As of January 1, 2025, I am officially down to my last 100 days in BOP custody. I’m currently at the Garden Grove halfway house, where I expect to remain for about another month and a half. The challenge lies in how the halfway house uses the BOP’s home confinement date, which will continue to reduce by 15 days each month as I earn credits through the end of January, February, and March.
My current BOP projected release date is May 26, but this will adjust to my conditional release date of April 11. Based on that timeline, my home confinement date should move up to February 17. However, the adjustment won’t reflect in their system until I’ve earned credit for March and April. I’m drafting a letter to send to the BOP reentry coordinator, my probation officer, as well as the director and case manager at the halfway house to address this discrepancy.
The Second Chance Act: A Misunderstood Policy
The halfway house seems to overlook the Second Chance Act, which allows for 10% of a sentence to be served in a halfway house and another 10% in home confinement. In my case, this should mean 54 days at each location. When I was released from Victorville on December 9, I was granted a total of 124 days, which reflects this policy.
Halfway houses are meant to help individuals transition back into society. Many people here have spent 10 to 15 years in BOP facilities. In contrast, I’ve been away for less than seven months. There are 50 women at Victorville waiting for a bed in this facility, which only has 10 spaces for women.
I already have everything I need: a home, car, driver’s license, social security card, insurance, and clothes. There’s no value in me occupying a bed, eating their food, and using resources that could help someone who truly needs them.
A Flawed Process
The BOP hesitates to transfer “short timers” to halfway houses because we take up space needed for those with longer sentences. Meanwhile, halfway houses resist transferring us to home confinement, often citing rigid adherence to system-generated dates. However, these dates are not set in stone. For instance, I was granted 124 days instead of the standard 108.
Life at the Halfway House
This halfway house is decent. We have food, hot showers, real beds, and I can wear my own clothes. While there are plenty of rules, they’re manageable. I can attend AA meetings twice a week, go to the park or gym daily, and get a weekly shopping pass.
However, there are challenges. Walking 15 minutes each way to Walmart or the grocery store and completing my shopping in 30 minutes is no small task, especially when carrying everything back. I make it work by sticking to essentials like coffee and creamer.
Vehicle Approval Issues
Despite submitting all required documents—driver’s license, proof of insurance, registration, and DMV driving record—the approval process for my vehicle is still stalled. The issue is that the car isn’t registered in my name. The owner has now sent in a letter, and I’ve submitted my power of attorney paperwork, but it’s still “under review.”
Walking to AA or the store is fine, but navigating the bus system after 40 years is daunting. I worry about getting lost and being late, which could lead to consequences.
Looking Ahead
I just completed job orientation on December 30 and will start job searching on January 6. I plan to visit the library this week to use their computers and get started.
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me about my previous blog posts. I’ve read them all and appreciate your support. I’m sorry I couldn’t respond while incarcerated, but now that I have my phone, I can text, email, and call.
Here’s to a fabulous 2025!
With Grace, Dignity and Compassion,
Gina
www.GraceDignityandCompassion.
