Progress Reports: Triennial Preparation

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Prisons is proposing to amend its regulations on

progress reports to require that progress reports for designated

inmates be prepared at least once every 36 months. The purpose of this

change is to streamline operations at Bureau facilities while

continuing to provide appropriate program services to inmates.

DATES: Comments due by May 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Rules Unit, Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons,

HOLC Room 754, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Nanovic, Office of General

Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, phone (202) 514-6655.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Prisons is proposing to amend

its regulations on progress reports (28 CFR part 524, subpart E). A

final rule on this subject was published in the Federal Register on

December 3, 1990 (55 FR 49977), and was amended February 11, 1994 (59

FR 6856) and February 27, 1995 (60 FR 10722).

Progress reports are used to maintain current information on an

inmate such as his/her institutional adjustment, program participation,

and readiness for release. Paragraph (e) of Sec. 524.41 had previously

specified that a progress report shall be prepared on each federal

inmate at least once every 24 months, if for no other reason than to

update report information. This paragraph was amended in 1995 to allow

for a triennial rather than biennial progress report for inmates at

independent camps. This amendment allowed the Bureau to allocate staff

resources at independent camps in a more efficient manner. The Bureau

wishes to extend such streamlining of operations to its other

facilities, and therefore proposes to require that a progress report be

prepared on each designated inmate at least once every 36 months if not

previously generated for another reason required by Sec. 524.41.

The Bureau of Prisons has determined that this rule is not a

significant regulatory action for the purpose of E.O. 12866, and

accordingly was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

After review of the law and regulations, the Director, Bureau of

Prisons has certified that this rule, for the purpose of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), does not have a significant

impact on a substantial number of small entities. Because this rule

pertains to the correctional management of offenders committed to the

custody of the Attorney General or the Director of the Bureau of

Prisons, its economic impact is limited to the Bureau's appropriated

funds.

Interested persons may participate in this proposed rulemaking by

submitting data, views, or arguments in writing to the Rules Unit,

Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW.,

HOLC Room 754, Washington, DC 20534. Comments received during the

comment period will be considered before final action is taken.

Comments received after the expiration of the comment period will be

considered to the extent practicable. All comments received remain on

file for public inspection at the above address. The proposed rule may

be changed in light of the comments received. No oral hearings are

contemplated.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 524

Prisoners.

Ronald G. Thompson,

Acting Director, Bureau of Prisons.

Accordingly, pursuant to the rulemaking authority vested in the

Attorney General in 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and delegated to the Director,

Bureau of Prisons in 28 CFR 0.96(p), part 524 in subchapter B of 28

CFR, chapter V is proposed to be amended as set forth below.

SUBCHAPTER B--INMATE ADMISSION, CLASSIFICATION, AND TRANSFER

PART 524--CLASSIFICATION OF INMATES

1. The authority citation for 28 CFR part 524 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3521-3528, 3621, 3622, 3624,

4001, 4042, 4046, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses

committed on or after November 1, 1987), 5006-5024 (Repealed October

12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that date), 5039; 21 U.S.C.

848; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510; 28 CFR 0.95-0.99.

2. In Sec. 524.41, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 524.41 Types of progress reports.

* * * * *

(e) Triennial Report--prepared on each designated inmate at least

once every 36 months if not previously generated for another reason

required by this section.

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 97-5397 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]

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