Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around The Block

Bruce W Cameron

Bio: 
Bruce Cameron is a sought after National C-Suite Executive Coach and experienced private practice counselor and life coach. With over 25 years experience as a Federal Law Enforcement official Bruce brings a unique arsenal of tools to serve high net worth, high potential individuals. He used his intricate knowledge of interpersonal and workplace communication to help clients overcome periods of crisis to flourish both personally and professionally. Bruce has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is a certified professional life coach, speaks nationally and has authored several professional publications. Founded Federal Prison Authority in 2014.

Susan Giddings

Bio: 
Susan M. Giddings, PhD, served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 33 years prior to her retirement in 2024. She began her career in 1991 as a Correctional Officer and was promoted through the ranks to Case Manager, Case Management Coordinator, Regional Sr. Correctional Programs Specialist, and finally to Unit Management Section Chief, Correctional Programs Branch in Washington, DC. Ms. Giddings earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice Corrections from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Criminal Justice in Correctional Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Northcentral University. Ms. Giddings’ expertise includes offender classification; case management practices, emergency response management; security operations, policy management; adult professional development training; continuous improvement management, Lean practices, and compliance auditing. While serving as Unit Management Section Chief, Ms. Giddings was one of the co-architects for the Bureau’s Federal Time Credits implementation serving as the Correctional Programs Division’s time credits SME. Since retiring from federal service, she has started her own consulting business providing assessment and training services for law enforcement and correctional organizations. She also partners with Bruce Cameron and Federal Prison Authority providing subject-matter expertise for all federal, case management activities. In her free time, Ms. Giddings enjoys family history research, investigative genetic genealogy, and writing. She is also member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and enjoys her volunteer work in historic preservation. Ms. Giddings currently resides in Ohio with husband.
Show Time: 
Monday 1:00PM - 1:59PM
(PST)
Show Description: 
Facing federal prison or navigating the system from the outside? Adjusting to life after prison and building a new one? Looking for ways to make the system work better? Maybe just curious? Around the Block, presented by Federal Prison Authorities' Bruce W. Cameron and Susan M. Giddings, unlocks the world of prisons and the road to reentry. Bruce and Susan bring decades of adult federal corrections experience to their audience. Join them and their guests as they cover topics from presentence reports and prison policy to the impacts of legislation and the barriers to successful reentry. Tune in with Bruce and Susan as they go Around the Block.

Show Archives

April 2025

04/07/2025
On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan this week have a special guest, Dory Sater. Dory is a former inmate and has experience going through the prison system. He shared how he navigated the system to be released early via First Step Act credits. He shares what that process was like for him and his family. In the past, he was a lawyer for almost 25 years, and he used this knowledge to inform others and prepare him for his sentence. Dory emphasizes the importance of staying busy and how the freedom within his confinement helped not only his physical health but his mental health as well. Currently, Dory is in the process of trying to regain his license in law and continue his passion. A big topic of discussion is the difference between home confinement and a halfway house. Dory also talks about how he stayed hopeful even during his confinement's difficult times. Toward the end, they discuss how COVID shook up the confinement process and explore how the prison system is still a work in progress. This very informative episode gives viewers an inside look at what it is like to go through the system. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032, and they referenced the First Step Act best-seller on Amazon- https://a.co/d/f4NxxYx

March 2025

03/31/2025
On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan discuss the Federal Time Credit Worksheet and answer a fan's questions. They opened the show by answering a question from social media asking about why time in holdover status is not counted toward programming days. Then, they do a deep dive into the Time Credit Worksheet into the information found in this document and why this document is so important. They shared some case examples related to the time credit worksheet. This conversation focused on the relationship between custody classification and PATTERN and the importance of the PSR. Bruce and Susan closed out the show with a sneak preview for next week's show, which will feature a previously incarcerated individual, and he will share his story of prison and reentry.
03/24/2025
On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan explore the system of RDAP and answer a fan's question. They explain halfway housing and specify receiving time credits for their sentence. This diverges into how laws are created, how things can be overly complex, and how the process of Congress needs improvement. One area Susan seeks to clarify is trauma and patch evolutions that inmates take, and these can influence certain aspects of their time and location requirements. This episode dives into how system elements can be improved while explaining how people can navigate it to help secure time credits. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Their best sellers are available at Amazon https://a.co/d/0RfvebL and https://a.co/d/bMHEAp2
03/17/2025
On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan begin by reviewing some of the topics from the previous episode and answering questions from the fans on YouTube. If you have any questions about an earlier episode, feel free to send questions to be answered on the show. After answering the fan questions, Bruce and Susan transition and discuss substance use cases and how they impact RDAP and federal time credits. FSA versus RDAP early release programs were detailed. This portion has a lot of information, but Susan goes through it step by step, and it is also explained in the book, specifically in chapter 6. Towards the midway point, Bruce shares a story about an inmate and discusses his journey. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032 Check out their books: Unlocking Federal Time Credits- https://a.co/d/5bH9kf6 Unlocking Classification https://a.co/d/9A8kFFv
03/10/2025

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan explore the topics of the First Step Act and the Second Chance Act. Bruce opens the floor to Susan so she can help explain the differences and clear up any confusion. This goes on for most of the show, but it is extensive and transparent on how the system is set up. Different court cases are brought up, and Bruce goes over how each case is different and unique. Susan explains how getting at least a GED will help them get the time credits and move them through faster. Towards the end, Bruce and Susan explain how the process is overly complicated and could be improved to benefit inmates and their families more. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032 and https://conciergecoach.net/ Their book can be bought here!

03/03/2025

This is the first episode of the new show “Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block.” The two hosts are returning host Bruce Cameron and previous guest Susan Giddings. Both open the episode discussing the paths they have taken to reach their point in their present-day federal Prisons career. Susan expands upon her time in Washington D.C. and how that has helped her in her work in Texas and in understanding the system. As the episode progresses, Bruce and Susan discuss halfway house placements and how inmates gain time credit for their sentences. A key point in the episode is the process of understanding the time it takes to get time off and be released. While it is possible and the system works, it doesn’t happen overnight. It is still a new law that was established in 2018. A very informative first episode and is beneficial. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032 and https://conciergecoach.net/ Their book can be bought here!