AN INMATE’S GUIDE TO ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY
REQUESTS AT FEDERAL PRISONS

This Guide has been created by the D.C. Prisoners’ Project of the Washington
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.
It is not intended to replace the advice of an attorney. It is not legal advice and
does not create an attorney client relationship.
You are responsible for meeting all necessary deadlines and requirements.
Material courtesy of Bill Vicars and www.lifeprint.com

This guide will help you with the Administrative Remedy Request process. You can
find the full regulation in P.S. 1330.13. To finish the process, you must:
1. Make an informal complaint.

2. File a Formal Administrative Remedy request. (Level I).

(202) 775-0323 CLIENT LINE- COLLECT CALLS ACCEPTED

3. File an appeal to the Regional Director. (Level II).

4. File an appeal to the General Counsel. (Level III).

Following all the steps of the process is important in order to protect your legal
rights. We know that this process is long and hard, and that your requests may not even
be answered. But, it is important because prisoners must finish all administrative solutions
before suing about prison conditions under federal law. It also creates a paper trail and
shows you tried to resolve the problem. It might even work.
If you stop before completing the entire process because you did not receive a response,
did not have the proper form, etc., the court may say that you have not “exhausted” your
administrative remedies and dismiss your case. Don’t take that chance. Finish the process.
Be persistent and follow directions. If you get a response that asks you to submit your
paperwork again, attach a staff memo, or add additional copies, do it. Don’t ever give up.
Start with Step 1 right away by filing an Informal Complaint as soon as possible. Then
continue with all the appeals. If you are late in your request or appeal, turn it in anyway
and explain why you are late.

Fill in the blanks of this worksheet as you go along. It will help you with this long and
hard process.

1. MAKE AN INFORMAL COMPLAINT.

Check with your Counselor to learn the informal complaint process at your institution.
The warden at each prison creates his or her own informal complaint process. Usually this
will be a written form that is submitted to a staff member, normally your Counselor.

Write the DATE OF THE INCIDENT. This is the date the event happened, not the date
you are making the complaint. Remember to make the informal within 20 days of the
incident. Figure out what the deadline is by adding 20 days to the date of the incident.
A. DATE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED

:_____________________
B. DATE YOU MADE YOUR INFORMAL COMPLAINT

: ___________

C. DEADLINE (DATE OF INCIDENT + 20 DAYS)

: _____________
This deadline is for BOTH the informal complaint and the BP-9.
Staff members do not have a deadline to respond to your informal complaint. If your
problem is not solved, move on to the next step: Level I: Formal Administrative Remedy
request.
IMPORTANT: The deadline for Level I is the same as the deadline for informal
complaints: 20 days after the incident.

2. FILE A FORMAL REQUEST WITH THE WARDEN (LEVEL I)

WARDEN

Use FORM BP-9. This is the Administrative Remedy Request Form.
INSTRUCTIONS:

Describe Your Problem
:
 Write down everything that happened. Give as many details as possible.
The staff will be able to help you better if they have all the information. If
you run out of room, attach an extra letter-sized page. Do not attach more
than one extra page. Make a copy of it. You can write out a copy by hand.

Only One Problem



:
Use one form for each complaint or incident. If you have many
complaints, file separate forms for each.

The Informal Complaint:
 On the form, let the staff know if you made an informal complaint. Tell
them the date you made the informal complaint. Write, “I disagree with
the decision on the informal complaint and am filing a formal
Administrative Remedy Request.”
Deadlines:



If this Level I form is past the 20-day deadline, explain why. Sometimes
it is ok to file past the deadline. For example:
- You didn’t get a response to your informal complaint. Write, “I did not
receive a response to my informal complaint before this form was due.
Therefore I am proceeding with the formal Administrative Remedy
Request.”
- There was a long period of time in-transit when you had no
access to the forms.
- There was a long period of time when you could not fill out
the paperwork because of a physical problem.
- You requested the necessary forms, but were not given the forms
in time.

NOTE: If the issue you are raising involves a telephone charge or credit or telephone
service problem that you want to be reimbursed for, you have 120 days after the date of
the disputed charge to file this form. For all other incidents, the form must be filed 20
days after the incident occurred.

If You Are in General Population:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am placing
this form in the mailbox on my unit
on the date above.”

Make
Copies

If you are in Segregation or
Isolation:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am
submitting this form to a unit
staff member.”



:
Make and keep at least three (3) copies of this form. You need to keep
copies for any legal action you take. You can write out the copies by
hand.

D. I AM FILING MY FORM BP-9 TODAY. TODAY’S DATE IS:

__________________

E. I MADE _____ COPIES OF MY FORM BP-9.
F. I SHOULD GET A RESPONSE TO MY ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY REQUEST ON

__________
(add 23 days to the date on line D. The Warden must respond to the form within
20 days after he or she receives the form. Allow time for the form to get to the
Warden through the mail.)

G. DID YOU RECEIVE A CONTINUANCE FORM THAT TELLING YOU THAT THE STAFF NEEDS
MORE THAN 20 DAYS TO RESPOND TO YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE REQUEST?
____ YES. THE NEW DATE A RESPONSE IS DUE IS _____________.

(This is the date given on the continuance form).
____ NO.

H. TODAY IS THE DATE LISTED ON LINE F OR LINE G. DID I GET A RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST
BY THE END OF THE DAY?
____ YES

____ NO

Skipping Level I for Sensitive Issues
In some cases, you may file your grievance directly with the Regional Director (Level
II) instead of going to the Warden first. You may skip Level I IF you believe that the
issue you are raising is sensitive and your safety would be in danger if the Warden
knew about your complaint. Write “Sensitive” on the grievance form. Explain why you
are not going to the Warden first. THIS IS ONLY FOR VERY SENSITIVE ISSUES.

3. APPEAL TO THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR (LEVEL II)

Use Form BP-10.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete If:



You received a response from the Warden and are unhappy with it.
You did not get a response within the allowed time [Line F or Line G].

File Your Appeal






:
File your appeal to the Regional Director for your region. The addresses for
the Regional Directors are on the last page of this guide.
If you DID RECEIVE a response to your Level I request, begin your BP-10 by
writing, “I disagree with the decision that I received regarding my initial
Administrative Remedy Request that I filed on _________ [date on line D.],
and I am filing an appeal.”
If you DID NOT RECEIVE a response to your Level I request, begin your BP10 by writing, “I have attached a copy of the Administrative Remedy Request
form that I filed on _______ [date on line D]. I did not receive a response
within 20 days. I am now exercising my right to appeal to the next level.”

Describe Your Problem
:
 Describe your problem just like you did in your form to the Warden. Give
as much detail as possible. If you run out of room, attach an extra lettersized page. Do not attach more than one extra page. Make 2 copies of it.
You can write out your copies by hand.

If You Are in General Population:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am placing
this form in the mailbox on my unit
on the date above.”

If you are in Segregation or
Isolation:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am
submitting this form to a unit
staff member to be placed in a
US mailbox.”

Deadlines:


Make Copies



This form must arrive at the regional office within 20 days of the day the
warden signed your Administrative Remedy Request (not the day you got
it). If you are late, explain why. Sometimes it is okay to file past the
deadline.

:
Attach a copy of the Form BP-9 (the Level I form) you sent earlier.
Make at least two copies of your form BP-10.

The staff has 30 days to respond to your grievance after they receive it. Allow a few days
for the mail.
I. I AM FILING MY LEVEL II APPEAL (BP-10) TODAY. TODAY’S DATE IS _________ .
J. I MADE _____ COPIES OF MY FORM BP-10.
K. I SHOULD GET A RESPONSE TO MY ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY REQUEST APPEAL ON

______. (add 35 days to the date in line I ).
L. TODAY IS THE DATE LISTED ON LINE K. DID I GET A RESPONSE TO MY APPEAL BY THE END
OF THE DAY?
____ YES. Follow the directions below in PART 4.1.

____ No. Follow the directions below in PART 4.2.

4.1 APPEAL TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL (Response from Reg. Director)

Use Form BP-11

INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete if:
 You got a response to Level II but are unhappy with the answer.

File Your Appeal
:
 File your Level III appeal to the National Inmate Appeals Administrator, Office of
General Counsel. The address is:
320 First St., NW
Washington, D.C.
20534.


Begin your Form BP-11 by writing, “I disagree with the decision I received
regarding my Administrative Remedy Appeal Request that I filed on __________
(date on line I), and I am filing another appeal.”

Describe Your Problem
:
 Describe your problem, making sure to state all relevant facts. The
more details you give, the more information the staff has to address
your concern. If you run out of room, you may attach only one extra
letter-size page. Make three copies of that page. You can write out
copies by hand.
If You Are in General Population:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am placing
this form in the mailbox on my unit
on the date above.”
Deadlines:

If you are in Segregation or
Isolation:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am
submitting this form to a unit
staff member to be placed in a
US mailbox.”



Make Copies



This form must arrive at the national office within 30 days of the date on
the Regional Director’s letter. If you are late, explain why. Sometimes it
is okay to file past the deadline.

::
Attach copies of Form BP-19 and Form BP-10 that you sent earlier.
Make at least two copies of your Form BP-11. You can write out your
copies by hand.

4. APPEAL TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL (No response from Reg. Director)

Use Form BP-11
INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete if:
 You did not get a response from your Level II appeal.
File Your Appeal:
 File your Level III appeal to the National Inmate Appeals Administrator, Office of
General Counsel. The address is 320 First St., NW Washington, D.C. 20534.


Begin your Form BP-11 by writing, “I have attached a copy of the Administrative
Remedy Appeal Request that I filed on _________ (date on line I). I did not
receive a response within 35 days. I am now exercising my right to appeal to the
next level.

Describe Your Problem
:
 Describe your problem, making sure to state all the facts. The more
details you give, the more information the staff has to address your
concern. If you run out of room, you may attach only one extra lettersize page. Make three copies of that page. You can write out your
copies by hand.
If You Are in General Population:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am placing
this form in the mailbox on my unit
on the date above.”

If you are in Segregation or
Isolation:
Write how you will turn in your
request. For example, “I am
submitting this form to a unit
staff member to be placed in a
US mailbox.”

Deadlines:
You must file this form within 35 days of the date you filed your Level I appeal (date on
Line I). If you are late, explain why. Sometimes it is okay to file past the deadline.
Make Copies:
 Attach copies of Form BP-9 and Form BP-10 that you sent earlier.
 Make at least two copies of your Form BP-11.

M. I AM FILING MY LEVEL III APPEAL (BP-11) TODAY. TODAY’S DATE IS __________.
(THIS MUST BE SENT 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S
SIGNATURE ON YOUR LEVEL II RESPONSE OR 35 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON LINE I).
N. I MADE __________ COPIES OF MY FORM BP-11 (AT LEAST TWO).
O. I SHOULD GET A RESPONSE TO MY LEVEL III APPEAL ON _____________. (FILL IN
THIS BLANK BY ADDING 45 DAYS TO THE DATE ON LINE M. STAFF HAS 40 DAYS FROM
THE DATE THEY RECEIVE THE APPEAL TO RESPOND. ALSO ALLOW TIME FOR THE MAIL
PROCESS.
P. IT IS NOW THE DATE GIVEN ON LINE O. DID I GET A RESPONSE TO MY APPEAL BY THE
END OF THE DAY?
YES
NO
Congratulations!! This process is now complete and you have preserved your right to
file in court. If you do file in court, you must have two copies of what you submitted
at each level.

\

Addresses of Bureau of Prisons Regional Directors

Regional Director
Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
302 Sentinel Drive
Suite 200
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Regional Director
North Central Regional Office
400 State Avenue, Suite 800
Kansas City, KS 66101
Regional Director
Northeast Regional Office
2nd & Chestnut St., 7th Flr
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Regional Director
South Central Regional Office
4211 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, Texas 75219
Regional Director
Southeast Regional Office
3800 Camp Creek Parkway, S.W.
Building 2000
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Regional Director
Western Regional Office
Federal Bureau of Prisons
7338 Shoreline Drive
Stockton, CA 95219