The First Step Act (FSA) is a federal law passed in 2018. The FSA includes many changes to federal sentencing law aimed at reforming the draconian system of punishment and mass incarceration in America. The FSA includes many provisions that may apply to you or your loved one. The FSA aims to shorten federal prison sentences by expanding the application of a “safety valve” provision that allows people to avoid mandatory minimum sentences. The FSA also expanded the ability to apply for and receive compassionate release from federal prison. There are also parts of the FSA that are aimed at prison reform. The FSA now requires that a person be placed within 500 driving miles of their primary residence. This change ensures that family visitation is prioritized and helps to improve the transition back into the community after release. The FSA also expanded funding for job training and educational programs for people while they are incarcerated. While increasing opportunities for rehabilitative programming, it also added the ability to earn time credits off a sentence. Eligible people in federal prison can earn approximately 10 days of time credits for every 30 days of participation in certain rehabilitative programs. The credits can result in an earlier release date to a halfway house, home confinement, or community supervision. The FSA was a bipartisan effort at criminal justice reform and includes many provisions that may apply to you or your loved one.