The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress.

Taken directly from  www.gao.gov

Transcript for: High Risk Update 2023:

Management of the Federal Prison System Description:

As part of GAO’s 2023 update to our High-Risk List, we added the Bureau of Prisons for staffing issues that can affect inmate and staff safety, and the need to better monitor rehabilitation programs that help inmates return to the community.

Related GAO work: GAO-23-106203, High-Risk Series: Efforts Made to Achieve Progress Need to Be Maintained and Expanded to Fully Address All Areas Released: April 2023 [Gretta Goodwin:] Nearly 45% of federal prisoners who complete their time in prison are re-arrested or returned to federal prison within 3 years of their release. The Bureau of Prisons, or BOP, is charged with providing safe and secure confinement for inmates and with reducing recidivism by helping people successfully return to the community.

While BOP received $8.5 billion in the current fiscal year to do this, it continues to face challenges in its efforts to manage the federal prison system. We have reported longstanding and increasing concerns with the federal prison system across three areas. For 2023, we added Management of the Federal Prison System to our High-Risk List to help BOP focus its attention on the root causes of these matters, as well as the more than 20 recommendations we’ve made in these areas.

First, BOP has had challenges managing its staff and resources. For example, there have been six different individuals serving as BOP directors in the past 6 years. BOP also has increasingly used overtime to address staff vacancies. But that’s not a solution because officer fatigue presents a serious threat to prison safety.

Second, BOP’s plans to manage some of its inmate rehabilitation programs are limited. These programs require better planning and ongoing review for BOP to be successful in reducing some incarcerated individual sentences through credit-earning programs and in lowering the rates of recidivism.

Third, BOP needs to improve how it monitors and evaluates all of its programs. Some efforts that haven’t yet been evaluated include BOP’s management of disaster risk at its facilities, efforts to help incarcerated individuals secure ID documents before they leave prison, and the delivery of programs that may lower the risk of recidivism.

In March 2023, we recommended that BOP monitor whether it’s offering enough recidivism reduction programs. GAO and BOP leadership recently met on these issues, and the new Director of the Bureau of Prisons expressed her commitment to bringing sustained attention to resolving this high-risk area. In addition to sustaining leadership commitment, BOP needs to address the other four criteria for which GAO assesses high-risk areas–capacity, an action plan, monitoring efforts, and demonstrated progress. Attention to these and other issues we’ve identified could ultimately improve prison safety, reduce recidivism, and save taxpayers money.

Second Chance Reauthorization Act (SCRA). 12 MONTHS in an RRC Law  

• • If your sentence is > 60 mo (5 yrs) = last 6 mo on home confinement
  • If your sentence is < 60 mo (5 yrs) = last 10% on home confinement

1. The regulation mandates that 

• • “Inmates may be designated to community confinement as a condition of pre-release custody and Programming during their final months not to exceed twelve months.” 28 C.F.R. § 570.21(a).

2. This regulation also provides for 

• • home detention as a condition of pre-release custody during their final months of imprisonment,
  • not to exceed the shorter of ten percent of the inmate’s term of imprisonment or
  • six months.”

3. BOP staff is required to review inmates for RRC placement 17-19 months before their projected release date, and inmates are to be individually considered using the five factors listed in §3621(b).

(1)the resources of the facility contemplated;
(2)the nature and circumstances of the offense;
(3)the history and characteristics of the prisoner;
(4)any statement by the court that imposed the sentence—
(A)concerning the purposes for which the sentence to imprisonment was determined to be warranted; or
(B)recommending a type of penal or correctional facility as appropriate; and
(5)any pertinent policy statement issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a)(2) of title 28.

• • In designating the place of imprisonment or making transfers under this subsection, there shall be no favoritism given to prisoners of high social or economic status.
  • The Bureau may at any time, having regard for the same matters, direct the transfer of a prisoner from one penal or correctional facility to another.
  • The Bureau shall make available appropriate substance abuse treatment for each prisoner the Bureau determines has a treatable condition of substance addiction or abuse.
  • Any order, recommendation, or request by a sentencing court that a convicted person serve a term of imprisonment in a community corrections facility shall have no binding effect on the authority of the Bureau under this section to determine or change the place of imprisonment of that person.
    • Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a designation of a place of imprisonment under this subsection is not reviewable by any court.

3. Elderly Home Detention through the First Step Act: Rare to Get Program availability at all BOP facilities.

• • The qualifying age of 60+ years and You can serve that last part at Home
  • you must have served two-thirds of the sentence must be served to be eligible.
  • the offender must be serving a term of imprisonment other than life imprisonment based on a conviction for an offense or offenses that
    • the offender must not have been convicted in the past of any Federal or State crime of violence, sex offense, or other offense enumerated in the statute.
  • the offender must not have escaped or attempted to escape from a BOP institution;
  • the BOP must determine that the release of the offender to home detention will result in a substantial net reduction of costs to the federal government, and
  • the BOP must determine that the offender poses no substantial risk of engaging in criminal conduct or of endangering any person if released to home detention.

I) WHAT YOU CAN BRING: (P5580.08)

1. Basic wedding band, Bible.
2. Prescriptions for medications (4 weeks recommended, at worst they are thrown out, at best they are available for your use. When surrendering on weekends or holidays the BOP may allow these to be used if not available from their onsite pharmacy), medical devices, and glasses (that are not made with metal).
3. ID: birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, and social security card.
4. Cash; $320 ($370 in November and December), then use either Money Gram or Western Union for monthly deposits.
5. Legal papers.
6. List of personal names (including phone numbers and addresses).

II) PRE-SURRENDER PLANNING – WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

THINGS TO BE THINKING ABOUT AS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY PREPARE FOR YOUR SURRENDER 

I. Compassionate Release from COVID is ending 6/10/2023, but the Compassionate Release part is still being looked at by the USSC as recently as 2/2023)

II. RDAP, up to 1 year off a sentence.

III. Your Reentry/Release Plan that you started before your PSI, you could start with,

• “Since my indictment and arrest, I had the time to think about all I have done. Previously I didn’t even recognize all of my BAD decisions, but I realize that it’s not all about me. It’s about what I did and what I’m going to have to do to make things right.
  • So while waiting for my PSI, I read about the programs that address criminogenic needs, and there is much that I need to learn, and this is a place for me to start.”
  • You can include.
    • Your Narrative, Character Letters, Copies of Official I.D.,
    • A review of what you’ve been through, your investigation, criminal charge, plea hearing, trial or guilty plea, presentence investigation, and sentencing process. The sooner you begin to develop a reentry/release plan that works toward a better outcome – you will see that preparation fulfilled. We can’t change the past — we can impact our future.
    • As you get closer to release, use these templates (Generic Example, MINNESOTA),
      • Release Plan
      • Housing
• Your Immediate Goals – When You 1^st Meet Your Case Manager:

1) You Want to Participate in The FRP (if applicable),

2) As you have ALREADY TAKEN YOUR SPARC-13 RISK ASSESSMENT SURVEY, you’d like to start taking programs.

IV. FSA (for every 12 months of Programs (approximately) = 6 months early release), but confusion still reigns in the BOP as this 2/2023 as the BOP has decided to only allow 10 ETC per month even though the FSA allows for 15 ETC after 2 Assessments, should you be eligible.

• The BOP, now in its third iteration of FSA calculation is stating that prisoners can only earn 10 credits per month – for the first year of incarceration, as they are not counting the first assessment that is done within 30 days of the prisoner’s arrival. 
  • This may not be final, as it appears to conflict with the Intent of the FSA.

V. Case Managers (one of your STAKEHOLDERS), How they see Progress, is through Incremental Improvement.

• Other than the recommendations below – I do not know of any other way for a person to document their own efforts to improve themselves in the eyes of their STAKEHOLDERS.
  • Your Case Managers can ease your time while in prison, and some may proactively provide you with an early release through the 2^nd Chance Act

• Documenting Your FSA Progress Requires Building A New Habit, which Takes Time and Effort (Similar to documenting your records for Taxes, or when you purchase your first home – but here it impacts your life), through, 
  • The Books you read and FSA Classes you’ve taken – Your entries, at best should be daily,
  • FSA Programs: Compliment the teachers, write a takeaway of something you learned that could be used in your life, and thank your counselor for suggesting the program and the new content you learned – No Matter What it was.
  • Non-Fiction Books, similarly, daily note what you found that you could implement in your life, and what you agreed with (or disagreed with) about your author.
  • Log every meeting you had with each BOP counselor, correction officer, or staff member by Name, date, time, and topic. All of the documentation and journalling are your Insurance, for your future protection. It is your Professional Log to refer to should any issues arise that challenge your Integrity, in order to Protect You Legally.

• It will show the court how.
  • You constantly learning, striving to create a new path.
  • You’re addressing your criminogenic needs.
  • You’re working to reconcile with society, as you may have a request for the court later.
• For the list of books you’d like to read, you’ve created a Pre-Set schedule, so it’s not the responsibility of just 1 person, and therefore cheaper for all
• There may be someone who could also start a simple website for you, entering your daily routines.
• While this can’t change the past – It Can Create Future Opportunities, to influence:
  • A more successful journey through prison.
  • An earlier release date with possibly, a shorter term on Supervised Release.
  • A more persuasive case for early termination of Supervised Release
• A faster pathway to a successful career
• From Amazon, purchase inexpensive softback, note-lined journals,
  • The BOP will only let them in if they have writing on the pages.
  • I have several examples on my website, the writing can be religious, inspirational, sports, really, almost anything – Just Not Blank Pages.

VI. Your Pre-Scheduled Reading Lists, Explained

• These book summaries should answer three questions:
  • Why did you choose it?
  • What did you learn?
  • How will the book contribute to my success or how can you implement what you learned, upon release?

I had several terrifying moments through my ordeal, 1st was the knock at my door and coming face to face with a Federal Lawsuit, 2nd was the feeling that the only skill I had excelled at for the last several decades was foot and ankle medicine and surgery – and nothing else! What was I going to do?

There was never any guidance on a Narrative, Reentry Planning – Nothing

I Hope You Get My Meaning

For example, serving a four-year sentence, you should have a four-year reading list ready before surrendering – then decide what books that would help you progress toward your goals. 

• This may seem premature at the time as you face this life-altering event, but pushing your way through it will pay dividends later.

1. How to Cook a Wolf, by F.K. Fisher, Written to inspire courage in those daunted by wartime shortages, How to Cook a Wolf continues to rally cooks during times of plenty, reminding them that providing sustenance requires more than putting food on the table. 
2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 autobiography describing the young and early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. It is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how the strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma.
3. The Three Laws of Performance, By Steve Zaffron, is a proven system for rallying all of an organization’s employees around a new vision and ideas for making the vision stick. Filled with illustrative examples from Northrup Grumman, BHP-Billiton, Reebok, Harvard Business School, and many others.
   • Two experts in the field show how to make major transformations happen.
   • The book outlines a process for engaging all employees to buy into an improved vision of an organization’s new and improved future.

VII. Find someone who is willing to be responsible as a Point-Of-Contact for Emergencies or other issues, plus you will also need to appoint a Power of Attorney– a spouse, a parent, a best friend, or a lawyer just in case things don’t go right,

• the attorney could have confirmed that the court’s intake orders arrived before you do, it’s not fun to arrive, only to be put into solitary because the court’s orders have not.
• In normal circumstances, the family or contact person should expect a phone call within 24 hours of the day the person surrenders.
• Once the person is in the general population, he/she can ask someone for help. Another person can ask their family member to call and let them know that all is OK.

VIII. Learn the BOP policies, and then share that with those visiting and corresponding with you as each one “has a specific procedure” to be followed.

• Send and receive letters through the regular postal service is found ⇨ You’re A & O Handbook
  • SNAIL MAIL(Please read as color copies may not be allowed)
  • Policy on Incoming Publications
• Use of their modified telephone system takes time to get used to
  • PHONE CALLS,
• Understand their modified email system,
  • EMAIL– TRULINCS,
• Coordinate visits with people – so everyone doesn’t show up on the same day.
• You may want to type out a sheet of paper that includes the following information for all the people on a contact list:
  • Name
  • Mailing Address
  • Phone Number
  • Email address
  • A day or two before surrendering, the person should print out the page and send it in the regular mail to himself, at the prison’s address. The person will also want to bring the paper with him when he surrenders.
• Prior to surrendering to prison, the person should help all people on the contact list understand the rules of the system.
  • Although rules vary from time to time, administrators will limit access to each of the communication channels— visits, limits may apply.
• Money can be sent via
  • Western Union,
  • Money Gram
  • the United States Postal Service
  • Sample Commissary List

IX. If you have a business that is running while you are in prison, you have to tell those you will communicate with that: YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS, OR GIVE ANY ADVICE OR INSTRUCTIONS TO ANYONE EITHER THROUGH:

• PHONE CALL CONVERSATIONS REGARDING RUNNING A BUSINESS – WHAT YOU CAN, AND CAN NOT SAY
• You can say: “I Am Not Allowed to run any business or give any kind of advice from Prison, but, if I were home, possibly, this is something that I would consider doing,
  • which would be,_______________________,
    1. “but as I am in Prison – I Am Not Allowed To Run A Business – So it’s Up to Them”
  • Before you surrender, they need to understand that this is how the conversation will go.

X. Understand Medical Preparations – The impact of an incomplete PSR?

• Care Omitted or Delayed can be Care Denied
• Properly planned, understanding the BOP Medical Policy – it is possible (but not guaranteed) to have an expensive orthopedic surgery (for example) that,
  • Normally may have been difficult to get such as a Knee Replacement – considered Medically Necessary but Not Urgent.
  • Before surrendering, a doctor wrote a letter memorializing the necessity of knee-replacement surgery. With planning, he was designated to an FMC.

XI.Self-Surrender, Preparation

• If a person needs reading glasses, bring two pairs with prescriptions in your PSR.
• Staff may allow a religious necklace or wedding ring not worth more than $100.
• No checks, cell phones, or credit cards – this seems obvious, but here it is.

XII. Financial Considerations

• Banks and brokerage houses have been known to “close accounts”, making them move accounts for a fraud-crimes, within 30 days.
  • Open accounts at multiple institutions.
  • By opening several accounts, YOU HAVE A CUSHION. If one institution closes an account, you can transfer resources to another existing account – as long as you have someone with Power of Attorney.
  • Providing Power of Attorney to someone you trust.
• In prison, IF U HAVE A FINANCIAL PENALTY?
  • you can spend 100s – 1000’s/ month, I spent $325 per month.
  • But if you have a Financial Responsibility Plan (Restitution), you,
    • Will have to allocate funds for that.
    • Should you have Restitution or a financial penalty, at your first meeting with your Case Manager, offer to make ‘reasonable’ payments. Refusing with adversely affect your FSA Programming and attempts at early release.
    • Keeping lots of funds in your commissary account is not recommended, especially if you have financial penalties – as The DOJ wants to take 75%. It is not law yet – But It Is On Their WISH LIST.

XIII. Questions to consider when writing your Narrative, Allocution, or Reentry/Release Plan

• Your STAKEHOLDERS will all want to know, what your plan is;
  • Not re-offend.
  • Not come back to their courtroom
  • …what other steps could you take.
• Being incarcerated, you understand that there are programs that address criminogenic needs, and you plan to take them seriously.
• You know that you must prove yourself to your family, yourself, and the court by never returning.

Today, Is Your Client Prepared to Speak with Their Judge? What is the ‘1’ Thing that Differentiates Them from Everyone Else Entering Their Judge’s Courtroom?

Facing America’s Criminal Justice System for the first time is a life-altering, surreal, and frightening experience. The importance of preparation and working with your legal team before the presentence interview cannot be overstated.

Once this has all been completed, as an attorney, you’ve prepped your client right up to their sentencing hearing.

Then after sentencing, there still are a lot of fears and unknowns as they face either their self-surrender date or are remanded at that time.

Attorneys know the law, but the nuances of navigating through Federal Prison aren’t part of a traditional legal defense. This requires a unique set of knowledge and skills that interest those assessing a person’s access to freedom.

STAKEHOLDERS are part of the system that controls everything that happens following the guilty verdict, and until you’re released from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They are responsible for keeping society safe by reducing criminogenic needs for those who will eventually be released. From the Judge to the BOP Case Manager and Unit Team, to the Probation Officer on Supervised Release, and then possibly back again to the Judge to get off Supervised Release early, at each stage, these STAKEHOLDERS make decisions that impact your client’s future.

Realize that even if you’re doing everything right from the start, the only person you can control is – you, and still, there will be disappointments. Therefore, being prepared at every stage, keeping your eyes open with a positive attitude, and continuing to add to your Reentry Plan, are all ingredients needed for getting home to your loved ones. Remember; No Cell Phones, No Trouble, and No Infractions.

YOUR STAKEHOLDERS

1.   Your Judge, who already knows that;

• Your Attorney is paid to keep you out of prison or, at best, spend the least time “in prison”.
• The Probation Officer will conduct their interview, draft the Presentence Report and recommend your sentence, and placement to the court based on your interview. Currently, all they know about you is the Narrative provided by the DOJ, through their Indictment of you – this, you can change.
•  The Prosecutor wants another conviction, in his/her file. Currently, all they know about you is also the Narrative provided by the DOJ.
• The DOJ wants Jail time.
• But your Judge knows nothing about you – and only Your NARRATIVE can begin to change this, starting with, 1st) Helping the Judge Understand Who You Are – and why You Deserve Leniency – Selling your Luxury Cars, Homes, and other stuff, if You Have Financial Penalties, 2nd) What Changed in Your Life – That Caused You to Break the Law? 3rd) Invest In Yourself – You Can’t Change the Past, But You Can Change Your Future, start by writing your Story, or Narrative.

2.     Your Attorney until now also knows nothing about your background, but their time is mostly spent on your legal defense.

3.     The Probation Officer will conduct your Presentence Interview and then write the official Presentence Report. But a week or so before your Presentence Interview, your attorney could provide your Probation Officer with your,

I. NARRATIVE,

II. REENTRY/RELEASE Plan, and answers to the,

III. Answers To The FSA SPARC-13 Assessment – ‘Questions‘, with them all woven into one document. This does not replace your ‘Interview,’ but it will help save the Officer some work (Sample Probation Presentence Interview Intake Form) while giving them time to know you before you meet in person. You also demonstrate to them that you have done your preparation.

• Why be prepared with answers to the Assessment Questions? When you arrive at your 1st meeting with your Case Manager, these Assessments must be done and completed for your FSA Programs and Earned Time Credits (ETC) to be offered, and then counted – without you taking the Assessment Survey, the programs cannot be offered.
• During the interview, they will now be able to ask questions and get to know you on a more personal level.
• Since they are overworked and have no time, some may appreciate your efforts and possibly become advocates.

4.     The Prosecutor wants a conviction and only knows about you through the DOJ’s Narrative or your Indictment. Your Narrative may sway them, too.

5.     The BOP Designation Center in Texas places you into a BOP Prison without ever meeting you.

6     Your Probation Officer during Supervised Release. To date, all they know about you is the Narrative released by the DOJ through their Indictment. Your Narrative and Release Plan can change that, and your life.

CLIENT PREPARATION: THE WORK YOU DO – IS ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF

The Personal Narrative, Reentry-Release Plan, and answers to the SPARC-13 Assessment Questions (as you are expected to answer these questions when you first arrive, you might as well become familiar with them early), are written as one document and weaved into the Presentence Report when provided to your Probation Officer, a few weeks before your Presentence Interview.

Here the defendant has accepted responsibility, expressed remorse for the victim(s) pain, suffering, and how it has impacted them, and agrees with the court about the seriousness of the crime, without minimizing it.

• The caveat is that the defendant must put time and effort into writing their Narrative, Allocution, and Reentry Plan because their future depends on it being honest, pure, and from the heart.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE. Writing your story, through Your Narrative tells the Judge how you came to this point in your life. This is an arduous, self-reflective experience for you to go through, forcing a face-to-face with your innermost thoughts. This is your autobiography (of you and those around you), the good, bad, and the ugly. It may require you to enlist someone with federal sentencing mitigation experience to guide you in drafting your narrative, but this is the story of your client’s life and requires their participation.

• 18 U.S.C. § 3553

1. NATURE and CIRCUMSTANCE You want to include, 1) What led you to do this, 2) How did you get involved, and 3) What was your involvement? [check that your involvement reflects what is in the official Presentence Report].
2. HISTORY and CHARACTERISTICS Here you want to include, 1) Your remorse, 2) How you ruined your victim’s lives, 3) Show what you’re doing to change and improve yourself regarding rehabilitation (NA, AA, GA, Therapy, etc.) and paying restitution – if you can, 4) Where there was a positive or negative family life – explain this, 5) Traumatic event – review with details, 6) Good things you’ve done, explain with examples, 7) Show Judge your Future Plans to not come back, and 8) Cooperation = Substantial Information that does not implicate another.

• Taking weeks to months to complete, can result in a distilled version of yourself that is honest and pure, where you feel Remorse, Accept Responsibility, and Identify with the Victims of the Crime You Perpetrated.
• Mention if you have already started taking these before your Indictment or Presentence Interview, (if applicable AA, NA, Gambling, or Sex offense) therapy and forensic (per your attorney, for example, Dementia, there is only ‘1’ Prison Nationwide with a very limited number of beds), therapy sessions.
• If the resulting Narrative or Your Story – is quite the opposite of the DOJ’s Indictment Narrative, where you sounded like ‘America’s Most Wanted’, you did a Great Job!

REENTRY/RELEASE PLAN EXAMPLE.  Include that you realize you need to learn from the FSA Risk Reduction Programs and implement their lessons into your daily life. Then expand on an appropriate theme, “Since my indictment, arrest, criminal charge, plea hearing, trial or guilty plea, presentence investigation, and sentencing process, I had the time to think about all that I have done. I made BAD decisions, except it shouldn’t be about ME – It’s about MY Victims, and What I did. This is most important, as I must Prove my Remorse and my Efforts to Change and Accept Responsibility for The Pain I caused to my victims, the community, my family, and myself. To the court, I do not want to be here again – I have learned a hard and humbling lesson.

If you are currently taking FSA Programs for AA, NA, Gambling, or a Sex Therapy Program, where applicable when released, you want to continue the Therapy and Rehab for AA, NA, Gambling, or Sex therapy rehab. sessions. Write this.

You also have copies of your Social Security Card, Driver’s License (if expired it needs to be updated with a new test likely), and Birth Certificate. You are grateful to be moving into a home with a support structure. While you have been self-employed forever, you have a letter from a friend willing to hire you, “all I have to do is let them know, as they are expecting my call from me”. “As you see, the letter was also a character letter, that I initially provided.”

At the same time, you can also plan to be self-employed again, if your role was not part of your criminal charge. Then everything that goes into a traditional business plan including what you would present to a bank, should be professionally (not handwritten, not expensive), put together, as your Probation Officer will want to see this during, or before your Supervised Release.

ALLOCUTION. You may begin by writing (in your own words) something like this…, “I am embarrassed and humbled to be standing here – since my indictment had the time to think about all that I have done, I didn’t recognize how BAD my decisions were, but Now I realized it’s Not About Me. It is about MY VICTIMS, What I did, and What I must do – to make it right.

• Remember what Federal Judges think – They’re interested in introspection and how he/she has come to grips with the impact of their offense on others…

Several memorable Statements/Allocutions that positively impacted these Judges,

1. “No punishment will be enough. If I could go back and change everything, I would.”
2. I am persuaded that the defendant is sincere and demonstrates insight into the crime.
3. Allocution is very important, “I’d like to have a conversation with the defendant” …
4. I want him/her to apologize to the victim and their family, mainly if they are in the courtroom.
5. “Allocution, however, changes this when I see the defendant has insight into the harm they have done,” when I see they have insight into this.”
6. “I am looking for remorse and insight as to why he did what he did and what he is doing to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

As you stand at your sentencing hearing, nervous, anticipating the conversation with your Judge (your Allocution), you may also realize that writing your narrative has been an unexpectedly cathartic experience. Speaking from the heart could influence the court, and ‘may’ impact your sentence…

CHARACTER REFERENCE LETTER. These are letters to one’s character, they are aware that you have broken the law, and they have known you for a long time. Should an employer be willing to write a letter that states they are still willing to rehire you after release from prison due to your ‘character and skills’ – that is a Great letter and should be included.

EXAMPLE. The ‘writer’ states that they know that you are in trouble and facing federal charges and that you feel terrible about what you did. They have known you for 40+ years, “We went to college together, and this is so out of character,” and you are so remorseful.

I know that he/she won’t be back to this court because we will be looking out for them in the future, and we will hold them accountable.

NOW, is your Client Better Prepared to Speak to The Judge at Their Hearing Regarding…What is the ‘1’ Thing that Differentiates Them from Everyone Else entering their Judge’s Courtroom?

Marc, Dr. Blatstein

PPRSUS.com

DrMB@PPRSUS.com

240-888-7778

Personal Guidance In Drafting:

1. The Components For A Comprehensive Presentence Report,
2. Medical CARE LEVEL,
3. Medication Availability,
4. SPARC-13 Assessment Questions,
5. Character Reference Letters,
6. Personal Narrative,
7. Reentry Plan,
8. Allocution

Please inquire about our group PowerPoint Presentation, which can be time and topic adjusted to meet your needs.

Admiral McRaven’s STORY of his Life Lessons In The Military – provides his view, as you begin to write Your Own Personal NARRATIVE STORY  

1. START THE DAY WITH A TASK COMPLETED – MAKE YOUR BED, [PLEASE DON’T LAUGH]
   • Depending on the correction staff, THIS MAY BE A BIG DEAL, so be aware…
2. FIND SOMEONE TO HELP YOU THROUGH LIFE
   • You’ll need a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney with Experience in Federal Criminal Court
3. RESPECT EVERYONE
   • Then become friends with those, with shared interests – Not Getting Disciplined and No Cell Phones
4. LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS FAIR, 
   • Disappointments are how the BOP operates – How You React is Up To You, Stay Humble
5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL
   • That’s part of moving forward – Please do not constantly Complain to your Case Manager. If needed: Start The Adm. Remedy Process
6. SOMETIMES HIT LIFE HEADFIRST 
7. FACE DOWN THE BULLIES
   • If it’s an inmate – walk away, BOP staff – apologize
8. STEP UP WHEN TIMES ARE THE TOUGHEST
   • The only person’s emotions you can control – are yours
9. HOPE – LIFT UP THE DOWNTRODDEN: Washington, Lincoln, King, Mandela, and even a young Pakistan Malala
   • For You Prison Is Temporary, if they overcame obstacles – So Can You
10. NEVER GIVE UP
    • Don’t Give Up On Working Towards Your Goal, On Your REENTRY Plan, even if your Case Manager throws it in the trash. It eventually will be seen as you are documenting your journey into softback books, emailing them home weekly or USPS.
      • It could be used in a BLOG or Website.
    • The Halfway Howse Reentry Manage, Supervised Release Probation Officer, and possibly your Judge may eventually read it.

THESE ARE LIFE LESSONS, WHETHER IN PRISON OR ON THE OUTSIDE