Federal Residential Reentry Programs
Program Overview
The Alston Wilkes Society (AWS) has provided high-quality community reentry services to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) since our contractual partnership began in 1971. Over the past five decades, AWS has developed an extensive network of resources at the local, state, and national levels to meet the diverse needs of our residents. Our program is supported by a well-qualified, trained, and experienced staff who are fully committed to achieving all contract objectives. In addition, our operational procedures and internal controls provide a strong quality-assurance framework that enhances the effectiveness of our reintegration services.
Our mission is to ensure a seamless continuum of services for every resident. Successful rehabilitation and reentry depend on intensive programming, meaningful referrals to community resources, opportunities for personal growth, and the resident’s motivation to reintegrate successfully. A supportive and encouraging staff plays a critical role in ensuring full resident engagement. We are proud to report that our overall Residential Reentry Center (RRC) successful release rate for 2025 was 94%, exceeding the national average. AWS remains committed to providing evidence-based programming designed to reduce recidivism and promote safer communities.
Federal Offender Placement into a Residential Reentry Center (RRC)
Approximately 17-19 months prior to an inmate's release, an RRC referral recommendation is made by the unit team (which, at a minimum, consists of the inmate's unit manager, case manager, and counselor) at a scheduled program review meeting. In making the determination on suitability and length of placement (which could be up to 12 months), each inmate is considered using the five factor criteria from 18 U.S.C. 3621(b):
the resources of the facility being contemplated
the nature and circumstances of the offense(s)
the history and characteristics of the offender
any statement by the court that imposed the sentence concerning the purposes for which the sentence to imprisonment was determined to be warranted or recommending any type of penal or correctional facility as appropriate
any pertinent policy statement issued by the U.S. Sentencing Commission
If the Warden approves the unit team's recommendation, a referral packet is forwarded to an RRM Office - ordinarily this is the nearest office to where the inmate will be releasing. Once the RRM receives the packet, it is reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate RRC contractor. The RRC contractor assesses the inmate's needs and makes the decision to accept the inmate for placement or deny a placement. Upon acceptance of placement, the RRM works with the RRC contractor to approve and/or modify the unit team's proposed placement date. The inmate is then informed of the final decision by the unit team.
Questions regarding an individual inmate's RRC placement should be directed to the inmate's unit team at the institution where the person is confined.
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Approximately 17-19 months prior to an inmate's release, an RRC referral recommendation is made by the unit team (which, at a minimum, consists of the inmate's unit manager, case manager, and counselor) at a scheduled program review meeting. In making the determination on suitability and length of placement (which could be up to 12 months), each inmate is considered using the five factor criteria from 18 U.S.C. 3621(b):
the resources of the facility being contemplated
the nature and circumstances of the offense(s)
the history and characteristics of the offender
any statement by the court that imposed the sentence concerning the purposes for which the sentence to imprisonment was determined to be warranted or recommending any type of penal or correctional facility as appropriate
any pertinent policy statement issued by the U.S. Sentencing Commission
If the Warden approves the unit team's recommendation, a referral packet is forwarded to an RRM Office - ordinarily this is the nearest office to where the inmate will be releasing. Once the RRM receives the packet, it is reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate RRC contractor. The RRC contractor assesses the inmate's needs and makes the decision to accept the inmate for placement or deny a placement. Upon acceptance of placement, the RRM works with the RRC contractor to approve and/or modify the unit team's proposed placement date. The inmate is then informed of the final decision by the unit team.
Questions regarding an individual inmate's RRC placement should be directed to the inmate's unit team at the institution where the person is confined.
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AWS currently operates four active Residential Reentry Center contracts in South Carolina, located in Columbia, North Charleston, Florence, and Greenville. Each facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and certified under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
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RRC placement is limited to federal pre-release inmates who remain in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons while completing the remainder of their sentence, as well as federal offenders under the supervision of U.S. Probation who are assigned to the RRC as a condition of their supervision.
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Each resident referred to an AWS RRC receives, at minimum, the following services either on-site or through qualified community providers:
24-Hour Supervision
Accountability and Security
Employment Assistance
Case Management
Individualized Programming and Program Planning
Individualized Assessments
Individual and Group Counseling
Family Reunification Programming
Recreational and Social Activities
Substance Abuse Counseling and Testing
Housing Assistance
Medical Access Assistance
Mental Health Counseling
Release Plan Development
Special Needs Programming and Assistance
Residential Reentry Center Contacts
Heather Andrews
Vice President of RRC ProgramsG. O. Moore
Director of RRC Operations