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28 CFR § 545.20 - Purpose and scope.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t28/s545.20"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "28 CFR § 545.20 - Purpose and scope."
title_number: 28
title_name: "Judicial Administration"
section_number: "545.20"
section_name: "Purpose and scope."
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT"
part_number: "545"
part_name: "WORK AND COMPENSATION"
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authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3013, 3571, 3572, 3621, 3622, 3624, 3663, 4001, 4042, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 4126, 5006-5024 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that date), 5039; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510."
cfr_part: "545"
---

# 545.20 Purpose and scope.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons operates an inmate work program within its institutions. To the extent practicable, the work program:

(1) Reduces inmate idleness, while allowing the inmate to improve and/or develop useful job skills, work habits, and experiences that will assist in post-release employment; and

(2) Ensures that activities necessary to maintain the day-to-day operation of the institution are completed. Sentenced inmates who are physically and mentally able to work are required to participate in the work program. When approved by the Warden or designee, drug treatment programming, education, or vocational training may be substituted for all or part of the work program.

(b) The Warden may recognize an inmate's work performance or productive participation in specified correctional programs by granting performance pay.

[49 FR 38915, Oct. 1, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 379, Jan. 4, 1996]