Understanding Federal Prison is Very Important for Anybody Going through a Federal Criminal Case
Federal Prison
“One of the many lessons that one learns in prison is, that things are what they are and will be what they will be.”
What is Federal Prison?
Run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, federal prison is where people sentenced to incarceration for a federal crime will spend their time. We get many questions from people charged with federal crimes what will happen if they go to federal prison. This is a good question and results in a complicated answer.
There are Many Federal Prisons Throughout the United States
In the United States, the Bureau of Prisons operates a myriad of different types of federal prison facilities. A federal inmate has the potential for doing their incarceration in almost of all of these prisons, even if the prison is in a different state or even a different region from where their crime and sentencing occurred. It is important to point out that a defendant being sentenced has some say in where they will do their time, and it is vital that this information be provided to the sentencing court ahead of time. The difference could mean First Step Act eligible program placement or being put in an institution close to your family.
Michigan has Two Federal Prison Facilities
FCI Milan, located in southeast Michigan, is generally the federal prison used by the Eastern District of Michigan as a starting off point for federal inmates. After sentence, most inmates are confined here until they are classified and placed in the prison in which they will do the majority of their time. Milan also is a full time prison, so there is a chance you could do all your time here. Finally, Milan serves as a facility that houses inmates who are going through their case and have not been granted pretrial release. A new addition to Michigan’s federal prison system is CI North Lake, located in Baldwin. This is a new prison which is operated by a private company. It allows federal inmates to stay in Michigan rather than some other state while they serve their time.
The Use of County Jails to Lock up Federal Inmates Prior to Trial
A very common occurrence in the Eastern District of Michigan is for federal defendants awaiting trial to be placed in county jails. This is done for numerous reasons, including space issues. However, another reason for this is to separate defendants who are involved in the same case. The United States Attorney will generally seek an order preventing co-defendants from having contact. The most common county jails used in southeast Michigan for housing federal defendants is Midland, Sanilac, Huron, St. Clair, and Livingston County. Other counties are used, such as Isabella and Claire.
What Can I Expect in Federal Prison?
Much of what will happen in your federal prison experience will depend on the classification you receive. The higher the classification, the less freedoms you have. You are also prohibited from participating in certain rehabilitate programs and vocational training. Prison itself is not an easy time, but federal prison does offer you the ability to maintain contact with your family and learn some skills so you can be a better person upon your release.