Episodes

  • "Halfway House Placements"

    "Halfway House Placements"
    Feb 2 2026
    The episode begins with a discussion regarding a video shared in our Facebook group featuring Rick Stover. Bruce and Susan analyze the video's content and broader impact, covering key information on time credits, the First Step Act (FSA), and the Second Chance Act (SCA). Susan provides a detailed overview of the various levels of halfway house placements, with a specific focus on the current placement system. This leads to a discussion of the federal consulting market, where Bruce emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy for inmates and their families. This episode highlights the process of securing a room in a halfway house and explores the primary differences between prison facilities and halfway housing. 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
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    55 mins
  • "Sentencing Commission"

    "Sentencing Commission"
    Jan 19 2026
    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
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    55 mins
  • "Statutory Eligibility"

    "Statutory Eligibility"
    Jan 5 2026
    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
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    55 mins
  • "Rules Language", Wrapping 2025

    "Rules Language", Wrapping 2025
    Dec 29 2025
    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
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    55 mins
  • Psychology Talk

    Psychology Talk
    Dec 22 2025
    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
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    55 mins
  • The Financial Responsibility Program (FRP)

    The Financial Responsibility Program (FRP)
    Dec 15 2025
    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
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    55 mins
  • The First Step Act in Details

    The First Step Act in Details
    Dec 8 2025
    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
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    55 mins
  • CNN Interview, Time Credits

    CNN Interview, Time Credits
    Nov 17 2025
    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
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    55 mins