FIRST-Network/ Federal Inmates Requesting Sanctioned Treatment

05/14/2026

🏡BOP... EXPANDING REENTRY & HC EFFORTS?? 👀
We know the system is far from perfect & there is still SO much work that needs to be done… but as some of us say, “we like to give credit where credit is due.” 👏

Recently, there’s been a lot of discussion about expanding First Step Act & Second Chance Act opportunities to help more LO's successfully transition HOME 🫶

According to the article, the focus is shifting more toward:
* Rehabilitation & reentry
* Community-based programs
* Helping inmates prepare for life after prison
* Improving programming opportunities inside facilities

The BOP Director has been visiting facilities across the country & listening to concerns from LOs and staff❤️

Positive change matters. Hope matters. And every step toward bringing our LO’s home stronger, healthier & better prepared for success matters too!

https://correctionalnews.com/2026/05/12/guiding-the-federal-bureau-of-prisons-into-the-future/

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Since his official appointment in April 2025, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director William K. Marshall III has already presided over an eventful tenure.

05/06/2026

📌Audits are NOT designed to find abuse.

That’s not opinion — that’s straight from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.

What YOU should actually be concerned about:

1. Audits are NOT designed to find abuse - That’s the biggest problem. They check if policies exist… NOT if people are safe. Yes, a prison can have posters on the wall, reporting forms & “training completed”… and still have ongoing abuse happening unchecked. The system is measuring compliance, not reality.

2. “Passing” creates a false sense of safety - meanwhile, abuse can still be happening inside. When a facility passes:
– The public assumes things are okay
– Oversight pressure decreases
– Survivors may feel less believed

3. The numbers are likely UNDER-reported - and MUCH higher
~8,500 allegations sounds high… but in this context:
– Reporting is extremely difficult
– Fear of retaliation is real
– Trust in the system is low

4. Oversight has serious gaps - the system hasn’t kept up with reality.
– Limited time for audits
– Restricted access to information
– Standards haven’t been updated since 2012

What this really means is THIS system is built to say: “We followed the rules.”... NOT - “People are actually safe.”
That’s the concern!!!!!

If you want to read the full report and recommendations, you can here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107343

Federal Bureau of Prisons - we need your help to discuss policies and how we can turn reports into results that create change.

The Bureau of Prisons is responsible for implementing the Prison R**e Elimination Act—a law meant to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in...

05/01/2026

👀 A quick observation on newly proposed legislation…

The Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026 introduces a structured process for reviewing and approving reading materials within BOP facilities .... an effort that, on its face, promotes transparency and access.

However, one detail stands out… The bill outlines that the review committee will include: 👉 “the OMBUDSMAN established under the Federal Prison Oversight Act”

At this time, that ombudsman position has not yet been FUNDED or formally ESTABLISHED.

This raises an important question: How do we effectively implement new processes that rely on roles and systems that are not yet in place?

This is the broader concern many families continue to highlight - the gap between policy on paper and real-world implementation.

While the intent behind this bill is meaningful, successful ex*****on depends on ensuring that foundational components are fully operational.

It’s not about opposing progress... it’s about making sure the systems we build are structured in a way that allows them to function as intended.

👀 Interested to hear your thoughts on this. Senator Adam Schiff, The United States Department of Justice, The Marshall Project
Federal Bureau of Prisons

We have received text from S. 4319: Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026. This bill was receiv

04/24/2026

🤔Time Credits, Release Dates, HwH - Are You or Your LO Confused?

There’s a new article out talking about how families/LOs - and - even staff - are confused when it comes to time credits, release dates & halfway house placement.

Nothing lines up the way people think it should. Laws overlap, information isn’t always clear & expectations don’t match reality.
People are doing everything they’re supposed to do… and still don’t know when they’re coming home.

On top of that, there’s limited space in halfway houses, which adds another layer of complexity to when and how people are placed - even though the BOP Director has said this should NOT prolong release.

💭 And what does that lead to?
Confusion. Frustration. And a system that feels inconsistent.

This article actually does a really good job breaking it down in a way that may make more sense - and - it might be helpful to share with your LO so you’re both on the same page. 💙

Inmates in federal prison want to know when they get to go home. This has become a complicated question leading to frustration and unequal treatment as to prerelease.

04/14/2026

🚨BOP POSTED ARTICLE ADDRESSING ISSUES INSIDE…

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is deploying teams into facilities to listen to staff (and those in custody), assess challenges and work toward meaningful change. This is great and much needed!

But.. Does it Sound familiar? 🤔

It should - because that’s exactly what FN members have been doing. Concerns are documented, tracked & reported in real-time!!

FN didn’t just talk about it — we built it... A solution.

There’s clear alignment here. We can work TOGETHER to create change.

FIRST-Network requests a seat at the table with BOP leadership.

Read BOP article: https://www.bop.gov/news/20260414-bop-deploys-national-resource-team-to-fcc-coleman.jsp

The United States Department of Justice, Prison Fellowship, The Sentencing Project,

03/30/2026

📌CAN FIRST-NETWORK GET A SEAT AT THE TABLE? BOP- WE CHALLENGE YOU.

March 19, 2026 you introduced PS 3712.01 — a Conflict Resolution Policy focused on early intervention, better reporting and resolving issues BEFORE they escalate... ((for STAFF)). This is a GREAT start.

You introduced the policy — we’ve already built the infrastructure to support it AND expand it.

It isn’t new — it’s been built, tested and in use for over a year.
If the goal is truly EARLY intervention… let's take this further.

You have an opportunity to create a system where staff, incarcerated individuals & families can ALL report concerns:
— with anonymous options when needed
— and real-time insight to catch issues early

ONE System. REAL CHANGE.

This doesn’t replace your policy — it brings it to life and expands its reach. Are you willing to take this to the next level?

👉 We are requesting a meeting to bring this to the table and demonstrate how this system can support AND expand your policy in real time. Let’s build on what you started.

Federal Bureau of Prisons The United States Department of Justice U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

03/28/2026

📢 BOP Policy Update

Members are asking about the policies mentioned in the BOP’s recent post... so we wanted to share the list below💙

If you want to dig into any of them, you can find them on the BOP website under: 👉 Resources → Policy & Forms

03/24/2026

FUND THE FEDERAL PRISON OVERSIGHT ACT (FPOA)

The problem has already been identified.
👉 “The Bureau lacks accurate data on program participation.”
👉 “Congress is left without reliable information to evaluate whether the law is working.”

So Congress took action… The Federal Prison Oversight Act (FPOA) was PASSED — But here’s the reality — A law without funding is just words on paper.

No funding = no oversight
No oversight = no accountability
No accountability = no real change

“The Bureau’s challenges are structural and long-standing…”
This isn’t about leadership; This is about fixing the SYSTEM.

You promised oversight.... Now it’s time to FUND IT.

The data exists. The need is clear. The time is NOW.

First-Network is already: tracking real-time experiences, identifying gaps & connecting DATA to what’s actually happening inside. Reach out to us if you want to be part of the solution - whether through support, collaboration or helping us expand this work.

💙 Senator Jon Ossoff, Rep. Lucy McBath, Senator Dick Durbin, The United States Department of Justice,

03/24/2026

📊 Want to know what the REAL problem is?

As highlighted by Alan Ellis and Walt Pavlo:
👉 “The Bureau lacks accurate data on program participation.”
👉 “Congress is left without reliable information to evaluate whether the law is working.”

That’s the problem...
No data = no accountability: No data = no real change

👉 “The Bureau’s challenges are structural and long-standing…”
You don’t fix this by swapping people — you fix the SYSTEM.

That’s where FIRST-Network (FN) comes in.

We are actively working to connect real experiences, real outcomes, and real data - helping fill in the gaps that are clearly being identified at the federal level.

👉 The data is needed.
👉 The data is being asked for.
👉 The data exists within the community.

📖 Read the article for yourself:
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2026/03/turning-around-an-agency-under-scrutiny-the-challenges-facing-bop-leadership/

This work takes collaboration, effort and funding. If we want to see real change, it requires people, organizations and communities coming together to support solutions - not just identify problems.

Bureau of Prisons, The United States Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Federal News, Forbes

The Bureau’s challenges are structural and long-standing, and they demand sustained attention from leadership, DOJ, OMB and Congress.

03/14/2026

📊Data Released - But WHAT'S Missing?🤔

Bureau of Justice released 2024 statistics about the BOP. Most families never see/read these federal reports - but they reveal a lot about the system our loved ones are living in.

Some numbers that stood out:
• 154,093 LOs currently in federal prison
• ~75% are Min/Low risk under the FSA
• ~30% of LOs have a minor child
• 8,202 people in federal prison are Veterans

🤔 Then a logical question is: If 75% are eligible to earn credits, are there actually enough programs available for them to do it?

The report tells us how many people participate, but it does NOT show:
• how many LOs are waiting for programs
• how long the waiting lists are
• how many can’t earn credits because programs aren’t available

Programs = ability to earn time credits = potential earlier placement in HwH or home confinement. If programs aren’t available, LO cannot earn those credits, even if they are eligible.

The issue isn’t just about classes - it can affect how soon someone may come home or move to a less restrictive placement. 👀

Another thing to consider: when these reports are released, the data is already 1–2 yrs old. Families want to know what is happening RIGHT NOW inside facilities. That’s why oversight, transparency, and accountability matter. FUND the BILL!!

Question: Has your LO had to wait for a program (RDAP, classes, etc.) that affects their ability to earn First Step Act credits? If so, how long was the wait?

BJS Releases Federal Prisoner Statistics Collected Under the First Step Act, 2025The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, released Federal Prisoner Statistics Collected Under the First Step Act, 2025 today. This report is the seventh in a series ...

03/10/2026

📢 Could This Affect Your LO?

The U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC) held a hearing yesterday to discuss possible changes to the Fed Sentencing Guidelines.

Why does this matter? Because when the USSC updates the guidelines, it can sometimes lead to shorter sentences for future cases & in some situations, LOs in prison may benefit if changes are made retroactive.

For example: In 2023, the USSC approved a change to the criminal history guidelines & when it was made retroactive it impacted over 11,000 federal LOs who could now seek sentence reductions.

Here’s where things stand right now:
• Nothing was voted on yet (testimony & public input only).
• Voting on amendments usually in April/May.
• Later, they decide if changes will apply retroactively.
• If amendments approved, usually take effect November 1.

👀 This may be relevant for those LOs sentenced for: federal drug offenses | cases involving guideline enhancements | career offender designations | situations where the sentencing guidelines played a major role in the sentence.

The USSC reviews possible changes to: career offender rules, drug sentencing guidelines, alternatives to prison in certain cases & economic/fraud sentencing guidelines.

A public hearing will be held on Monday, March 9 to receive testimony on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. This event will be live-streamed and recorded.