Muscatine

Wow...

Yeah, good point. Thats really got to suck for him.

Aussie

Are you sure you are talking about Federal and not state?
Not that I'm an expert, but it sounds like you described state prison. I think Federal is more structured and confined.
I think if you go to a Federal prison, you will be doing more time than if you went to state. I know if you go to federal doing time for meth, you do %100 of your time.
Either way, the prison system is so full, that is why a lot of people walk a lot sooner.

jail time

Can't imagine what it would it be like just serving some time in the county jail for a few months or whatever...slam goes the door..ca-chunk.

No I am

talking about federal, I only know the federal prison systems, I hear that state is worse compaired to the Federal Camps. When the Judge gives you your sentience in the court room she/he tells you this amount of time, + your amount of time in a 1/2 way house and everything. Your time in a 1/2 way house does not change but if you go to the inmate locator on the BOP's website and find the person you are looking for the time that they got is decreased (most of the time) from what the judge said it was (on non-violent crimes) it just gives you a date of release that time that they have on that site is what they have to serve 100% of they don't get parole or good behavior from that time. However if they appeal their case and win they would be told to pack their things and get off the grounds ASAP it doesn't matter if they have a place to go or not. Otherwise when they are released on the date stated on the site they contact the family about a month before release so you can send clothes and make sure you pick them up. However if they win their appeal the prosecution can appeal the courts decision and you end up staying in prison longer due to that. It is a huge mess.
Federal is not all that structured and the 2 that I have been to on a visit only (thought I better add that in) one was an old university and had no gates or anything and the inmates could walk around and go anywhere and every where on the grounds and had to cross a public street to get to their mess hall to eat that one is in Yankton, SD. The other in Duluth,MN does have gates but it is not like they really hold back the inmates if they wanted to walk off the grounds they could however you would then get moved to a more secure prison. The one in Duluth was an old military base. The inmates at both places do not sleep in ''cells'' instead they sleep in dorms with a regular door and everything. If you go to a federal camp and you live in Iowa those are the 2 that you are most likly to serve time in. These are both male only prisons, I know nothing about the female prisons or where they are at.
I hope this helps you some.