Almost four years after the First Step Act was enacted in December 2018, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has finally adopted a formal policy on how to implement this law passed by Congress that could potentially shorten the sentences of most BOP prisoners.
In usual BOP style, the policy is long and complex — but it’s worth a read. It’s important because it clears up some of the rumors that prisoners couldn’t get retroactive credits under the First Step Act (they can), along with some other clarifications on how prisoners can qualify to earn time off their sentences for taking certain programs.
Listed below is the new policy titled “First Step Act of 2018 – Time Credits:
Procedures for Implementation of 18 U.S.C. § 3632(d)(4),” under Program Statement 5410.01 (Nov. 18, 2022), and signed by the BOP’s new director, Colette S. Peters.
Dale Chappell is the author of hundreds of published articles on the federal criminal justice system, and the Insider`s Guide series of federal post-conviction books. He is a consultant in federal post-conviction procedure and an authority on federal sex offense issues.
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