FSA Time Credit Assessment

Finally, after months of anticipation, the FSA (First Step Act) credits have been updated. It took four long years for the FSA to finally be felt by the people who are impacted the most, those incarcerated and their families. This past week has been filled with a lot of emotions from anxiety, anger, relief, joy, disappointment, and clarity. For me, I am just grateful. I am grateful that if there was ever a better time to go to federal prison, it is now and that I am able to receive the benefits of the FSA; this means I will not have to serve my full term incarcerated. I will be able to return home before my February 2024 projected release date. And although it seems so far away, it really is not, especially when you live with women who have been down for 5-10 years and still have 5-10 to go. 

Now, as with everything with the BOP (Bureau of Prisons), there is a catch. The belief was that minimum/low recidivism level inmates would be receiving 15 days of time credited per month, we have only been receiving 10. As it seems right now, that will be for the first year. For someone like myself who is facing what is considered a short sentence, I would essentially never be able to earn at a rate of 15 days per month. Or if I did, it would only be for a short amount of time.

Honestly, I can deal with this. At this point knowing is better than not knowing. The not knowing stage was worse than the phase in which you are waiting for sentencing, which was an absolute nightmare. And although I long to be home and reunite with my family, I am at peace. I know that this short amount of time will soon be a distant memory. Never in my life have I had the opportunity to truly focus on me and to be with me. So there is a gift in all things.