These facilities are utilized to house inmates who have a security level designated as "minimum". These inmates generally have shorter sentences, with no violence involved in their offense. FPCs have no fences or razor wire. The inmates may have work assignments that allow them to be off the prison grounds during the day, but are expected to be on the premises to be counted at specific times.

These prisons provide a more secure level of housing for low and medium security inmates. Inmates confined here have longer sentences, more violence, and more severe offenses. The compound is enclosed with razor wire and a significant amount of security.

These institutions house inmates with the highest security requirements. These prisoners have long sentences, violence, notoriety, and significant offenses. USPs have walls, watch towers, and a very high level of security.

These facilities provide more sophisticated medical capabilities than that found in other BOP institutions. There are currently seven prisons designated as FMCs that are located in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas.

These institutions are operated in conjunction with a nearby federal court in several major U.S. cities. Prisoners here are either going through the trial process or awaiting sentencing from a federal judge.

This facility in Oklahoma City is on the grounds of the airport. It serves as the transportation hub for all inmates moved across the U.S. This institution is so large that two jets can pull inside the prison to load and unload inmates at the same time. 100,000 inmates per year are moved through the FTC.

This is the most secure prison in the United States. Located in Florence, Colorado, it houses inmates that are continuously separated from other inmates.