How to Get Your Custody Level Score Down in Federal Prison

Your Bureau of Prisons (BOP) custody level influences where you’re housed (camp, low, medium, high), job assignments, movement privileges, transfer eligibility, and—practically—how easy it is to work toward reentry. Lower scores generally mean more opportunities and fewer restrictions.

What Goes Into the Custody/Security Score

Current offense severity: greater severity = more points.
History of violence/weapons: prior conduct and convictions matter.
Criminal history: more prior record generally = more points.
Detainers/warrants/ICE holds: active detainers increase points.
Escape/flight history: prior escapes or walk-aways elevate custody.
Age and stability factors: younger age can add points; verified stability can help.
Education verification: lack of verified HS diploma/GED may add points; verification can reduce them.
Disciplinary record: recent incident reports (“shots”) raise your overall risk profile.

Overrides you should know: Public Safety Factors (PSFs) (e.g., greatest severity, sex offender, disruptive group) can keep you at higher security regardless of points. Management Variables (MGTVs) let staff adjust placement up or down for documented reasons (medical, population, program needs).

Ways to Lower Your Score

Stay ticket-free: avoid 100/200-series shots; clear conduct over time is the fastest path down.
Finish your GED (or verify HS diploma): get proof into your file—this can remove education-related points.
Resolve detainers: work with counsel/family to clear old warrants or holds that add points.
Complete recommended programs: follow your case manager’s program plan; document completions.
Maintain FRP participation: being current on the Financial Responsibility Program shows stability.
Choose steady work details: positive work evaluations support lower custody at Program Review.
Address PSFs when possible: request review/removal of outdated PSFs if you qualify and have documentation.
Build a strong release plan: verified housing, job leads, treatment plans, and transportation reduce risk.
Keep medical/mental health current: compliance and treatment stability can support a downgrade.
Show consistency: a clean year (or more) with programs, work, and no incidents strengthens transfer requests.

How to Work the Process

Program Review: bring certificates, pay stubs (UNICOR/commissary), and a one-page summary of progress.
Ask for a re-score: if you’ve earned GED, cleared a detainer, or stayed incident-free, request recalculation.
Request a management variable down: where appropriate, ask for a downward MGTV to enable a lower-security transfer.
Document everything: keep copies; make it easy for staff to update your file.

Common Pitfalls

Unverified education: not sending transcripts costs you points you don’t need to carry.
Old detainers: ignoring a minor hold keeps you stuck; get it addressed.
Stacking programs without proof: if it’s not in your central file, it doesn’t count—submit documentation.
Chasing rumors: rely on written policy and your case manager’s plan, not hearsay on the compound.

Bottom Line

You can’t change the past, but you can change your file. Steady, ticket-free conduct, verified education, cleared detainers, documented programming, and a practical release plan are the levers that move your custody score down—and open doors to lower security and better reentry options.