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.
3 1/2" UNICOR prison industries patch of unknown manufacture. A stylized "P" and "I." Probably 1970s/80s. Donated by Fred Corner, BOP employee.
BOP patch discontinued 2016/2017.
Old uniform trainee shirt patch at Glynco. It was worn above the left breast pocket.
Old uniform trainee shirt patch at Glynco. It was worn above the left breast pocket.
Old uniform trainee shirt patch at Glynco. It was worn above the left breast pocket.
Unused 4" x 3 1/2," 2016-2017 command staff uniform patch.
2016/2017 command staff breast patch.
Unused 4" x 3 1/2," 2016-2017 officer uniform patch.
2016/2017 officer breast patch.
Web image. Federal Prison System (FPS) credential.
Federal Prison System (FPS) credential.
Federal Prison System (FPS) credential.
Federal Prison System (FPS) credential. Image donated by a BOP official in Washington, DC, who served at USP Alcratz.
Obverse of Mark R. Berge’s retirement credential. Donated by Dr. Zane L. Berge. Mark R. Berge retired after 20 years of service on May 31, 1983.
Small 9/16" Federal Prison Service (FPS) five-year pin. Used 1930s to 1960s. Marked Sterling, Metal Arts Co. Roch. The FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Small 9/16" Federal Prison Service (FPS) 10-year pin. Used 1930s to 1960s. Marked Sterling, Metal Arts Co, Roch. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Small 9/16" Federal Prison Service (FPS) 15- year pin. Used 1930s to 1960s. Marked Sterling Metal Arts Co, Roch. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Small 9/16" Federal Prison Service (FPS) 20-year pin. Used 1930s to 1960s. Unmarked. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Small 9/16" Federal Prison Service (FPS) 25-year pin. Used 1930s to 1960s. Unmarked. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Small 9/16" Federal Prison Service (FPS) 30-year pin. Used 1930s to 1960s. Unmarked. FPS was established in 1891, and Congress established the BOP in 1930.
Web image. I have never seen these in silver. Likely officer buttons. Interlocking USP buttons were worn only on uniforms of the first three USPs: Leavenworth, Atlanta, and McNeil Island. May have been made by the Waterbury Button Co. in 1897 and worn through the 1900s. Many military, police, and fire departments interlocked their insignia for good luck, and it was considered a sign of unity, strength, and perseverance.
1 1/8" overcoat button. Marked "Superior Quality." Interlocking USP buttons were worn on uniforms only of the first three USPs: Leavenworth, Atlanta, and McNeil Island. May have been made by the Waterbury Button Co. in 1897 and worn through the 1900s. Many military, police, and fire departments interlocked their insignia for good luck, and it was considered a sign of unity, strength, and perseverance. Information courtesy of Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee, now collector and historian.
7/8" brass officer uniform button Marked Superior Quality, (1 1/8" overcoat button above). Purchased from a person who received it in 1975 from his father-in-law, Steve Hudson, who worked for the BOP for 47 years. Mr. Hudson was stationed at Segaville, TX, and Leavenworth, KS, and retired from El Reno FCI, where he was in charge of prison industries.
3/4" tin officer sleeve button (smallest) from a U.S. Prison Service uniform. Marked Waterbury Button Co. Used in the 1920s.
7/8" brass officer uniform button. Marked "Superior Quality," was a back mark used by the Waterbury Button Co., from 1875 to 1935 and/or the Steele & Johnson Company when they were inherited by the Waterbury companies. Purchased from a person who received it in 1975 from his father-in-law, Steve Hudson, who worked for the BOP for 47 years. Mr. Hudson was stationed at Segaville, TX, and Levinworth, KS, and retired from El Reno FCI, where he oversaw prison industries. Used in the 1920s.
1" tin officer button from a U.S. Prison Service uniform. Marked Waterbury Button Co. Used in the 1920s.
Small 5/8" button style badge. Badges were worn under the left lapel of officers' uniforms before 1930 and issued before identification cards. Image courtesy of retired second generation BOP employee and collector Steve LaBier. Information provided to him by Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee.
Tin officer button from a U.S. Prison Service uniform.
Tin officer button from a U.S. Prison Service uniform.
Inmate button on uniform. Information and photo provided by Kenneth LaMaster, former BOP employee, now collector and historian.
Web image of a dug button.
Unmarked 7/8" inmate uniform button used between 1897 and 1920. Purchased from the person who received it in 1975 from his father-in-law, Steve Hudson, who worked for the BOP for 47 years. Mr. Hudson was stationed at Segaville, TX, and Levinworth, KS, and retired from El Reno, FCI, where he was in charge of prison industries.
5/8" pin marked B.B. Co., 10 KT GF. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978.
5/8" pin marked B.B. Co., 10 KT GF. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978.
5/8" pin marked B.B. Co., 10 KT GF. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978.
5/8" pin marked B.B. Co., 10 KT GF. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978.
5/8" pin marked B.B. Co., 10 KT GF. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978.
5/8" pin marked B.B. Co., 10 KT GF. The three Cs stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978.
1/2" pin appears to be plastic, with the pin glued to the back. The three C's stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978. The BOP issued them to officers when completing initial training at the Atlanta Training Center. Issued throughout the 1970s. Information courtesy Steve Labier, retired second generation BOP employee and collector.
1/2" pin appears to be plastic, with the pin glued to the back. The three C's stand for Custody, Care, and Corrections. The BOP's second seal used 1970-1978. The BOP issued them to officers when completing initial training at the Atlanta Training Center. Issued throughout the 1970s. Information courtesy Steve Labier, retired second generation BOP employee and collector.