(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – A decisive step toward restoring integrity, fiscal discipline, and accountability within the federal corrections system, Right On Crime applauds the comprehensive directive from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to fully implement the bipartisan First Step Act of 2018 and Second Chance Act of 2008.

“This announcement signals a new chapter at the BOP—one focused on public safety and personal responsibility,” said Brett Tolman, Executive Director of Right On Crime. “The dynamic team of BOP Director Bill Marshall and Deputy Director Josh Smith puts the entire federal corrections system on notice that laws and resources will be fully implemented.  Allowing offenders to combine earned time credits from both the FSA and Second Chance Act will provide greater incentives to complete more programs and become productive members of society.”

Provisions of the BOP directive include:

  • Maximizing home confinement placement for eligible individuals with stable housing and strong community ties.
  • Treating earned time credits and Second Chance Act eligibility as cumulative, enabling more consistent early release placements.
  • Removing bureaucratic delays through the use of Conditional Placement Dates to ensure timely referrals.
  • Ensuring that RRC (Residential Reentry Center) capacity limitations do not obstruct appropriate home confinement placements.

This new directive is expected to reduce strain on prison staff and resources, avoid unnecessary taxpayer expense, and improve outcomes for individuals reentering society.

The First Step Act and Second Chance Act were passed with broad bipartisan support and aim to reduce recidivism, strengthen families, and prepare qualified individuals for successful reentry into society.

Right On Crime is a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation supporting conservative solutions for fewer victims, less crime, and safer communities. The movement was born in Texas in 2007, established as a national campaign in 2010, and leads the way in implementing conservative criminal justice initiatives across the nation that are just, effective, and fiscally responsible. For more information, visit our website at www.RightOnCrime.com. 

For more information or to request an interview, contact Tonya Kerr ([email protected]).