Janet Neely is a non-violent, first time offender who as of July 2014 has served 61 months of a 97 month sentence, currently housed in a high security detention center. Using the Bureau of Prisons' custody and security classification tool, she has minimum security needs and qualifies to be out in the community based on her 'community custody' classification. The Bureau of Prisons is taking advantage of her low security by placing her in  a job where she works outside of the prison perimeter to meet the needs of the facility ( read more about this in her story below). The Bureau of Prisons, however, is required by law to place inmates in the least secure place possible that also fulfills THE INMATE'S needs to become a productive member of society once released.

It costs the taxpayers nearly $30,000 per year to house Mrs. Neely at FDC Philadelphia, yet the cost would be between $3,500-$5,000 to place her in direct home confinement with electronic monitoring. This move is not a reduction of sentence, as Mrs. Neely would still be in custody of the Bureau of Prisons, nor is it meant to undermine the seriousness of her offense.

There are many bills in Congress that would increase the use of non-prison alternatives for those who qualify, yet no new bill or rule is required to have the Bureau of Prisons grant her request. They have the authority granted by Congress already to use non-prison alternative and every Federal Court Circuit supports the use of that authority. The only entity opposed to the full use of authority is the Bureau of Prisons itself. They continue to refuse to increase the use of community placement such as home confinement or halfway houses, not because they dont believe it is necessary, but they continue to assert that they CAN'T. THIS COULDN'T BE MORE UNTRUE!

Please sign this petition and encourage the Bureau of Prisons to start acting now to reduce the prison population for those who qualify to be in the community to serve their sentence! Janet Neely is one woman that can be helped, but this could start further action by the Bureau of Prisons to begin meaningful criminal justice reform.

Read more about Janet Neely and her campaign to improve her life:

My name is Janet L. Neely, registration # 29650-050, incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, Pa..

I am a 60 year old, recently widowed, Caucasian Female who, as of June 20, 2014, has served 61 months of a 97 month sentence. (with good time credit this amounts to a 72 % completion) I was convicted, as a first time offender, of a non-violent white collar crime. As a result of this conviction I have been restricted from continuing in my past occupation as a financial consultant and tax preparer, the only formal education and work experience I have had in the last 40 yrs.

I self-surrendered at the Federal Prison Camp in Danbury CT. on May 20, 2009. I completed their Culinary Arts Program, and also the State of Connecticut's' Apprenticeship program in Culinary Arts. I worked as both the camp baker, under the direction of Mr. Marvin Kinnel, and at UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries) under Mr. Anthony Redrick. I transferred to Philadelphia FDC in June 2013 to be closer to my then terminally ill husband. He died August 3rd, 2013.

At FDC Philadelphia, a high rise detention center run as an administrative high security facility, I have community custody and am a member of the female work cadre. As such, I maintain two positions; that of Town Driver and also as a Facilities Assistant. As the town driver I am responsible for 12 government vehicles. I transport staff, inmates and visitors throughout the area unescorted. I have use of a Federal credit card for fuel purchases, cell phone for emergencies, and an E-Z Pass for tolls. I am outside of the perimeter of the building for 90 percent of this positions' duties. I fuel vehicles at community service stations, go to the local car wash and arrange for the repair and maintenance of all the vehicles. I hold a responsible position and have secured the trust of the BOP staff to handle it properly. I have proven that I am not a threat to public safety.

In preparation for my release I researched my options for a self-sustaining career. With the help of our Re-entry Coordinator; Mr. Scott Barrett, and our Education Dept. head; Mr. R. Morris, I applied and was accepted at two colleges in the N.J.-PA. area offering a two year degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. This degree will expand the vocational training started in Danbury, and provide me the stability to be marketable at my release. This is an occupation that I could work in many capacities and be able to both support myself and give back to the community in the form of services and restitution payments.

Several points need to be considered as part of my individual assessment for extended Community Confinement (RRC) placement:
A) My security and custody level is minimal/community, well below the custody level of FDC Philadelphia. Both home detention and half way house are in my security level.
B) My inmate file confirms that I adjust well to programming and need expanded vocational and educational training to secure a career as I cannot return to my prior field of employment.
C) 42 USCS 17541 states that expanded RRC placement and other incentives should be used as encouragement for programming performance.
D) Cost of my incarceration for the additional year without attending classes is wasted BOP money. I can absorb my cost of living at my release if I can take advantage of a college degree program.

Classes commence in late August 2014 that will allow me to graduate by my release from BOP custody. I will be a prime example of the BOP mission statement "to help inmates reintegrate into society on the first day of release as a self sustaining, law abiding taxpayer. " I will be able to "hit the ground running".

Janet L. Neely 29650-050 FDC Philadelphia