Federal First Step Act time credits, explained
How do First Step Act credits work? Eligible federal prisoners earn 10 days of time credit for every 30 days of successful program participation, or 15 days if they're rated minimum or low risk. Credits move people into home confinement, a halfway house, or supervised release earlier. For an actual release date, use the official BOP Inmate Locator.
Earning time credits
- 10 days per 30 days of successful participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction (EBRR) programs or productive activities. [18 U.S.C. 3632(d)(4)(A)(i)]
- 5 more days per 30 for people the BOP rates minimum or low risk whose risk hasn't increased over 2 consecutive assessments. [3632(d)(4)(A)(ii)]
- No credit for programs completed before the law (Dec. 18, 2018) or during detention before the sentence began. [3632(d)(4)(B)]
- The BOP uses its PATTERN tool to measure recidivism risk. [BOP FSA]
How credits are used
- Credits are applied toward prerelease custody (home confinement or a residential reentry center) or supervised release. [3632(d)(4)(C)]
- Transfer requires credits equal to the rest of the term, demonstrated risk reduction or minimum/low risk, and (for prerelease custody) a minimum/low rating on the last 2 reassessments or a warden-approved petition. [3624(g)(1)]
- If the sentence includes supervised release, the BOP may start it up to 12 months early based on time credits. [3624(g)(3)]
Who's excluded
People serving a sentence for an offense on the list in 18 U.S.C. 3632(d)(4)(D) can't earn time credits. The list covers many violent, terrorism, sex, and certain drug and firearm offenses. People with a final order of removal can't apply credits. [3632(d)(4)(D)-(E)]
Good conduct time (separate)
Up to 54 days for each year of the sentence imposed, for people serving more than 1 year (not life), if the BOP finds exemplary compliance with institution rules. [18 U.S.C. 3624(b)]
Separately, the BOP must try to place people in prerelease custody for part of the final months of the term (up to 12 months); home confinement is limited to the shorter of 10% of the term or 6 months under that provision. [3624(c)]
Find a federal release date
- Open the official BOP Inmate Locator and search by register number or name.
- The listed release date is the BOP's projection. The BOP says FSA recalculations mean it may not be up to date.
- Ask the person's case manager for their FSA time credit assessment and projected release date.
OutSooner does not scrape or copy BOP data and doesn't compute federal dates.
FAQ
How do First Step Act time credits work?
Under 18 U.S.C. 3632(d)(4), an eligible federal prisoner earns 10 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs or productive activities, plus 5 more days per 30 if the Bureau of Prisons rates them minimum or low risk and their risk has not increased over 2 consecutive assessments.
What can FSA time credits be used for?
They are applied toward time in prerelease custody (home confinement or a residential reentry center) or supervised release. The BOP may move someone to supervised release up to 12 months early based on time credits (18 U.S.C. 3624(g)(3)).
Who cannot earn FSA time credits?
People serving a sentence for an offense listed in 18 U.S.C. 3632(d)(4)(D), which includes many violent, terrorism, sex, and certain drug and firearm offenses. People with a final order of removal cannot apply credits (3632(d)(4)(E)).
Is FSA time the same as good conduct time?
No. Good conduct time is separate: up to 54 days for each year of the sentence imposed, for exemplary compliance with institution rules (18 U.S.C. 3624(b)).
How do I find a federal inmate's release date?
Use the official BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. The BOP notes that sentences are being recalculated for First Step Act credits, so a listed release date may not be up to date.
Official sources
Sources: 18 U.S.C. 3632 / 3624 · BOP First Step Act · Last verified: · Corrections