What is the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)?

RDAP is a voluntary, nine-month, 500-hundred hour program. RDAP embraces a comprehensive and intensive therapeutic community model focused on substance abuse, addiction, criminal thinking patterns, coping skills and more. Further, besides the therapeutic model, three groups of treatment are covered: small, module and self help groups. To learn more about each model and group, schedule a call now.

Can the RDAP program benefit state prisoners as well?

No, RDAP program is only available for federal BOP inmates in federal prisons.

Am I automatically in if the judge recommends RDAP?

One would think so. Unfortunately, however, the decision rests with the staff in prison. Naturally, it can be very disheartening when a defendant enters prison assuming he will get RDAP to then be turned down. Never forget the judge is simply making a recommendation.

How does a participant successfully graduate from the RDAP program in order to get the sentence reduction and early release?

You have to complete all three phases of the RDAP program successfully in order to get the sentence reduction and early release. The first phase, usually the most rigorous phase, is the unit-based component comprised of 500-hour worth of therapy lasting approximately 9 months. This “Group Therapy” lasts 3.5 hours daily and occurs during the morning or afternoon sessions. The RDAP program has higher priority than any BOP work or educational assignments. When completed, you will receive a certificate of completion of RDAP at the end of this phase. The second phase is considered the follow-up care that you receive if you have not yet been sent to the halfway house. Some graduates complete the RDAP program with time left on their sentence. While still in the general prison population, follow-up services comprise of weekly group sessions and assignments. The last and third phase, Transitional drug abuse treatment (or TDAT) lasts normally six months and occurs at the halfway house and during home confinement. TDAT normally comprises of weekly group therapy sessions with other former RDAP graduates and may include weekly assignments.

What is the wait-list like for the RDAP program?

In the past since 2008, the wait-list has been as high as 7,000 inmates and few inmates were receiving their full time off due to the wait. Today, after new admissions eligibility rules were put in place in March 2009, most RDAP facilities have no wait list and inmates are receiving their full sentence reduction for early release. This is due to the much more stringent admissions rules for RDAP eligibility put in place and fewer than 10% of RDAP applicants now are getting in, based on our unofficial sampling at some institutions.

Who is ineligible for RDAP?

Prisoners convicted of violent crimes are ineligible. Additionally, felony convictions of rape, assault, robbery or child sexual-abuse will disqualify you. Moreover, violence and use of a weapon or firearm will disqualify you.

When can you start the RDAP program, once admitted?

Although each RDAP facility is run slightly different, normally you must be within 48 - 60 months of release in order to apply to RDAP. Once admitted, your start date depends on the wait list with priority given to those inmates with an earlier out date. As of 2012, due to the more stringent RDAP eligibility and admissions guidelines, most inmates are starting early and are receiving their full sentence reduction for early release.

Do I have to sell or use drugs to get into RDAP? What if my crime is White Collar?

No, a drug crime is not a deciding factor in getting into the RDAP program. Rather, you must meet the following:

You have a verifiable substance use disorder within 12 months prior to your arrest or indictment whichever is earlier

You volunteer and sign program admissions documents

You have sufficient time left in your sentence to complete the program

You are able to complete all three phases of the RDAP program and possess the mental ability to do so. You must be able to be sent to a halfway house and therefore, those with detainers, ICE/INS detainees, or military inmates are not eligible.

If you are eligible for the RDAP program but are not approved to get the time off, you may still graduate from RDAP and at least receive the extended 6 month halfway house/home confinement.

How can an inmate apply to RDAP?

You can be referred to the program by BOP staff or you may directly apply with the Drug Abuse Program Coordinator (DAPC) at the institution. The DAPC will ascertain if you:

Have enough time left on your sentence

Have the mental and language (English) ability to complete the program

Have documented a verifiable substance abuse use disorder within 12-months prior to your initial arrest or indictment

How does RDAP define that I have substance use disorder?

You have a disorder when your use of a controlled substance is more than just social or recreational and meets the definition as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the Mental Disorders, Fourth Addition (DSM-IV). This definition shows a pattern of dependence and abuse as follows:

Continued use despite family, school, work, or legal problems or failed obligations

Increased tolerance to the substance requiring more to get the same effect

Withdrawal symptoms

Failure at attempts to quit

Put in dangerous situations due to substance abuse or intoxication

What is a verifiable substance use disorder?

Admissions into RDAP requires verifiable documentation of your substance abuse disorder and can come from any one of these:

Presentence Report (PSR)

Notes or letters from medical or mental health professional(s), substance abuse treatment providers, probation or parole officer, or social worker

Two or more DUI’s or DWI’s within five years of your most recent arrest or indictment If these documents are not already in your BOP file, you may have them sent directly from the provider to the DAPC. Understandably, no documentation will be accepted directly from you. The BOP will call and verify that the documentation is genuine. A judge’s recommendation is insufficient for admissions but certainly can be helpful along with medical records from the BOP’s Health Services. In some cases, the BOP has ruled that an inmate, although having a verifiable substance abuse disorder, is in “remission” if he has not used drugs or alcohol within the 12 months prior to his initial arrest or indictment. If you are facing incarceration, you should talk with a lawyer or consultant to properly document your verifiable substance use disorder to guarantee your RDAP eligibility, admissions, and sentence reduction for early release.

Can I still get into RDAP if I failed to disclose my substance or alcohol use during my presentence interview?

Yes. Video Coming soon.

How difficult is the RDAP Clinical Interview?

You will be interviewed by the institution’s Drug Abuse Program Coordinator (DAPC) once you apply and have documents in your central file verifying your substance use. The interview can be rigorous and include your history with substance abuse as defined in the DSM-IV and your desire and agreement for all the treatment terms and conditions.

Which prisons have the RDAP program?

Not all federal prisons have the RDAP program. An official list of locations can be found on our website here.

What if I am at a prison that does not have the RDAP program.

Not all federal prison’s have the RDAP program. Once admitted into RDAP by Psychology Services staff at your current prison, you will be transferred to another prison that does have the program. This may require that your security level be lowered before the transfer is allowed and from our experience, management variables are given frequently for this to happen by the BOP. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NGVk2rTSo You may be eligible to start the RDAP program but you’ll have to wait for your transfer which may take several months and cut into your valuable time off. If you are in this situation, be sure to factor in this extra time and apply to RDAP earlier.

Can I be kicked out of RDAP or quit?

Yes and it does occur too frequently. The RDAP program requires strict adherence to the rules and punishes rule-breaking or bad behavior. You will be given at least one written warning and receive a therapeutic intervention before this happens. The exception is if you break the gravest rules, considered to be 100 or 200-level incident reports (a.k.a. shots) for things such as drinking, smoking, stealing, fighting, or escape or if you break confidentiality about the RDAP program. RDAP is a voluntary program and of course, you may quit at any time and for any reason. Some reasons may be that the program is too stressful or you are not getting the sentence reduction for early release.

What happens if I get kicked out or withdraw from RDAP?

You will be immediately transferred out of the RDAP unit and may receive some sanctions such as furloughs, vacations, and loss halfway house time.

Can I re-apply into RDAP after I get kicked out or quit?

Yes, after a 90 day wait period. We have found that in most instances, re-application is encouraged and successful but you will be starting all over again and therefore, lose any time that you already put in originally.

How much time will I get off and who decides?

If your sentence is 24-30 months, you’ll earn a 6-month sentence reduction. If your sentence is 31–36 months, you’ll earn a 9-month sentence reduction. If your sentence is 37 or more months, you’ll earn a 12-month sentence reduction. However it is based on when you enter the program not just the sentence imposed. [2]: https://www.federalprisontime.com/rdap-locations