FLETC BOP MIDTERM ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2025
1. You are assigned to the gun tower on perimeter duty. You observe an inmate
climbing the inner fence. You give a verbal warning over the loudspeaker to stop,
but he continues climbing the outer fence. According to BOP policy, when are you
authorized to use deadly force?
A) Immediately upon seeing him on the inner fence
B) Only after firing a warning shot
C) When the inmate poses a threat of death or serious bodily harm to others, or if he is
attempting to escape and poses such a threat
D) Never; you must wait for SORT to respond
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deadly force is authorized to prevent an escape only if the inmate poses an
imminent threat of death or serious injury to staff or the public. A mere escape attempt
without a weapon or threat does not justify deadly force. Warning shots are generally
discouraged.
2. You are conducting a pat search and the inmate tells you he has a sexually
transmitted disease and dares you to continue touching him. Your best response
is:
A) Stop the search immediately to avoid contamination
B) Continue the search wearing proper PPE (gloves) and maintain professionalism;
document the inmate's comment
C) Search him more aggressively as punishment for the comment
D) Call for a supervisor to decide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: You should always wear gloves during pat searches. The inmate's comment is
an attempt to intimidate or manipulate you. You must complete the search professionally
and document the inappropriate comment for potential disciplinary action.
,3. An inmate who is HIV-positive cuts himself with a sharpened object and throws
the bloody object toward you. What is your immediate priority?
A) Chasing the inmate
B) Avoiding exposure and securing the area while calling for medical assistance
C) Picking up the sharpened object with your bare hands
D) Writing a disciplinary report before doing anything else
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Your immediate safety is paramount. You must avoid exposure to bloodborne
pathogens. Secure the area to prevent others from touching the weapon, and call medical
staff to handle the inmate and the biohazard. Dispose of sharps properly.
4. You are transporting an inmate to a federal courthouse. The inmate asks to use
the restroom during the trip. What should you do?
A) Allow him to use a public restroom
B) Tell him to hold it until you arrive at the courthouse
C) Stop at a designated secure restroom facility with proper security precautions
D) Let him use the restroom at a gas station but keep the doors unlocked
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During transport, inmate restroom breaks must be conducted at secure, pre-
approved locations (e.g., other federal facilities). Public restrooms pose an escape risk. You
must maintain control and search the restroom before and after use.
5. You witness a fellow officer using racial slurs toward an inmate during a cell
search. What is your obligation?
A) Ignore it because you are not the one saying it
B) Report the conduct to your supervisor immediately
C) Tell the officer to stop but do not report it
D) Write a memo to the inmate's file
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BOP Standards of Employee Conduct prohibit discrimination and harassment.
Witnessing such behavior obligates you to report it. Failure to report is a violation of your
duty and undermines institutional integrity.
,6. What does the acronym "PREA" stand for, and what is its purpose in the BOP?
A) Prisoner Rights Enforcement Act – to expand inmate rights
B) Prison Rape Elimination Act – to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and
harassment in prisons
C) Prisoner Reentry and Employment Act – to help inmates find jobs after release
D) Protective Restraint and Escort Act – to govern use of restraints
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PREA is a federal law requiring zero tolerance for sexual abuse in prisons. BOP
staff must be trained to prevent sexual abuse, report allegations, and protect victims. PREA
requires thorough investigation and victim support.
7. You are reviewing camera footage and see an inmate looking directly at the
camera while making a "slashing" motion across his throat. This is an example of:
A) A harmless gesture
B) A potential threat (gang intimidation or targeting a specific individual) that must be
documented and reported
C) A medical issue
D) An exercise routine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Throat-slashing gestures are recognized threat indicators in corrections. They
often signal gang hits, intimidation, or retribution. This intelligence must be immediately
reported to SIS and security staff to prevent violence.
8. An inmate has been prescribed medication that requires daily administration.
He refuses to take it for three consecutive days. What should you do?
A) Force him to take it
B) Document the refusals and notify medical staff and the unit team
C) Stop offering it to him
D) Crush it and put it in his food
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inmates have the right to refuse medication unless they are a danger. You must
document each refusal and notify medical staff. Medical staff may intervene if there is a
health emergency. You should never force medication or hide it in food.
9. You are conducting a housing unit search and find a hole in the wall behind a
poster. This is a potential indicator of:
A) A hiding spot for contraband or an escape attempt (tunneling)
B) A maintenance issue
C) An art project
D) A mouse infestation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Holes in walls, especially hidden behind posters, are classic hiding places for
contraband or, in some cases, tunneling attempts. This must be immediately reported and
investigated by SIS and maintenance.
10. You are approached by an inmate who claims he was sexually assaulted by
another inmate. What is your FIRST action?
A) Ask the inmate to provide written details and send him back to his cell
B) Immediately separate the alleged victim from the alleged perpetrator and report the
allegation to your supervisor and PREA coordinator
C) Investigate the claim yourself before reporting
D) Tell the inmate to file a grievance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PREA requires immediate separation of the victim and alleged perpetrator. You
must not investigate yourself; you must report to the PREA coordinator and supervisor.
Safety of the victim is the top priority, followed by a mandated investigation.
11. Which of the following is a prohibited use of restraints in the BOP?
A) Using handcuffs during a high-risk escort
2025
1. You are assigned to the gun tower on perimeter duty. You observe an inmate
climbing the inner fence. You give a verbal warning over the loudspeaker to stop,
but he continues climbing the outer fence. According to BOP policy, when are you
authorized to use deadly force?
A) Immediately upon seeing him on the inner fence
B) Only after firing a warning shot
C) When the inmate poses a threat of death or serious bodily harm to others, or if he is
attempting to escape and poses such a threat
D) Never; you must wait for SORT to respond
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deadly force is authorized to prevent an escape only if the inmate poses an
imminent threat of death or serious injury to staff or the public. A mere escape attempt
without a weapon or threat does not justify deadly force. Warning shots are generally
discouraged.
2. You are conducting a pat search and the inmate tells you he has a sexually
transmitted disease and dares you to continue touching him. Your best response
is:
A) Stop the search immediately to avoid contamination
B) Continue the search wearing proper PPE (gloves) and maintain professionalism;
document the inmate's comment
C) Search him more aggressively as punishment for the comment
D) Call for a supervisor to decide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: You should always wear gloves during pat searches. The inmate's comment is
an attempt to intimidate or manipulate you. You must complete the search professionally
and document the inappropriate comment for potential disciplinary action.
,3. An inmate who is HIV-positive cuts himself with a sharpened object and throws
the bloody object toward you. What is your immediate priority?
A) Chasing the inmate
B) Avoiding exposure and securing the area while calling for medical assistance
C) Picking up the sharpened object with your bare hands
D) Writing a disciplinary report before doing anything else
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Your immediate safety is paramount. You must avoid exposure to bloodborne
pathogens. Secure the area to prevent others from touching the weapon, and call medical
staff to handle the inmate and the biohazard. Dispose of sharps properly.
4. You are transporting an inmate to a federal courthouse. The inmate asks to use
the restroom during the trip. What should you do?
A) Allow him to use a public restroom
B) Tell him to hold it until you arrive at the courthouse
C) Stop at a designated secure restroom facility with proper security precautions
D) Let him use the restroom at a gas station but keep the doors unlocked
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During transport, inmate restroom breaks must be conducted at secure, pre-
approved locations (e.g., other federal facilities). Public restrooms pose an escape risk. You
must maintain control and search the restroom before and after use.
5. You witness a fellow officer using racial slurs toward an inmate during a cell
search. What is your obligation?
A) Ignore it because you are not the one saying it
B) Report the conduct to your supervisor immediately
C) Tell the officer to stop but do not report it
D) Write a memo to the inmate's file
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BOP Standards of Employee Conduct prohibit discrimination and harassment.
Witnessing such behavior obligates you to report it. Failure to report is a violation of your
duty and undermines institutional integrity.
,6. What does the acronym "PREA" stand for, and what is its purpose in the BOP?
A) Prisoner Rights Enforcement Act – to expand inmate rights
B) Prison Rape Elimination Act – to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and
harassment in prisons
C) Prisoner Reentry and Employment Act – to help inmates find jobs after release
D) Protective Restraint and Escort Act – to govern use of restraints
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PREA is a federal law requiring zero tolerance for sexual abuse in prisons. BOP
staff must be trained to prevent sexual abuse, report allegations, and protect victims. PREA
requires thorough investigation and victim support.
7. You are reviewing camera footage and see an inmate looking directly at the
camera while making a "slashing" motion across his throat. This is an example of:
A) A harmless gesture
B) A potential threat (gang intimidation or targeting a specific individual) that must be
documented and reported
C) A medical issue
D) An exercise routine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Throat-slashing gestures are recognized threat indicators in corrections. They
often signal gang hits, intimidation, or retribution. This intelligence must be immediately
reported to SIS and security staff to prevent violence.
8. An inmate has been prescribed medication that requires daily administration.
He refuses to take it for three consecutive days. What should you do?
A) Force him to take it
B) Document the refusals and notify medical staff and the unit team
C) Stop offering it to him
D) Crush it and put it in his food
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inmates have the right to refuse medication unless they are a danger. You must
document each refusal and notify medical staff. Medical staff may intervene if there is a
health emergency. You should never force medication or hide it in food.
9. You are conducting a housing unit search and find a hole in the wall behind a
poster. This is a potential indicator of:
A) A hiding spot for contraband or an escape attempt (tunneling)
B) A maintenance issue
C) An art project
D) A mouse infestation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Holes in walls, especially hidden behind posters, are classic hiding places for
contraband or, in some cases, tunneling attempts. This must be immediately reported and
investigated by SIS and maintenance.
10. You are approached by an inmate who claims he was sexually assaulted by
another inmate. What is your FIRST action?
A) Ask the inmate to provide written details and send him back to his cell
B) Immediately separate the alleged victim from the alleged perpetrator and report the
allegation to your supervisor and PREA coordinator
C) Investigate the claim yourself before reporting
D) Tell the inmate to file a grievance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PREA requires immediate separation of the victim and alleged perpetrator. You
must not investigate yourself; you must report to the PREA coordinator and supervisor.
Safety of the victim is the top priority, followed by a mandated investigation.
11. Which of the following is a prohibited use of restraints in the BOP?
A) Using handcuffs during a high-risk escort
