The First Step Act was the first significant prison reform package in the last three decades.

While most people focus on the “Earned Time Credits” that allow inmates to earn time off their sentences by participating in Evidence Based Recidivism Reducing Program (EBRR) and other Productive Activities (PAs), there were several other benefits from the legislation.

One of those other benefits is language that requires the BOP to place people in prisons no more than 500 driving miles from their home, wherever practicable. The words “wherever practicable” give the BOP tremendous lattitude whereas they can deny a transfer within 500 miles for reasons of safety, security or bed space.

Inmates are fighting with the unit team every single day to get those transfers and one look across social media you’ll find it’s happening everywhere. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do from the outside.

In theory, the First Step Act is a law and should be adhered to as such. In this case, the 500 mile rule is one of the many things that isn’t being utilized in the BOP equally across institutions.

If you have questions, or need a prison consultant please email info@federalprisontips.com