by Federal Sentencing Alliance
This First Step Act of 2018: An Annotated Learning Guide Book remains the only First Step Act Book of its kind available today anywhere! This publication is the most complete reference guide authored by Federal Sentencing Alliance. It is also instructive for federal attorneys endeavoring to get a firm grasp on the tenets of the First Step Act Of 2018. This is a desktop-reference-resource-tool for anyone earnestly trying to read and understand the First Step Act, and discern how those tenets might apply to any particular case.
8.27" x 11.69" x 1.55" Comprising 619 pages. This is a large desktop reference book complete.
A 102 page Supplement and analysis examining the "PATTERN" System (recidivism risk assessment "tool"), and instructions how to score recidivism a risk category, is included.
The First Step Act Of 2018 is not the easiest document to read and comprehend, because it fragments hundreds of tiny United States Code provisions and sub-sections of large provisions being amended. The Act is not easy to follow without reference, and without each tiny amendment being placed into context within the body of full text.
In 2021 the U.S.District Courts are split relative to applicability of U.S.S.G. Policy Statement § 1B1.13 (Application Notes) to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i), relative to judicial finding of whether an inmate has stated extraordinary and compelling reasons for compassionate release.
This book recites in full the First Step Act Of 2018 (as reformatted and easier to read), the Second Chance Re-authorization Act Of 2018, and the Fair Sentencing Act Of 2010.
All of the major United States Code provisions enumerated within the body of the First Step Act Of 2018 are recited in full as amended in 2019, and are current law.
In order to use this book as a guide to better understanding of the First Step Act Of 2018, one would read the pertinent provision of the First Step Act applicable to any given federal case, and then review the full text of the 2019 United States Code provisions referenced, and recited in full. Although these Acts are somewhat difficult for one to meaningfully comprehend when read in a capsule, both reading and comprehension improves greatly by referencing the amendments mandated by these Acts to the actual 2019 United States Code provisions incorporating those changes recited.
The Introduction contains a timeline narrative identifying when various aspects of the First Step Act Of 2018 were slotted for creation, implementation, full implementation, and compliance review - to ensure full implementation.
All of the United States Code provisions related to recidivism reduction program credits and productive activity credits are also cited in full, which is one of the major interests by many seeking to reduce actual prison sentences through participation in beneficial earned time credit programs, while fostering personal growth. These programs and activities will be a win-win for everyone once fully implemented and available to all inmates that want to engage them. To date however, there has not been any meaningful implementation by the Bureau of Prisons, primarily due to a delayed start immediately followed by COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2021 this has frustrated thousands of inmates eager to earn early release time credits.
Although earned time credit implementation did not start in 2019 (due to initial deficiencies analyzed in Federal Sentencing Alliance's Book titled: "FIRST STEP ACT OF 2018 & EARLY RELEASE EARNED TIME CREDIT DISPARITIES: Identification of Implementation Delays And Earned Time Credit Application Disparities for Recidivism Reduction Programs and Productive Activities in 2020" ), implementation did finally begin on January 15, 2020, only to be delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in March, 2020, that continues to this day.
Please see our many other First Step Act of 2018 publications available on Amazon or by
visiting the Books Link on this Website.
Federal Sentencing Alliance © 2021