Former inmates detail life one year after passage of First Step Act Thousands of former prisoners who thought they would spend Christmas behind bars are free, thanks to the First Step Act. President Trump signed the legislation into law last December. The act increases the number of good conduct time credits an inmate can earn per year. The U.S. Sentencing Commissions says the changes can help more than 140,000 people in prison. Jericka Duncan spoke with two former inmates who say they're still adjusting to their new freedom.