Episodes

  • "New Government Policies"

    "New Government Policies"
    Jun 15 2026
    On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan go over the last month's government policies and all the behind-the-scenes changes. The first topic they cover is the new laws on identification and what changes have been made. Next, they go over camp placement, and Susan explains which inmates qualify and which do not due to their risk evaluation. To help illustrate their point, Susan shares a personal story about a case and its impact on the changes in Supreme Court rulings. An area of contention covered in this episode is how laws apply retroactively to previous sentencing. It is an information-rich episode, but Bruce and Susan go through each policy in a way that is not overwhelming for the listener. Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce can be reached through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE
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    55 mins
  • A New Book

    A New Book
    May 11 2026
    In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan open the show talking about their third and new book. It is ready for purchase and covers the Second Chance Act and halfway housing. It is a very thorough yet easy-to-read guide to help inmates and families navigate the system and build self-efficacy. After spending time going over their new book, they transition to exploring a case, breaking down the steps involved in sentencing and risk assessment for an inmate. A point of emphasis during this episode is goal planning and how to redirect after they have to change their career and lifestyle. This allows Bruce to discuss his counseling background and his vocational training. Families and inmates looking for jobs, this is the episode for you. Bruce and Susan help lay out the path to reintegrate into the workforce and society. Bruce and Susan. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce can be reached through his cell (214) 431-2032, and their First Step Act Book: https://a.co/d/2dWCECE
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    55 mins
  • Variety of Court Cases

    Variety of Court Cases
    May 5 2026
    This week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block sees Bruce and Susan tackle the BOP, FSA, FCA, and a variety of court cases. It is an information-dense episode, but they tackle each one individually to make it easy to digest. They start with a case and also refer to previous cases to paint a fuller picture. About halfway through, Susan and Bruce dive into risk assessment and the various factors that impact housing placement for inmates. To wrap up, Susan emphasizes how changes in elections and administrations impact the system and how time credits are applied and earned. This then leads her to discuss the flaws in the system and which jobs/occupations help or hinder time credit acquisition. Be on the lookout for their new book in the next few weeks! 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 mins
  • Sentencing and Assessments

    Sentencing and Assessments
    Apr 27 2026
    On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan begin the program by explaining the services they provide and go over if they would be a good fit for you or your loved one. They also use this time to discuss how they are different from government agencies and how they came into practice in the first place. About halfway through, they transitioned to elaborate on a circuit case that came out in 2025, which sparked many questions and concerns. This time also allows them to tie in their second book and to show how these are things that can be used positively from the case findings. To close the show, they go over a case in Illinois and how it impacts sentencing and assessments. This episode covers multiple cases and provides practical steps and guidelines to follow. 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 mins
  • Custody Classification,PATTERN Risk Assessment

    Custody Classification,PATTERN Risk Assessment
    Apr 20 2026
    Bruce and Susan discuss the 11th Circuit's decision outlining factors the District Courts should consider when determining whether the incarcerated person is the "only available caregiver" in a Compassion Release request. They also discuss the U.S. Sentencing Commission's Amendment 821 and the required documentation to ensure that criminal history point reductions are applied to custody classification and PATTERN risk assessment. United States v. Robelo-Galo, No. 24-12128 (11th Cir. 2006); USA v. Juan Aguiar Parada, No. 24-12775 (11th Cir. 2026). 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 mins
  • FSA, New Book

    FSA, New Book
    Apr 6 2026
    In this week's episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan continue from last week's episode, which covered the First Step Act Law and its issues and details. Bruce and Susan take time to discuss their new book, which will be released soon, and encourage viewers to reach out with any comments or questions. After this, they transition to reviewing the Second Chance Act and Halfway House, and to the high- or low-risk assessment, which affects where inmates are placed. This is a very informative episode and does a great job continuing the topic introduced last week. For more information on these processes, listen to older podcasts for a fuller picture and understanding! 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 mins
  • "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 mins
  • "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 mins