Shock Incarceration Program (Policy Statement)

The court, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 3582(a) and 3621(b)(4), may recommend that a defendant who meets the criteria set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 4046 participate in a shock incarceration program. Background: Section 4046 of title 18, United States Code, provides— Commentary “(a) the Bureau of Prisons may place in a shock incarceration program any person who is sentenced to a term of more than 12, but not more than 30 months, if such person consents to that placement. (b) For such initial portion of the term of imprisonment as the Bureau of Prisons may determine, not to exceed 6 months, an inmate in the shock incarceration program shall be required to— (1) adhere to a highly regimented schedule that provides the strict discipline, phys- ical training, hard labor, drill, and ceremony characteristic of military basic training; and (2) participate in appropriate job training and educational programs (including lit- eracy programs) and drug, alcohol, and other counseling programs. (c) An inmate who in the judgment of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons has success- fully completed the required period of shock incarceration shall remain in the custody of the Bureau for such period (not to exceed the remainder of the prison term otherwise required by law to be served by that inmate), and under such conditions, as the Bureau deems appropriate.” 18 U.S.C. § 4046. In 1990, the Bureau of Prisons issued an operations memorandum (174-90 (5390), November 20, 1990) that outlined eligibility criteria and procedures for the implementation of a shock incarceration program (which the Bureau of Prisons titled the “intensive confinement program”). In 2008, however, the Bureau of Prisons terminated the program and removed the rules governing its operation. See 73 FR 39863 (July 11, 2008). Historical Note Effective November 1, 1991 (amendment 424). Amended effective November 1, 2002 (amendment 646); No- vember 1, 2023 (amendment 823). 458 ║ Guidelines Manual (November 1, 2024) §5F1.8