Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this insightful video, Michael Santos, founder of Prison Professors, introduces a newly launched federal sentencing calculator designed to help justice-impacted individuals project their prison sentence timelines. Whether you or a loved one face federal incarceration, this tool offers a valuable projection of your release date by factoring in good time credits, program participation (such as RDAP), and First Step Act (FSA) eligibility.
**What You’ll Learn:**
✔ How to use the Prison Professors sentencing calculator step-by-step
✔ Understanding key factors that influence your sentence length — including statutory good time, RDAP credits, and FSA eligibility
✔ Real-life example of Steve, a team member sentenced to 63 months, showing how projections compare to actual outcomes
✔ Limitations of sentence projections and why exact dates can’t be guaranteed
✔ Strategies to maximize time credits and build a strong mitigation plan while incarcerated
✔ The importance of taking initiative and utilizing free resources to improve your chances of early release
**Key Topics & Timestamps:**
0:00 – Introduction to the new sentencing calculator
0:07 – How to access and navigate the calculator
0:22 – Explanation of First Step Act (FSA) eligibility and disqualifying offenses
1:23 – Overview of RDAP program eligibility and its impact on sentence reduction
1:32 – Calculating projected release and community confinement dates using Steve’s example
2:19 – Reasons for discrepancies between projected and actual release dates
2:28 – Factors influencing sentence credit accrual and timing uncertainties
2:53 – Emphasizing the importance of a mitigation strategy and program participation
3:15 – Encouragement to utilize Prison Professors’ free educational resources
3:23 – Final thoughts on self-preparation vs. hiring consultants
**About Prison Professors:**
Prison Professors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, self-directed educational resources to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. Founded by Michael Santos, who served 26 years in federal prison, Prison Professors empowers incarcerated people to take control of their rehabilitation and prepare for successful reentry.
💡 **Ready to plan your sentence projection?** Try the sentencing calculator now at prisonprofessors.org/sentence-calculator and start building your mitigation strategy today!
👍 If you found this video helpful, please **like** and **share** to support others who might benefit.
🔔 Don’t forget to **subscribe** to Prison Professors for more tools, tips, and educational content designed to improve outcomes behind bars and beyond.
💬 Have questions about the calculator or sentence planning? Leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you!
#PrisonProfessors #FederalSentencing #SentenceCalculator #FSA #RDAP #JusticeImpacted #CriminalJusticeReform #ReentrySuccess #MitigationStrategies
In this insightful video, Michael Santos, founder of Prison Professors, introduces a newly launched federal sentencing calculator designed to help justice-impacted individuals project their prison sentence timelines. Whether you or a loved one face federal incarceration, this tool offers a valuable projection of your release date by factoring in good time credits, program participation (such as RDAP), and First Step Act (FSA) eligibility.
**What You’ll Learn:**
✔ How to use the Prison Professors sentencing calculator step-by-step
✔ Understanding key factors that influence your sentence length — including statutory good time, RDAP credits, and FSA eligibility
✔ Real-life example of Steve, a team member sentenced to 63 months, showing how projections compare to actual outcomes
✔ Limitations of sentence projections and why exact dates can’t be guaranteed
✔ Strategies to maximize time credits and build a strong mitigation plan while incarcerated
✔ The importance of taking initiative and utilizing free resources to improve your chances of early release
**Key Topics & Timestamps:**
0:00 – Introduction to the new sentencing calculator
0:07 – How to access and navigate the calculator
0:22 – Explanation of First Step Act (FSA) eligibility and disqualifying offenses
1:23 – Overview of RDAP program eligibility and its impact on sentence reduction
1:32 – Calculating projected release and community confinement dates using Steve’s example
2:19 – Reasons for discrepancies between projected and actual release dates
2:28 – Factors influencing sentence credit accrual and timing uncertainties
2:53 – Emphasizing the importance of a mitigation strategy and program participation
3:15 – Encouragement to utilize Prison Professors’ free educational resources
3:23 – Final thoughts on self-preparation vs. hiring consultants
**About Prison Professors:**
Prison Professors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, self-directed educational resources to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. Founded by Michael Santos, who served 26 years in federal prison, Prison Professors empowers incarcerated people to take control of their rehabilitation and prepare for successful reentry.
💡 **Ready to plan your sentence projection?** Try the sentencing calculator now at prisonprofessors.org/sentence-calculator and start building your mitigation strategy today!
👍 If you found this video helpful, please **like** and **share** to support others who might benefit.
🔔 Don’t forget to **subscribe** to Prison Professors for more tools, tips, and educational content designed to improve outcomes behind bars and beyond.
💬 Have questions about the calculator or sentence planning? Leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you!
#PrisonProfessors #FederalSentencing #SentenceCalculator #FSA #RDAP #JusticeImpacted #CriminalJusticeReform #ReentrySuccess #MitigationStrategies
