Why Some Inmates at FCI Loretto Haven't Been Sentenced Yet (What Families Should Know)

FCI Loretto is a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility, but the BOP doesn't only hold people who've been sentenced. These facilities also house pretrial detainees and people still waiting for sentencing, held on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). So if your loved one is physically at FCI Loretto but still shows as "pretrial" or "pre-sentenced," that's normal. Being in a BOP facility doesn't mean the court case is over.

For most people in BOP custody, major decisions about housing - and sentence computation once a sentence exists - are handled centrally by the BOP's Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC). The DSCC completes designations and sentence computations for the majority of inmates, rather than leaving those decisions to individual facilities. If you're trying to understand why someone is at FCI Loretto now, or what might change after sentencing, a central BOP office is usually part of that picture.

Medical needs can change the normal path. When an inmate has specific health requirements, the Office of Medical Designations and Transportation (OMDT) may handle placement instead of the DSCC. This means a location decision can reflect medical needs and transportation logistics - not just standard designation criteria. If medical care is a concern, this could explain why your loved one's placement doesn't match what you expected.

If your loved one is pretrial or awaiting sentencing at FCI Loretto, expect things to feel less settled than for someone serving a final sentence. Because they're held on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), their custody status affects what happens next - especially timing and whether they'll be moved after court. Program access and daily opportunities can also differ depending on sentenced vs. unsentenced status. Treat anything you hear secondhand as "possible" until you confirm it with the institution or their attorney.

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• ✓ Is my loved one currently listed as pretrial, pre-sentenced, or sentenced?
• ✓ If they’re not sentenced yet, is the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) still the primary agency holding them?
• ✓ After sentencing, should I expect a housing change or transfer?
• ✓ Who can confirm their current status on the facility side (and who should my attorney contact if needed)?
• ✓ If there are medical issues, is this a medical placement question - and who handles those assignments?
• ✓ Are there any status-based limits that affect visitation, communication, or programming right now?
• ✓ What’s the best way to get updates if their status changes suddenly (court dates, writs, transfers)?

When pushing an issue forward, aim your questions at the right part of the system. The DSCC handles designations and sentence computations for most inmates, so questions about those topics typically connect back there. If your loved one has medical needs, OMDT may be the office making placement decisions - which is why health concerns can change where someone is housed. Looking further ahead? Regional and local Residential Reentry Management (RRM) offices oversee halfway houses (Residential Reentry Centers/RRCs) and home confinement programs.

1. Confirm their current status - Ask the institution or the attorney whether your loved one is pretrial/pre-sentenced or sentenced right now.
2. Name the issue you’re trying to solve - Transfers and designation questions often tie back to DSCC; medical placement questions may involve OMDT; reentry planning typically falls under RRM oversight.
3. Ask who owns the next step - Get clarity on whether the facility can answer directly or whether the question has to be routed through the appropriate BOP office or through counsel.
4. Keep a simple log - Write down dates, who you spoke with, and what you were told so you can follow up without starting over each time.