Free U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Exam Questions and Answers

During a cell search, you find a homemade weapon. What should you do?

• AA. Confiscate and secure it as evidence, notify a supervisor, and document it
• BB. Throw it away and say nothing
• CC. Return it after warning the inmate
• DD. Keep it as a souvenir for training

A coworker you consider a friend is smuggling tobacco to an inmate. What should you do?

• AA. Ask your coworker to stop and say nothing further
• BB. Ignore it because the amount is small
• CC. Report it to your supervisor or the appropriate investigative office
• DD. Tell other inmates to watch for it

An inmate offers you money to deliver a message outside the institution. What is the best response?

• AA. Decline but tell no one so as not to cause trouble
• BB. Decline firmly, and report the attempt to a supervisor and document it
• CC. Accept it if the message seems harmless
• DD. Accept and share the money with the unit team

An inmate tells you that a staff member sexually abused them. What should you do?

• AA. Tell the inmate to file a grievance later
• BB. Confront the accused staff member yourself
• CC. Take the report seriously, take steps to keep the inmate safe, and report it immediately through the required channel
• DD. Wait to see if other inmates say the same

When is the use of force by correctional staff appropriate?

• AA. Only as needed to protect people, prevent escape or serious property damage, or regain control, using the minimum force necessary
• BB. Only if a supervisor is watching
• CC. Whenever an inmate refuses an order
• DD. To punish an inmate who was disrespectful

The institution count does not match the expected number of inmates. What is the correct action?

• AA. Assume an error in the earlier count and release the units
• BB. Adjust the numbers to match the expected total
• CC. Wait until the next scheduled count
• DD. Report it and continue recounting and verifying until it is reconciled

You discover that one of your institution keys is missing at the end of your shift. What should you do?

• AA. Make a duplicate from memory of the key's cuts
• BB. Report it immediately so the area can be secured and the key searched for
• CC. Hope it turns up and mention it next week
• DD. Wait until you finish writing your reports

Which constitutional amendment is most associated with protection against cruel and unusual punishment for inmates?

• AA. First
• BB. Tenth
• CC. Eighth
• DD. Third

An inmate tells you they want to end their life. What is the best action?

• AA. Assume they are seeking attention
• BB. Tell no one in order to protect their privacy
• CC. Take it seriously, keep the inmate under observation, and notify supervisors and psychology or medical staff right away
• DD. Tell them to calm down and return to their cell

Which is the best characteristic of a good incident report?

• AA. Written days later, from memory
• BB. Personal opinions about the inmate's character
• CC. Facts only, objective, specific, and complete
• DD. Vague phrases such as 'acted aggressively' with no detail