Prison Designations

Navigating the complexities of the prison system can overwhelm a person who doesn't understand how it operates. I learned while living through many aspects of the system.

After my arrest in 1987, authorities locked me in various detention centers. I spent most of that first year in solitary confinement while I had to work through the judicial process. I didn’t realize at the time that the decisions I made would bring results, and those results would influence where I served my sentence and what opportunities I would have. 

After a judge sentenced me to serve a 45-year sentence, I transitioned from the detention centers to transit centers, and then to a high-security federal prison. I remained inside those walls for about seven years, then transferred to a medium-security prison. After a couple years in that system, I transferred to a low-security prison, where I stayed for eight years. Then, I went to a series of minimum-security camps for the final decade.

Each designation during the 26 years that I served provided unique challenges and opportunities for self-growth. That’s why I emphasize the importance of thinking strategically about designations early, even during the most uncertain moments. By planning and approaching incarceration with purpose, you can transform any challenge into a stepping stone toward success. 

Through that journey, I learned the importance of making informed decisions. To maximize opportunities for personal growth, we should always strive to learn more.

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What Are Prison Designations? 

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) uses a classification system to make designation decisions. Various factors influence the designation process, including the length of the sentence, the nature of the offense, the security risk level, and medical or educational needs.  Most factors are static, since no one can change the past. But a person does have some control over how to influence the future.

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Key Factors Influencing Designation 

• Security Levels: Facilities range from high, medium, low, and minimum security. Each level determines the level of restrictions, movement, and opportunities available.
• Custody Classification: Your past criminal history and behavior in detention may influence how the system classifies your risk level. 
• Proximity to Home: While the BOP tries to place individuals near their families, administrators will consider institutional need, which can take priority over an individual's needs. 
• Program Needs: Educational background, medical requirements, or access to certain rehabilitation programs can also play a role in designations.

Understanding these factors can help you advocate for the best possible outcome, whether it involves being closer to loved ones or accessing educational and self-improvement programs. 

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Why Prison Designations Matter 

After about eight years of living in custody, I transferred from a high-security penitentiary to a medium-security facility. The difference was drastic—not just in the level of restrictions but in the personal opportunities available to me. In higher-security facilities, I always felt the threat of violence, which spawned a culture of hopelessness. As I transitioned to lower-security facilities, I felt it easier to open more opportunities. Yet regardless of where administrators held me, I could always find ways to contribute meaningfully to society. 

If I had understood  designations earlier, such as during the judicial process, I may have been able to influence an easier transition. Knowing where you may start, and creating a plan for where you want to go, can make all the difference. 

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Strategies for Making the Most of Your Designation 

Here’s how you can take control, plan strategically, and create a purposeful path during incarceration:

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1. Research Your Designation Options 

Understand how the system works and look into the programs and opportunities available at different security levels. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about various facilities, the better prepared you’ll be to make informed requests or adjustments as needed. 

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2. Advocate for Yourself 

If possible, work with your attorney during the pre-sentence investigation phase to recommend a facility that aligns with your goals (e.g., a location close to family or one with robust educational programs). Be respectful, factual, and specific in your requests. 

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3. Document Your Journey 

I learned the power of documentation during my time in prison. Keep a log of the steps you’re taking to work toward your goals, such as education, rehabilitative efforts, or positive contributions to the prison community. This not only builds credibility but can influence recommendations for future reclassification to a lower security level. 

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4. Connect with Mentors and Build Networks 

One of the most impactful steps I took was seeking guidance from others who were ahead of me in their journeys. Early on, I met mentors who encouraged me to pursue education. Their advice led me to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree while incarcerated. Connect with people who inspire you to grow—whether it’s fellow inmates, staff, or outside contacts. 

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5. Set Goals and Take Daily Action 

Success rarely happens overnight. Break down your long-term goals into daily actions. For instance, if your goal is to write a book or earn a degree, allocate specific hours each day to reading, studying, or writing. These small, consistent steps build momentum. 

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6. Engage in Self-Directed Learning 

If the system doesn’t provide what you need, create it for yourself. When I couldn’t find the resources I needed, I wrote to professors and mentors outside the system, requesting books and academic guidance. Educate yourself through every available platform, whether that’s prison programs, correspondence courses, or personal studies. 

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7. Contribute Positively to Your Community 

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time in prison was mentoring others. Share your skills, tutor someone, or find other ways to help those around you. Contribution shifts your mindset from isolation to purpose and creates a positive legacy wherever you are. 

The sooner you engage in deliberate planning and take ownership of your time inside, the faster you can turn a prison sentence into a meaningful chapter of success. 

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Key Takeaways 

• Understand Designations: Research how the system works to align your goals with potential opportunities at your assigned facility. 
• Adopt a Growth Mindset: View incarceration as an opportunity to change and grow, not as an endpoint. 
• Engage in Meaningful Action: Document your goals, learn something new, and contribute positively to the lives of others. 
• Network and Seek Mentors: Build relationships that uplift and challenge you to achieve more than you thought possible. 

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Self-Directed Learning Questions 

• What can you do today to prepare for your prison designation and make the most of your time inside? 
• How will you use daily habits to align with your long-term goals? 
• Who could you connect with—inside or outside prison—to help guide your personal growth? 

Prison designations may feel out of your control. In Earning Freedom, I wrote about the strategies and tactics I used to influence where I would serve my sentence at later stages. Learn about the system, set clear goals, and commit to personal growth. Transform your experience from one of restriction to empowerment. 

Start where you are, use the tools available to you, and create a future that reflects the person you’re striving to become.  Every step you take brings you closer to the success and freedom you deserve.

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