BOP's New Directive For Home Confinment and First Step Act
- thatbopguy
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 6
If you ever wanted to know what people inside prison go through here is a glimpse. They say one thing and then do the exact opposite weeks later. It's like they are driving drunk.
The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has officially walked back a controversial internal memo that limited halfway house placements to just 60 days. After public pushback and concern from advocacy groups, including families like yours they released a NEW memo 2 days later saying "nope we didn't mean that. Sorry!" basically. Now they confirm that inmates may once again be eligible for up to 12 months in a Residential Reentry Center (RRC) — also known as a halfway house — under the Second Chance Act.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
This change marks a significant shift from a restrictive policy that threatened to shorten crucial reentry preparation. Now, you can breathe a little easier — and begin planning for a more stable transition period.
What Was the 60-Day Rule, and Why Was It a Problem?
In early 2024, BOP issued an internal memorandum that capped RRC placements at 60 days, regardless of an individual’s sentence length, behavior, or reentry needs. The policy flew under the radar but had huge consequences for inmates and their families:
More time in prison
Fewer opportunities to reconnect with family
Limited job training and housing support
More stress placed on both sides of the fence
How To Help A Inmate Get Early Release:
To help your LO get out early do this one thing if you do nothing else... read the 🏛 First Step Act channel in our Discord and then pass the info on to your loved one. You will NOT find info like this anywhere else online.
Many families and inmates were blindsided by the short notice, with some learning about the cap only after they had begun prepping for their loved one’s release.
Inmates who assist had bed dates at Halfway Houses and were granted more than 60 days lost their bed. Case Workers immediately pulled those HH dates. After the BOP rescinded their statement inmates had to re-apply for hallways house they ALREADY WERE APPROVED FOR. This process takes over a month. It's was a mess.
What’s Changed Now?
As of yestetday June 18, 2025, the BOP has officially rescinded the policy and confirmed that inmates can once again be considered for up to 12 months in an RRC. The updated guidance restores the intent of the Second Chance Act of 2007, which was designed to offer meaningful reentry support and reduce recidivism.
This change means your loved one may finally get the time and structure they need to come home sooner.
How the Second Chance Act and First Step Act Work Together
The Second Chance Act (SCA) allows up to 12 months of pre-release placement in a halfway house (RRC) or home confinement. It’s focused on creating a gradual transition from incarceration to freedom.
Inmate Release Date Checker
The First Step Act (FSA) offers eligible inmates the ability to earn time credits through approved programs and activities. These credits can be applied toward early placement in either a halfway house or home confinement.
How They Stack:
FSA credits can help your loved one reach eligibility for halfway house sooner.
Once eligible, the SCA determines how much time can be spent in an Residential Re-entry Center (RRC) - up to 12 months.
Think of FSA as unlocking the door earlier, and SCA as deciding how long they get to stay in that prerelease setting.
Example: If your loved one earns 6 months of FSA time credits and is approved for 12 months of halfway house under SCA, they could leave prison up to 18 months early, transitioning in a structured way that increases their chance of success.
BOP Inmate Tracker
What if you never had to visit the bop.gov website again?What if you could get the newest bop & prison updates and track the status of your loved one all in one place?
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What This Means for You and Your Loved One
This isn’t just a policy win. It’s a planning opportunity.
Here’s how longer halfway house stays benefit families directly:
1. Rebuilding Relationships - 12 months gives time to reestablish connection, build trust, and process trauma.
2. Structured Transition - It’s not just “freedom” — it’s a supervised adjustment to normal life. Curfews, drug testing, job requirements — and support.
3. Job Readiness - More time in a halfway house means more time to secure employment, build a resume, and avoid returning to unstable environments.
4. Support for Mental Health and Recovery - Many RRCs provide access to counseling, substance abuse treatment, and anger management.
5. Reduced Risk of Reincarceration - Inmates who experience gradual transitions tend to have lower rates of recidivism — and that benefits everyone.
Everyone wants Home Confinement
Not everyone knows how to get it. Come learn with us
How to Advocate for the Full 12 Months
Case managers don’t always volunteer this information. If you want the full benefit, you need to ask for it — in the right way:
Start Early: Discuss placement options at least 12 months before release.
Build the Case: Gather reasons why your loved one would benefit from extended RRC time (job leads, home instability, recovery needs).
Request It in Writing: Document all communication. Here's a little trick. Send your request with a BP-8 certified mail. Then the case worker can't say he/she didn't get it. It's your prof to dispute later to regional.
Stay Respectful, but Persistent: You have the right to advocate — and families who speak up often get results.
For more on navigating reentry, Read: 7 Ways to Support Someone in Prison
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Source: Pavlo, W. (2025, June 17). Bureau Of Prisons Retracts Rule, Truly Expands Halfway House. Forbes.