Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) — Ask the Inmate
RDAP is the most significant sentence reduction program available in the federal prison system and one of the least understood. Eligible inmates who complete the nine month Residential Drug Abuse Program can reduce their sentence by up to 12 months and receive priority placement for up to six months in a halfway house, a combined benefit that can amount to 18 months earlier at home. But qualification requires documentation established before sentencing, program availability varies by facility, and the process of getting and staying in the program has its own challenges. This section covers who qualifies for RDAP, how to establish eligibility before sentencing, what the program involves from day to day, how to protect your RDAP status from loss due to disciplinary infractions, what happens after completing the residential phase, and how RDAP interacts with First Step Act earned time credits. See also our sections on Halfway House, Sentence Reduction, and Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
There are no federal sentences that force an inmate into drug rehabilitation. Your inmate was NOT sentenced in federal court to do RDAP, if they get it it's great, but it's not a part of the sentence at all. It could be a recommendation but the Federal Bureau of Prisons makes all the decisions, the judge has nothing to do with it once they are property of the BOP. RDAP is voluntary, but if eligible, it is the only way
Read moreWe would consider taking a substance abuse course in prison a "good thing". Judges can order the course be taken or the offender can be fortunate enough to be invited. These courses are more about behavior modification than treating an addiction. Everyone that is incarcerated SHOULD try to get into these course. In prison, getting illegal drugs is highly unlikely so most offenders are not in the middle of an addiction which makes taking the course even easier. Some facilities will
Read moreThere are drug classes available in the Alabama Department of Corrections, however they are not offered at every facility. If they apply for and are accepted into the program, they will be transferred to the location where the classes are taught.
Read moreRDAP stands for the Residential Drug Abuse Program - it is a federal program only. Inmates that qualify for the program are eligible for up to 12 months off their sentence plus a guaranteed 6 months of halfway house. There are some state DOCs that offer a version of RDAP but we are not certain about the early release benefits of taking the course in Minnesota. Here is a link to their Inmate Handbook.
Read moreGetting to the camp is what all federal inmates strive for - it's the easiest time to do in the BOP. All federal inmates follow the same guidelines for release. Good time is 15% of the sentence that is granted to the inmate when they report - all they can do is lose good time, they can't gain more good time. Their release date reflects doing 85% of the sentence. RDAP is the only real way to get an earlier
Read moreRDAP stands for Residential Drug Abuse Program which is found only in the federal Bureau of Prisons. Inmates that qualify for RDAP will get up to twelve months off of their sentence and a guaranteed six months of halfway house. RDAP is a fantastic nine-month program that has had a positive impact on inmate's personal development - addresses behavioral modifications more than strictly focused on drug addiction or dependency. There are defined guidelines as to who can and cannot get
Read moreOnce you are approved by Texas for inclusion into an RDAP class your out date will then change on the BOP website. The date will be calculated like this: 30 - 6 = 24 x .85. Sentence duration is 20.4 months but your release date from the camp will be at 14.4 months, assuming that you get 6 months of halfway house. Once in the halfway house if you have an approved residence and a job, you could get home
Read moreThe PSR specifically has to have drug or alcohol abuse or dependency detailed within twelve months of the crime; not necessarily a psychologist's recommendation. You will have a meeting with the psychology department, the interviewer will have you PSR and will know whether you are within the guidelines to get in. They will get your application in, they send it to Beaumont TX for approval. If you are approved, you will go to the RDAP wait list until you get
Read moreThe primary path to sentence reduction in the federal system is RDAP, the Residential Drug Abuse Program. It is the most significant formal sentence reduction opportunity available through the Bureau of Prisons and understanding how it works is the first step toward pursuing it. RDAP is a nine-month residential treatment program for inmates with a documented history of substance abuse. Completing the program earns a sentence reduction of up to 12 months for most inmates. For sentences of 24
Read moreThe sentence reduction does NOT come from the facility RDAP program level whatsoever, the reduction is determined administratively from Texas. Your reduction will be considered off of their assessment of how your PSR is written and specifically the nature of your crime. If there was violence, a weapon or endangerment of another person included in this Report, it is most unlikely that you get any time off. You will know in writing if you are accepted for the reduction or
Read more