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.
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, 1/10 10K GF. Web image.
Federal Bureau of Prison Key head. It is common practice to cut the head off of decommissioned keys to be used for other purposes. Key manufactured prior to Southern Steel merging with Foldger Adams. Likely produced in 2003.
Federal Bureau of Prison Key head. It is common practice to cut the head off of decommissioned keys to be used for other purposes. Key manufactured prior to Southern Steel merging with Foldger Adams. Likely produced in 2003.
Penal and Correctional institutions badge known to be used as Alcatraz officer badge 1934-1938. This example has an enameled eye. Another example in the collection of the National Park Service Museum Collections confirms this badge was an Alcatraz Correctional Officer Badge. Image courtesy of Ken Lucas author of Federal Law Enforcement Badges book. Badge shape also used as inspiration for U.S. Probation Centennial badge.
Penal and Correctional institutions badge known to be used as Alcatraz officer badge 1934-1938. This example is slightly thinner than #119 and has no enameled eye. Another example in the collection of the National Park Service Museum Collections confirms this badge was an Alcatraz Correctional Officer Badge. Image courtesy of Ken Lucas author of Federal Law Enforcement Badges book. Badge shape also used as inspiration for U.S. Probation Centennial badge.
Back of badge 119 hallmarked N.C WALTERS & SONS N.Y This company is famous for their production of U.S. Postal badges.
Penal and Correctional institutions badge known to be used as Alcatraz officer badge 1934-1938. This example is hallmarked but is not numbered and has no enameled eye. Another example in the collection of the National Park Service Museum Collections confirms this badge was an Alcatraz Correctional Officer Badge. Image courtesy of Ken Lucas author of Federal Law Enforcement Badges book. Badge shape also used as inspiration for U.S. Probation Centennial badge.
Penal and Correctional institutions badge known to be used as Alcatraz officer badge 1934-1938. Although hallmarked it has no enameled eye. This example is in the collection of the National Park Service Museum Collections. The NPS link confirms this badge was an Alcatraz Correctional Officer Badge. The badge shape also used as inspiration for U.S. Probation Centennial badge.
NEW! Back of badge 1398 hallmarked N.C WALTERS & SONS N.Y In the collection of the National Park Service Museum Collections. The NPS link confirms this badge was an Alcatraz Correctional Officer Badge.
NEW! BOP prisoner transportation officers or bus crew badge. significant loss of enamel. Used by officers who escorted inmates outside of the federal prisons between 1976 and 1983. Image found on artpictures.club.
NEW to the Museum, 2026. Also pictured above next to a poor condition patch. 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.
NEW, 2026! Photo courtesy DigitalSF of the San Francisco Public Library. Photo taken May 5, 1946, after Alcatraz riot. Notice FPS patch on shoulder.
NEW Department of Justice Penal and Correctional Institutions Cash Meal Ticket. Details unknown.
Get yours! The first and only credential patch. Leather look PVC based on a 1966 credential. After an approved donation, you will receive a Museum CRED patch. This offer is valid while supplies last and only one patch per person.
NEW Web Image. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons Terre Haute Bus Center. The only one in the country. Terre Haute is the facility at which all federal executions take place.