Clemency vs. Pardon: What’s the Difference?
Relief & Remedies • Federal & State “Clemency” is the umbrella. A “pardon” is one form of clemency. This guide explains the types (pardon,…
Continue ReadingFederal Prison Experts
Prison Law Firm: Updates
Updates and news relevant to prisoners, their attorneys and family members.
How Is Todd Chrisley Affecting Change at the Bureau of Prisons?
High-profile prisoners sometimes shine a spotlight on federal prison conditions, time-credit errors, and oversight gaps. Here’s what public attention can do, what it can’t,…
Continue Reading
What Prison is Diddy Going To?
Short answer: as of October 6, 2025, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has not publicly announced Sean “Diddy” Combs’s final designated facility. He remains…
Continue Reading
Why the United States Leads the World in Prison Population
By total number of people behind bars, the United States ranks #1 in the world. Below is a current ranking table (by total prison…
Continue Reading
P. Diddy Sentencing: How Much Time Will He Actually Serve?
Federal Sentencing Explained Sean “P. Diddy” Combs was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison on October 3, 2025. He reportedly has about 12…
Continue Reading
BOP Employee Misconduct
Prison Safety & Accountability Correctional Staff Must Keep People Safe—What If They’re the Ones Causing Harm? Correctional officers and other prison employees are responsible…
Continue Reading
Suing the Bureau of Prisons (BOP): What You Can Sue For, What Courts Grant Most Often, and How We Help Nationwide
This guide explains common claim types, the strict rules that apply to lawsuits from federal custody, and practical tips to avoid dismissal. It is…
Continue Reading
Huge Changes to Federal Supervised Release
The U.S. criminal justice system is constantly evolving, and a major shift is on the horizon. Effective November 1, 2025, the U.S. Sentencing Commission…
Continue Reading
What Can You Bring to Federal Prison?
As you prepare to self-report to your designated federal facility, here is some guidance on what to expect, what you may bring with you,…
Continue Reading
The Bureau of Prisons: America’s Hidden Classroom
Inside every federal prison, education isn’t optional for people who don’t already have a high-school diploma or GED. By regulation, anyone without a verified…
Continue Reading
Federal Prison vs. State Prison: What’s the Difference?
When people hear the word “prison,” they often think of one big system. In reality, the United States has two main systems of incarceration:…
Continue Reading
Offenses That Disqualify You From First Step Act Time Credits
The First Step Act (FSA) allows eligible federal prisoners to earn time credits that reduce their time in custody or move them earlier to…
Continue Reading
What Is a Bivens Claim — And Is It Still Alive?
A Bivens claim refers to a civil lawsuit for money damages directly against federal officers (in their individual capacities) for violating your constitutional rights.…
Continue Reading
Federal Prison Commissary: How It Works and What You Need to Know
For individuals entering federal prison—and their families—the term commissary comes up quickly. The commissary is more than just a prison “store.” It’s a lifeline…
Continue Reading
Can Someone with a Fentanyl Charge Get First Step Act Time Credits?
Yes—sometimes. Whether you can earn and apply First Step Act (FSA) time credits turns on the exact statute and penalty subsection listed on your…
Continue Reading
Retaliation For Filing Administrative Remedies
What Is the Administrative Remedy Program? The Administrative Remedy Program is the Bureau of Prisons’ formal grievance system. It typically moves in four steps:…
Continue Reading
The Truth About Federal Prison Programming: Why It’s Both a Joke and a Lifeline
Ask anyone who has served time in a federal prison about programming—ACE courses, GED, or First Step Act (FSA) classes—and you’ll hear the same…
Continue Reading
“The Halfway House Is Full…” Are They Lying and Why Would They Say That?
When Your Case Manager Says There’s No Room You’ve done your programs, earned your First Step Act credits, built a strong release plan, and…
Continue Reading
Second Chance Act Time: What’s “Average,” How It’s Calculated, and How to Get More
What the Second Chance Act Allows The Second Chance Act (SCA) authorizes individualized prerelease custody near the end of a federal sentence. BOP can…
Continue Reading
How to Get Your Custody Level Score Down in Federal Prison
Your Bureau of Prisons (BOP) custody level influences where you’re housed (camp, low, medium, high), job assignments, movement privileges, transfer eligibility, and—practically—how easy it…
Continue Reading
Marijuana Use While on Federal Supervised Release
Marijuana Use While on Federal Supervised Release: What You Need to Know As more states legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use, many people…
Continue Reading
The Two Bobs vs. The BOP
At The Prison Law Firm, the two Bobs, Robert Root III and Robert Rohrbaugh II take on the Bureau of Prisons every single day.…
Continue Reading
Can a BOP 100-Series Shot Disqualify You from Second Chance Act Home Confinement or Halfway House?
Short Answer A 100-series “shot” (the Bureau of Prisons’ Greatest Severity disciplinary offenses) does not impose an automatic, permanent ban on Second Chance Act…
Continue Reading
Writing a Release Plan: Why It’s Important and How to Do It Right
When you’re in federal prison, one of the most powerful tools you have for earning earlier release and smoother reentry is a release plan.…
Continue Reading
What Is a PSR and Why Is It So Important?
If you’re facing federal sentencing, one of the most important documents in your case is something you may not even have heard of before:…
Continue Reading
Understanding Updated Federal Sentencing Guidelines (with examples)
The Federal Sentencing Guidelines (FSG) help ensure that sentences across the federal system are fair and consistent. But how do they really work—and what’s…
Continue Reading
All Federal Prisons Offering RDAP: A Complete Guide
If you’re serving time in the federal system and battling substance use—RDAP offers a rare chance for rehabilitation and sentence reduction. But it’s not…
Continue Reading
The 20 Best Federal Prison Camps to Serve Your Time
If you’ve been sentenced to federal prison and you’re classified as non-violent, minimum security, you may be eligible for a Federal Prison Camp (FPC)…
Continue Reading
How to Get Clemency in the Federal System
If you or your loved one is serving a sentence in the federal prison system, the idea of clemency might feel like a distant…
Continue Reading
How to Get Home Confinement and Avoid the Halfway House
For many federal inmates nearing the end of their sentence, one question dominates:“Can I go home instead of the halfway house?” The short answer…
Continue Reading