Our Blog

Trend Setters For Criminal Justice’s Fair Chance Month

April is noted as being Fair Chance Month (also known as Second Chance Month), a recognition of those who face and overcome many of the challenges associated with a felony in the United States. The National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL) has a resource page dedicated to the month and has been a proponent of change for those who have collateral consequences for years beyond a prison term. NACDL’s President, Michael Heiskell, released a statement, “April marks Second Chance Month, a time to reflect on the meaning of redemption, hope and opportunity for those seeking to rebuild their lives.”

First Step Act In Court: What A Court Decision Means For Inmates

For nearly seven years, the First Step Act has stood as one of the most ambitious criminal justice reforms in recent history, promising to reward rehabilitation with earlier release and a smoother transition back into society. Yet the law’s implementation has been anything but straightforward.

Navigating the Complexities of the First Step Act: Insights from a Recent Podcast Appearance

In a recent appearance on the "Set For Sentencing" podcast, the intricacies and challenges of the First Step Act (FSA) were thoroughly discussed. The podcast, hosted by an expert in federal sentencing, featured Walter Pavlo, founder of prisonology.com and a frequent contributor to Forbes on Bureau of Prisons (BOP) issues.

BOP Ordered To Transfer Prisoner Home After First Step Miscalculation

The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is still trying to implement the First Step Act (FSA) over five years after the legislation was signed into law by then-President Trump. While the calculation of FSA credits to reduce a prison term for federal prisoners has mostly been fixed, a lack of space to put the prisoners at halfway houses is now causing problems.

The Bureau Of Prisons And The Chevron Doctrine

The Supreme Court just handed down an important decision on how federal agencies interpret laws by Congress. One of those agencies, the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), writes program statements that interpret the law regarding punishment (sentences) imposed by the courts. Two of those are the First Step Act and Second Chance Act, which have been interpreted by the BOP in such a way that has led to prisoners being kept in institutional housing for far longer than Congress had intended when the laws were passed. The Supreme Court ruling might change that.