Our Blog

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has faced significant challenges in implementing the First Step Act (FSA), a 2018 law aimed at reforming the federal prison system. Some of the challenges included delays in calculating earned time credits, inconsistent application of the risk assessment tool (PATTERN), and limited access to rehabilitative programs. These shortcomings led to legal actions, such as class-action lawsuits, and bipartisan congressional criticism. It has also led to some inmates staying in prison longer than allowed under the law, primarily due to the BOP’s inability to properly calculate prison terms under the FSA. Despite efforts to improve, including policy updates and staff training, the BOP’s slow progress continues to hinder the FSA’s intended impact on reducing recidivism , enhancing inmate rehabilitation and returning non-violent offenders to the community sooner.

The Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policies and practices in using restraints on inmates. The OIG’s investigation into allegations made by inmates at various BOP institutions revealed that inmates were placed in restraints for prolonged periods while being confined to beds or chairs. Some inmates suffered severe or long-term injuries, such as the amputation of a limb after being restrained for over two days. The OIG found that shortcomings in BOP's policies and practices contributed to these issues, limiting evidence availability and impairing investigations into potential misconduct by BOP staff.