What The US Sentencing Commission’s Decision MeansFor First Time Offenders

Forbes.comWalt Pavlo Prior to January 2022, a federal prison term for many first time offenders meant serving the majority of the imposed sentence, approximately 85%, with the sole break coming from Good Conduct Time of 54 days for each year of the term of imprisonment. Then, in January 2022 the First Step Act allowed many…

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The Unnecessary Risk Of Incarcerating Minimum Security Inmates

ForbesBy Walt PavloJune 28, 2023 Our political leaders banter back and forth about incarcerating members of the opposite party. In fact, phrases like “toss them in prison” or “lock’em up” have been so misused that we forget the responsibility that comes with taking people into custody and assuming the risks associated with their care while…

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End of CARES Act Home Confinement Is Near For Many Federal Prisoners

Forbes Walt Pavlo March 31, 2023 The United States Senate voted Wednesday to terminate a COVID-19 pandemic national emergency order which had recently been extended by President Joe Biden. The CARES Act was set to expire on May 11, 2023 but with Biden expected to sign this law, will mean it will expire sometime in…

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The Bureau Of Prisons Evolving Calculation Of First Step Act

ForbesWalt PavloMarch 8, 2023 Since January 2022, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has been trying to determine how to calculate how the First Step Act (FSA), a law signed by President Donald Trump in December 2018. As we enter March 2023, there still is no clear direction on the calculation and the frustration has…

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Sam Bankman-Fried’s Indecisiveness Common With New Defendants

Forbes.com Walter Pavlo December 30, 2022 Sam Bankman-Fried, founder and former CEO of the crypto-trading platform FTX, has sent mixed messages about his legal moves. It is not uncommon for newly minted defendants, who are calling the shots, to waiver on what they will do next because they are in new territory. Bankman-Fried, by all…

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Working Out The Bugs On The Bureau Of Prisons’ First Step Act Calculator

Forbes.com Walter Pavlo January 16, 2023 This week, many federal prisoners found out that their First Step Act (FSA) credits, which had been incorrectly calculated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), were finally corrected. Thousands of low and minimum security prisoners were released as a result of their participation in programs and productive activities because…

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