One Week In: When I Realized Prison Was Not Temporary
The Call That Changed NothingSeven days after I surrendered, I picked up the phone and called my sister-in-law, Sunny. I told her […]
Study Yourself First: Why Montaigne Belongs in Federal Prison Camp
In the first blog in this series, I shared why Montaigne’s advice—“Don’t worry about death”—helped me understand something most people don’t realize […]
Why Most People Will Miss the Home Confinement Window—Even if They Qualify
Tracii Hutsona didn’t assume credits would be enough. When she was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison—more than her guideline range—she […]
Don’t Worry About Prison: Montaigne’s Guide to Mastering Time in a Federal Camp
One of my favorite books is How to Live: Or A Life of Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell. It doesn’t read like one […]
Think You Deserve Early Release? Prove It With This
I stood outside a case manager’s office years ago watching a guy plead his case. He said the same thing I’ve heard […]
FBI to Defendants: Cooperation Is Not Enough
Cooperation Alone Won’t Keep You Out of Prison Three years ago, this defendant signed his plea agreement and agreed to cooperate. He […]
Why the BOP Memo on Home Confinement Won’t Help If You’re Not Prepared
In 2008, in a quiet room at Taft Federal Prison Camp, I learned more about Michael’s journey. He had written books, completed […]
Insights from A Retired BOP Warden
How a 50-Year BOP Veteran Expects You to Earn Leniency A retired BOP warden, Art Beeler, joined our webinar today. He started […]
Why the Chrisley Pardon Matters—Even If It Upsets You
The day Todd and Julie Chrisley surrendered to federal prison, I told their daughter Lindsie it was a good day. That might […]
Does Preparing Early Make You Look Guilty? What Federal Agents Really Think
A kid from San Diego called me this morning. Early 20s. First-time offender. Scared, but not clueless. He’d been watching our videos. […]
What If It Doesn’t Shorten Your Sentence? Why the Work Still Matters
I was alone, watching Mission: Impossible. My wife and kids were off doing their thing, and I wasn’t invited. So I went […]