简体中文
EnglishWhat Is the BOP Website (bop.gov)?
Updated
bop.gov is the official website of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), a United States government agency. It is the primary online source for information about federal prisons, inmates in federal custody, BOP policies, and careers with the agency. You can use it to locate an inmate, find a federal facility, read official policy documents, or apply for a job — all through a secure .gov domain that signals official government operation.
Who runs it and why it matters
The site is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, an agency of the U.S. government. The homepage carries the standard federal notice that official websites use .gov domains and that secure .gov sites use HTTPS. This matters because it distinguishes bop.gov from third-party inmate-search or prison-information sites that are not official and may carry inaccurate or outdated data.
What you can do on bop.gov
The site is organized around a few core tasks:
- Find an inmate — look up a person in federal custody.
- Search for a facility — browse the full list of BOP locations or use a map, and filter by state.
- Read news and press releases — BOP News covers agency announcements and stories.
- Explore careers — current openings, the hiring process, and details on sign-on bonuses for high-demand roles.
- Access policy and forms — find documents, policies, and records available online.
- Learn about the First Step Act — including the FSA overview, PATTERN risk assessment, and needs assessment and programs.
- Find resources by audience — separate sections for attorneys, congressional and media representatives, employees, families and stakeholders, former adults in custody, health management, victims and witnesses, and volunteers.
Key sections at a glance
| Section | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Inmates → Find an Inmate | Locating someone in federal custody |
| Locations | List of facilities, map, and facility search |
| Careers | Openings, application process, sign-on bonuses |
| Policy & Forms | Official documents and forms |
| News | Stories and press releases |
| First Step Act | FSA resources and assessments |
| Resources For… | Audience-specific information |
A note on the sign-on bonuses
The homepage highlights nationwide sign-on bonuses for several high-demand positions, listing amounts such as up to $86,000 for psychologists, up to $49,000 for correctional officers, up to $38,000 for medical professionals, and up to $36,000 for special education teachers. These figures come directly from the site's current listing; treat them as the agency's advertised maximums and check the linked bonus page for eligibility conditions before relying on them.
How to tell you're on the official site
Because inmate information is sensitive and often sought through unofficial channels, confirm you are on bop.gov by checking that the address ends in .gov and that the connection uses HTTPS (shown by a lock icon). The site also provides a "How Do I…" menu and an A–Z topics index for navigating common tasks.