Federal Home Confinement Overview and Rules 2025

Federal Home Confinement Rules in 2025: What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for information on federal home confinement rules 2025 for yourself or you’re a family member trying to figure out what’s possible you’re in the right place.

I’ve done the digging, read dozens of personal accounts, combed through official BOP documents, and studied the massive 4,000-page overhaul of home confinement rules since the BIG Beautiful Bill.

I’m not on home confinement yet, but I expect to be very soon. Because of that, I have a personal stake — I’ve spent countless hours learning how the system actually works, not just what the BOP wants you to think. Here’s the honest, straight-up guide for 2025.

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Topics Covered In This Article

• What Is Federal Home Confinement

• Who this article benefits

• Home Confinement Changes for 2025

• Who is eligible for House Arrest

• The Home Confinement Process

• Home Confinement Rules

• How To Get Max HC time

• Types of HC monitoring

• Home Confinement FAQ’S

Home Confinement Rules

Once you’re on home confinement, you must play by the rules, below is a list of the most common rules enforced by the BOP. It's not exhaustive and they can change on a case by case basis, but here are the big ones you can expect see:

• Submit a weekly schedule: Inmates are required to fill out and submit a schedule of planned moves a week in advance (usually due on Thursdays)

• 8-Hour Day Pass: You will be allowed 8 hours per day for job search, and other activities. Plus three hours on the weekend.

• Drug testing: Each morning inmates have to call the HH to check if they are required to come in for a random UA.

• No alcohol: While on home monitoring inmates cannot drink alcohol or even have it in the house.

• Location Monitoring: Stay at your approved residence unless you have pre-approved exceptions.

• Employment: Work or actively seek employment, self-employment is usually not allowed along with working for family members unless it's a licensed registered and insured business.

• Curfew: Strict hours, no excuses.

• Zero Tolerance: No drugs, alcohol, or tampering with monitoring equipment.

• Approved Contacts & Travel: No unauthorized contact with other felons. While on home confinement your not allowed in parks and malls.

Each rule has teeth. Violating even one can land you back in prison. Remember, you are not FREE yet your just a inmate in the community. You can still get "shots" for rule violations that can extended your time on supervised release or worse put you in a halfway house for punishment.

Home Arrest Rule Violations

There are lots of rules as you can see, but if you break them there are consequences. The consequences depend on how bad your rule violations is you can expect any of the following:

• Restriction of your traveling privileges.

• Sanctioned back to Halfway House

• Revocation of Home Detention (sent back to prison to finish remainder of sentence)

What is Federal Home Confinement?

Federal Home Confinement (HC) is supervised release for inmates using one of the forms of Federal Location Monitoring Program run by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) through the United States Probation office.

This electronic monitoring allows eligible inmates to serve part, or sometimes all of their remaining sentence at a residence approved by the BOP.

Typically inmates go from prison to the halfway house (HH) also know as RRC where they transition to the community for months before going directly home. Home confinement is allowing thousands of inmates to completely skip the HH and go straight home and for longer. Keep reading I explain it all below.

Think of it as a highly restricted version of freedom, technically inmates are still in BOP custody just outside of prison. Your movements are tracked, and there are strict rules. But instead of being locked up in a facility, using Federal Location Monitoring you get to be at home, often with a support system that helps you successfully transition back into the community.

Home confinement isn’t a free pass; it’s a structured bridge between incarceration and full reintegration. Success here can impact your entire reentry process and, for some, pave the way to extended periods of supervised freedom. Learn more about surviving inside in our federal prison guide for new inmates.

Who Should Read This Article

This article is for inmates and families. No matter if you got a sentence reduction from the Clemency process or are hoping for a compassionate release, federal inmates are rarely sent directly home without a form of pre-release supervision. So you will need to understand this process and how it affects you.

If you or your loved one is getting released soon, this article is packed with helpful information. It’s written for:

• Families expecting a LO's release

• Inmates who filed for compassionate release

• Inmates seeking clemency

• Inmates with a release date of 12mo or less

  
  
  
  

Home Confinement Changes In 2025?

The 2025 BOP home confinement policy shifts to direct home confinement for eligible individuals, overriding limitations from halfway house bed availability. Under a June 2025 memo, BOP staff "shall" refer individuals who have earned time credits under the First Step Act (FSA) and meet eligibility criteria directly to home confinement if they do not need residential reentry center (RRC) services.

Since its creation, federal electronic monitoring under the Second Chance Act(SCA) was capped at the last six months of your sentence or 10% of your term, whichever came first. That’s gone. Thanks to the CARES Act, the BIG Beautiful Bill, and the new direction the BOP Director is taking the Federal Bureau of Prisons

With his policies, now he now has expanded authority to place more non-violent, low-risk inmates on home confinement for longer periods using pilot programs and other methods using the increased $5 Billion BOP budget authorized with the Big Beautiful Bill signed by trump on July 4th, 2025.

Here’s the reality now:

• Time on HC: Can exceed six months; some inmates are approved for much longer!

• Who Qualifies: Expanded beyond just a handful of inmates; non-violent offenders with stable homes and good conduct now have a real shot.

• Authority: BOP continues to rely on the expanded powers given by the CARES Act and the BIG Beautiful Bill even after the pandemic emergency ended.

This isn’t just theoretical. Inmates who previously would have been limited to six months by 18 U.S.C. § 3624(c) are now routinely approved for a year or more if their conduct is clean and their home plan is solid.

It’s a game-changer, but only for those who take the preparation seriously. I have been following the developments of home detention and how they affect inmates for months. Just go back and check out our article from a couple months ago titled BOP’s New Directive for Home Confinement. In these previous articles we cover the exact date the BOP announced by default they were giving 12 months Halfway house time in the form of SCA.

Home Confinement Change History

Pre-release custody has been around for decades but the biggest changes started with First Step Act in 2018. Then the Cares act of 2020 in response to covid. There have been three major announcements this year alone from the BOP. The biggest one being the May 25th BOP Press Release announcing the expansion of home confinment. Below is a visual timeline walkthrough of the changes with home confinement over the years.

Just 20 days later, on June 18, the BOP announced the stacking of FSA & SCA — meaning more people are eligible for both halfway house and home confinement custody. All of this is right on track with their most recent press release (Oct 21,2025) about FSA Conditional Placement Date (FCPD).

This change is huge for inmates because the Projected Release Date and the Conditional Placement Date can vary by up to 4 years! Inmates wouldn't qualify for HH. or HC until they got closer to that 6 month mark. Now with these new policies we can go home for years on electronic monitoring. Read a real life home confinment story below.

A Real Life House Arrest Story

About 2 weeks ago I talked with one federal inmate who was serving 48 months for non-violent offense. He got interviewed for structured community supervision. They put him in for 30 months home monitoring and he was approved! He told me he had documented 18 months of vocational training + showing a verified job offer which I'm sure only increased his chances.

From what I'm hearing they are considering EVERYTHING when accepting people for additional time on house arrest. So I created a simple Home Confinement Readiness Checklist that i am using to prepare. It would make me very happy if I knew someone benefited from it also. Download the free printable PDF below

Download HC Checklist

Who Qualifies for Home Confinement?

The Bureau of Prisons staff is being tight lipped about exactly who does qualify for additional home monitoring time. They are only releasing general information about who is eligible for Home confinement, but traditionally Federal Location Monitoring is for most people near the end of thor sentence.

The real question is who is eligible for additional Home confinement time. That's the question of the year! Below I outline things in know they consider when determining eligibility. We do know that

violent offenders, sex offenders, and people with escape histories are far less likely to qualify. But for the rest, building a strong case, good conduct, clear reentry plan, and a supportive home can make all the difference. Not everyone makes the cut.

Factors Consider for HC by The BOP

The BOP looks at several factors:

• Your offense and criminal history

• Your behavior in prison (disciplinary reports matter!)

• The stability and suitability of your home environment

• Your risk to the community

Eligibility doesn’t automatically mean approval. Programs, education, vocational training, and documented family support weigh heavily in BOP calculations.

For tips on post-release resources, see our blog that has tons of way to help inmates transition back into the world. A strong reentry plan isn’t optional, it’s what separates those who get approved from those who don’t.

How the Home Confinement Process Works

Here’s the flow in plain language:

Step 1: Internal Assessment

The BOP starts screening inmates 11–18 months before your FSA Conditional Placement Date (FCPD). They review criminal history, prison conduct, program participation, and prior escapes or disciplinary infractions.

Step 2: The inmate case worker submission

The caseworker will submit a request with details about your home, supporting family documentation, and your proposed plan to grand Prairie who will approve or deny length of time requested.

Step 3: RRM Investigation (Home Visit)

The Residential Reentry Management (RRM) office will get notified from Grand Prairie. Then setups a inspection of your residence and verifies everything. They may visit in person, check the neighborhood, and ensure you’ll have the structure and supervision necessary to succeed.

Step 4: Approval or Denial

RRM decides. If approved, they set a transfer date. If denied, they’ll usually provide reasons. Understanding why your application is denied is crucial so you can correct issues and reapply.

How To Get the Maximum Home Confinement Time

House arrest is a earned privilege that can be lost, because of the recent changes from the BOP inmates can enjoy that privilege for an unlimited amount of home confinement time.

That time is still controlled by the BOP Unit Team staff and Grand Prairie. Here is my personal tips for getting the maximum time possible on house arrest. These tips will increase your chances of a longer placement:

• Maintain a Clean Institutional Record: Any disciplinary incidents hurt your chances.

• Complete Reentry Programs: Education, vocational training, Productive activities and rehab programs show the BOP you’re serious and lower your recidivism. Do as many as you can.

• Secure a Stable Home & Support System: Family support matters more than you think. Probation will be looking for stable living conditions, no felons. This is a must have.

• Complete A Release Plan: Show your case worker and unit manager you are ready and prepared for this next step. Get your 30 day to 1 year goals set.

• Line Up Employment: A job plan shows structure and stability.

• Keep recidivism low: Low technical is the key to MORE electronic monitoring time. Get & Stay low

Be careful not to catch any "shots". I personally watched a guy who was supposed to go home in 90 days catch a 300 series "out of bounds" shot and have his HC date pushed back 14 months!

The incident report boosted his recidivism which took him from low security to medium and the bop took away his FSA credit the was front loaded. Each of these steps actively improves your risk profile in the eyes of federal case workers don't sleep on them.

Types of Home Monitoring

Up until this point the bop has primarily used the ankle monitor bracelet to track inmates. As part of the Big Beautiful Bill changes the Bureau Of Prisons will be implementing new Pilot programs to test different types of Federal Location Monitoring.

With the law changes they will now increase the ways they are allowing inmates released on HC to be monitored. This means they can allow more people to get HC. The BOP uses several methods to track compliance:

• RF (Radio Frequency) Monitoring: Tracks your presence at home using a landline.

• GPS Monitoring: Real-time location tracking, used for higher-risk cases or authorized travel.

• Biometric Methods: Newer "Virtual mobile applications" use face recognition or voice verification for check-ins.

• Wearable Bracelet: This is a electronic device similar to a Apple Watch that tracks location

• Mobile Phone: The BOP will provide a phone to each inmate with a app to use to check-in when needed.

Monitoring isn’t just a formality. RF monitors confirm that you’re home during curfew hours, GPS creates a permanent trail of your movements, and biometric apps ensure it’s actually you reporting.

What Should You Do Next

1. Complete programs to get low recidivism

2. Check-in with your case worker

3. Ask for a FSA Time credit Worksheet

4. Prepare a release plan and send it home

5. Download our Home Confinement Checklist

6. Share, share, share!

1. People just like you are worried and confused let's talk more about home confinement in our Facebook group. Become a special early member and join today.

Join Our FB Group

Frequently Asked questions

Q: Can someone convicted of white-collar crimes get home confinement?

A: Absolutely, if you meet the other criteria. Many non-violent financial offenders have strong approval chances due to stable family support and employment.

Q: What if my monitoring device loses power?

A: Treat it like an emergency—contact your case manager immediately. Keep backup charging options and document any issues.

Q: Are there costs involved?

A: Yes, the BOP can charge a portion of monitoring costs. Family members can sometimes help cover them.

Q: What should I expect from a home visit from United States Probation Office?

A: The probation office is looking to verify the inmate has a stable, safe place to live. Dedicated room, no weapons, no people who could land him/her back in prison. That means nobody on probation or supervised release.

Key Takeaways

1. The BOP can place eligible inmates on home confinement longer than before, thanks to the CARES Act and BIG Beautiful Bill.

2. Clean record + strong reentry plan = your best shot.

3. Following the rules is non-negotiable.

4. Proactive preparation gives you the edge.

I will keep you updated on all Federal Home Confinement rules in 2025 as they happen. Navigating federal home confinement can feel like a maze, but understanding the rules is the first step. Checkout our other blogs for more context on federal prison articles