While visiting with my closest friend, Brad Fullmer, in federal prison I would remind him how much I admired his work ethic as a professional baseball player. Indeed, as I wrote in Lessons From Prison, Brad pursued excellence on a daily basis.
“I also had some breaks,” he would tell me. “I was drafted by a team that got players to the big leagues pretty quickly, and for the beginning of my career at least, I stayed injury free. Yes, I worked hard, but I had some breaks, as most guys who make it in the big leagues do.”
You might be wondering why this is relevant to you…I will explain.
In my book, I wrote that I pursued an adjustment plan in prison that would make people I admired proud of me (or I hoped it would make them proud of me). I did not judge myself to other prisoners. I did not compare my routine to them. If I did, as much as I hate to admit it, I would not have achieved much.
I did work very hard, but I also had some breaks, as Brad alluded to. I also made some stupid decisions upon my surrender. I engaged in the hustle too quickly and I was too quick to talk to people who loved to gossip and spread falsehoods. Without some breaks, my experience could have been measurably different.
Those who read this might or might not get the breaks. For that reason, I put up videos, blogs and share lesson plans to prepare you. The reality is the wrong friendship or saying the wrong thing in federal prison, yes even a federal prison camp, can derail your progress. Understanding your tendencies as a human being is essential to getting off on the right foot. And getting off on the right foot (too cliché?) will help you prepare to ascend the metaphorical U I wrote about in Lessons From Prison.
Thriving through federal prison requires understanding your environment, and the people you will share space with. To that end, I filmed a short video with my colleague, Geoff Mousseau, which I post below. I hope it helps you better prepare for your journey.
Best,
Justin
P.S. Earlier this morning a client asked me why I call the guards “guards” instead of “correctional officers”. It is not meant to be disrespectful. I am sure there are some guards who correct. In my time in prison, however, I did not see any “correcting”, only “guarding”.
Why a Release Plan Can Help You Prepare For The Halfway House and Home Confinement
For most people in federal prison, the transition home occurs in gradual stages, starting with time in a halfway house (aka Residential Reentry Center) and then transitioning to home confinement. Creating a robust release plan (assuming you want more liberty) is...
Keys To Successful Incarceration With Pre-Trial Services
In federal prison, hardly a moment passes without some prisoner blaming their judge, their lawyer, or the defendant who cooperated against them—anyone but themselves. If I hadn't found mentors, I think I might have been on the same track.Blaming others precludes us...
Preparing for Tomorrow: Why You Need a Release Plan Now
Looking for a shorter prison sentence or an early release? Click here to learn the importance of a release plan, a key piece of sentencing mitigation.
Meeting Michael Santos In A Minimum Security Camp
"How are you doing, young man? My name is Michael Santos," I heard him say."Well, considering I just got to prison, not great," I replied."How long are you here?" he asked."18 months," I said."Well, I will make a deal with you. I will serve every day of that sentence...
Fear Not: Applying 50 Cent’s Lessons to Prepare For Sentencing and Federal Prison
https://traffic.libsyn.com/whitecollaradvice/3_50th_Law.m4a Fear Not! I am grateful that I'm in a career that allows me to continue to invest time learning to become better at what I do and hopefully become better as a human being. To that end, I just finished...
CNN Exclusive: Justin Paperny Analyzes Sam Bankman-Fried’s 25-Year Sentence
https://youtu.be/KgP_9aRrEZs I was saddened to hear Sam Bankman-Fried say his useful life is over. Many individuals facing prison share that sentiment, and I certainly did during my own experience. Navigating through such challenging times requires learning from those...