If you have searched the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator — or the DC DOC inmate search — and found your loved one listed as "IN TRANSIT," you are not alone. This status, while alarming at first, is a normal part of how both the federal prison system and the District of Columbia Department of Corrections move inmates between facilities and to court appearances. This guide explains what IN TRANSIT means under each system, how DC DOC transportation works under its agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service, how long transit typically lasts, and what families can do in the meantime.
DC DOC Prisoner Transportation: The DOC–USMS Agreement
The DC Department of Corrections has entered into a formal Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) that transfers primary transportation responsibility from the USMS to the DOC for all DOC prisoners scheduled to appear in DC Superior Court. Under this agreement, the DC DOC — not the U.S. Marshals — is responsible for moving inmates to and from court.
In practice, DOC transportation covers a broader network than just the DC Jail:
- Central Detention Facility (DC Jail) — the main jail facility on D Street SE
- Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) — the privately operated facility adjacent to the DC Jail
- St. Elizabeths Hospital – John Howard Pavilion — housing mentally ill defendants remanded to psychiatric evaluation or treatment
- Other local detention facilities — any additional facilities in the DC area holding DOC prisoners
The DOC also handles emergency medical hospital runs for inmates in its custody, meaning transport to and from outside medical appointments and emergency care is coordinated through the DOC transportation division rather than law enforcement agencies.
For families: when a DC DOC inmate shows as IN TRANSIT, they are most likely being moved for a Superior Court appearance, transferred between one of the facilities above, or taken to a medical appointment. This is routine and does not indicate a permanent facility transfer.
What Does "IN TRANSIT" Mean in the Federal Bureau of Prisons?
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is the federal agency responsible for housing individuals convicted of federal crimes. As of recent data, the BOP has custody of approximately 153,831 inmates across a network of federal correctional institutions and detention centers nationwide. DC residents convicted of felonies serve their sentences in BOP custody — making them subject to both DC DOC jurisdiction and BOP housing, a common source of confusion for families.
IN TRANSIT in the BOP system indicates that a federal prisoner is actively being transported between facilities. This happens routinely for several reasons:
- Initial designation: After sentencing, inmates are transported from a local holding facility to their designated BOP institution.
- Facility transfer: Changes in security classification, medical needs, programming availability, or population management may require moving an inmate during their sentence.
- Court appearances (writs): Inmates may be temporarily transported back to the jurisdiction where they have pending charges or testimony obligations.
- End-of-sentence transfers: Inmates nearing release may be transferred to a Residential Reentry Center (halfway house) or home confinement.
How the Federal Transfer Process Works
Federal inmate transportation is managed by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the BOP's own Transportation Division. The system operates like a hub-and-spoke airline network — not a direct point-to-point transfer:
- Inmates may travel by bus, van, or airplane (the federal prisoner airlift is informally known as "Con Air" — formally the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System, or JPATS).
- Most inmates pass through federal holding facilities acting as transit hubs, including USP Atlanta, MDC Brooklyn, MCC San Diego, and the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City — a facility dedicated entirely to housing inmates in transit.
- Indirect routing means that even short geographic distances can take two to six weeks, and occasionally longer.
- Inmates do not know their routing or arrival schedule in advance.
This extended, indirect process is one of the most stressful aspects of the federal system for families. Understanding that the delay is systemic — and not a sign of anything wrong — is important context.
How to Find a Federal Inmate Who Is IN TRANSIT
When the BOP locator shows "IN TRANSIT," the inmate's precise location cannot be disclosed while they are actively in the transport system. You can still:
Use the BOP Inmate Locator
The BOP's free Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/ lets you search by name or BOP register number. The locator will show "IN TRANSIT" until the inmate arrives and is checked in at their destination — typically updating within 24–72 hours of arrival. Check daily and keep the inmate's 8-digit register number on hand, as it is the permanent identifier used for all BOP transactions.
Contact the Sending Facility
If you know which facility the inmate was transferred from, call that facility's case manager office. Staff may be able to confirm that a transfer was initiated and, sometimes, the expected destination — though they cannot provide real-time transit location information.
Contact BOP's Public Information Line
The BOP's public information office can assist families who are unable to locate an inmate using the online tool. Contact information is available through bop.gov.
Contact the Attorney
A federal public defender or private attorney may have additional information about the expected destination or timeline, particularly for initial post-sentencing transfers.
What an Inmate Experiences During Federal Transit
The transit period is widely regarded as one of the most difficult phases of a federal sentence:
- No personal property: Inmates cannot access belongings, commissary items, most medications, books, or electronics.
- No phone access: Outgoing calls are not available during active transit. This communication blackout is one of the most disorienting parts of the process for families.
- No mail: Mail cannot follow an inmate through the transit system. Hold off sending mail until the new facility is confirmed.
- Uncertain duration: Neither the inmate nor the family knows of any intermediate stops or the arrival time in advance.
- Conduct matters: Disciplinary issues that occur during transit follow the inmate to their final destination.
What Families Can Do While an Inmate Is IN TRANSIT
- Check the locator daily. bop.gov/inmateloc/ updates within 24–48 hours of arrival at a new facility.
- Do not send mail or packages. Wait until the new facility is confirmed to avoid mail being lost, held, or returned.
- Update your contact information. Once the inmate arrives, they will need to re-register approved contacts for phone, email, and visitation.
- Prepare to receive a call. The first call after arrival is typically to notify family of the new location. Make sure you can receive calls from unknown or facility numbers.
- Set up a BOP TRULINCS account in advance. The BOP's electronic messaging system allows text-based messaging. Setting up your account before arrival saves time once the inmate gets there.
How to Communicate with Federal BOP Inmates
Send mail to the inmate's name, 8-digit register number, and the facility's mailing address. All non-legal mail is opened and inspected. Legal mail from attorneys must be marked "Special Mail."
Email via TRULINCS
The BOP's Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) allows approved contacts to exchange electronic messages with inmates. Messages are text-only, limited to 13,000 characters, and are monitored. Both parties must be registered and consent to monitoring.
Phone Calls
Inmates make outgoing calls on BOP phones. Calls are monitored and recorded. Fund accounts via MoneyGram, Western Union, or USPS money order using the inmate's 8-digit register number and last name (no spaces). Deposits hotline: 202-307-2712 (8 AM–4:30 PM ET).
Visiting
Federal prison visits are available to visitors on the approved list. The BOP allows at least four hours of visiting time per month. The approval process requires a Visitor Information Form. Dress code restrictions apply — no clothing resembling inmate uniforms, no revealing clothing.
Sending Money to Federal BOP Inmates
- MoneyGram: Funds posted within 2–4 hours (7 AM–9 PM EST); $300 maximum per online transaction.
- Western Union: Same posting window via phone, online, or in-person.
- USPS Money Order: Mail to the BOP's designated processing address. Allow several business days.
For all methods, use the inmate's 8-digit BOP register number and last name (no spaces). Questions: 202-307-2712 (8 AM–4:30 PM ET).
The First Step Act and Federal Sentence Reductions
The First Step Act of 2018 created several mechanisms for federal sentence reduction that families should be aware of:
- Earned Time Credits: 10–15 days of credit per 30 days of successful programming participation, applied to earlier transfer to an RRC or home confinement.
- Risk and Needs Assessment: The PATTERN tool classifies inmates and determines programming needs. Lower-risk inmates earn more credits faster and may be prioritized for early prerelease placement.
- Compassionate Release: Individuals with extraordinary and compelling circumstances (serious illness, age, family caretaking needs) may petition the sentencing court for early release.
- Good Conduct Time: Up to 54 days per year of sentence imposed, reducing actual time served.
Residential Reentry Centers: The Final Phase Before Release
Most federal inmates transition through a Residential Reentry Center (RRC) — a halfway house — before full release. The First Step Act allows up to 12 months in an RRC, plus up to 6 months on home confinement, before the sentence ends. Placement is managed by the BOP and typically begins 3–6 months before the projected release date. Family support — stable housing, job references, transportation — is one of the most important contributions families can make at this stage.
Support Resources for Families
- BOP Inmate Locator: bop.gov/inmateloc/
- DC DOC Inmate Search: doc.dc.gov
- TRULINCS Email Setup: Via bop.gov under Inmate Communications
- Money Deposits Hotline: 202-307-2712 (8 AM–4:30 PM ET)
- Federal Public Defender: Contact via the district where the case was tried
- FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums): famm.org — policy advocacy and family support
- PrisonAssist.com: Inmate search, letter service, care packages, phone discounts
Inmate service providers at IN TRANSIT
Like most US jails and prisons, IN TRANSIT relies on private companies for phone calls, video visits, money transfers, and care packages, each with its own fees and sign-up steps. Nationwide the most common providers are Securus and ViaPath (GTL) for calls and video, JPay and Access Corrections for sending money, and Access Securepak for care packages.
Not sure which company serves IN TRANSIT? Our inmate service provider directory explains how each one works, what it charges, and how to set up an account before you pay.