The First Step Act Of 2018, signed into law on December 21, 2018 by President Trump, presents an opportunity for certain federal offenders to greatly reduce their in custody prison sentences, by following a regime of activities authorized in that Act, geared toward rehabilitation and productive behavior. Although many categories of offenders are specifically excluded from the benefits obtainable under the Act, such as violent felony offenders, many non violent offenders that obtain lower recidivism assessments, will benefit greatly. These are some of the major benefits regarding early release time credits that can be earned: Credit for 10 days out of every 30 days spent while successfully completing recidivism reduction programs, or for offenders with minimum and low recidivism risk assessments, productive activities programs. Some offenders may even be qualified to instruct the programs, ensuring their time credit for participation. Further, for those offenders receiving minimum and low recidivism successive assessments, an additional 5 days of time credits will be added, making a total of 15 days prison time credits for each 30 days earnestly spent enrolled in programs, that will be applied to earlier release from prison. For those model inmates who are deemed in compliance with all rules, an additional credit of up to 54 days per year of prison sentence imposed by the court accrues and vests, or is applied, on the day of early release. Inmates who are at least 60 years of age may be discharged to home confinement after serving 2/3 of the sentence imposed, and in consideration that the earned prison time credits described above may be used to compute 2/3 of the sentence imposed. With these time credits and other reductions provided in the Act, it is possible for certain categories of offenders to cut their actual in custody prison time in half or more. It will take at least 2-3 years for the programs mandated by the Act to become fully operational. Federal Sentencing Alliance may be able to assist you in the process of facilitating application of the First Step Act Of 2018 benefits to your Client, notwithstanding that processes required to make the Act fully operational are new, with little procedural precedent. Call Federal Sentencing Alliance at 954-540-2845 or email us at federalsentencingalliance@aol.com for a consultation to discuss your specific issues and concerns.
Comments