Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around The Block

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan begin this week by discussing proposed changes by the Sentencing Commission. The public can weigh in on how defendants can have lower points on their pre-sentence report. This could shave years off the sentence. They also use this time to tie it back to time credits and sentencing. One prerequisite, Susan emphasizes the advantages of getting a GED and how it helps during pre-trial. There is a federal Prison group on Facebook where Bruce and Susan encourage listeners and group members to participate, discuss, and ask questions. To conclude, Susan notes that the bureau is posting podcasts to inform inmates and the general public.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan spend the first few minutes covering he capture of the Venezuelan president and his detention center process. After exploring this new development, they pivot back to the first step and time credit topics. Susan continues from last week to explore the concept of statutory eligibility. Susan defines statutory eligibility and explores the applicable laws. She also reviews some flaws in how the laws were written and clarifies the different eligibility levels. Future episodes will continue to explore the book's chapters in greater detail.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan wrap up 2025 by thanking listeners and LATalkRadio for providing a platform to support families and explain the Federal prison system. Bruce and Susan also discuss the commencement of sentences and time credits. All of this can be found and presented in their time credit book. About halfway through the episode, Susan reviews different policies and a concept called "rules language"; these are in place to help inform and interpret policies for everyone. A point of clarification Bruce and Susan emphasize is how inmates should turn themselves in and how to reach a bureau location as soon as possible to expedite their sentence process.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

On this Christmas holiday episode, Bruce has a special guest, Dr. Carl Gacono. Dr. Gacono begins the episode by discussing his clinical background and experience in the BOP system. Dr. Gacono has worked with an extensive background in severe mental health patients and severe forensic cases. Building on prior experiences, Bruce offers a brief overview of his upbringing in psychology and federal prison. Towards the middle of the program, Dr. Gacono and Bruce help define the major personality disorders and explore psychopathic tendencies and behaviors. Both emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis, and the DSM-5 provides criteria for diagnosing disorders. One clarification Dr. Gacono makes is the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath, and how we commonly mix them up. Many new topics were explored, but Bruce and Dr. Gacono work through each one, and both can be contacted via multiple channels.

Dr. Gacono can be reached through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-gacono-0b5b1810/

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan explore a new topic, the financial responsibility program (FRP), a part of earning FSA credits. Susan sets the stage for this topic by discussing its history and outlining how funds are collected based on the established criteria. They also explore how courts and the federal prison system work together to collect those funds. Susan also clarifies which funding sources are permitted and may be used to pay the dues required by the financial program. Examples include employment and family. Halfway through the program, Bruce and Susan discuss the limitations of the current system and explore potential changes to improve efficiency. Susan explains how system factors can affect time credits and how inmates may not receive them due to missed payments. This is an information-dense episode, but it is full of crucial insights to help navigate the financial responsibility program.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan review several concepts related to the First Step Act and explain the finer details of the act. This is a section they explore in their books, which are shared below. One branch of the First Step Act they review is Risk Level Assessment and how it has changed since 2019 and during COVID-19. Bruce further explains the difference between static and dynamic risk factors and how they impact inmates and their assessment level. Halfway through the program, Susan outlines specific criteria used to filter inmates and explains factors that increase or reduce risk. This episode is full of finer details that are crucial to Risk Assessment and very helpful for navigating this portion of the First Step Act. More information is available from Bruce and Susan's Federal Prison Books.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan open with Susan's recent interview with CNN, the context of what she spoke about, and why understanding the entire story is important. Next, they go over time credits and the steps to ensure inmates receive them and don’t miss out due to not understanding the process. Susan and Bruce also elaborate on the sentencing process and when it starts and ends. A point discussed throughout the 2nd half of the program is conspiracy cases and how they differ from regular cases. Towards the end, Bruce and Susan promote a new book they are releasing early next year and hope to help inmates and their families during the 5-factor review.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan delve into topics that have not been previously covered on the show. The first topic on the show is release procedures for inmates. Bruce and Susan go through the details and rules that must be followed for an inmate to be released. Side note: Prisons will provide release clothing for the inmate. Susan also reviews the transportation and financial aspects of being released, as well as what inmates and their families need to know about these aspects of their release. Towards the second half of the episode, Susan reviews medical issues and the policies associated with transportation in a halfway house, as well as those related to being released.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan open the episode on a slightly different note. They explore the topic of client self-efficacy, which is a form of client empowerment. There are numerous people involved and countless moving parts in the Federal Prison System, and Bruce and Susan explore how keeping the client educated and empowered is essential. However, they do examine the limitations of what clients can and can’t do within the system. Susan shares a story of a client who was able to speed up the process by educating themselves and not relying solely on others. After exploring what a client can do, Susan shifts to discussing what impacts eligibility and pursuing remedies towards the end of the program.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE

In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan begin by discussing the story of Todd Crisley, who has navigated the federal prison system and is now an advocate for families and inmates. He has been featured on podcasts discussing his story and how he came to do the work he does today. Bruce and Susan also delve into recent updates to the FSA and home confinement, examining the BOP's new video on the FSA calculation process. Towards the end of the show, Susan reviews a new article released by the director of the FSA about classification practices, which aims to assist both staff and inmates within the system. This episode highlights the benefits that come with the change in the FSA and also raises additional topics that warrant further exploration in the future.

Please feel free to send questions to Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE