the negotiation process. Instead, this responsibility is ordinarily assigned to a team of individuals specifically trained in hostage negotiation techniques.
- Negotiators have no decision-making authority in hostage situations, but rather serve as intermediaries between hostage takers and command center staff.
- During the negotiation process, the following items are non-negotiable: release of captors from custody, providing of weapons, exchange of hostages, and immunity from prosecution.
- Negotiation teams typically consist of a team leader, a primary and a secondary negotiator, a mental health expert, and a recorder.
HOSTAGES §552.32
Captive staff have no authority and their directives shall be disregarded.
Captive staff, regardless of their positions of authority, are considered to be under duress, and their directives are to be disregarded.
MEDIA §552.33
The Warden shall assign staff to handle all news releases and news media inquiries in accordance with the rule on Contact with News Media (see 28 CFR 540.65)
28 CFR 540.65, the rule on Contact with the News Media, is contained in the Program Statement on News Media Contacts.
- Ordinarily, the Warden should assign the institution Public Information Officer. Whomever is assigned shall contact the Central Office Public Information Officer for technical assistance.
- The person assigned should arrange for regular briefings of any family members of hostages gathered at the Hostage Family Services Center.
- Media representatives shall be located in an area where their presence will not interfere with the effective management of the hostage situation.
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Kathleen M. Hawk, Director
Published Feb 8, 2025 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Feb 20, 2025 at 8:14 pm