Second Chance Act

Why It Matters

After sentencing, you move from the court system into the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The Second Chance Act (2008) expanded the BOP’s authority to place people in Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs/“halfway houses”) and in home confinement near the end of a sentence. Used well, it can increase your time at home and speed reintegration. You do not need a prison consultant to pursue these placements. You need literacy, a plan, and proof in the form of a documented body of work you created.

I learned this lesson over 26 years in federal prison, and that lived experience shapes everything we publish at PrisonProfessors.org—free, self-help resources so you can lead your own mitigation and reentry.

What It Does

• Halfway house: Up to 12 months of RRC placement near sentence conclusion (at BOP discretion).
  
  
• Home confinement: A portion of that RRC time—traditionally up to 6 months—may be served on home confinement (again, discretionary).
  
  
• Who runs RRCs?: Private contractors (such as GEO, CoreCivic, MTC) operate facilities under BOP oversight. Case managers at RRCs set transition plans, verify employment, test for substance use, and can return people to custody for violations.

(For current policy details, see BOP guidance on RRC and home confinement placements, and 18 U.S.C. § 3624(c).)

What To Expect

A typical sentencing-end sequence looks like this:

1. Team review: Your unit team evaluates program/discipline history, release plan, restitution status, and public safety factors.
   
   
2. Referral: The institution recommends RRC length and possible home confinement.
   
   
3. Contractor intake: The halfway house reviews your case, sets curfew/work rules, and monitors compliance.
   
   
4. Home confinement request: If appropriate, the RRC requests BOP approval to move you to home confinement for the tail end of placement.
   
   

Position Yourself Early

Second Chance Act placement is discretionary. You improve odds by building a record the BOP can trust:

• Zero discipline problems: Avoid incident reports; they directly position you against community placement.
  
  
• Programming: Complete ACE/vocational courses, RDAP (if eligible), and productive activities that show pro-social behavior.
  
  
• Employment readiness: Prepare résumés, employer letters, skill certificates, and reentry budgets.
  
  
• Restitution plan: Show steady payments (even small amounts) and a plan to comply on supervision.
  
  
• Stable residence: Provide verified housing and family/community support letters.
  
  
• Document everything: Time-stamped proof eases staff concerns and strengthens your case.
  
  

Build Your Public Record

Use the Profiles tool (top-right at PrisonProfessors.org) to memorialize:

• Biography & timeline (who you are—beyond the conviction)
  
  
• Journals & reflections (insight, remorse, personal growth)
  
  
• Book reports & certificates (verifiable learning)
  
  
• Release plan (housing, work, transportation, supervision compliance)
  
  

This becomes evidence your attorney can cite at sentencing and your unit team can rely on for RRC/home-confinement decisions—and it supports later requests (e.g., early termination of supervised release).

Common Myths

• “Everyone gets 12 months RRC.” False—the amount of time in RRC is discretionary and performance-based.
  
  
• “A consultant can guarantee home confinement.” False–no one except BOP staff can grant home confinement based on your record and public-safety factors.
  
  
• “RRC time is automatic after RDAP or FSA credits.” False–credits help, but placements still require BOP approval and a verified plan.
  
  

Government & Further Reading

• 18 U.S.C. § 3624(c) (prerelease custody)
  
  
• BOP Program Statements/Resources on RRCs and home confinement
  
  
• U.S. Courts & U.S. Sentencing Commission materials for sentencing and reentry context

On our site, see lessons on PSR prep, mitigation, RDAP, First Step Act, allocution, and character letters. For one-on-one help, our nonprofit sponsor hosts free webinars at WhiteCollarAdvice.com/Nonprofit.

Key Takeaways

• The Second Chance Act enables up to 12 months RRC and up to 6 months home confinement, at BOP discretion.
  
  
• Strong performance (no discipline), verified housing/employment, and documented growth increase placement length.
  
  
• You don’t need a consultant—use free tools, build proof, and self-advocate.
  
  
• Start now: the earlier you prepare, the more credible your case becomes.
  
  

Self-Directed Exercise

Post these as separate entries in your Prison Professors profile (creates a mitigation record you can cite):

1. Release Plan (250–300 words): Housing, employment strategy, transportation, supervision compliance.
   
   
2. Proof of Progress: Upload/describe certificates, course logs, service hours, and restitution payments.
   
   
3. Support Network: List 3–5 people committed to helping (with brief notes on how each will assist).
   
   

90-Day RRC Roadmap: Weekly goals for job search, budgeting, treatment/meetings, and check-ins while at the halfway house.