“The recalculation of ‘good time’ credit is simply a data entry,” agreed Amy Povah, founder of the Clemency for All Non-Violent Drug Offenders, or CAN-DO, Foundation. “That should take 15 seconds.” 

The White House and Federal Bureau of Prisons did not respond to requests for comment. 

Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle said guidance has not yet been issued to the BOP, calling the law “complex.” 

“We know that inmates and their families are particularly interested in the changes regarding ‘good conduct’ time. While changes in the First Step Act may result in additional credit for inmates, we note that the changes are not effective immediately nor are they applicable to all inmates,” Hornbuckle said. 

For people in prison, the delay is a major blow. 

“He’s ready to come home,” said Veda Ajamu, whose brother Robert Shipp, 46, has served 25 years and expected near-immediate transfer to a halfway house or home confinement, as is typical toward the end of sentences. 

“We’re talking now 25 years, 4 months, and 10 days for him. It makes me really sad, because I can’t do anything. For a person who’s been in prison so long, that’s a hard pill to swallow,” Ajamu said. 

Charles “Duke” Tanner, who has served 14 years of a 30-year sentence, does not expect to get out immediately but said other people are anxious to leave. 

“My cellie was all excited because he was looking at an immediate release. Some men even gave away their property because they thought they were out the door,” Tanner said.  Tanner is on the CAN-DO Top 25 – read the entire story at Washington Examiner

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