28 CFR § 544.71 - Exceptions to required literacy program participation.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t28/s544.71"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "28 CFR § 544.71 - Exceptions to required literacy program participation."
title_number: 28
title_name: "Judicial Administration"
section_number: "544.71"
section_name: "Exceptions to required literacy program participation."
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT"
part_number: "544"
part_name: "EDUCATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3621, 3622, 3624, 4001, 4042, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 5006-5024 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that date), 5039; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510."
regulatory_source: "44 FR 38249, June 29, 1979, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "544"
---


# 544.71 Exceptions to required literacy program participation.

(a) The following inmates are not required to attend the literacy program:

(1) Pretrial inmates;

(2) Inmates committed for purpose of study and observation under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 4205(c), 4241(d), or, effective November 1, 1987, 18 U.S.C. 3552(b);

(3) Sentenced deportable aliens;

(4) Inmates determined by staff to be temporarily unable to participate in the literacy program due to special circumstances beyond their control (e.g., due to a medical condition, transfer on writ, on a waiting list for initial placement). Such inmates, however, shall be required to participate when the special circumstances are no longer applicable.

(b) Inmates who have been determined (on the basis of formal diagnostic assessment) to have a documented emotional, mental, or physical individual impediment to learning shall not be required to complete the literacy program beyond those achievement levels indicated as realistic by the formal diagnostic assessment.

(c) Staff shall document in the inmate's education file the specific reasons for not requiring the inmate to participate in, or to complete, the literacy program.