BOP Prisoners in Alabama Strike to Protest Release Date Confusion
On September 11, 2024, several prisoners began a hunger strike at the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Montgomery, Alabama, protesting a frustrating lack of clarity about their release dates fully six years after the First Step Act of 2018 laid out procedures for calculation. It is unknown exactly how long the prisoners chose to stay in their cells during scheduled mealtimes, but sources suggested the strike lasted one week.
BOP said the lockup was placed on “modified operations”—meaning it was largely locked down—while staffers were “actively reviewing the circumstances to better understand the incarcerated individuals’ decision.” It was all especially unusual at the prison, where prisoners are usually able to do “easier time.”
Historically, federal prisoners could estimate their release based on serving 85% of their sentences after receiving Good Conduct Time (GCT) credit—up to 54 days per year served—for good behavior. FSA, however, allows eligible low-risk prisoners to earn up to 365 days off their sentences each year by participating in various programming. BOP Director Colette Peters informed the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee in July 2024 that a new forward-looking calculator for FSA credits had been developed but not fully rolled out, leading to widespread confusion among prisoners regarding their release dates.
Prisoners are being provided a Projected Release Date, reflecting GCT credits, as well as a Conditional Release Date, which accounts for projected future credits. With this, a prisoner with a 21-month sentence could serve only 12 months with all FSA credits properly accounted for. However, case managers remain confused about which date should guide planning, leading to inconsistencies in release timelines.
At FPC-Montgomery, tensions rose as prisoners lined up outside case managers’ offices, looking for answers about their release dates without receiving satisfactory responses. In retaliation, BOP staff reportedly restricted access to amenities like television and visitation. One prisoner explained that many believe they are being unlawfully detained due to BOP’s failure to apply FSA credits appropriately, a claim echoed by family members, too.
As frustrations grew, some prisoners reportedly pulled fire alarms and prompted repeated emergency responses. BOP stated that the situation is being monitored, but concerns have persisted about staff shortages as well as a critical lack of halfway house space, which PLN reported. [See: PLN, June 2024, p.18.]
Source: Forbes
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