Today I learned of a Bureau of Prisons policy change that concerns halfway house placement. A halfway house is a transitional type of housing where prisoners go to serve the final 10 percent of their time. There is a 12-month cap on halfway house placement, but in all the time I’ve served I’ve only known two prisoners who were released to 12 months of halfway house placement, and both of those men served about 20 years in prison. The change will certainly open up space in halfway houses across the country.
According to the new BOP policy, prisoners who have a release residence and a job waiting for them may bypass the halfway house and transition directly from prison to home confinement. I have not read the policy because it is not yet available for prisoners at Taft Camp. We’ve been told to contact our case manager if we think we qualify.
I’m still three years away from my official release date, though I expect that date will change once I see the parole board. It’s likely that the parole board will authorize my release some time in 2012. But with the new policy in place regarding halfway houses, I’ll be able to begin living under “home confinement” conditions with Carole at least six months before my parole date. Theoretically, that means I could be home next year. It’s an exciting prospect.
When I read the policy on halfway house placement and see how it’s being implemented for prisoners I’ll write more. But it’s fun to see these positive developments as I come to the end of my imprisonment. Now I need to find a job and work with Carole on securing a place to live. When the time comes, I’ll be ready.
Ran 10 miles / 5,166 miles over 580 days
700 pushups / 76,200 pushups in 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
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