My role as a prison consultant requires that I frequently discuss various aspects of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).  Those who retain me for personal prison consulting frequently ask about one specific program: The BOP’s Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). All people who face time in federal prison should learn how the Residential Drug Abuse Program can influence their journey through federal prison.

As of this writing, in 2015, the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) is the only program within the federal Bureau of Prisons that can result in an administrative time cut. What does that mean? Well, the answer is quite simple. Those who qualify for the Residential Drug Abuse Program, and those who complete RDAP successful, will leave prison one year sooner than they would be released if they did not complete the Residential Drug Abuse Program.

When white-collar offenders or others retain me to serve as their prison consultant, they sometimes think that they will not qualify for RDAP. They think that the only people who can receive the 12-month time cut from the Residential Drug Abuse Program are drug offenders. It’s my job as a prison consultant to help them understand what steps they should take to qualify for the Residential Drug Abuse Program. Because if they can meet those qualifications, the individuals will be released from federal prison 12 months sooner than if they did not prepare.

The Bureau of Prisons does not make the Residential Drug Abuse Program available in every federal prison. Many BOP institutions have other types of programs, but those other programs do not result in a time cut. Individuals may begin serving their term in one federal prison that doesn’t offer the RDAP program. Later, as they advance closer to their release date, the BOP will transfer those who qualify for the Residential Drug Abuse Program to an appropriate facility.

If you are facing time in federal prison, make sure that you understand everything there is to know about RDAP. If you do not document the record appropriately, the Bureau of Prisons will deem you ineligible for the 12-month time reduction. I offer content on PrisonProfessor.com that will help you understand the Residential Drug Abuse Program. On MichaelSantos.com, I offer free podcasts that explain RDAP. Those who retain me as a personal prison consultant will learn everything there is to know about the Residential Drug Abuse Program.

 

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