Federal Bureau of Prisons Establishes Dedicated First Step Act Office to Centralize Oversight

The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ newly established First Step Act Office will oversee time credits, recidivism-reduction programming, policy guidance, compliance, resources and program effectiveness across the federal prison system. | Photo Credit: Federal Bureau of Prisons

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons has established a dedicated First Step Act Office that will report directly to the BOP director. 
• The office will operate from BOP’s Central Office in Washington, D.C., and the Designation and Sentence Computation Center in Grand Prairie, Texas. 
• Its responsibilities include First Step Act time credits, evidence-based recidivism reduction programming, productive activities, compliance, training, resources and program evaluation. 
• The centralized structure is intended to provide more consistent nationwide direction and support for First Step Act implementation. 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has established a dedicated First Step Act Office to centralize oversight of the agency’s implementation of the 2018 federal criminal justice reform law. 

Announced Sept. 24, the office will report directly to BOP Director William K. Marshall III and will operate from the agency’s Central Office in Washington, D.C., and the Designation and Sentence Computation Center in Grand Prairie, Texas. 

The BOP said the new structure will coordinate First Step Act policies, programs, staffing, training, resources and budget matters across the federal prison system. The office will also oversee administration and calculation of First Step Act time credits and support expansion of evidence-based recidivism reduction programs and productive activities at BOP facilities. 

The office’s responsibilities also include developing policy guidance and training materials, monitoring statutory compliance, evaluating program effectiveness and outcomes, managing resources for First Step Act initiatives and providing technical assistance to institutions and regional offices. 

“The establishment of this dedicated office demonstrates the Bureau’s commitment to the successful implementation of the First Step Act and our mission to reduce recidivism and promote successful reentry,” Marshall said, according to a Federal Bureau of Prisons news release. “This office will provide the focused leadership and coordination necessary to maximize opportunities for inmates in our custody.” 

Rick Stover, Special Assistant to the Director, said the centralized model is also intended to improve the timeliness and consistency of guidance for BOP staff while strengthening the agency’s response to questions from inmates, families and advocacy organizations navigating First Step Act processes. 

The First Step Act was signed into law in December 2018 and expanded federal recidivism-reduction programming while creating incentives, including time credits, tied to participation in qualifying programs and activities. BOP said the new office is intended to improve consistency in program delivery and statutory implementation across institutions, regional offices and Central Office. 

This article is based on a press release published by the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Sept. 24, 2026.