This is a great video, because I break down which programs in federal prison actually count, which ones don't, and how the system actually tracks them. When you first get to federal prison, everybody tells you to take classes, but nobody explains the difference between the class that helps pass the time, a class that earns First Step Act credits — like RDAP — that actually changes your release date, and classes that can earn you a certificate for a better job after prison.
The system is confusing, inconsistent, and people often have to track and fight for their credits. I took every class I could take under the erroneous impression that the more classes I took, the more time off I would get. This is not so. I wasn't necessarily making a mistake — it didn't hurt me. However, the smarter approach is to take programs that match your needs. For me, my objective was to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. And although the classes and programs I took were productive, taking all those classes was not necessarily a means to that end.
The maximum amount of federal time credits that you can earn is based on your PATTERN score. The lower your score, the more credits you can receive and apply. An inmate can receive 15 days for each 30 days he serves if your PATTERN score classifies you as a minimum or a low security, and 10 days if you're a medium or a high.
Most people, like me, going to federal prison obsess over programs, but most don't understand which ones count, which ones don't, and how the system actually tracks them.
The Four Types of Programs
There are basically four types of programs available:
- EBRR programs — evidence-based recidivism reduction programs
- PAs — productive activities
- Apprenticeship programs
All three of these qualify for time off under the First Step Act.
- ACE classes — adult continuing education, which do not get you time off under the First Step Act, but do help to lower your PATTERN score.
Let's go through each one.
Evidence-Based Recidivism Reduction (EBRR)
These are structured programs and will earn you time off under the First Step Act. These include:
- Parenting programs
- The Inside-Out Dad program
- Post-secondary education programs like ACT WorkKeys
- Re-entry skill programs like the resume writing and interview skill program
- Mock job fair programs
But the biggest one of all is RDAP. This one is not only an EBRR, but earns you an extra 12 months off on top of that. That's because this 9-month program is intense. (Yes, I take full responsibility for engaging in a criminal thinking error by attempting to sneak food out from the chow hall. I did an entire video on RDAP that you should watch.) You actually move into a separate unit, have community and small group meetings every day, and as you can see, the place is immaculately clean.
Productive Activities
These also earn you First Step Act time credits. These include:
- Faith-based programs like Happiness and the Ladder Up — a correspondence course from the Olive Institute
- The Threshold program, a 7-week course that takes place in the chapel
- Wellness programs like Brain Health As You Age, run by the social work department
- Recreation courses such as Walk With Ease class, run by rec, of course
They also include approved prison jobs — which are most of them. Before RDAP I had three jobs. All you need to qualify for earning time credits is one job, but I wanted to keep busy. I started out as a law clerk in the law library. Then I got a job doing suicide watch — that was my night job. Then I became a clerk at the chapel running the Jewish religious services. Each religion had its own clerk — Witnesses, Wicca, Protestant. My friend Jumper ran the Catholic services, and my friend Dull Knife ran the Native American program. They actually got to smoke during sweat lodge ceremonies. I was actually going to convert in prison so I could get my smoke on on Thursdays, but by this time I had already begun to transform. Two years before, I wouldn't have hesitated.
Apprenticeships
These are awesome because not only do you earn FSA time, but you learn a new skill and actually earn a state-approved certification while you're in prison. It'll be hard enough to get a job with a felony on your record and a lapse of employment on your resume, but if you leave prison with a license or a certification that you'd have to pay for in the free world, this is gold.
Depending on the institution, you can get your:
- CDL — commercial driver's license to be a truck driver
- Culinary arts program
- Welding
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical
- You can even walk out with a barber's license
I love this one because in prison haircuts don't come cheap. Usually $20 in commissary at the barber shop — yes, there's an inmate-run barber shop. Or $5 in commissary for some inmate to do it in the unit with a razor blade and a comb (they break the razor blade out of the shaver and use a comb). Or get it done free in the barber shop by a student overseen by the instructor. This guy actually owned his own shop in the free world and did this on the side. I was going to take this course, but I was accepted to RDAP a week before the commencement of the class.
ACE Classes (Adult Continuing Education)
These classes are taught by other inmates. Many by attorneys teaching business law. A doctor locked up for Medicare fraud teaching a health and millionaire course. Or a millionaire teaching finance courses. Mr. Rockefeller — John D.'s grandson — taught this particular class (not going to say which one), who was in for illegal arms trading to another country. And the film appreciation course taught by a well-known director locked up for enticing a federal agent online who he thought was 17 years old. That's the one I took, because he directed one of my favorite movies. Not going to say which one, but I'm sure you already know.
These don't take time off your sentence, but they stack up as program completions. And those program completions can chip away your PATTERN score, your risk assessment, and your security level. So if you're already a minimum, they don't help you other than learning the subject matter of what's being taught. But if you're a medium or a high and are therefore only earning 10 days per month of FSA, they help you get to 15 days per month quicker.
Stay On Top of Your Credits
As I've said in a previous video, it's very important that you stay on top of this, because usually the BOP will get it wrong and not properly apply your credits accurately. The Bureau, which lobbied against the First Step Act in the first place, has still not gotten it right. 60% of the people that I helped in the law library weren't getting the credits that they deserved. Usually the administrative remedy process fixed it, but we also had to file a few habeas motions on some to interpret the statute as it's usually interpreted wrong by the BOP.
It's complicated. Every 6 months, you're teamed. This is when your unit team — your counselor and/or your case manager — reviews your case, security level, requested transfers, disciplinary status, program eligibility, and any other concerns that you may have.
Always ask for your FSA time credit assessment sheet, because they will not give it to you unless you ask. And make sure that all your work, programs, and activities are properly credited and applied towards your sentence calculations. You should see that date move closer and closer every month. When you see your name on the call-out sheet for the next day to be teamed, always bring all your certificates with you and a list of questions and concerns that you might have. They'll try to rush you through in 5 minutes, and if you miss the opportunity, you'll have to wait another 6 months to get teamed.
I hope this video has brought some clarification to your understanding of the system. It's what my entire channel is about. If you need personal assistance or additional information or clarification, you can leave a message below in the comments section or send me a personal message under the contact tab on my website, thehighcost.com. This is a new channel and it would help me tremendously if you subscribe.
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