First Step Act and RDAP

The First Step Act (FSA), signed in 2018, is a federal law with several provisions that affect people in federal custody and their families. It addresses areas such as programming, good-conduct time, earned time credits, and reentry opportunities.

Federal Time Credits (FTC) are one part of the FSA. When someone says “FSA credits,” they usually mean this particular time-credit provision, not every change made by the law.

Some people in federal custody may earn FTC by taking part in qualifying evidence-based recidivism-reduction programs or productive activities assigned by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). A program or activity does not count just because it is available; it must qualify under current BOP rules and be assigned to the person.

Eligibility to earn and apply credits is not the same for everyone. Federal law includes offense-based exclusions, and BOP rules also address participation, custody status, risk assessments, and how credits may be applied. The BOP makes the case-specific determinations. This guide does not reproduce an offense list or assess any person’s eligibility.

Earned credits are not a guaranteed change to a projected release date. Depending on the requirements and BOP decision, credits may be applied toward prerelease custody or supervised release.

The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) is the BOP’s intensive residential substance-use treatment program. It is separate from the FSA time-credit rules. The BOP says the FSA did not change RDAP.

RDAP admission and placement are individual decisions under BOP criteria. The federal regulation includes requirements such as a verifiable substance use disorder and the ability to complete the program components; a BOP Drug Abuse Program Coordinator decides placement. The person can ask their unit team or Drug Abuse Program Coordinator how to request current screening and placement information.

A possible RDAP early-release benefit comes under separate authority, 18 U.S.C. § 3621(e), and its regulations. A person must meet the applicable eligibility rules and successfully complete RDAP; the BOP determines whether a person qualifies and what benefit, if any, applies.

For eligible RDAP completers, the regulation allows an approved early-release period of up to 12 months. That is a possible maximum, not a promised outcome. Applying for or completing RDAP does not guarantee early release or any particular reduction.

Use the current BOP information below for program rules, and ask the person’s BOP unit team or Drug Abuse Program Coordinator about case-specific screening, participation, and placement questions. For advice about a sentence or legal rights, consult an attorney familiar with the person’s case.

Rules and policies can change. Confirm the current requirements directly rather than relying on a general explainer or an estimate shared for another person.