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Title 28

Displaying title 28, up to date as of 7/17/2026. Title 28 was last amended 7/06/2026.
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Subpart D—Hostage Situation Management

Source:

61 FR 38042, July 22, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

§ 552.30 Purpose and scope.

The Bureau of Prisons primary objectives in all hostage situations are to safely free the hostage(s) and to regain control of the institution.

§ 552.31 Negotiations.

The Warden is not ordinarily involved directly in the negotiation process. Instead, this responsibility is ordinarily assigned to a team of individuals specifically trained in hostage negotiation techniques.

(a) Negotiators have no decision-making authority in hostage situations, but rather serve as intermediaries between hostage takers and command center staff.

(b) During the negotiation process, the following items are non-negotiable: release of captors from custody, providing of weapons, exchange of hostages, and immunity from prosecution.

§ 552.32 Hostages.

Captive staff have no authority and their directives shall be disregarded.

§ 552.33 Media.

The Warden shall assign staff to handle all news releases and news media inquiries in accordance with the rule on Contact with News Media (see 28 CFR 540.65).