Category: BOP
-
Programming Statement Myth: Am I Entitled To Hot Meals? Programming statements are essentially the bylaws which state how the prison system is supposed to work. In this post, we’re going to focus on some things that inmates have been led to believe are in programming statements, but in fact, are not. The first is that…
-
So, What’s the Deal? Can the First Step Act, or FSA, get an inmate in federal prison under a mandatory minimum? Yes. For instance, if you got a mandatory minimum on a drug conspiracy for 10 years without a firearm or a leadership role, you would be fully FSA eligible. You will also benefit from…
-
Who Benefits From Keeping Inmates Locked Up? There’s lots of misinformation floating around inside prison walls, and these “facts” get used to justify observations made by the BOP. Inmates have nothing else to do, and think they know what they’re talking about, then start passing around theories as truth. We’re here to set the record…
-
We’re All Fed Up With Prison Admins Ignoring Directives & Law Of all institutions to be ignorant of the law, and to have public servants act insubordinately to their superiors, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) should be the last on that list. Deputy Director Josh Smith has made it clear that those who continue to…
-
How Do You Teach a Class or Get Other Jobs in Federal Prison? When Kyle Sandler, founder of Federal Prison Tips was incarcerated at the federal prison camp in Montgomery, he taught business classes, public speaking classes, and other ACE classes. ACE stands for Adult Continuing Education, and is how most formal classes are categorized.…
-
If Your Loved One Is Being Held Past Their Conditional Release Date, Their Are Options Over a week ago, new guidance was issued to inmates in federal prison, prison staff, and the public at large on BOP.gov. BOP director Billy Marshall issued guidance that cleared the air around a massive question: First Step Act and…
-
Mind Your P’s and Q’s Federal Prison Tips is the largest influencer network in the federal prison space on social media, bar none. We have 5 million views every month between Instagram and Tiktok. Whether you’re an inmate in federal prison or a staff member at a federal prison, please read this article carefully. Why?…
-
What Do You Have To Do To Survive A Prison Term? Those are the only three things you need to know to survive and thrive throughout the course of your federal prison sentence. This comes from Kyle Sandler, founder of Federal Prison Tips, who is gay, Hawaiian, and Jewish. Utilizing this advice, he survived two…
-
Is it possible to get an extension for your self-surrender date to federal prison? If you’ve been to court for sentencing, came out on bond with your self-report date, but need an extension, yes, you can get an extension. There are a handful of reasons for which courts are amenable to granting an extension. Federal…
-
Update To Programming Statement About Clemency On June 5th, 2025, the policies for commutation of sentence, otherwise known as clemency, were updated by Billy Marshall. The most pertinent element is that case managers cannot stop interested inmates from sending their applications to the U.S. Pardon Attorney’s Office. They are required to do so regardless of…
-
RDAP, Gun Charges & Enhancements The short answer is no. RDAP is the Residential Drug Abuse Program, which is offered in several federal prisons around the country. It’s nine months long in prison, followed by a second part of the program which continues in halfway house and/or home confinement placement. Completion of the program qualifies…
-
Here is the new Internal Guidance Issued to the Bureau of Prisons From Director Billy Marshall On June 17, 2028 Federal Prison Director Billy Marshall issued this new publicly facing guidance that superceded guidance issued on May 28, 2025 in regards to home confinement, First Step Act (FSA) and Second Chance Act (SCA). The strongly…
-
We certainly could be! We heard that last week, the new director of the federal prison system, Billy Marshall, made an planned inspection of FCI Morgantown in Morgantown, West Virginia. But now, we’re hearing that Josh Smith, the deputy director of the Bureau of Prisons, made an unannounced spot check of McCreary over the weekend…
-
Prison Skills For The Real World. Do They Exist? Are you, or your loved one, in federal prison? Can any of those classes actually help you in the real world? Programs vary widely. Prisons with a UNICOR program are sought after for a reason – they actually have a bonding program for inmates that helps…
-
R. Kelly – On The Brink? New information is developing in the R. Kelly case after his lawyer claimed he was allegedly poisoned by federal prison officials at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butham, North Carolina. According to the USA Today report, sourced by Kelly’s attorney, Kelly was rushed to the emergency room after…
-
New BOP Director Billy Marshall updated the BOP programming statement on clemency and commutation of sentence, Programming Statement PS 1330.15. This comes on the heels of the widely expected clemencies in the coming months. As the world knows Former President Biden commuted the sentences of over 6500 individuals before the end of his term. As…
-
As is customary, the BOP is generating more confusion around its implementation of the First Step Act, Second Chance Act, and how time credits will be applied to halfway house placement and home confinement through two conflicting memos. Are we finally moving in the right direction? Let’s break down what was said. William K. Marshall’s…
-
Federal Prison Director Marshall Issues New Guidance to BOP Staff If your inmate is still being denied conditional release date click here now Washington DC May 28, 2025. The Director of the embattled Federal Bureau of Prisons, William “Billy” Marshall III issued system wide guidance today that outlines a reinvestment into interpreting the First Step…
-
Public Comments Open On 2025 Sentencing Amendments Until March 18, 2025 here Every year the United Sates Sentencing Commission proposes new sentencing guideline amendments. Those amendments follow the same calendar schedule, every year. The amendments are proposed in January/February. The public can comment until March. The amendments are voted on in May. Retroactivity is voted…
-
Federal Prison Tips Doesn’t Just Give Tips Off The Internet We Help Free People, Over 150 of them to date Federal Prison Tips is all about helping people, mostly “newbies” understand the federal prison process. What will they be facing as they go from federal court to federal prison? This is all based on the…