The BOP is solely responsible for selecting the institution for service of your sentence. It considers, among other things, any recommendations from the sentencing judge, your medical/mental health/substance abuse issues, the geographic area of your residence, security issues, and the population of individual institutions. The probation office has no input in the decision-making process and is unable to change a designation. Once you have been designated to a facility, you may call the institution directly for information and directions.

Additional information on inmate designations is available at the BOP website, http://www.bop.gov/inmates/