What Is a Hardship Transfer Request?

If you have a medical problem that makes it hard to visit a loved one who is in jail, you can ask for a transfer. In most states, loved ones have to request these transfers. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has specific guidelines for where they house incarcerated individuals. It’s important to know how to write a hardship transfer request if you want an individual moved closer to you.

What should you know about a hardship transfer request?

A hardship transfer request is a letter asking for an individual to move to a closer prison. There are rules for state and federal prisons. Staff have to think about many things before they can transfer someone. All prisoners have a security level. This means that prisoners have to stay in a prison that matches their level. Staff also have to look at the programs that a person needs. If the jail closest to you does not have the right programs, they may not transfer your loved one.

While the BOP tries to house all those incarcerated within 500 miles of loved ones, this is not always possible. Individuals can ask for transfers, but they need a good reason. Medical hardships are one major reason for transfers. When a close relative has a medical problem that stops them from visiting, BOP and other prisons look at how to move the prisoner closer.

How to write a hardship transfer request. — Image courtesy of marianne bos on Unsplash.

How do you write a good hardship request letter?

To write a good hardship transfer request letter, you need to know the rules for the prison where your loved one is. In most cases, the prison needs to know what your hardship is and how long it will last. Some good things to include:

Medical issue
Relationship
Proof of issue
Current distance to prison
Closer prison option

Understand how to write a hardship request to a prison. — Image courtesy of National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.

Prison staff need proof that your medical problem prevents you from visiting. This should come from your doctor. It should include the doctor’s name and be on the doctor’s letterhead. You also need to show that your loved one is more than 200 miles away. Only immediate family can make a hardship transfer request. You have to show that you are grandparent, parent, sibling, child, or spouse of the individual. No one else can make a hardship transfer request.

Are there reasons the prison would deny your transfer request?

Yes, there are certain reasons that staff might deny your transfer request. The biggest reason is that an individual has major disciplinary problems.

Prisons will not transfer prisoners who get in trouble or break the rules often. Some also have higher security restrictions. This can make it hard for a closer prison to house them.

Of course, there other reasons that staff might deny your request. If you do not show proof of your hardship, they can’t grant your request. They also can’t grant requests from prisoners. All hardship transfers must come from an immediate family member. They also have to show that no one else can bring you to the prison where your loved one stays.

The Takeaway:

You can make a hardship transfer request if you have a medical problem that makes it hard to travel. This request has to come from an immediate family member of the person in prison. It also has to include proof of the hardship. You can get help with your request to make sure you have everything you need.