The Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) is a federal prison treatment program that can reduce your sentence by up to 12 months and increase your halfway house placement by up to 6 months. RDAP is the single most valuable program in the Bureau of Prisons for defendants with documented substance abuse history.
If you qualify and complete the program successfully, you can reduce a 37-month sentence to 10 months of actual time served. That’s a full year of freedom earned through participation in intensive drug treatment. To learn more, watch my video with Nate Schott, who served 10 months on a 33 month sentence.
Not everyone qualifies for RDAP. The Bureau of Prisons maintains strict eligibility requirements, and many defendants who assume they’ll get into the program discover they’re ineligible. Understanding the requirements before sentencing helps you document your substance abuse history properly and position yourself for acceptance.
What Is the RDAP Program?
The Residential Drug Abuse Program is an intensive 9-12 month residential treatment program operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons under 18 U.S.C. Section 3621(e). RDAP provides comprehensive substance abuse treatment based on cognitive-behavioral therapy principles.
Program structure includes:
- 500 hours of programming over 9-12 months
- Daily group therapy sessions
- Individual counseling
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Relapse prevention training
- Drug education
- Life skills development
- Community meetings
- Homework and written assignments
RDAP participants live in separate housing units dedicated to the program. You’re isolated from the general population to create a therapeutic environment focused on recovery. This means limited contact with other inmates and restricted movement during treatment phases.
RDAP operates in three phases:
Phase 1 (Unit-Based Treatment): You live in RDAP housing and participate in daily programming. This phase lasts 9-12 months depending on the facility.
Phase 2 (Transitional Services): You transfer to a halfway house (Residential Reentry Center) for continued treatment while transitioning back to the community.
Phase 3 (Community-Based Treatment): You complete treatment while on supervised release with continued monitoring and support.
The program is intense. You attend group sessions every day, complete assignments, participate in community meetings, and demonstrate measurable progress. Failure to participate fully or violating program rules results in removal from RDAP with no sentence reduction.
RDAP Sentence Reduction Benefits (12 Months + Halfway House)
RDAP provides two distinct benefits that can significantly reduce your time in custody. Understanding both benefits helps you see the full value of program completion.
Benefit 1: Up to 12 months of sentence reduction
Under 18 U.S.C. Section 3621(e)(2)(B), successful RDAP completion can reduce your sentence by up to one year. The Bureau of Prisons has discretion to grant a reduction of up to 12 months based on your behavior and progress in the program.
How the reduction works:
Your sentence reduction is credited when you complete Phase 1 of RDAP. The BOP calculates your new release date, which can be up to 12 months earlier than your original date. For defendants serving longer sentences, this equals a full year of freedom.
The reduction is discretionary, not automatic. The BOP evaluates:
- Your participation and engagement in treatment
- Progress toward treatment goals
- Behavior during the program
- Staff recommendations
- Demonstrated commitment to recovery
Most prisoners who complete RDAP receive the full 12-month reduction. Partial reductions (6-9 months) occur when prisoners have sentences of less than 36 months. To be eligible, besides having a history of abuse, you must have a sentence that is at least 24 months (amongst other qualifying factors).
Benefit 2: Up to 6 months additional halfway house placement
RDAP graduates can receive up to 6 months of placement in a halfway house (Residential Reentry Center) as part of Phase 2 transitional services. This is in addition to the halfway house time you would receive otherwise.
Normal BOP policy allows up to 12 months of halfway house placement (or 10% of your sentence, whichever is less). RDAP graduates can receive up to 6 additional months beyond this cap.
Combined benefit example:
If you’re serving a 48-month sentence:
- Standard release date: 48 months
- Less 15% good conduct time: 41 months
- Less 12-month RDAP reduction: 29 months
- Plus 12 months halfway house (10% of original sentence): Released to halfway house at 17 months
- Plus 6 months additional RDAP halfway house: Released to halfway house at 11 months
This means serving 11 months in prison and 12 months in a halfway house instead of 35 months in prison and 6 months in a halfway house. The difference is massive. Note the example above, presumes you have a release plan, avoided problems and worked daily to earn freedom. It will not happen by accident.
RDAP Eligibility Requirements: Do You Qualify?
The Bureau of Prisons maintains specific eligibility criteria for RDAP. You must meet all requirements to be accepted into the program.
Basic eligibility requirements:
1. Documented substance abuse disorder within the 12 months before arrest
You must have verifiable evidence of substance abuse during the year before your arrest. This doesn’t mean casual use. The BOP requires documentation of abuse or dependence that meets clinical diagnostic criteria.
Acceptable documentation includes:
- Prior substance abuse treatment records
- Medical records documenting substance-related issues
- DUI arrests or alcohol-related incidents
- Drug test results
- Mental health records discussing substance use
- Criminal history involving drugs or alcohol
- Self-reporting during PSR interview if credible
2. Signs of substance abuse disorder identified during BOP screening
During R&D (Receiving and Discharge) when you first enter the prison system, you complete a substance abuse screening. This screening includes:
- Detailed questions about your drug and alcohol history
- Assessment of substance use patterns
- Evaluation of abuse or dependence symptoms
- Review of available records
BOP staff use the DSM-5 criteria to diagnose substance use disorder. You need to meet the clinical threshold for abuse or dependence.
3. Completion of the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (DAP)
Before being accepted into residential RDAP, you must complete the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program. This is a 12-15 hour educational program that takes 2-3 weeks.
DAP completion shows the BOP you’re committed to treatment. It’s also a screening mechanism. People who don’t take DAP seriously or fail to complete it won’t be considered for RDAP.
4. Sufficient time remaining on your sentence
Generally, you need at least 24-30 months remaining on your sentence at the time RDAP programming would begin. The BOP won’t accept people who would complete their sentence before finishing the 9-12 month program.
Timing considerations:
If you’re serving a 36-month sentence and qualify for RDAP, you need to be accepted into the program early in your sentence. Prisoners who wait too long lose eligibility because they don’t have enough time left.
5. No serious mental health conditions requiring separate treatment
RDAP is a substance abuse program, not a mental health program. Inmates with serious mental health conditions requiring specialized treatment may be deemed inappropriate for RDAP.
This doesn’t disqualify everyone with mental health issues. Many RDAP participants have depression or anxiety. The disqualifier is conditions requiring intensive psychiatric care that would interfere with RDAP participation.
6. Volunteer participation
You must volunteer for RDAP. The BOP doesn’t force anyone into the program. During your intake screening, staff will ask if you’re interested in substance abuse treatment. Say yes clearly if you want to be considered.
RDAP Disqualifiers: What Makes You Ineligible
Certain factors automatically disqualify you from RDAP participation regardless of your substance abuse history. Understanding these disqualifiers before sentencing helps you avoid surprises.
Automatic RDAP disqualifiers:
1. Current or prior conviction for sex offenses
Any conviction for a sex offense makes you ineligible for RDAP. This includes:
- Sexual abuse or assault
- Statutory rape
- Sex trafficking
- Failure to register as sex offender
This disqualifier is absolute. Even if your current offense isn’t a sex crime but you have a prior conviction from years ago, you cannot participate in RDAP.
2. Serious violent offenses in criminal history
Convictions for homicide, forcible rape, robbery, or aggravated assault within the last 10 years disqualify you from RDAP. The BOP considers these inmates too high-risk for the therapeutic community environment.
3. Immigration detainer or deportation order
If ICE has placed a detainer on you or you have a final deportation order, you’re ineligible for RDAP. The BOP won’t invest resources in treatment if you’re being deported upon release.
4. Pre-trial detention status
Inmates in pre-trial detention awaiting trial cannot participate in RDAP. You must be sentenced and designated to a BOP facility.
5. Serious disciplinary history
If you have a pattern of serious disciplinary infractions (shots) while in BOP custody, you may be deemed inappropriate for RDAP. This includes:
- Violence against staff or inmates
- Drug possession in prison
- Escape attempts
- Repeated rule violations
A single minor infraction won’t disqualify you. A pattern of serious problems will.
6. Insufficient substance abuse severity
If your substance abuse doesn’t meet clinical criteria for a disorder, you won’t qualify. Social drinking or occasional marijuana use isn’t enough. The BOP requires documentation of abuse or dependence.
7. Incompatible security level or custody classification
RDAP operates primarily in low and medium security prisons and prison camps. If your custody classification puts you in high security or a specialized facility, you may not have access to RDAP programming.
Discretionary disqualifiers:
The BOP can also deny RDAP for reasons including:
- Poor institutional adjustment
- Lack of genuine commitment to treatment
- Mental health issues incompatible with group therapy
- Failure to complete DAP prerequisite
- Medical conditions requiring specialized care
Documenting Substance Abuse History for RDAP
Proper documentation of your substance abuse history is critical for RDAP eligibility. Many defendants lose eligibility because they didn’t document their substance use properly in the PSR interview or during BOP intake.
When to document substance abuse:
Start documenting during your pre-sentence investigation. The probation officer conducting your PSR interview will ask about substance use. Be honest and specific. What you tell the probation officer appears in your PSR, which the BOP reviews when evaluating RDAP eligibility.
What to include in your substance abuse disclosure:
Be specific about:
- Which substances you used (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, pills, etc.)
- Frequency of use (daily, weekly, occasional)
- Duration of use (how many years)
- Quantities consumed
- When your use began and when it ended
- How substance use affected your life
- Previous treatment attempts
- Substance-related consequences (DUIs, job loss, relationship problems)
- Connection between substance use and your offense
Example of strong documentation:
“I began drinking alcohol at age 16. By age 25, I was consuming 6-8 beers daily. My drinking increased during the three years before my offense to 10-12 beers daily plus hard alcohol on weekends. I attempted to quit twice on my own but relapsed both times. My wife threatened to leave me in 2019 due to my drinking. I was arrested for DUI in 2020. My alcohol use impaired my judgment and contributed to the poor decisions that led to my federal charges. I recognize I have an alcohol use disorder and need treatment.”
This description provides specific details the BOP needs to verify substance abuse disorder.
Example of weak documentation:
“I drank socially on weekends. Sometimes I used marijuana. It wasn’t a big problem.”
This description suggests casual use, not abuse or dependence. The BOP likely would not find this sufficient for RDAP eligibility.
Corroborating documentation:
Beyond self-reporting, provide records that corroborate your substance abuse:
- Medical records mentioning substance use
- Mental health treatment notes
- Prior substance abuse treatment discharge summaries
- DUI arrest records or court documents
- Employer documentation of alcohol or drug-related issues
- Family letters describing your substance abuse
- Substance abuse evaluation from licensed professional
Getting a professional evaluation:
Consider obtaining a comprehensive substance abuse evaluation from a licensed addiction counselor or psychologist before sentencing. This evaluation costs $5,000 to $10,000 and provides:
- Clinical diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria
- Detailed substance use history
- Assessment of abuse severity
- Treatment recommendations
- Professional documentation for your PSR and BOP file
Submit this evaluation to your probation officer and include it in your sentencing mitigation package. When you enter BOP custody, bring a copy to your R&D screening.
Being honest during BOP intake:
When you arrive at your designated facility, you’ll complete substance abuse screening during R&D. Be completely honest. This is not the time to minimize your substance use.
Staff conducting your screening have seen thousands of prisoners. They can tell when you’re being truthful and when you’re exaggerating to get into RDAP. Credible disclosure matched with documentation leads to acceptance. Obvious exaggeration or inconsistent stories lead to denial.
RDAP Application Process Step-by-Step
The RDAP application process begins the day you enter BOP custody and continues through multiple screening stages. Understanding each step helps you navigate the process successfully.
Step 1: Initial screening during R&D (Day 1-3)
When you arrive at your initial BOP facility (usually a transfer center), you complete Receiving and Discharge processing. Part of R&D includes substance abuse screening.
During this screening:
- You complete written questionnaires about your substance use history
- You meet with psychology staff for an interview
- Staff review your PSR and other records
- You indicate your interest in RDAP treatment
Be clear that you want to participate in RDAP. Complete all questionnaires thoroughly and honestly. This initial screening determines whether you’ll be referred for further RDAP evaluation.
Step 2: Non-Residential DAP completion (Weeks 2-6)
If your initial screening shows potential RDAP eligibility, you’ll be enrolled in the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program. DAP is a prerequisite for RDAP.
DAP consists of 12-15 hours of drug education programming delivered over 2-3 weeks. Topics include:
- Understanding addiction
- Effects of different substances
- Identifying triggers and high-risk situations
- Introduction to recovery concepts
- Resources for treatment
Take DAP seriously. Your participation and attitude are evaluated. Inmates who skip sessions, show poor attitude, or fail to complete assignments won’t be recommended for RDAP.
Step 3: RDAP interview and assessment (Months 1-3)
After completing DAP, you’ll be scheduled for a comprehensive RDAP interview with psychology staff. This interview determines your final eligibility and suitability for the program.
The interview covers:
- Detailed substance abuse history
- Impact of substance use on your life
- Previous treatment attempts
- Motivation for treatment
- Understanding of recovery
- Commitment to program completion
- Family history of substance abuse
- Mental health history
- Support system for recovery
Staff evaluate:
- Severity of substance abuse disorder
- Appropriateness for group therapy setting
- Readiness for change
- Risk factors for program failure
- Compatibility with RDAP structure
Be honest but demonstrate genuine motivation for treatment. Staff can tell the difference between inmates who want help and those who just want sentence reduction.
Step 4: Designation to RDAP facility (Months 3-9)
If approved for RDAP, you’ll be transferred to a facility offering the program. Not all federal prisons have RDAP. The BOP operates RDAP programs at approximately 60 facilities across low, medium, and camp security levels.
Your designation depends on:
- Security level and custody classification
- Bed space availability at RDAP facilities
- Geographic considerations
- Wait list length at various facilities
Some RDAP facilities have 6-12 month wait lists. Plan accordingly when calculating your timeline.
Step 5: RDAP participation (9-12 months)
Once designated to an RDAP facility and a bed becomes available, you begin the program. RDAP participation requires:
- Daily attendance at group therapy sessions
- Completion of all assignments and homework
- Participation in community meetings
- Individual counseling sessions
- Progress toward treatment goals
- Following all program rules
- Maintaining good institutional conduct
Step 6: Program completion and sentence reduction
Successful RDAP completion triggers your sentence reduction. The BOP calculates your new release date, which can be up to 12 months earlier than your original date. You then transition to Phase 2 in a halfway house.
RDAP Interview: What to Expect
The RDAP interview is your opportunity to demonstrate you’re appropriate for intensive treatment. Psychology staff use this interview to assess your eligibility, motivation, and likelihood of program success.
Preparing for your interview:
Review your substance abuse history in detail. Be prepared to discuss:
- When your substance use began
- How it progressed over time
- Consequences you experienced
- Attempts to quit or cut back
- How substances affected your judgment
- Connection to your federal offense
Understand addiction and recovery concepts. Read books about addiction. Learn recovery terminology. Show staff you’ve invested time in understanding your problem.
Be ready to discuss previous treatment. If you’ve been in treatment before, explain:
- What programs you attended
- What you learned
- Why you relapsed
- What would be different this time
Prepare honest answers about motivation. Staff will ask why you want RDAP. “To get the sentence reduction” is honest but incomplete. Better answers acknowledge both the time credit and genuine desire to address substance abuse.
Common interview questions:
- Tell me about your substance use history.
- How did substance abuse contribute to your federal offense?
- Have you tried to quit before? What happened?
- What previous treatment have you received?
- How would RDAP help you maintain sobriety after release?
- What triggers make you want to use substances?
- What support system do you have for recovery?
- How will you deal with cravings and high-risk situations?
- What would success in recovery look like for you?
What staff are evaluating:
Clinical appropriateness: Does your substance abuse meet criteria for a disorder requiring intensive treatment?
Motivation for change: Are you genuinely ready to work on recovery or just seeking sentence reduction?
Group therapy suitability: Can you participate productively in daily group sessions?
Treatment readiness: Do you understand what RDAP requires and are you willing to commit?
Risk assessment: What’s the likelihood you’ll complete the program successfully?
Red flags that hurt your chances:
- Minimizing your substance abuse or claiming you don’t really have a problem
- Openly stating you’re only interested in the sentence reduction
- Showing no understanding of addiction or recovery concepts
- Expressing unwillingness to participate fully in programming
- Demonstrating poor attitude or resistance to treatment
- Having recent disciplinary infractions
- Inconsistent stories about your substance use
How to present yourself effectively:
Be honest about your substance abuse and its impact on your life. Take responsibility for your actions without making excuses. Express genuine interest in learning recovery skills. Show respect for the program and staff. Demonstrate you understand the work required.
The interview isn’t about performing or telling staff what they want to hear. It’s about demonstrating you’re appropriate for intensive residential treatment and willing to commit to the process.
Federal Prisons with RDAP Programs [Complete List]
The Bureau of Prisons operates RDAP programs at approximately 60 facilities across different security levels. Not all prisons offer RDAP, so your designation to an RDAP facility is a critical step in accessing the program.
RDAP is available at (note RDAP locations change a lot; check here for most recent list or call us at 949-799-3277.
Federal Prison Camps (Minimum Security): These camps offer RDAP for low-risk people. Most white collar defendants serve time at camps.
- FPC Alderson (West Virginia) FEMALE
- FPC Bryan (Texas) FEMALE
- FPC Cumberland (Maryland)
- FPC Morgantown (West Virginia)
- FPC Yankton (South Dakota)
- FPC Phoenix (Arizona) FEMALE
- FPC Montgomery (Alabama)
- FPC Lewisburg (Pennsylvania
- FPC Edgefield (South Carolina)
- FPC Leavenworth (Kansas)
Low Security Facilities: Low security FCIs house RDAP units for inmates with slightly higher security classifications.
- FCI Ashland (Kentucky)
- FCI Bastrop (Texas)
- FCI Beckley (West Virginia)
- FCI Butner Low (North Carolina)
- FCI Danbury (Connecticut)
- FCI Elkton (Ohio)
- FCI Englewood (Colorado)
- FCI Fairton (New Jersey)
- FCI Fort Dix (New Jersey)
- FCI Greenville (Illinois)
- FCI Jesup (Georgia)
- FCI Marianna (Florida)
- FCI McKean (Pennsylvania)
- FCI Memphis (Tennessee)
- FCI Miami (Florida)
- FCI Milan (Michigan)
- FCI Moshannon Valley (Pennsylvania)
- FCI Otisville (New York)
- FCI Pekin (Illinois)
- FCI Petersburg Low (Virginia)
- FCI Safford (Arizona)
- FCI Schuylkill (Pennsylvania)
- FCI Seagoville (Texas)
- FCI Sheridan (Oregon)
- FCI Tallahassee (Florida)
- FCI Texarkana (Texas)
- FCI Three Rivers (Texas)
Medium Security Facilities: Medium security FCIs offer RDAP for inmates requiring higher security.
- FCI Allenwood Medium (Pennsylvania)
- FCI Bennettsville (South Carolina)
- FCI Butner Medium (North Carolina)
- FCI Elkton (Ohio)
- FCI Estill (South Carolina)
- FCI Gilmer (West Virginia)
- FCI Herlong (California)
- FCI Manchester (Kentucky)
- FCI Oxford (Wisconsin)
- FCI Petersburg Medium (Virginia)
- FCI Phoenix (Arizona)
- FCI Sandstone (Minnesota)
- FCI Terminal Island (California)
- FCI Victorville Medium (California)
Important notes about facility designation:
The BOP determines your facility designation based on security classification, geography, bed space, and program availability. You cannot simply request a specific RDAP facility and expect approval.
Wait lists vary significantly by facility. Some RDAP units have immediate openings. Others have 12-18 month waits. Your case manager and counselor can provide information about wait times at various facilities.
If you’re designated to a non-RDAP facility, request transfer to an RDAP facility through your counselor. Submit written requests (cop-outs) documenting your RDAP eligibility and desire for treatment.
RDAP vs First Step Act: Which Is Better?
Both RDAP and First Step Act provide opportunities for early release from federal prison. Understanding the differences helps you maximize your time credits.
RDAP benefits:
- Up to 12 months of sentence reduction
- Up to 6 additional months of halfway house placement
- Total benefit can be 18 months less time in custody
- Provides intensive treatment and recovery skills
- No offense-based exclusions (except sex offenses)
RDAP requirements:
- Documented substance abuse disorder
- Completion of residential treatment program
- 9-12 months of daily programming
- Successful program completion
- Good institutional adjustment
First Step Act benefits:
- Earn 10-15 days of time credits for every 30 days of program participation
- Time credits accumulate throughout sentence
- Can be applied toward halfway house or home confinement
- Potential reduction of 12-18+ months for long sentences
- Multiple programs count toward credits
First Step Act requirements:
- Minimum or low PATTERN risk assessment score
- Participation in productive activities and programs
- No disqualifying offenses (violent crimes, sex offenses, terrorism)
- Good institutional conduct
Which is better for you:
Choose RDAP if:
- You have documented substance abuse requiring treatment
- You’re serving 36+ months and qualify for full 12-month reduction
- You want maximum halfway house time (up to 18 months total)
- You have no disqualifying offenses
Choose First Step Act if:
- You don’t qualify for RDAP
- You have violent offense history that excludes RDAP
- You’re serving a longer sentence where FSA credits accumulate significantly
- You want flexibility to participate in multiple programs
Use both if possible:
Many prisoners participate in both RDAP and First Step Act programs. You can earn FSA credits while waiting for RDAP designation and during non-RDAP programming. RDAP participation itself earns FSA credits.
Combining both programs can reduce a 60-month sentence to:
- Less 15% good conduct time: 51 months
- Less 12 months RDAP reduction: 39 months
- Less 6-12 months FSA credits: 27-33 months
- Plus 18 months halfway house (12 standard + 6 RDAP): Released to halfway house at 9-15 months
This means serving approximately one year in prison instead of four years, if you prepare properly.
Life in RDAP: Daily Schedule and Requirements
RDAP is not normal prison time. You’re in intensive treatment with daily programming, strict rules, and constant evaluation. Understanding what RDAP requires helps you prepare mentally for the commitment.
Daily schedule:
6:00 AM – Wake up and prepare for day RDAP units have earlier wake times than general population. You’re expected to be dressed and ready for morning community meeting.
6:30 AM – Morning community meeting The entire RDAP community meets to discuss daily schedule, address issues, and set intentions for the day.
7:00 AM – Breakfast RDAP participants eat together and return to the unit promptly.
8:00 AM – Group therapy session Your primary therapy group meets daily for 90-120 minutes. Groups include 10-12 participants and focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques.
10:00 AM – Educational programming Drug education, life skills, relapse prevention, anger management, or other structured programming.
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Afternoon programming Additional groups, individual counseling, homework time, or specialized tracks.
3:00 PM – Therapeutic community work RDAP participants maintain the unit through assigned jobs. Cleaning, kitchen work, and other duties are part of treatment.
4:30 PM – Dinner
6:00 PM – Evening group or free time Some days include evening programming. Other days provide time for homework, reading, and recreation.
8:00 PM – Community meeting Daily wrap-up meeting to process the day and prepare for tomorrow.
9:00 PM – Lights out preparation
Program requirements:
Complete all assignments: You receive homework after each group session. Failure to complete assignments results in negative evaluations.
Participate actively in groups: Silent participation isn’t acceptable. You’re expected to share experiences, provide feedback to peers, and engage with material.
Maintain sobriety: Obviously, no drugs or alcohol. RDAP participants are subject to random urinalysis. Positive tests result in immediate removal from the program.
Follow community rules: RDAP units have additional rules beyond standard prison regulations. Violations are taken seriously.
Make measurable progress: Staff evaluate your progress against treatment goals. You must demonstrate growth and change, not just attendance.
Support other participants: RDAP is a therapeutic community. You’re responsible for holding peers accountable and supporting their recovery.
Avoid general population contact: During treatment phases, your contact with non-RDAP inmates is limited. This isolation is intentional to maintain the therapeutic environment.
What gets you removed from RDAP:
- Positive drug tests
- Violence or threats
- Refusing to participate in programming
- Repeated rule violations
- Disciplinary infractions
- Disruptive behavior in groups
- Failure to complete assignments
- Sexual misconduct
- Threatening staff or participants
Removal from RDAP means losing your sentence reduction and returning to general population. The BOP doesn’t give second chances.
RDAP Completion Requirements and Graduation
Successfully completing RDAP requires more than just showing up for groups. You must demonstrate measurable progress toward treatment goals and meet specific completion criteria.
Treatment goals you’ll work toward:
1. Understanding your addiction You must demonstrate understanding of how addiction affected your life, your patterns of substance abuse, and triggers for use.
2. Accepting responsibility Take ownership for your substance abuse and criminal behavior without excuses or blame.
3. Identifying and managing triggers Recognize situations, emotions, and thought patterns that increase relapse risk. Develop coping strategies.
4. Building relapse prevention skills Learn and practice techniques for maintaining sobriety after release.
5. Repairing relationships Address how your substance abuse harmed relationships and develop plans for rebuilding trust.
6. Creating a continuing care plan Develop specific plans for treatment, support groups, employment, and lifestyle changes after release.
Completion criteria:
To graduate from RDAP, you must:
- Complete all program phases
- Attend all required sessions
- Complete all assignments satisfactorily
- Demonstrate progress toward treatment goals
- Receive positive evaluations from staff
- Maintain good institutional conduct
- Develop comprehensive aftercare plan
- Show commitment to long-term recovery
Graduation process:
RDAP culminates in a formal graduation ceremony. You present your recovery journey to staff, peers, and sometimes family members. This presentation includes:
- Summary of your substance abuse history
- What you learned in treatment
- Changes you’ve made
- Your continuing care plan
- Commitment to sobriety
Graduation ceremonies are emotional events. Many participants describe graduation as one of the most meaningful experiences of their incarceration.
After graduation:
Upon completing Phase 1 residential RDAP, you transition to Phase 2 in a halfway house. This placement can last up to 12 months (6 months standard plus 6 additional for RDAP).
In the halfway house, you continue treatment while gradually reintegrating into the community. You’ll:
- Attend outpatient treatment sessions
- Participate in AA/NA meetings
- Work or seek employment
- Reconnect with family
- Prepare for full release
Phase 3 begins when you transition to supervised release. You continue treatment and monitoring as conditions of your supervision.
RDAP Transitional Services and Halfway House Placement
The transition from residential RDAP to halfway house placement is Phase 2 of the program. This phase bridges intensive treatment and independent living.
How halfway house placement works:
Approximately 6 months before your projected release date, RDAP staff begin planning your halfway house placement. This includes:
- Identifying appropriate halfway houses in your release location
- Coordinating with Residential Reentry Center (RRC) staff
- Developing your transition plan
- Arranging continued treatment services
RDAP participants receive up to 12 months of halfway house placement:
- 6-12 months standard halfway house time (10% of sentence or 12 months max)
- Plus up to 6 additional months for RDAP participants
- Total: Up to 18 months in halfway house instead of prison
This benefit is significant. Halfway house allows you to work, earn money, reconnect with family, and gradually rebuild your life while still in custody.
What happens in the halfway house:
You’ll be required to:
- Maintain employment or actively seek work
- Attend mandatory meetings and check-ins
- Continue substance abuse treatment
- Participate in AA/NA or other support groups
- Submit to random drug testing
- Follow curfew and movement restrictions
- Pay program fees from your earnings
You have freedom to:
- Leave for work during approved hours
- Visit family on approved passes
- Attend treatment appointments
- Go shopping and run necessary errands
- Save money for full release
Halfway house isn’t freedom, but it’s much closer than prison. You sleep in a dormitory setting, have your own bed and locker, and spend most days outside the facility working.
Common halfway house mistakes:
Inmates who complete RDAP successfully sometimes fail in halfway house by:
- Returning to substance use
- Violating curfew or movement restrictions
- Missing mandatory meetings
- Losing employment
- Associating with people using drugs
- Failing drug tests
Halfway house violations can result in return to prison to finish your sentence. Take Phase 2 as seriously as Phase 1.
Common RDAP Application Mistakes
Many inmates who should qualify for RDAP lose eligibility through avoidable mistakes. Understanding common errors helps you navigate the application process successfully.
Mistake 1: Not disclosing substance abuse in PSR interview
Some defendants minimize or hide their substance use when talking to the probation officer. They’re embarrassed or don’t want additional information in their PSR.
This is a massive mistake. The PSR is the BOP’s primary source for determining RDAP eligibility. If you don’t disclose substance abuse to the probation officer, you may have no documentation supporting RDAP qualification.
Fix it: Be completely honest with your probation officer about substance use. Provide specific details and corroborating evidence.
Mistake 2: Exaggerating substance abuse to qualify
On the flip side, some inmates exaggerate their substance use to gain RDAP eligibility. They claim severe addiction when they were social users.
BOP psychology staff are trained to spot inconsistencies. If your self-report doesn’t match available records or clinical criteria, you’ll be denied. Worse, exaggerating and getting caught damages credibility for legitimate treatment needs.
Fix it: Be honest. If you don’t qualify for RDAP, explore First Step Act programs instead.
Mistake 3: Not volunteering for RDAP during intake
During R&D, staff ask if you’re interested in substance abuse treatment. Some inmates say no because they’re overwhelmed, don’t understand the question, or think they can apply later.
Not volunteering during initial screening can delay or prevent RDAP consideration. Once you’re transferred to a permanent facility, getting back into the evaluation pipeline is difficult.
Fix it: Make your interest in RDAP clear during every screening and evaluation.
Mistake 4: Failing to take DAP seriously
DAP is the gateway to RDAP. Inmates who skip sessions, don’t complete assignments, or show poor attitude get negative evaluations that prevent RDAP referral.
Some prisoners think DAP is just busy work. It’s actually a critical screening tool.
Fix it: Participate fully in DAP. Complete all work. Show engagement and interest.
Mistake 5: Poor performance during RDAP interview
The RDAP interview is your chance to demonstrate you’re appropriate for treatment. Inmates who minimize their substance abuse, show poor attitude, or can’t articulate motivation for treatment get denied.
Fix it: Prepare for the interview. Understand your substance use history. Be ready to discuss genuine motivation for treatment beyond just wanting the time cut.
Mistake 6: Disciplinary infractions while waiting for RDAP
Getting shots (disciplinary infractions) while waiting for RDAP designation can get you removed from the wait list. Violence, drug possession, or repeated rule violations demonstrate you’re not ready for treatment.
Fix it: Maintain clean conduct. Stay out of trouble. Show you can follow rules and manage behavior.
Mistake 7: Giving up after initial denial
Some prisoners receive preliminary denial and give up. They assume they can’t qualify and stop pursuing RDAP.
Denials aren’t always final. You can appeal decisions, provide additional documentation, or reapply if circumstances change.
Fix it: If denied, understand why. Provide additional documentation if needed. Request reconsideration through proper channels.
Mistake 8: Not working with someone who knows the system
The RDAP application process is complex. Many prisoners navigate it alone and make mistakes that cost them eligibility. The result is more time in prison.
Working with people who understand the system helps you avoid errors and position yourself for RDAP acceptance.
Thank you,
Justin Paperny
P.S. Watch my video with Glenn Hudson, who successfully completed the RDAP Program.
