Does Your Loved One Qualify for First Step Time Credits? A Checklist
First Step Act Time Credits can shave real time off a sentence—but they don't apply to everyone. Use these quick checks to figure out whether your loved one qualifies, and what to do next if you're not sure.
Here's the biggest threshold: First Step Time Credits only apply to people convicted in Federal District Court. If your loved one is in federal custody for another reason - a military case, a state "boarder" (held for a state), a DC Superior Court conviction, or a final deportation order - FTCs don't apply under Bureau of Prisons guidance.
Quick check: Were they convicted in Federal District Court? If the answer is no - and they fall into one of the excluded categories below - First Step Time Credits won’t apply.
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- ✓ Military prisoner
- ✓ State boarder
- ✓ Convicted in DC Superior Court
- ✓ Has a final order of deportation
If you’re not sure which category fits: Ask your loved one’s unit team or case manager how their case is classified, then follow up for clarification if anything still doesn’t line up.
Once you've confirmed eligibility, the next question families usually ask is: "Do the programs they've done actually count?" The Bureau of Prisons offers reentry programming designed to help people transition back to the community - that's the universe of programs staff reference when discussing what supports reentry goals.
FTCs are tied to participation in approved programming and activities - not just any class someone signs up for. Program availability varies by facility and population needs, and some have prerequisites or admission criteria. If you're trying to match a specific completed program to FTC eligibility, confirm it through official channels rather than guessing based on the program's name.
- Ask if the completion was recorded - Have your loved one check with their unit team/case manager to confirm the program or activity shows as completed in their records.
- Confirm whether it’s an approved program/activity for FTC purposes - If the answer is unclear, or you’re getting mixed messages, escalate the question to the Bureau of Prisons Reentry Services Division.
Contact for FTC/program questions: Email the BOP Reentry Services Division at BOP-RSD-NRB-FSA@BOP.GOV. Keep a copy of what you send and any reply so you can reference it later.
If your loved one falls into an excluded category - military prisoner, state boarder, DC Superior Court conviction, or final deportation order - the guidance is clear: FTCs don't apply. Your best next step is to review the official First Step Act program guidance and Bureau of Prisons materials for definitions and examples, especially if the case details are complicated.
Still unsure after reading the public guidance? Email the Reentry Services Division at BOP-RSD-NRB-FSA@BOP.GOV and ask your question as specifically as you can.
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