Episodios

  • "The Champion"

    "The Champion"
    Mar 30 2026
    This week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block is foundational to all the work Bruce and Susan do. Bruce opens by explaining the purpose of their work, then transitions to Susan discussing the cons of the new First Step Act. They also discuss a variety of drugs and how the Law is written pertaining to these substances. Next, Susan goes through the different sections and statutes in the law and helps critique and clarify their meanings. Qualifications for time credits are covered around the halfway point and extend to much of the episode. To conclude the show, Bruce shows their new edition of "The Champion" and goes over their new Federal Time Credit 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 m
  • "Detainers and Chargers"

    "Detainers and Chargers"
    Mar 16 2026
    On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan explore detainers and pending charges. They also go over their green book, which further explains the detainers and chargers. Susan elaborates on the process of going through their sentencing time and the presentence investigation reports. About halfway through the program, Susan explains the different laws and policies within certain states. Such as Louisiana and Mississippi not having the IEDA. After they wrap up the IEDA portion, Bruce brings up immigration and the system and laws in place. Susan goes over the Kate Steinle case, which occurred in 2015 in California, to add context to the federal immigration process. This is an information-dense episode that covers a lot of topics. Feel free to rewatch and join their Facebook group. 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 m
  • "Inmate Trends"

    "Inmate Trends"
    Mar 16 2026
    On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan cover a variety of new and old topics. Starting off, they discuss the First Step Act provisions and go over the requirements and reports from 2024 to 2025. Susan discusses inmate trends and how this information can be used to help current inmates and their sentencing. Over halfway through, they review incident reports and assess the risk levels of certain inmates. They also discuss which items can affect an inmate's time served in a high- to low-risk security facility. Towards the end, Susan shares the ethnic population that shows up in the risk level and assessment. This leads Susan to share the implications of these findings. This episode is full of new information and also reviews previous topics explored in previous episodes. 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 m
  • Listener Questions, "Presentence Report"

    Listener Questions, "Presentence Report"
    Mar 9 2026
    In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan open the show, continuing the trend of answering viewer questions on the topic of transferring from maximum security to medium security. This gives Susan the opportunity to explain security levels and how each inmate qualifies for each. Around the halfway point, Bruce emphasizes the importance of the presentence report; this helps the inmate's sentencing process go more smoothly. Susan, during the episode, hints at a third book she and Bruce are working on dedicated to the second care act. To wrap up the episode, Susan summarizes state charges and how they affect the inmate and their federal sentencing. Be sure to look for more updates on their next book! 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 m
  • Answering Listener Questions

    Answering Listener Questions
    Mar 2 2026
    In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan answer viewer questions on their Facebook page. They open with low-security male and female bed spaces, and they have seen a shortage among male residents. Susan also discusses programs inmates need to complete to expedite the process and ensure they aren’t wasting time. A little later, they answered a Facebook question about credit timing and the application process. Bruce also discusses the importance of having a case manager or having them help with the case to speed up sentence processing. This episode is viewer-focused and emphasizes the credits and eligibility 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 m
  • "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 m
  • "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 m
  • "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 m