First Step Act

The First Step Act or FSA (Public Law 115-39) passed on December 18, 2018. It requires the Attorney General (AG) to develop a risk and needs assessment system for BOP to assess the recidivism risk and criminogenic needs of all federal prisoners and to place prisoners in recidivism reducing programs and productive activities to address their needs and reduce this risk. Federal regulations regarding time credits are final and are published in the Federal Register.

Overview

The First Step Act is significant legislation that affects BOP inmates and their families. This page provides an overview of how the Act affects reductions in recidivism, incentives for success, confinement, correctional reforms, sentencing reforms, and oversight.

Attorney General Reports

Under the First Step Act, the Attorney General is required to report to Congress on the activities undertaken, and accomplishments reached, in carrying out the law. This page makes those reports available to the public.

PATTERN Risk Assessment

PATTERN is a tool that measures an inmate's risk of recidivism and provides them opportunities to reduce their score. This page provides resources that are used to calculate those recidivism risk scores and levels.

Needs Assessment & Programs

This page provides resources that explain how inmate needs are assessed, lists FSA-related reentry programs to meet those needs, and provides information on how you can submit an idea for a program.

Related Policies

This page lists BOP policies that were created, or updated, to address requirements under the First Step Act.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page provides general information about the First Step Act, which were gathered from frequently asked questions, and organized by topic.

FSA Numbers

Fair Sentencing / Retroactive Sentence Reductions

3,979
Orders Granted

Compassionate Releases / Reduction in Sentences

4,634
Approved

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

4,047
Current Participants Across All Bureau Facilities
(1,070 are in Community Placements)

First Step Act Releases

25,506
Inmates

Recidivism Reduction Partnerships

5,342
Volunteers

Elderly Offender Home Confinement

1,247
Approved
(59 are on Home Confinement)

Population in Home Confinement

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Inmates

Population in RRCs

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Inmates