BOP RDAP Eligibility Screening Process

The Federal Bureau of Prisons offers the RDAP early release program at several facilities.

The screening process for BOP RDAP Program entry begins as follows. Inmates file an “Inmate Request To Staff” form  aka “COPOUT” with the prison psychology department requesting RDAP admission.  A BOP Psychology Department staff member known as a (“DTS”) Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist reviews the inmate’s Central File.  The DTS will then determine 3 things to very program entry eligibility:

  1. There’s sufficient time remaining on the inmate’s sentence to enter and graduate RDAP;
  2. Collateral documentation is available to verify the inmate’s use of specific drugs;
  3. If there exists verification that can establish a pattern of substance abuse or dependence.

Drug abuse history, can sometimes be found in the inmate’s PSR prepared by U.S. Pre-Trial Services for sentencing.

Substance Abuse Documentation 

Collateral documentation is sufficient verification for RDAP eligibility and must show substance abuse 12 months prior to inmate’s current offense. The following independent reports are acceptable substance abuse verification:

  1. Documentation supporting substance abuse before the inmates current offense arrest;
  2. Reports from a probation officer, parole officer, social service professional, verifying the inmate’s substance problem before the current offense arrest;
  3. Treatment records from a substance abuse treatment provider or medical provider who diagnosed and treated the inmate for a substance abuse disorder with[in] the 12 month period before the current offense arrest; 
  4. Arrest records of multiple convictions (two or more) for Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated 5 years prior to the inmate’s most recent arrest. 

A DTS will provide inmates the opportunity to obtain the additional documentation and information listed above.

Any recreational, social or occasional use of alcohol or drugs does not rise to levels of excessive or abuse, and as a result will not qualify as verification of a substance abuse disorder.

Verifying documentation Criteria

Verifying documentation of alcohol or other drug use must indicate problematic use consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (“DSM”) criteria. 5.

If verifying documentation is located or produced, and only then, inmates who volunteer for the RDAP are personally interviewed by a Drug Abuse Program Coordinator (DAPC) at the prison to determine if an inmate has a substance use diagnosis (i.e., substance dependence and/or substance abuse) in accordance with the DSM.

Wall Street Prison Consultants cannot make decisions for clients.  Using our services bring relevant information to you, your lawyers or paralegal may have over-looked.

This information could have serious implications regarding the time an inmate’s being sentenced to, or being hit monetary fines or restitution.

Call (855) 577-4766 and speak to a Prison Consultant now. Let us help you make educated decisions on your legal issues.