Home Confinement or Halfway House

Why Halfway Houses Matter

If you’re serving time in the federal prison system, one of the most important milestones you should prepare for is placement in a halfway house, also known as a Residential Reentry Center (RRC). These facilities are not prisons, but they are also not freedom. They exist to bridge the gap between custody and society, providing structure, supervision, and support for people who are preparing to transition home.

When I went through 26 years in federal custody, I saw firsthand how halfway houses contributed to a successful reentry. I also saw how some people missed opportunities because they didn’t understand how the system worked. This lesson will help you avoid that mistake and put you on the path to the highest level of liberty at the soonest possible time.

‍

What Halfway Houses Are

Halfway houses are contracted by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) but operated by private companies. The BOP issues proposals, and contractors like CoreCivic, GEO Group, or MTC operate them. Most RRCs are retrofitted hotels or apartment buildings, staffed by case managers and administrators who monitor residents’ behavior, job search, and compliance with rules.

Living in an RRC is considered community custody. You may be outside the prison fence, but you remain under BOP authority. That means everything you do is still monitored, and your adjustment in the halfway house can directly affect whether you succeed in transitioning to full liberty.

‍

Eligibility for Placement

Most people in federal custody qualify for some time in a halfway house, but the length and timing depend on multiple factors. Case managers consider your remaining sentence, your disciplinary record, the programs you’ve completed, and your community ties. People with a history of violence or repeated infractions often receive shorter placements, while those who complete programs like the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) or First Step Act (FSA) courses are positioned for more time in community custody.

The bottom line: your behavior and your preparation inside prison matter. I never lost a day of good time across 9,500 days in custody, not because it was easy, but because I understood how to avoid trouble and build a record that showed I was ready for release. You can do the same.

‍

Length of Stay

By law, under the Second Chance Act, you may receive up to twelve months in an RRC. In practice, most placements range from three to six months. The decision rests with your Unit Team and the BOP’s Residential Reentry Management branch, who balance available resources with individual readiness.

With the First Step Act, however, people now have opportunities to earn credits that can accelerate halfway house or home confinement placement. I know individuals who transitioned years earlier because they accumulated credits by participating in approved programs.

If you want that outcome, you need to think about it early in your journey. Begin with the end in mind, as Stephen Covey teaches. Ask yourself: what will make me the best candidate for community custody? Then put your energy into building that record.

‍

Life Inside an RRC

A halfway house is freer than prison, but it is still custody. You will likely share a dorm or room with others. Curfews are enforced, and every movement outside the facility must be approved. You are required to work or actively search for a job, attend programming, and submit to random testing. Violating rules can send you back to prison.

Still, halfway houses represent a major step forward. You’ll eat real food, use your phone, and begin working in the community. For many, this is the first chance to rebuild normal routines after years of confinement.

When I transferred to the halfway house near the end of my 26 years in custody, the experience was not glamorous, but it was powerful. It gave me my first opportunities to earn a legitimate income, reconnect with loved ones on a regular basis, and begin laying the foundation for a career. That experience made my eventual return to society smoother. Others can create the same foundation by approaching the halfway house with discipline and purpose.

‍

Preparing for Placement

Case managers typically review people for halfway house eligibility about 12 to 18 months before release. By that point, you want your record to speak for itself. Stay free of disciplinary infractions. Complete programs that demonstrate growth and readiness. Build a reentry plan that shows where you will live, how you will work, and how you will reintegrate. Strengthen your family and community ties, because case managers want evidence that you have support on the outside.

Too many people wait until the end of their sentence to start thinking about this. Don’t make that mistake. As the saying goes: the best time to plant an oak tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.

‍

Why You Don’t Need Consultants

Unfortunately, the marketplace is full of so-called prison consultants who charge thousands of dollars while offering little more than recycled advice. Many of them served short terms in minimum-security camps and now present themselves as experts. Their promises often prey on fear.

I urge you not to waste money there. You are the CEO of your life. The tools for preparation are free, and everything you need to understand the process is available through PrisonProfessors.org. I promise never to lie to you, never to ask you to do something I didn’t do, and never to charge a penny for our educational content.

‍

The Role of Profiles on PrisonProfessors.org

If you want to strengthen your case for halfway house placement, document your progress. That’s why we built the Profiles platform at PrisonProfessors.org.

Your profile should include:

• Biography — Describe who you are beyond the conviction and the direction you’re building toward.
• Journals — Document daily choices, your reflections, and the specific lessons you drew from them.
• Book Reports — For each book, explain why you selected it, what you learned, and how those takeaways support your preparation for release.
• Release Plan — Present a practical roadmap—housing, lawful work, education, and transportation—with clear timelines and responsibilities.
• Testimonials — Gather statements from mentors, family, or peers who recognize your progress.

By updating your Profile regularly, you create evidence that supports your placement and provides resources for advocates to use on your behalf.

‍

Benefits of Halfway Houses

The value of an RRC is not in comfort—it is in opportunity. Placement allows you to begin earning and saving money, rebuilding credit, and strengthening family ties. It provides access to employment, counseling, and reentry support. Most importantly, it helps you adjust to supervision in the community before full release.

If you approach it strategically, halfway house time can be transformative. I know it helped me prepare for a successful transition, and it can do the same for you. The key is to avoid disciplinary infractions, build a body of work that demonstrates growth, and create resources for others to advocate on your behalf.

‍

Be the CEO of Your Life

At the end of the day, halfway house placement is not automatic. It is an administrative decision that depends on your record and your readiness. Your job is to begin with the end in mind, avoid distractions, stay out of disciplinary trouble, and build a documented record of growth.

If you do that, you maximize your opportunity for early transition, reduce stress for your family, and create a smoother path into society.

‍

Key Takeaway

Halfway houses are a critical step in the reentry process. Your eligibility, placement, and length of stay depend largely on your own conduct and preparation. By living as the CEO of your life—setting goals, documenting progress, and building support—you can put yourself in the strongest position for the earliest possible release.

‍

Self-Directed Exercise

Take time to write this into your Profile: 

• What specific steps are you taking today to prepare for halfway house placement? 
• How will you prove to your case manager that you’re ready for community custody? 
• Who can you involve now to advocate for you when the time comes?

By answering these questions, you’ll take control of your journey and prove you’re serious about reentry.

‍