First Step Act (FSA) Calculator

Estimate Earned Time Credits (ETC) under the First Step Act based on your BOP recidivism risk level and program participation. This is an educational estimate, not legal advice.

Your inputs

Sentence length (months)BOP recidivism risk levelProgramming participation (%)Share of time in EBRR programs or Productive Activities.Offense is FSA-eligible (not excluded under 18 U.S.C. § 3632(d)(4)(D))

Estimated Earned Time Credits

Total ETC earned

900 days

Toward early transfer

365 days

Capped at 365 days by statute

Toward RRC / Home Confinement

535 days

Applied after the 365-day cap

15 days ETC per 30 days after maintaining Minimum or Low risk for two consecutive assessments.

How the First Step Act calculator works

The First Step Act of 2018 lets eligible federal inmates earn time credits by completing Evidence-Based Recidivism Reduction (EBRR) programs and Productive Activities. The Bureau of Prisons assigns each inmate a recidivism risk level — Minimum, Low, Medium, or High — using the PATTERN assessment. Risk level and consistent participation determine how quickly credits accrue.

ETC accrual rates by risk level

Minimum / Low risk: 10 days ETC per 30 days of programming, or 15 days per 30 days after maintaining Minimum or Low risk across two consecutive assessments.
Medium / High risk: 10 days ETC per 30 days of programming. Credits earned generally cannot be applied toward early transfer until risk drops.

How credits are applied

Up to 365 days of ETC can be applied toward early transfer to supervised release. Additional credits are applied toward prerelease custody such as Residential Reentry Centers (RRC) or Home Confinement.

This FSA calculator provides estimates only. Actual credit application depends on BOP determinations, offense eligibility, risk reassessments, and detainers. For case-specific guidance, consult a federal criminal defense attorney.