Unfortunately, once an offender is given a BOP Inmate ID number, they are property of the United States Justice Department for the term of their Judgement and Commitment Order. The Pre-sentence Report will create a guideline that the Bureau of Prisons will ues in determining the custody level of the inmate. The length of sentence, criminal history, whether violence or a weapon was used in the crime make up a profile that they use to designate and inmate. Once that designation is handed down there are no changes. Inmates may apply for a transfer after nine months with a record clean of any incident report. Once they have determined the custody level, they have a finite number of facilities that fit the custody level. They do a pretty good job of finding the location closest to the inmate's family to make the visits easier.
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/when-sentenced-to-federal-prison-will-they-try-to-keep-him-close-to-home#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: May 13,2016