How long may an inmate be held in the SHU?
My fiance got put in the Shu because someone dropped his name & a few guys name saying they were involved an extortion of a another prisoner. He's been put in the Shu pending investigation n transfer to another prison his 60 days were up n went to committee n they said another 60 days cause there still investigating. How long can they keep him in the Shu? It's already been a lil over 4 months
Nicole Cuellar
The SHU or Special Housing Unit is the area of segregation that has no time limit.
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The SHU or Special Housing Unit is the area of segregation that has no time limit. Prison rules are set by and followed only by prison personnel and no other outside forces may weigh in. Inmates are not entitled to attorney representation or other rights afforded by regular citizens. When the BOP states "they are investigating", there nothing an inmate can do. They have to deal with the rigors of the SHU. Our advice is to send him a lot of mail, magazines and books because he is on 24-hour lock-down. He gets two one-hour recreation sessions in a small outdoor cage that allows sunlight. He is allowed only three showers per week, only one 15-minute phone call per week and a sparse list of commissary items. Make no mistake, this is punishment on top of punishment.
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/how-long-may-an-inmate-be-held-in-the-shu#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: March 09,2016
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About this answer:
This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice.
Last reviewed March 2016.