When one is sentenced to Minimum Security Federal Prison Camp, they reach the Federal prison in one of two ways. Self surrender allows the Federal inmate to surrender at the Minimum Security Federal Prison Camp, while remanded custody forces the Federal prisoner into custody immediately after sentencing.

Federal Prison and Federal Prison Camp inmates are afforded very little privacy in Federal Prison. For the first time inmate this can cause quite a bit of unease as they struggle to cope with being thrust out into the public eye. However, over time this need for privacy subsides somewhat and one becomes used to spending the majority of the day and night surrounded by others.

Most often used for disciplinary purposes, most Federal prison inmates will spend the first few days or weeks of their sentence in the hole, officially called the SHU or Special Housing Unit by the Bureau of Prisons. With 23 hour a day lock down, survival requires preparation and patience.

As in the free world, in Federal prison a set of rules that dictate inmate behavior have developed. Those who fail to adhere to these rules face serious consequences. Those who understand the rules and make an effort to adhere to them can expect to do their time in peace.

Today, more than at any time in the history of the United States, more American adults find themselves incarcerated in jails and State and Federal prison. In many states, spending on corrections now outweighs eduction.

Making phone calls from Federal prison is a privilege extended to Federal inmates who abide by the rules. Before an inmate picks up the phone, there are certain things that must be kept in mind and certain rules that must be adhered to at risk of losing all phone privileges for an extended period of time.

As with many aspects of Federal prison, there are many rules, both unwritten and written for behavior in the dining hall, commonly referred to by inmates and staff as mainline or Chow Hall. By educating oneself on these rules, a myriad of problems can be avoided.

There are four variables involved in calculating a Federal prison sentence. It is necessary to understand each variable in order to accurately calculate the actual time to be served on a Federal prison sentence.

The Second Chance Act passed last year aims to assist those being released from Federal prison by offering a support system to assist with reintegration into society. While the act provides numerous useful services to the newly released Federal prison inmate, many prisoners and their families have found their hopes at a true second chance and an early release, dashed.