Can a prisoner be transported far away from his family?

Yes, and they generally are. States have only so many prison facilities. Movement of prisoners is matter of available space and security. Most states have level systems established within their DOC. A level one prison is usually a minimum security prison, and most inmates are housed at this level. Levels can go as high as five (maximum security) or six (supermax). The level of the facility usually determines the priviledges and freedom of movement afforded to the inmates at that level. Inmates serving longer sentences are usually sent to higher level facilites. There being fewer of these and security being a major issue, these facilities are usually located in more remote locations. All of these matters and others not mentioned determine to what facility an inmate may be assigned. The location of the inmate's family is usually not considered in the decision, or if it is, the family's location is a minor factor in the decision making process.