Webinar Replay: Judges and Prosecutors Have Their Version of You

In this week’s interactive workshop, Michael Santos talked about what really matters if you’re facing prison or already inside: taking control of what you can, documenting your progress, and building a record that proves why you’re different from the government’s version of you.

Here’s What Stood Out:

Build Your Own Case for Leniency – Michael shared the story of Ross Ulbricht, who was sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years. Despite that, he spent a decade building a public record of his growth, getting influential people behind him, and never stopping his advocacy. That’s what helped him get clemency. If he had waited and hoped for the system to change on its own, he’d still be inside.

Judges and Prosecutors Have Their Version of You—What’s Yours? – If you don’t actively create a record of why you deserve leniency, your judge will rely on what the government says about you. It’s not enough to just say, “I’ve changed” or “I want another chance.” You need proof: writing, community service, documented education efforts, letters of support—something tangible.

The System Won’t Do This for You – Most people wait and assume their lawyer will handle it, or they think the prison will recognize their good behavior. That’s a mistake. Nobody is coming to save you. The people who get better outcomes are the ones who take this seriously and do the work to prove they’re more than their conviction.

Every Decision Has Consequences – Someone asked about fighting for religious accommodations in jail. Michael’s response was clear: pick your battles. If you fight every small issue, you might win a battle but lose the war. Think strategically—your goal is to position yourself for the lowest possible sentence and the earliest possible release. That means understanding when to push and when to document something and move forward.

There’s a Free Resource to Help You Start – The Prison Professors Talent platform exists so people can document their journey right now. You don’t need to know how to build a website or hire someone—just start writing. If you’re inside, send your updates to a family member and have them submit it for you. The point is to create a public record of why you deserve relief.

Michael’s main message? Control what you can control. Whether you’re in the pre-sentencing phase, already serving time, or supporting a loved one, the choices you make today will affect your outcome. There’s no magic fix, but there is a process that works—if you put in the effort.

We host these workshops every Monday at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET. If you want to hear directly from people who’ve been through this, ask questions, or figure out what to do next, join us.

Justin Paperny

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