Recreation Programs, Inmate – BOP Program Statement 5370.11

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Program Statement

OPI: FPI/EDU

NUMBER: P5370.11

DATE: 6/25/2008

SUBJECT: Recreation Programs, Inmate

PURPOSE AND SCOPE §544.30

The Bureau of Prisons encourages inmates to make constructive use of leisure time, and offers movies, games, sports, social activities, arts and hobbycrafts, wellness, and other group and individual activities.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This revised Program Statement combines the Program Statements on Physical Fitness and Health Education and Inmate Recreation Programs.

• Program objectives were added.
• Two Review of Functions’ recommendations were included:
  • modified recreation staff’s responsibilities in regard to “at-risk” inmates and
  • changed the recreation report requirement from a monthly to a quarterly report.
• The provisions of Public Law 105-277, Section 611, limiting the use of funds for certain types of recreation equipment and activities, are included.
• Language on the use of trust fund for recreation programs has been removed and put in the Trust Fund Manual.
• Limitations on commissary purchases are included.
• The reference to the Program Statement, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Inmates has been removed, and a reference to the Health Services Manual has been added.
• Language has been added concerning program rules for leisure programs.
• A new section on Program Coordination and Supervision is included.
• A question and answers Attachment A has been added which provides clarification on statutory requirements affecting recreation.
• The requirement that department heads notify the Supervisor of Recreation prior to showing any general entertainment films/videos has been included.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The expected results of this program are:

1. Recreation programs will be provided to keep inmates constructively occupied and to reduce idleness.
2. The physical, emotional, and social well-being of inmates will be enhanced.
3. Inmates will be encouraged and assisted to adopt healthy daily lifestyle traits through participation in physical fitness and health education programs.
4. The need for inmate medical treatment will be decreased.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED

Directives Rescinded

PS 5370.08 Inmate Recreation Programs (6/13/94)

PS 5370.09 Physical Fitness and Health Education (1/20/95)

Directives Referenced

PS 1600.08 Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Manual (8/16/99)

PS 4500.04 Trust Fund/Warehouse/Laundry Manual (12/15/95)

PS 5265.11 Correspondence (7/9/99)

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

PS 5300.17 Education, Training, and Leisure-Time Program Standards (9/4/96)

PS 5381.04 Inmate Organizations (3/19/96)

PS 5580.06 Personal Property, Inmate (7/19/99)

PS 5800.10 Mail Management Manual (8/19/98)

PS 6000.05 Health Services Manual (9/15/96)

Rules cited in this Program Statement are contained in 28 CFR 540.30-34 and 544.80-83.

STANDARDS REFERENCED

American Correctional Association 2nd Edition Standards for the Administration of Correctional Agencies: 2-CO-5C-01

American Correctional Association 3rd Edition Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions: 3-4423 through 3-4428 and 3-4363

American Correctional Association 3rd Edition Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities: 3-ALDF-5C-01 through 02 and 3-ALDF-4E-33

American Correctional Association Standards for Adult Correctional Boot Camp Programs: 3-ABC-5C-01 through 06

DEFINITIONS §544.31

Leisure Activities

A wide range of activities in which inmates may participate when not performing assigned duties. Leisure activities include participation in organized and informal games, sports, physical fitness, table games, hobbycrafts, music programs, intramural activities, social and cultural organizations, movies, and stage shows. Religious activities, psychological services, and education classes are not included within this definition, except when they are used specifically to encourage knowledge, skills and attitudes related to leisure activity involvement.

Organized Activities

Activities accounted for by registration or roster of individual participants, and occur at a scheduled time and place.

Art Work

Includes all paintings and sketches rendered in any of the usual media (oils, pastels, crayons, pencils, inks, and charcoal).

Hobbycraft Activities

Include ceramics, leatherwork, models, clay, mosaics, crochet, knitting, sculptures, woodworking, lapidary, and other forms consistent with institution guidelines.

Inmate Wellness Program Activities

Include screening, assessments, goal setting, fitness/nutrition prescriptions and counseling.

At-Risk Inmate

An inmate who has been referred to the Recreation Department by Health Services, Psychology Services, or Unit Management on the basis that the inmate is reluctant to participate in recreational activities because he or she:

• is overweight;
• has a negative attitude toward physical fitness or exercise programs;
• is mentally, physically, or emotionally disabled; and/or
• has other physical or psychological problems.

PROGRAM COORDINATION AND SUPERVISION

Recreation Programs must be supervised by a qualified person meeting the qualifications set in the Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions.

Inmates may be used as recreation program assistants under the supervision of qualified staff members.

RECREATION/LEISURE TIME ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Recreation Supervisor must:

Develop and post a monthly activity schedule in recreation departments and housing units. The Recreation Supervisor is to retain these activity schedules for three years.

Complete a quarterly narrative report when one or more of the following applies:

• a brief summary of any innovative programs,
• an explanation of any deviations from the monthly activity schedule, and
• any areas of concern.

When required, the narrative report will be completed by the 10th of the month following the previous quarter and copies sent to:

• Supervisor of Education (if the Recreation Supervisor reports to the Supervisor of Education)
• Associate Warden over recreation programs
• Warden
• Regional Education Administrator
• Education Administrator, Central Office

The Recreation Supervisor is to retain these reports for three years.

Develop and provide a presentation for the Admission and Orientation program that encourages participation in physical and/or leisure activities, and explains consequences such as suspensions from programs that can result from inmate behavior that violates established rules.

Coordinate housing unit activities with Unit Managers.

Ensure that wellness and leisure activities are entered into the SENTRY Education Data System (EDS) accurately. Fiscal Year totals and other relevant information are to be included in the annual education report. Wellness and leisure activities may be entered into the EDS only if:

• The program or course has a curriculum,
• Attendance records are maintained,
• The program or course has completion criteria, and
• The program is instructional in nature; and ordinarily, “live” practice time does not exceed 10 percent of the total instructional course hours, and is limited to the minimum time required for the observation of the student by the instructor in order to assure skill mastery.

Participate in monthly staff meetings with education staff, unless Recreation is a separate department. If Recreation is a separate department, the Recreation Supervisor will conduct a monthly staff meeting and forward copies of the minutes to the:

• Warden
• Associate Warden
• Regional Education Administrator
• Education Administrator, Central Office

Develop a written plan for meeting the needs of “at-risk inmates,” to ensure that all those who are referred to recreation are interviewed, counseled, and recommended to participate in the appropriate structured or unstructured leisure, wellness, or recreation activities.

Develop guidelines for using protective equipment and clothing for inmates, as well as procedures to disseminate and enforce those guidelines.

Assign staff members to inspect recreation equipment and jogging areas weekly and hobbycraft equipment daily. Refer to the Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Manual for safety requirements concerning recreation. The Supervisor of Recreation will develop a form (or forms) to document the inspection of recreation equipment, jogging areas, and hobbycraft equipment (grinders, saws, lathes, etc.). Such forms will include:

• a list of equipment,
• date inspected,
• findings, and
• any corrective action taken.

Some consideration should be given when planning activities and equipment purchase to ensure that, whenever possible, sufficient equipment is on hand to meet the inmate population’s needs.

GOALS §544.32

The Warden is to ensure, to the extent possible, that leisure activities are provided to meet social, physical, psychological and overall wellness needs of inmates.

Recreation leisure programs provide a means for developing social and interpersonal skills. Uncooperative or other inappropriate behavior is not conducive to the development of these social skills.

In order to meet these goals, recreation staff will ensure that written rules of conduct exist for leisure programs, including hobbycraft. These rules are to provide guidance on dealing with unsportsmanlike and other inappropriate conduct for rule violations, including suspension from programs. These written program rules must be posted in prominent locations.

Staff will make every effort to assure that inmates are aware of program rules before beginning the program. Additionally, the Admission and Orientation lecture by staff will include an explanation of the consequence of program rule violations, including actions such as suspension from a program. When applicable, suspensions will be made in progressive increments for repeated violations.

1. Leisure activities are designed to attract inmate participation regardless of ethnic, racial, age, or sex difference, or handicap considerations, and to enhance the potential for post-release involvement.
2. Leisure activities are designed to ensure that an inmate with the need has the opportunity to complete one or more activities (see 28 CFR 544.81).

28 CFR 544.81 refers to the Program Statement on Education, Training and Leisure Time.

RECREATION PROGRAM LIMITATIONS

Funds may be expended from the Trust Fund as necessary to conduct recreation programs consistent with the Trust Fund/Warehouse/Laundry Manual.

Recreation items allowed as personal properties are listed in the Program Statement on Inmate Personal Property.

No funds, from any funding source, will be used for instruction (live or through broadcasts) or training equipment for boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, or any other martial art. (See Attachment A)

No body building or weightlifting equipment of any sort may be purchased. In-house minor repairs may be made to weightlifting benches, mats, and weightlifting belts (not cables) to ensure safety and prevent injuries. (See Attachment A)

No in-cell television viewing for inmates may be provided, whether funded with S&E funds, Trust Fund profits, or donations from community sources, except for inmates:

• segregated from the general prison population for their own safety (e.g., WITSEC)
• confined to cells or rooms at medical centers for serious, chronic medical conditions
• housed in cells on a regular and continuous basis (e.g., USP Marion, ADX Florence, etc.)
• participating in an already existing inmate incentive award program that uses in-cell viewing as the award; however, no funds of any type will be expended for the repair or upkeep of the televisions. Once inoperative, the program will cease. (See Attachment A)

Televisions for the inmate population may not exceed 30 inches.

Multi-purpose courts which are simple, functional, and cost effective are permitted.

MOVIES §544.33

If there is a program to show movies, the Supervisor of Education shall ensure that x-rated movies are not shown.

The Recreation Supervisor will exercise good judgment and follow statutory restrictions when selecting video movie rentals. No movies rated R, X, or NC-17 may be shown to inmates.

• Institutions may show R and NC-17 movies that have been edited for general public viewing.
• Spanish movies that are not rated may be shown if they do not include profanity, graphic violence, or nudity.
• Not all edited movies may be appropriate for the correctional setting; each institution must use caution in selecting movies. (See Attachment A)

Recreation staff’s use of videotapes in public performances without a licensing agreement is prohibited, and the Recreation Supervisor must enforce all videotape copyright and licensing requirements strictly.

INMATE RUNNING EVENTS §544.33

Running events will ordinarily not exceed 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles. Appropriate medical staff and fluid supplies (e.g., water) should be available for all inmate running events.

PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH EDUCATION

Institutions are encouraged to offer as many program components as staff and resources allow, but must offer:

• Component #1 – Structured Exercise
• Component #2 – Health Awareness Resource Area

Component #1: Structured Exercise

These are activities that offer opportunities to participate in regular, moderate levels of exercise monitored by recreation staff through exercise activity logs. Activity logs will include:

• the type of activity,
• the amount of time spent on the activity, and
• staff verification.

Institutions may offer The Presidential Sports Award Program, Cooper System of Aerobic Points, or any other structured exercise program that is monitored and based on regular, moderate levels of exercise.

These activities may include organized team and individual sports or physical fitness group activities that require registration of individual participants and occur at a scheduled time and place.

A system of non-cash incentives (such as certificates, recognition (non-Polaroid) photographs, or consumable items) may be established to encourage an inmate to pursue a program of regular exercise.

Component #2: “Health Awareness” Resource Area

This is a designated area in the recreation center or leisure library that contains pamphlets, brochures, magazines, health awareness videos, books, or other resource material promoting physical fitness and health education.

Component #3: Health Education Classes

These are structured classes, led by Recreation staff, contractors, volunteers, or qualified inmates with staff oversight, on such topics as:

• Introduction to Fitness
• Fundamentals of Proper Nutrition
• Smoking Cessation
• Weight Management
• Stress Management
• Human Anatomy
• Exercise Physiology
• Prevention of Back Pain
• Aerobic Exercise

To be officially recorded, each class must include:

• required attendance,
• a written curriculum (at least a course syllabus and lesson plans; these might be provided by the vendor), and
• class completion criteria.

Such classes may be entered into the EDS under the wellness group code.

Component #4: Volunteers & Community Resources

This component involves ongoing program support at no cost to the Bureau through such community organizations or individuals as those from colleges, universities, fitness clubs, hospitals, or other agencies/organizations that contribute to overall program effectiveness.

Component #5: Health Appraisals, Fitness Assessments and Exercise Program Plans

This involves a formal approach to health appraisals, fitness assessments, and exercise program plans including:

• a review of health history;
• a fitness assessment; and
• a schedule of safe personal exercise.

A staff member who has received specialized training through a recognized certification program, or similar training through undergraduate or graduate studies must supervise this program. An inmate’s participation may be part of a treatment protocol and is ordinarily based on a referral from Health Services, Psychology Services, or the Unit Team. Physical fitness assessments generally consist of:

• cardiovascular endurance (1.5 mile run or 12 minute run/walk);
• percentage of body fat (skin fold measurements);
• flexibility (sit and reach test); and
• dynamic strength (one minute sit-up/push-up tests).

Exercise program plans are ordinarily based on the results of health appraisals and fitness assessments. Careful consideration should be given to any restrictions or recommended training levels specified by Health Services.

Component #6: Special Events

These are special physical fitness and health education activities, such as:

• health fairs;
• health education book fairs;
• participation in nationally recognized health events;
• Walk-a-Thons; or
• Aerob-a-Thons.

ART AND HOBBYCRAFT §544.34

The art and hobbycraft program enables inmates to make constructive use of their leisure hours, use their skills and creative abilities constructively, and gain a sense of accomplishment. Use of hobbycraft facilities is a privilege that the Warden or staff delegated that authority may grant or deny.

Obtaining Materials

An inmate engaged in art or hobbycraft activities may obtain materials through:

• The institution art program (if one exists);
• The commissary sales unit;
• Special purchase commissary orders, if the sales unit is unable to stock a sufficient amount of the needed materials; or
• Other sources approved by the Warden.

Identification of Products

Each inmate shall identify completed art or hobbycraft products by showing the inmate’s name and register number on the reverse side of the item.

Disposition

Completed or abandoned art or hobbycraft articles must be disposed of in one of the following ways:

• Upon approval of the Warden, by giving the item to an authorized visitor. The quantity of items will be determined by the Warden.
• By mailing the item to a verified relative or approved visitor at the inmate’s expense.
• By selling, through an institution art and hobbycraft sales program, if one exists, after the institution price committee has determined the sale price.
• Other methods established by the Warden.

If an institution has a sales program, procedures for it must be included in the Institution Supplement on Recreation Programs.

To reduce fire hazards and to conserve space, art and hobbycraft items that are not disposed of in any of the listed ways is contraband.

Restrictions

Art and hobbycraft programs are intended for the personal enjoyment of an inmate and as an opportunity to learn a new leisure skill. They are not for the mass production of art and hobbycraft items by artists or to provide a means of supplementing an inmate’s income.

The Recreation Supervisor is responsible for developing a record-keeping system to control ongoing and completed projects.

1. The Warden may restrict, for reasons of security and housekeeping, the size and quantity of all products made in the art and hobbycraft program. Paintings mailed out of the institution must conform to both institution guidelines and postal regulations. If an inmate’s art work or hobbycraft is on public display, the Warden may restrict the content of the work in accordance with community standards of decency.

The Warden is to consult with Regional Counsel prior to restricting the public display of inmate art work or hobbycraft, to ensure that appropriate legal standards are met.

2. The Warden may set limits, in compliance with commissary guidelines, on the amount of money an inmate may spend on art or hobbycraft items or materials.

The limit may not exceed $300 per quarter through commissary, special purchase order, or a combination of the two.

3. The Warden may restrict for reasons of security, fire safety, and housekeeping, the use or possession of art and hobbycraft items or materials.
4. Appropriate hobbycraft activities shall be encouraged in the inmate living areas. However, the Warden may limit hobbycraft projects in the cell/living areas to those which can be contained/stored in provided personal property containers. Exceptions may be made for such items as a painting where the size would prohibit placement in a locker. Hobbycraft items must be removed from the living area when completed unless they are approved as personal property.
5. The Warden shall require the inmate to mail completed hobbycraft articles out of the institution at the inmate’s expense, or to give them to an authorized visitor within 30 days of completion, or to dispose of them through approved sales. However, articles offered for sale must be sold within 90 days of completion, or must be given to an authorized visitor or mailed out of the institution at the inmate’s expense.

Inmates may sell hobbycraft articles or finished goods, and visitors or Bureau employees may buy such articles, only as prescribed below:

Articles for Sale

The inmate must submit finished articles to be offered for sale to the recreation staff responsible for the hobby shop and attach a price tag reflecting his or her valuation of the item.

Recreation staff must assign a serial number to the item and enter the item and serial number on the register of Hobby Shop Articles for Sale (BP-196), prepared in duplicate. The Supervisor of Recreation is to retain records for at least three years.

Price Committee

The Warden designates members to the institution Price Committee, ordinarily recreation staff responsible for the hobby shop, a member of the education department, and one other employee.

Prior to making an article available for sale, the Price Committee approves the register of Hobby Shop Articles for Sale.

Authority

The Price Committee may return to the inmate any item considered to be poorly constructed or not in good taste. The committee may consider articles in sets as one piece, with only one serial number assigned.

Sales Approval

Articles may not be sold for more than the amount the Price Committee approves. Should the committee’s price differ from the one the inmate provides, the inmate’s approval will be obtained on the Hobby Shop Articles for Sale form prior to display. If the inmate disagrees with the Committee’s price, and refuses to sign the form indicating approval, the item must be withdrawn from sale.

Sales Display

After the Price Committee’s approval, the article (plus the original of the Hobby Shop Articles for Sale form) will be delivered to the staff member in charge of the display case. Recreation staff will retain a copy of the form.

Each article on display will indicate the name and serial number of the item and the price designated by the Price Committee, but the inmate’s name or register number may not appear on the item. An inmate may withdraw an article displayed for sale at any time.

The recreation staff member and the employee in charge of the display case will do a monthly inventory of articles in the display case. Articles not sold within 90 days will be returned to the inmate for further disposition in accordance with subsection 14.c. above.

Posting

Funds received for articles sold will be recorded on a Temporary Receipt – Inmate Funds (BP-197). The funds, along with the yellow copy of the Temporary Receipt, will be delivered to the mail room for inclusion in the daily collections.

Space and Time Limitations

Where space and equipment are limited and demand is high, the Warden may set limits on the amount of time an inmate may use a hobbycraft facility, e.g., the Warden may limit an inmate’s use of any workshop or classroom to six months to make room for new students. Hobbycraft participants may be rotated to allow for maximum utilization of the resources.

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action may be taken against inmates found with unauthorized hobbycraft materials in their possession. This action may include the removal of the inmate from the hobbycraft program.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be maintained for all products. It is the Recreation Supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that the MSDSs are completed and available for all staff and inmates and that relevant safety talks are provided to all persons involved with the hazardous leisure-time materials, consistent with the Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Manual.

All hazardous materials will be stored and disposed of in accord with OSHA regulations, and inventoried regularly with an effective bin card system.

MUSIC ACTIVITIES

Recreation staff will provide music instruments; however, no electric or electronic musical instrument may be purchased. Existing electric or electronic musical instruments that break may not be repaired. This equipment may be given to Religious Services if it is needed to provide music for religious services. If not, this equipment should be disposed of through normal excess property procedure. (See Attachment A)

An inmate may not purchase or have sent in any personal musical instruments, except for a harmonica.

INSTITUTION SUPPLEMENT

Local procedures will be established for operating the hobbycraft program in a separate Institution Supplement, or as a component of a consolidated Institution Supplement on Inmate Recreation Programs. It will include guidelines and procedures for:

• enrollment,
• types of programs and training offered,
• membership, organization, and procedures for the hobbycraft Price Committee,
• the disposition of finished inmate products, and
• any requirements for protective equipment and clothing for inmates involved in recreation and leisure time programs.

/s/

Kathleen Hawk Sawyer, Director

Questions and Concerns Regarding the Implementation of the Legislation Affecting Recreation and Other Recreation Issues

Viewing of R, X, or NC-17 Rated Movies

Instruction or Training for Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Karate or Other Martial Arts or any Body Building or Weightlifting Equipment

Electronic and Electric Instruments

Other Issues

Published Feb 9, 2025 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Feb 24, 2025 at 11:13 am