Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Prison System (FPS) and subsequently the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are close working partners with the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services system. In the Executive Branch of the government, they are the agency between sentencing in the U.S. Courts and post-conviction supervision. This curator has worked closely with the BOP and once coordinated an unprecedented federal prison tour which included visiting USP Florence ADMAX, the only administrative security U.S. Penitentiary, in Florence CO.
Federal institution warder badge. "Warder" is an historic term for a prison or jail guard. Age and authenticity unknown. Museum purchase 2011.
Penal and correctional institutions badge known to be used as Alcatraz officer badge 1934-1938. This example has no enameled eye and no hallmark. See other examples below. An example in the collection of the National Park Service Museum Collections confirms this badge was an Alcatraz Correctional Officer Badge. Museum purchase from Ray Sherrard, the former godfather of federal collecting, 2014. Badge shape also used as inspiration for U.S. Probation Centennial badge.
Full size gold command staff badge. In retired D.C. BOP executive’s collection. Image used with permission.
1" badge pin. Badges were worn under the left lapel of USP Alcatraz officers' uniforms from 1934 to 1960 and issued before identification cards. Information provided by Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee, now collector and historian. This example is unmarked, has a broken screw back, and is missing the screw "button."
Full size silver officer badge. Web photo.
Reverse of badge.
Web image of a USP cap device worn before the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) was established in 1930. Congress passed the "Three Prisons Act," which established the Federal Prison System (FPS). The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) operated the first three prisons – USP Leavenworth, USP Atlanta, and USP McNeil Island – with limited oversight.
Variation of a Federal Prison Service (FPS) hat badge. Gold Captain badge. Marked Metal Arts Co. Roch, NY, and gold filled. The FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Federal Prison Service (FPS) hat badge. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930. Worn by officers at USPs 1930s to 1960s. Marked Metal Arts Co., Roch, N.Y.
Second variation of Federal Prison Service (FPS) hat badge. Worn by officers at the West Street Jail in the 1930s. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930 Instead of "United States Dept. of Justice," the badge has a panel riveted for "Correctional Institutions."
Third variation of a Federal Prison Service (FPS) hat badge. The FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930. Instead of "United States Dept. of Justice," the badge has a panel riveted for "Penal Institutions." Hallmarked Robbins Co., Attleboro, MA.
Mark R. Berge’s cap to his old uniform. Provided by Dr. Zane L. Berge.
Web image of "Angel Wings" patch shown on officer uniform.
These 3" x 1 3/8" patches were worn above the left suit coat pocket of officers' uniforms before 1940. Known as the "Angel Wings" patch, they were worn for a short time and are rare. May have been worn only at Leavenworth. Information courtesy of Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee, now collector and historian.
Officer wearing patch on uniform at Terminal Island USP.
Early and rare West Coast patch.
Example not in the Museum. These United States Penitentiary (USP) tags were worn before the BOP was established in 1930. They were collar pins worn on shirts where rank insignia is now worn on uniform shirts. Congress passed the "Three Prisons Act," which established the Federal Prison System (FPS). The DOJ operated the first three prisons – USP Leavenworth, USP Atlanta, and USP McNeil Island – with limited oversight. 1 1/2” wide by 1/2” tall. Heavy duty threaded pin in the center, with two other exposed pins off to each side. The prison guard who owned this was a WWI veteran. He worked in several East Coast and New York City federal penitentiaries in the 1920s.
BOP prisoner transportation officers or bus crew badge. Used by officers who escorted inmates outside of the federal prisons between 1976 and 1983.
Web image of a BOP prisoner transportation officers or bus crew badge, in credential case with authorization card. Used by officers who escorted inmates outside of the federal prisons between 1976 and 1983. The badges were issued as a wallet, with a clip, which was later removed and glued in a display, as pictured below. These were issued when the buses ran. Most were destroyed when the Bureau changed its seal. Some were presented as gifts and parting tokens at the discretion of the institution's warden.
After badges were taken out of service, some were used as awards to high-ranking BOP officials. It is unknown if the die pictured here was used to make additional badges for awards. Image from the BOP museum in Colorado.
2 1/8" badge. Unmarked with damage to the inner enamel seal. Believed to be old due to size and construction. Not official issue, and likely a one-off badge. From a collection of a 95-year-old named Bob from Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Example in the Museum. These United States Penitentiary (USP) tags were worn before the BOP was established in 1930. They were collar pins worn on shirts where rank insignia is now worn on uniform shirts. Congress passed the "Three Prisons Act," which established the Federal Prison System (FPS). The DOJ operated the first three prisons – USP Leavenworth, USP Atlanta, and USP McNeil Island – with limited oversight. 1 1/2” wide by 1/2” tall. Heavy duty threaded pin in the center, with two other exposed pins off to each side. The prison guard who owned this was a WWI veteran. He worked in several East Coast and New York City federal penitentiaries in the 1920s.
2 1/2 " horse patrol badge. Based on the attachments on the back of the badge, it may have been attached to the horse tact.
BOP seal in credential wallet.
Historical replica pin sold on Alcatraz, and online through the Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory. The pin is a larger version at 1 1/4", has a clutch back and is marked "Replica."
Reverse of card
Commemorative limited-edition badge and pin replica.
Close up of badge.
Historical replica pin sold on Alcatraz, and online through the Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory. The pin is a larger version at 1 1/4", has a clutch back and is marked "Replica."
Reverse of card
Credential case for two credentials, no badge.
Bage and buttons web image.
Likely fake or at the very least non-official Alcatraz badge.
Unofficial badge likely carried off duty.
Unofficial badge likely carried off duty. Image courtesy of Ken Lucas.
Unofficial badge, likely carried off duty. Image courtesy of Ken Lucas.
NEW to the Museum, 2026. Federal Prison Service (FPS) first patch. The book represents the law, the key, and security, and the rays represent education and rehabilitation. It is also thought that the patch represents redemption through the book of salvation. Officers wore these patches on the left shoulder of their uniforms between 1939 and 1969, 2" in diameter.
Poor condition Patch in the Museum. Federal Prison Service (FPS) first patch. The book represents the law, the key, and security, and the rays represent education and rehabilitation. It is also thought that the patch represents redemption through the book of salvation. Officers wore these patches on the left shoulder of their uniforms between 1939 and 1969, 2" in diameter.
2 3/4" patch. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The Bureau's second seal, developed by BOP Director Norman A. Carlson, 1970-1987. Patches worn on the left breast of gold uniform blazers and aquamarine blazers. Information courtesy Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee, now collector and historian.
2 3/4" patch. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The Bureau's second seal, developed by BOP Director Norman A. Carlson, 1970-1987. Patches worn on the left breast of gold uniform blazers and aquamarine blazers. Information courtesy Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee, now collector and historian.