This blog continues our insights from the New York Times article about Hugo Mejia. You can read the full article [here]. If you’ve read the previous blogs, you already know preparation before sentencing can influence the outcome. But what you do after you get to prison still matters—and most people get it wrong.
When Hugo Mejia surrendered to prison, he could’ve done what most guys do: coast through the first month, wait for orientation, settle in, and keep a low profile.
Instead, he got to work.
Not loud. Not performative. Just consistent. He started journaling. Reading. Reaching out to his family. Thinking clearly about how to use the time.
He did that because we had already talked about what the judge, probation officer, and even the prosecutor would be watching for—even after sentencing.
Here’s what most defendants don’t realize: the courtroom isn’t the last time people check in on your behavior. Probation still monitors. Judges still get updates. And if you’re working toward program eligibility or early release, staff inside the Bureau of Prisons will be reviewing what you’ve done—not just what you said.
If you spend your first month just waiting for time to pass, people notice. I’ve seen it hurt people. Guys who were eligible for things like RDAP, time credits, or First Step Act placements who didn’t get recommended. Why? Because staff didn’t see enough initiative.
I made the same mistake when I reported to Taft. I thought the hard part was over. I wasn’t disrespectful. I wasn’t lazy. But I wasn’t intentional. I didn’t realize how much influence those first 30 days had on the rest of my time.
It took me a few months—and a serious conversation with Michael Santos—before I understood the mistake. Hugo didn’t wait that long. Once he understood what was at stake, he began documenting what he was doing.
That documentation isn’t a shortcut. It doesn’t get you special treatment. But it creates a record. Something probation can refer to in their final report. Something staff can see when reviewing your case for placement or programming. Something you can point to if your lawyer ever asks for relief under compassionate release or second-look provisions.
More than anything, it shows you stayed consistent. You didn’t just talk about change—you followed through.
Judges notice that. Probation officers notice that. They might not comment on it directly, but when they see reports or letters come in months later, that early behavior becomes part of your reputation.
I’ve heard defendants say, “I’ll get serious once I adjust.” No. That mindset costs people time—sometimes years. Time doesn’t stop just because you’re inside. You’re being evaluated the whole time.
Hugo didn’t get a break—he earned a better outcome by making tangible progress in the early months. While others were stalling or hoping their lawyer would handle everything, he was documenting his progress and showing he understood the damage he caused. When probation dug into his case, they had something real to include in the report—and that made it harder to overlook him.
You don’t need a grand plan. You don’t need to build a legal argument or write a book. But if all you’re doing is walking laps and watching TV, you’re not creating any record that shows effort.
And when the time comes for a staff member to check your file, there won’t be much in there to help you.
Every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern, I walk through how to use your time in federal prison in a way that actually shows. Not just to staff inside, but to the people who still have influence over your sentence. If you just got sentenced—or are about to report—don’t wait to figure this out the hard way. Show up ready. Most don’t.
Justin Paperny
