Podcasts about federal correctional institution

Join the Bad Girl, The One and Only Playa, and The Stars as they take a look at The Subway Guy turned convicted sex offender Jared Fogle. Jared Scott Fogle,, born August 23, 1977, is an American former spokesman for Subway restaurants and confessed serial child molester. Fogle appeared in Subway's advertising campaigns from 2000 to 2015 until an FBI investigation led to him being convicted of child sex tourism and possessing child pornography. While a student at Indiana University, Fogle lost 245 lb. between 1998 and 1999. Having frequented a Subway restaurant as part of his diet plan, he was hired to help advertise the company the following year. Fogle's popularity led to his appearances in over 300 commercials during his 15 years with Subway, alongside other media appearances. Allegations of Fogle having inappropriate relations with minors began in 2007 but did not gain traction until 2015 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uncovered that he received child pornography from an associate. Pleading guilty to the child sex tourism and child pornography charges the same year, Fogle was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison. He remains incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Englewood, as of 2025. Your True Crime Crew shies away from no controversy! Tune in on Monday, March 31st at 7 EST for this landmark episode! #jaredfogle #thesubwayguy #truecrime

Ryan Salame, a former high-ranking executive at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has begun his 7.5-year prison sentence. In a surprising move, Salame updated his LinkedIn profile to announce his "new position" as an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland. This unusual post has garnered significant attention online, with many users expressing their surprise and amusement.Salame's journey to prison is closely tied to the downfall of FTX and its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF). SBF, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison, was at the center of a massive cryptocurrency fraud scandal. Salame, along with other top executives like Caroline Ellison and Nishad Singh, pleaded guilty to various charges including operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and making illegal campaign contributions.Salame's role in the scandal involved conspiring with SBF to hide the financial instability of FTX and using company funds for personal and political gain. Despite his cooperation with prosecutors, Salame's actions were deemed severe enough to warrant a significant prison term. His LinkedIn post, while seemingly light-hearted, underscores the stark reality of his situation and the public's fascination with the dramatic fall of these once-powerful figures in the cryptocurrency world.As Salame begins his prison term, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of financial malfeasance and the importance of accountability in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency. The saga of FTX and its executives continues to captivate audiences, highlighting both the potential for financial innovation and the risks associated with unchecked ambition and greed.

This week Savannah sits down with the wrongfully incarcerated, Alice Marie Johnson. Alice shares her unbelievable journey from growing up in a small town to falling in with the wrong crowd and serving 21 years in prison. They both discuss the unfairness of the United States prison system and how it impacted the trajectory of Alice's life. Alice speaks a lot about the efforts she has made within and outside the prison walls, and talks about how she could not be where she is today without the help of former President Trump and the Kardashian family. Listen to this episode to hear more about Alice's incredible story!Thank you to our sponsors for supporting our show!- SONO BELLO: Give yourself the gift of a full body reset! Learn about ONE VISIT Micro Laser Fat Removal. Schedule your FREE consultation. Visit https://www.SonoBello.com/unlocked today!- HERO BREAD: Get 10% OFF your order at https://www.hero.co and use code UNLOCKED at checkout!About Alice Marie JohnsonAlice Marie Johnson is an American criminal justice reform advocate and former federal prisoner. She was convicted in 1996 for her involvement in a Memphis cocaine trafficking organization and sentenced to life imprisonment. In June 2018, after serving 21 years in prison, she was released from the Federal Correctional Institution, Aliceville, after President Donald Trump granted her clemency, thereby commuting her sentence, effective immediately.Johnson was born in Mississippi, and her memoirs recount growing up as one of nine children of sharecroppers and becoming pregnant as a sophomore in high school. At the time of her arrest, she was a single mother of five children.Johnson was arrested in 1993 and convicted in 1996 of eight federal criminal counts relating to her involvement in a Memphis, Tennessee-based cocaine trafficking organization.In addition to drug conspiracy counts, she was convicted of money laundering and structuring, the latter crime because of her purchase of a house with a down payment structured to avoid hitting a $10,000 reporting threshold. The Memphis operation involved over a dozen individuals.The indictment, which named 16 defendants, described her as a leader in a multi-million dollar cocaine ring, and detailed dozens of drug transactions and deliveries. Evidence presented at trial showed that the Memphis operation was connected to Colombian drug dealers based in Texas. She was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1997. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Julia Gibbons said that Johnson was "the quintessential entrepreneur" in an operation that dealt in 2,000 to 3,000 kilograms of cocaine, with a "very significant" impact on the community. Co-defendants Curtis McDonald and Jerlean McNeil were sentenced to life and 19 years in federal prison, respectively. A number of other co-defendants who testified against Johnson received sentences between probation and 10 years. Following her conviction, Johnson acknowledged that she was an intermediary in the drug trafficking organization, but said she did not actually make deals or sell drugs.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, I speak with James W. Smith on going from a practicing Attorney to serving 5 years in Federal Correctional Institution for Armed Bank Robbery to Pastor of a Missionary Baptist Church.★ James' Bio: ★ Former Practicing Attorney; former compulsive gambler; ex-offender, served 5 years in Federal Correctional Institution for Armed Bank Robbery. A former NC State Bar Approved Sponsor of Continuing Legal Education, CLE for 11 years. I am a retired Pastor of a Missionary Baptist Church, Durham Co, NC where I served for almost 32 years. I have written three books, "Deal By Me, A Golden Opportunity Blown," Deal By Me 2nd Edition, A Self Evaluation," and "Come, Let Us Reason Together." I am married and have two children.I truly believe in another chance. I had two major surgeries; prostate cancer and spinal correction surgery many years ago. I have recovered from both and enjoying life to its fullest. Consulting, Inspirational speaking, and Seminars/Workshops are what I do. And so if you want a guest who can share with your listeners how to get out of the ditch and become a success, then you will want to book James W. Smith. He is encouraging and inspiring with a dynamic story to share. I also want to offer encouragement, inspiration, and hopefully transformation to parents, spouses, and children of the incarceratedConnect with James:https://www.dealbyme.com/

Infamous personality and convicted criminal, Michael Avenatti, was recently a part of a conversation with Ari Melber from MSNBC. He was invited to share his viewpoint regarding the ongoing legal battle that faces our former President, Donald Trump. Avenatti, currently in service of a lengthy 19-year term for various crimes including identity theft and fraud, purportedly stole significant sums from a book penned by his previous client, Stormy Daniels. It's worth noting that Avenatti gained much of his fame through high-profile representation of Daniels during the Trump administration. Daniels claimed to have had an extramarital relationship with Trump. The recent charges against President Trump have been encouraged by NYC District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who alleges that Trump committed 34 felonies, mostly associated with falsification of corporate records to conceal payoffs related to the alleged affair. Trump, consistently maintaining his innocence, has submitted a plea of not guilty. Avenatti was invited to give his view on the charges via a phone-call to The Beat on MSNBC, issued from the Federal Correctional Institution located in Terminal Island, California. In his own words, Avenatti conceded that there may be several complexities surrounding the case. Yet, he also articulated an implicit belief that Trump would eventually be convicted. He explained his reasoning by conveying a general disbelief in equal treatment for criminal defendants within our legal system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald J. TRUMP --- . Federal Correctional Institution  . OH YEAH .  

Since 2008 hundreds of lives have been transformed in the midst of James's Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. He loves helping people learn to think, pray, and love like Jesus. He works with churches and groups, in person and online.  In fall of 2019, James started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast, and you can find that and more at thebiblespeakstoyou.com/jazzBe in touch!Instagram: @biblejazzSubscribe to Bible Jazz on Apple!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2Follow on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YLbRFDsJbqGEAkMuJ1E5MAnd at www.UPPC.orgMusic:"Vibing Over Venus" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Modern Jazz Samba" by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-sambaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license"Study And Relax" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"On Hold for You" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Since 2008 hundreds of lives have been transformed in the midst of James's Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. He loves helping people learn to think, pray, and love like Jesus. He works with churches and groups, in person and online.  In fall of 2019, James started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast, and you can find that and more at thebiblespeakstoyou.com/jazzBe in touch!Instagram: @biblejazzSubscribe to Bible Jazz on Apple!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2Follow on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YLbRFDsJbqGEAkMuJ1E5MAnd at www.UPPC.orgMusic:"Vibing Over Venus" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Modern Jazz Samba" by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-sambaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license"Study And Relax" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"On Hold for You" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

It takes about 3 hours to drive from Greenwich, Connecticut to the Federal Correctional Institution,  Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania. Jeffery D. Grant knows this because he took that drive on an Easter Sunday in 2006. A lawyer whose life has taken a wrong turn on  the road to addiction, Jeff Grant left the upscale life he had cultivated in Connecticut to enter what would be his new home for the duration of his 18-month Federal criminal sentence. The story of his rise, fall, and redemption is recounted in an article by Evan Osnos in The New Yorker. Jeff Grant has also been featured in Forbes, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Greenwich Magazine, and Business Insider. Jeff was released from custody in 2007 and was able to recover from addiction, obtain a divinity degree, start a law firm, and start a number of non-profit support groups focused on reentry to society in support of defendants and their families. Read The New Yorker article hereRead Jeff's CJS Magazine article, "A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: Progressive Diversion and Reentry, 'Problem-to-Pardon' Case Management" here

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for the killing of George Floyd, was stabbed by a fellow prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona, according to sources. The attack, which occurred on Friday afternoon, has raised concerns about communication with Chauvin's family and attorneys.    Chauvin, who became infamous for his role in the death of George Floyd, was seriously injured in the assault, but he is expected to survive, as reported by the Associated Press. The Minnesota Attorney General's office later confirmed the incident, and Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed his sadness over the violence.    “I am sad to hear that Derek Chauvin was the target of violence,” said Ellison in a statement. “He was duly convicted of his crimes and, like any incarcerated individual, he should be able to serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or violence.”    Gregory M. Erickson, an attorney representing Chauvin, expressed outrage over the lack of communication regarding Chauvin's condition. Erickson stated that Chauvin's family members were not informed promptly after the stabbing, raising concerns about their ability to stay updated on his well-being.    "As an outsider, I view this lack of communication with his attorneys and family members as completely outrageous," Erickson remarked, highlighting the need for transparency and prompt updates on Chauvin's situation.    The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an attack had occurred but did not disclose the identity of the inmate involved. They mentioned that employees took "life-saving measures" to assist Chauvin before he was transported to a hospital. Multiple unnamed sources cited by ABC News indicated that Chauvin was expected to survive the attack.    Chauvin's current attorney, William Mohrman, has not provided an immediate comment on the incident. Previously, Eric Nelson, Chauvin's former attorney, had sought to have him placed in solitary confinement for his own protection during his time in the Minnesota state prison.    The stabbing incident took place shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Derek Chauvin's appeal against his murder conviction. Chauvin had been found guilty of murder in April 2021 by a state-level jury, resulting in a 22-year sentence. In December of the same year, a federal court found him guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights, adding 21 more years to his sentence.    The attack on Chauvin has ignited discussions about the safety and security of high-profile inmates and the need for transparent communication with their legal representatives and families. As Chauvin continues to serve his sentence, questions surrounding his safety within the prison system persist.    The incident serves as a reminder of the deep-seated emotions and tensions surrounding the case of George Floyd's death, which prompted massive Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and led to Chauvin's convictions. As the legal process unfolds, Chauvin's attorneys, family, and supporters will undoubtedly closely monitor his condition and security. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for the killing of George Floyd, was stabbed by a fellow prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona, according to sources. The attack, which occurred on Friday afternoon, has raised concerns about communication with Chauvin's family and attorneys.    Chauvin, who became infamous for his role in the death of George Floyd, was seriously injured in the assault, but he is expected to survive, as reported by the Associated Press. The Minnesota Attorney General's office later confirmed the incident, and Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed his sadness over the violence.    “I am sad to hear that Derek Chauvin was the target of violence,” said Ellison in a statement. “He was duly convicted of his crimes and, like any incarcerated individual, he should be able to serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or violence.”    Gregory M. Erickson, an attorney representing Chauvin, expressed outrage over the lack of communication regarding Chauvin's condition. Erickson stated that Chauvin's family members were not informed promptly after the stabbing, raising concerns about their ability to stay updated on his well-being.    "As an outsider, I view this lack of communication with his attorneys and family members as completely outrageous," Erickson remarked, highlighting the need for transparency and prompt updates on Chauvin's situation.    The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an attack had occurred but did not disclose the identity of the inmate involved. They mentioned that employees took "life-saving measures" to assist Chauvin before he was transported to a hospital. Multiple unnamed sources cited by ABC News indicated that Chauvin was expected to survive the attack.    Chauvin's current attorney, William Mohrman, has not provided an immediate comment on the incident. Previously, Eric Nelson, Chauvin's former attorney, had sought to have him placed in solitary confinement for his own protection during his time in the Minnesota state prison.    The stabbing incident took place shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Derek Chauvin's appeal against his murder conviction. Chauvin had been found guilty of murder in April 2021 by a state-level jury, resulting in a 22-year sentence. In December of the same year, a federal court found him guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights, adding 21 more years to his sentence.    The attack on Chauvin has ignited discussions about the safety and security of high-profile inmates and the need for transparent communication with their legal representatives and families. As Chauvin continues to serve his sentence, questions surrounding his safety within the prison system persist.    The incident serves as a reminder of the deep-seated emotions and tensions surrounding the case of George Floyd's death, which prompted massive Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and led to Chauvin's convictions. As the legal process unfolds, Chauvin's attorneys, family, and supporters will undoubtedly closely monitor his condition and security. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for the killing of George Floyd, was stabbed by a fellow prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona, according to sources. The attack, which occurred on Friday afternoon, has raised concerns about communication with Chauvin's family and attorneys.    Chauvin, who became infamous for his role in the death of George Floyd, was seriously injured in the assault, but he is expected to survive, as reported by the Associated Press. The Minnesota Attorney General's office later confirmed the incident, and Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed his sadness over the violence.    “I am sad to hear that Derek Chauvin was the target of violence,” said Ellison in a statement. “He was duly convicted of his crimes and, like any incarcerated individual, he should be able to serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or violence.”    Gregory M. Erickson, an attorney representing Chauvin, expressed outrage over the lack of communication regarding Chauvin's condition. Erickson stated that Chauvin's family members were not informed promptly after the stabbing, raising concerns about their ability to stay updated on his well-being.    "As an outsider, I view this lack of communication with his attorneys and family members as completely outrageous," Erickson remarked, highlighting the need for transparency and prompt updates on Chauvin's situation.    The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an attack had occurred but did not disclose the identity of the inmate involved. They mentioned that employees took "life-saving measures" to assist Chauvin before he was transported to a hospital. Multiple unnamed sources cited by ABC News indicated that Chauvin was expected to survive the attack.    Chauvin's current attorney, William Mohrman, has not provided an immediate comment on the incident. Previously, Eric Nelson, Chauvin's former attorney, had sought to have him placed in solitary confinement for his own protection during his time in the Minnesota state prison.    The stabbing incident took place shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Derek Chauvin's appeal against his murder conviction. Chauvin had been found guilty of murder in April 2021 by a state-level jury, resulting in a 22-year sentence. In December of the same year, a federal court found him guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights, adding 21 more years to his sentence.    The attack on Chauvin has ignited discussions about the safety and security of high-profile inmates and the need for transparent communication with their legal representatives and families. As Chauvin continues to serve his sentence, questions surrounding his safety within the prison system persist.    The incident serves as a reminder of the deep-seated emotions and tensions surrounding the case of George Floyd's death, which prompted massive Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and led to Chauvin's convictions. As the legal process unfolds, Chauvin's attorneys, family, and supporters will undoubtedly closely monitor his condition and security. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

RR The Wire 1430Z November 25, 2023PRECEDENCE: ROUTINE RRDTG: 143025Z NOV 23ICOD: 133025Z NOV 23CONTROLS: Public ReleaseQQQQBLUF: SITUATION REMAINS TENSE IN IRELAND. DEREK CHAUVIN ATTACKED IN FEDERAL PRISON. -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Ireland: In response to Thursday's terror attack near a children's venue, civil unrest has remained constant. Rioting and looting broke out in Dublin Thursday night. Police have stated that they are not treating this attack as terrorism. Irish PM Leo Varadkar has vowed to crack down on demonstrators and implement new hate speech laws that protect immigrants. AC: The Irish government's decision to stand by immigrants while targeting the speech of taxpaying Irish citizens has resulted in nearly universal outrage among the Irish population, and will likely lead to more demonstrations and riots over the coming days.Middle East: Thursday night, the M/V CMA CGM Symi was targeted by a drone in the Indian Ocean. Photos have emerged indicating a large fire onboard the vessel, and though no crew were injured, the status of the vessel remains unknown ATT. AC: The attack is suspected to be Iranian in origin as this vessel has ties to Israel, and the crew description of the aircraft matches the Iranian Shahed 136 kamikaze drone. However, this is not confirmed ATT.-HomeFront-NY: Very little information has been made public following the Niagara border crossing incident. Despite all officials stating that the incident was not a terror attack, many agencies remain at an elevated threat posture. Counterterrorism force-projection measures and presence patrols continue as well. Authorities have released the identities of the two occupants killed in the explosion as Kurt and Monica Villani.AZ: Derek Chauvin was stabbed multiple times at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson. As of this morning his condition is stable, and he is expected to survive the attack. AC: There is no indication of how a high-risk prisoner would have been in a situation for this attack to occur. The timing of this attack is also highly suspect, when viewed in the context of recent developments with his case. This incident comes two weeks after Chauvin filed a motion to request a new trial on his civil rights count, citing new witness testimony that would have exonerated him on that count. This incident also comes a few days after Chauvin filed for appeal of his murder conviction with the US Supreme Court on the grounds that the original judge refused to sequester the jury, the media appearances by several jurors that indicated irregularities, and at least one juror who lied about being affiliated with the BLM movement during the trial, and that the same juror had attended a rally in support of George Floyd before the trial. The US Supreme Court denied this appeal without comment five days before his attack.

Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis law enforcement officer found guilty of the infamous George Floyd case, fell victim to a serious assault at a medium-security federal prison in Arizona last Friday, according to an inside source. The prison, identified as the Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson, is known to have a history of security issues and insufficient staffing. The Bureau of Prisons verified one of their inmates had indeed been assaulted at FCI Tucson around 12:30 p.m. local time. In a press statement, they disclosed that their staff had swiftly managed the situation and carried out emergency procedures to keep the assaulted inmate alive. The victim's identity was not disclosed in the press statement, but he was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for further assessment and treatment. To ensure safety and control, the Bureau of Prisons notified the FBI, revealing no staff had been injured in the incident. In light of the situation, all visitor privileges at the facility have been put on hiatus. Notably, FCI Tucson is a moderate size prison, harboring around 380 inmates. Just last year, Chauvin was handed a 21-year sentence for infringing federal civil liberties following his plea of guilt, adding to his existing 22-and-a-half-year sentence for murder and manslaughter from a state court's ruling. To expedite proceedings, he is serving his respective sentences concurrently at a federal prison. This incident marks the second publicised attack on a federal inmate in a span of five months. Back in July, Larry Nassar, a discredited sports physician, also fell prey to an assault by a fellow inmate at a federal prison in Florida.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key points from the conversation; - Natalia Galicza is a journalist who specializes in narrative non-fiction writing. - She wrote an article titled "The Women That Me Too Left Behind" about abuse in federal prisons for women in California. - The article focuses on the case of a former inmate named Melissa, who experienced abuse from the warden at the Federal Correctional Institution of Dublin. - The abuse included sexual and physical misconduct, as well as grooming and manipulation. - The article highlights the power dynamics and vulnerability that incarcerated individuals face when trying to speak up about abuse within the prison system. - The abuse at FCI Dublin is seen as indicative of a larger issue within the federal prison system, with widespread allegations and a culture of abuse. - Efforts to address the issue include proposed reforms, such as increased transparency, independent investigations, and compassionate release for survivors of abuse. - The Bureau of Prisons has been resistant to implementing these reforms, and advocates continue to push for change.   Natalia Galicza is a journalist from South Florida who specialises in narrative nonfiction writing.We talk to her about her article 'The women that ‘Me too' left behind' a powerful investigation into abuses of power in California's prisons. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's in journalism and a specialization in magazine and feature writing. While at UF, Galicza led Atrium magazine through its first year as its founding executive editor. Atrium is UF's first student-led narrative nonfiction magazine, which aims to share deeply reported and artfully told stories about the Sunshine State. She interned for the Bitter Southerner and the Miami New Times as an undergraduate student and has since written for Flamingo magazine, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Miami Herald. She has also reported award-winning, long-form stories for WUFT News, an NPR affiliate newsroom in Gainesville, Florida, and Fresh Take Florida, a statewide news service through WUFT News.  

Two prison employees were indicted earlier in the week for allegedly neglecting medical care for a person incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Petersburg; Riders who want to take the Pulse bus to Short Pump are one step closer to departure time; Air quality along the East Coast has worsened due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

The Federal Drive continues its week-long series: The Worst Place to Work in the Federal Government, which happens to be the Bureau of Prisons, part of the Justice Department. Yesterday we heard from a former warden, Bob Hood. In today's installment, Federal Drive host Tom Temin talks with Aaron McGlothin, President of AFGE Council 33, a local chapter, representing officers at the Federal Correctional Institution at Mendota, California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive continues its week-long series: The Worst Place to Work in the Federal Government, which happens to be the Bureau of Prisons, part of the Justice Department. Yesterday we heard from a former warden, Bob Hood. In today's installment, Federal Drive host Tom Temin talks with Aaron McGlothin, President of AFGE Council 33, a local chapter, representing officers at the Federal Correctional Institution at Mendota, California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Encouragement Engineering podcast offers listeners the ability to combat the negativity that inundates our daily lives with a positive perspective and positive actions. Our guest today is James Smith. Our guest truly believes in second chances. He was a former compulsive gambler; ex-offender, served 5 years in Federal Correctional Institution for Armed Bank Robbery.  A former Practicing Attorney; A former NC State Bar Approved Sponsor of Continuing Legal Education, CLE for 11 years.   A retired Pastor of an historical Missionary Baptist Church, Durham Co, NC where he served for almost 32 years.  James is also an author of three books, "Deal By Me, A Golden Opportunity Blown," Deal By Me 2nd Edition, A Self Evaluation," and "Come, Let Us Reason Together."     James has even overcome cancer and severe back surgery.    Listen as we discuss:  Positive mindset Overcoming Responsibility Looking forward   Website: https://www.dealbyme.com/ Facebook: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/https//www.facebook.com/jwsmithcle Twitter: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/https//www.twitter.com/jwsmithcle  

What's Love Got to Do with It? Tina Turner once asked this very question. My guest is NOT Tina Turner. His name is James Early a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. James grew up in Amarillo, TX, and received his BA from Vanderbilt University. James gives talks and conducts workshops on the Bible covering a wide range of topics to churches and groups as well as online. Since October 2008 he has conducted weekly Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. James started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in October 2019, now with listeners in 155 countries. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus. As the “Jesus Mindset Coach,” he helps people embrace the mindset of Jesus and discover their God-given ability to think, act, pray, and love like Jesus. James lives in Bethel, CT with his wife, Polly Castor. Join me as I walk in James's New Balance shoes. Yeah, those ones! 

159 – The Bible is full of women who speak with wisdom and have positions of authority.Several years ago in my Bible class at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT, I put together a class on all the women in the Bible.It was fascinating to look at the Bible from the perspective of what women were doing and what was being done to them. One of the first things I realized in preparing for and teaching this class was that the Bible is full of examples when women were in charge, had great authority, were sought out by men for advice, and were chosen for important roles. These women were not subservient to men. They owned their power and fulfilled their God-given purpose by being true to themselves and to God.In this week's episode, we're going to look at a few of these women and see what we can learn from them. This not just for you if you're a woman. Guys, there are lots of lessons we can learn from what God does with women in the Bible.Here are the women I talk about in this week's episode:Sarah: God commanded Abraham to obey wife and do everything she told him, in regards to sending Hagar and Ishmael awayAbraham obeyed his wifeHusbands who think their wives should always obey them need to remember what God told AbrahamDeborah was a prophet and a judge in Israel, before there were kingsThe people came to Deborah as a judge and prophet because they truested her. Her reputation spoke for her. They did not discredit her because she was a woman.Deborah commanded Barak to gather 10,000 troops and he obeyedBarak wanted Deborah to go with him into battle. He valued what she had to offer.Barak was willing not to take credit for the victory because he knew Deborah was the one who brought the victoryHuldah was a prophet during the reign of King JosiahWhen the book of the Law was found in the Temple and read to the Josiah, he sent the priest and others to Huldah, a prophetess, to inquire what God wanted him to doThe king, the mightiest man in the kingdom, asked for advice from a womanMary Magdalene was commissioned by Jesus to proclaim his resurrection to the disciplesThis is a case where men should have listened to a woman but didn'tPriscilla, along with her husband, taught a very educated man, who thought he already knew the Bible, about how Jesus fulfilled the Messianic propheciesHow many times throughout history has God given wisdom to women, but people did not listen?Ask yourself: Who is God appointing today to share His wisdom with the world? When it's you, are you sharing it? When it's someone else, are you listening? Bible reference and full transcript: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/159Subscribe to the podcastSupport the show James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.

Jeffrey MacDonald is an American former medical doctor and United States Army captain who was convicted in August 1979 of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters in February 1970 while serving as an Army Special Forces physician. MacDonald has always proclaimed his innocence of the murder of his wife and children, which he claims were committed by four intruders—three male and one female—who had entered the unlocked rear door of his apartment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and attacked him, his wife, and 2 daughters with instruments such as knives, clubs and ice picks.  Prosecutors and appellate courts have pointed to strong physical evidence attesting to his guilt. He is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland. The MacDonald murder case remains one of the most litigated murder cases in American criminal history. #truecrime #jeffreymacdonald #macdonald #murder #northcarolina #fortbragg #familyannilator #trial #1970 #massacre --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/crimeexplorers/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crimeexplorers/support

Aldrich Hazen "Rick" Ames, born May 26th, 1941 is a former CIA officer turned KGB double agent, who was convicted of espionage in 1994. He is serving a life sentence, without the possibility of parole, in the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States. Today we are diving into the life and crimes of one of the CIA's greatest spies.  Join our Giveaway and win a pair of Raycon Earbuds: https://kingsumo.com/g/8cilme/win-a-pair-of-raycon-earbuds SPONSORS: PodDecks: www.poddecks.com - PromoCode Larry21 for 10% off your order Hunt A Killer: www.huntakiller.com - Promo Code TCNS for 20% off your first box DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truecrimeneversleepspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/truecrimens IG: https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeneversleepspodcast If you like our content, consider becoming a financial supporter: Buy Us A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tcns Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/truecrimeneversleeps

The Texarkana Moonlight Murders   Were a series of murders in the spring of 1946 where 8 people were attacked, 5 of which murdered. Similar to the Zodiac and the Monster of Florence, the attacker focused on male/female couples. Also similar to those cases, the attacker has never been caught.   OK, first off, what the hell is Texarkana? You're probably thinking “that's not a state I've ever heard of.” and you, passenger, would be correct.    Texarkana began as a railroad and lumber center and is considered the two county area between Texarkana, Arkansas in Miller County and Texarkana, Texas in Bowie County and according to the US Office of Management and Budget, the Texarkana metropolitan statistical area (or MSA) has the area with around 137,000 people living in it, as of the 2020 census.   The Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Ammunition Plant seemed to drive the jobs to the area, mainly due in part to that little skirmish called World War 2, in the 1940's.   It was founded in 1873 and has three possibilities of how it acquired its name.    First, there was a Red River steamboat that tugged around the area named “The Texarkana” and the settlers just liked the name.   Second, a storekeeper named “Swindle” from Louisiana made up a drink called “Texarkana Bitters” and the settlers were a bunch of drunks who liked that name. My kinda folks!   Third, it was named by railroad surveyor, Colonel Gus Knobel, who took one look out his front door and said:   “Well, there's Texas over there, Arkansas over there and Louisina down there. Hmmm… I got it! “Arkanexasiana!” No… That won't do. Think, Colonel, think! “Louie's Assless Exes!” Dammit! No… Texarkana! Eureka! That's the stuff!”   The area is also home to the Fouke Monster, which resides in Boggy Creek and seems to be their version of the one and only Moody, I MEAN SASQUATCH!    The four violent attacks took place from February to May in 1946, which doesn't seem like spring but let's just go with it. The attacker had his sights on couples. Male/female couples to be exact. Although focusing on gay couples would have made the area and the attacker quite progressive for the time. Or much worse.   The first attack was on Friday, February 22 of 1946, right around 11:45 at night. 25 year old Jimmy Hollis and his 19 year old girlfriend, Mary Jeanne Larey decided to head to lovers lane after seeing a movie together. I'm not sure what movie they saw but it was probably either Song of the South, The Stranger or Strangler of the Swamp.   Regardless, after the movie they wanted to do some neckin' and proceed to park at lovers lane, which was about 300 ft past the last row of houses in that area. Ten minutes later, as they were sitting in the secluded and dark area, probably talking about how the moon was made of cheese, a flashlight suddenly shined through Jimmy's driver side window. As he looked up, all he could see was a figure resembling a man with a white cloth mask and eye holes cut out, standing outside his door. The mask was said to look like a pillowcase with eye holes. Which is frightening in and of itself.   Jimmy, thinking it may be a joke, told the guy to fuck off and that he had the wrong car, to which the man said: “I don't want to kill you, fella, so do what I say.”   The masked man then ordered Jimmy and his girlfriend, Mary Jeanne, out of the car, through the drivers door when the man yelled, “Take off your goddamn britches!” This order was directed at Jimmy and as he was doing what the terrifying man said to do, the attacker pulled out a pistol and cracked Jimmy in the head, twice. Later on, Mary Jeanne would say that the sound of him hitting Jimmy was so loud, she thought they were gunshots. Instead, those sounds were Jimmy's skull fracturing.   Rightfully so, Mary Jeanne assumed the dude with the gun was trying to rob them. She grabbed Jimmy's wallet and showed the man that he was broke as a joke, when the man smacked her in the head with a blunt object, presumably the gun handle or the flashlight.   The attacker told her to get on her feet and as she stood, he told her to run. She took off running toward a ditch but the man yelled at her and told her to run up the road.   “Not toward the ditch, woman! There's snakes in there! I hate snakes! Head up the road like a civilized victim!”   Mary Jeanne hightailed it up the road and spotted a car but there was no one inside. Then, as she turned around and like she was magically whisked away to an 80's slasher flick, the attacker was standing there, asking her why she was running. For some reason, that part freaks me out. Maybe because he's obviously toying with her or maybe because I was traumatized by Friday the 13th, as a child.   Mary Jeanne responded to the man by telling him that he had told her to run. This set him off and he yelled “Liar!” He then knocked her to the ground and proceeded to sexually assault her… with the barrel of his pistol. YUCK!   After the assault, Mary Jeanne gathered herself up and ran to a house nearby where she banged on the door, waking the residents, who then helped her call the police.   During this time, or shortly after, Jimmy had regained consciousness and flagged down a passing car who ran and called the police, as well.    Bowie County Sheriff Presley and three officers arrived on the scene, short of 30 minutes, but the attacker was nowhere to be found. Mary Jeanne spent the night in the hospital for her head wound and Jimmy was there for several days with multiple skull fractures.   When asked to give detailed descriptions of their attacker, Jimmy and Mary Jeanne had slightly different details. Well, they both agreed that he was around 6 feet tall but Mary Jeanne claimed that she could see under the man's mask and that he was a light skinned black man. Jimmy, however, said the guy was a tanned white man, around 30 years old but couldn't really see more than that due to the flashlight being blared into his face.    The police continuously questioned Mary Jeannes account of the attack and they believed that the couple knew their attacker and were just covering for him.    Could it have been a jilted ex of Mary Jeanne's? Is that why Jimmy was pistol whipped and she had only a minor injury? Is this why she said it was a black man instead of giving up the perpetrators real identity?   The morning of Sunday, March 24th, 1946, a passing motorist saw a parked car on lovers lane, just south of the highway and decided to check if they needed help or to just be nosey. What they first believed to be two people asleep in their vehicle, turned out to be the lifeless bodies of 29 year old Richard Griffin and his girlfriend, 17 year old Polly Ann More.   Richard was found shot twice, on his knees between the front seats, hands crossed, his head laying on his hands and his pockets turned inside out. Polly Ann was lying face down in the back seat with evidence suggesting they had been murdered outside of the car and then placed there. A blood soaked patch of soil and congealed blood on one of the running boards, as it appeared to have flowed out from the bottom of the car door.   They were both fully clothed and both had been shot in the back of the head and a .32 caliber shell was found and investigators believed it may have been fired from a pistol wrapped in a blanket.   There were no pathologist examinations of the bodies, which seems odd, but 1946 Texarkana, I guess. This didn't stop the rumors from flying around saying that Polly Ann had been sexually assaulted. These rumors were put to rest with later reports.   17 year old Paul Martin picked up his 15 year old girlfriend, Betty Jo Booker from the local VFW (The VFW or veterans of foreign wars is an establishment set up for former military personnel who had fought in wars, and expeditions on foreign land, waters, or airspace.) after a musical performance on Sunday, April 14th right around 1:30 in the morning.   Later, at approximately 6:30 that morning, Paul's lifeless body was found on the side of a nearby road, lying on its left side. His body had been riddled with bullet holes through his nose, through his ribs from the back, through his right hand and one through the back of his neck. Investigators found blood on the opposite side of the road, leading them to believe that he was allegedly alive when he crossed the road, after being shot four times.    Paul's girlfriend, Betty Jo was found at approximately 11:30am by a search party. Her body was lying almost 2 miles away from Paul's, hidden behind a tree. She was fully clothed, laying on her back with her right hand inside the pocket of the buttoned up overcoat she was wearing.    She had been shot twice, once in the face and the other shot went through her chest. According to investigators, the weapon used was a .32 caliber Colt pistol, the same pistol type used in the first set of murders.   Paul's car wasn't found near his body but instead was found 3 miles away from where his body was found. The car was sitting parked, keys in the ignition, at Spring Lake Park.    The investigators couldn't determine if Paul or Betty Jo had been shot first. According to the sheriff and Captain Manuel Gonzaullas of the Texas Rangers, their investigations determined that both of the victims put up a hell of a fight.   Tom Albritton, a friend of Paul's, stated that he didn't believe there was an argument between the couple and that Paul didn't have any enemies.   So on Friday, May 3rd in the same year, around 9 at night, 37 year old Virgil Starks and his wife Katie were in their home, set on a 500 acre farm. Now I'm pretty sure there's a few movies based on similar events such as this one. Their home was just off the local highway, 67 East, which was about ten miles northeast of Texarkana.   Virgil was sitting quietly in his armchair in the living room. He was reading some quality information from his local newspaper when suddenly, he was shot TWICE in the back of the head from a closed double window.   With all the ruckus and the sound of broken glass, Katie hurriedly ran into the living room to see her husband stand up then slowly slump back into the armchair he was sitting in. She went to check on her husband, only to realize he was dead. In a panic, she quickly went to the old school style, wall-crank phone to call the police. With two rings of the phone she too was shot twice from the same damn window. This time in the face. She fell to the floor, but to the shooter's dismay, she quickly regained her footing and rushed to grab a pistol from another room. Let's just say she was a badass, am I right? With the wounds she suffered, she was blinded by her own blood, and was not able to grab the pistol she was looking for.   Hearing the sound of the killer quickly approaching from the back of the house, she burst out of the front door with only her nightgown on, and ran barefoot across the street to her brother and sister-in-law's house.   After trying to get someone to come to the door and being unsuccessful, she took off down the street to her neighbors house, A. V. Prater, where she was only able to let out a gasp and say “Virgil's dead”, and then she fell over and passed out.   Prater proceeded to fire his rifle into the air to alert another neighbor, Elmer Taylor. Prater had Taylor grab his car so they could all take Katie to the hospital.   While at the hospital, Katie was questioned by sheriff Davis. The Sheriff questioned her again about 4 days later to verify his original statement. She, the sheriff, was then able to confirm that a rumor regarding Virgil was false. This rumor was that he believed he heard a car outside their home for several nights in a row and he feared being killed prior to his murder.   Some good news, though! Katie Starks did, somehow, survive her wounds. Those shots, as crazy as it sounds, did not kill or severely injure her. One bullet went through the right cheek beside the nose, emerging behind the left ear. The other bullet went in her lower jaw below the lip; breaking her jaw and splintering several teeth, where the bullet was lodged right under her tongue. Holy shit, what a strong woman!   Katie lived to the ripe old age of 84. She remarried and is currently buried between both of her husbands in Hillcrest cemetery. INVESTIGATIONS: As mentioned before, the police never believed Mary Jeanne Larey's story and that she and her boyfriend knew the perpetrator. I'm not entirely sure why they would cover up the attack, but Mary Jeanne came back to the area after the first set of murders. Supposedly, she wanted to help in the investigation and link the murderer to her and her boyfriend's attacker. However, the Texas Rangers insisted that she knew who it was. Was she there to throw them off the trail? Did she just want to see what they knew?    Their attack wasn't even connected to the murders until the Texarkana Gazette published their interview with Mary Jeanne. This was only when the police asked the public to come forward if they had any knowledge of the murders or any unexplained absences when the murders occured.    The first set of murders launched a huge, citywide investigation. The Texas Police, Arkansas Police, The Texas Rangers (headed by the Texas Department of Public Safety, both Miller and Cass county sheriff's offices and the FBI were all involved in questioning over 200 people. Unfortunately, almost all were false leads.   There were three different people with bloody clothing found, but all three were cleared.   The second double murder case had the police working in 24 hour shifts, questioning everyone and bringing in potential suspects from up to 100 miles away.   At one point, law enforcement attempted to set up a sting operation by asking teenagers to act as decoys in parked cars with the police patiently waiting nearby. Some police would even act as decoys with their partners or even mannequins sitting in their cars next to them. There were even a few officers that would hide in trees in Spring Lake Park in the hopes of seeing and potentially catching some nutjob doing some dirty shit.   After the 3rd set of attacks and the murder of Mr. Starks and the attempted murder of Mrs. Starks, blockades were set up. Anyone driving around in the area were stopped and questioned, including several men who were hanging around.   2 days after the Starks attacks, the investigation had 47 officers involved, trying to solve the case. They even brought in a mobile radio station and a teletype machine, along with twenty additional police from Arkansas to assist in their efforts.   Unofficially, law enforcement believed they had a “sex maniac” on their hands because the attacker left large amounts of money and Mrs. Starks purse in the home. Robbery was obviously not the motive.   At first, the police offered a $500 reward for any new information, but this only brought in over 100 crappy leads that went nowhere. It was then bumped up to $1700, then $7,025 after the Starks attack and within the ten days following, it was up to $10,000.   The police debated on whether or not the Stark's attack was even related to the other crimes, due to the type of weapon that was used. The sheriff believed it was a .22 caliber rifle as opposed to a .32 caliber pistol.    Eventually, law enforcement stated that the Stark's attack was NOT related to the other two double murders.   Obviously, the public was scared shitless. Without even knowing about the first set of attacks, the fact that two teenagers that were involved with the church had been murdered, sent the town into a frenzy, calling the killer “The Phantom.”   Where once there were unlocked homes, the townspeople began locking their doors, arming themselves, nailing sheets over their windows, nailing windows completely down and using makeshift window guards.    They set up curfews for businesses to attempt to keep people from going out at night but as the news of Virgil Starks, being murdered, especially in his own home, attached itself to the horrific story, it was all over the news in and around the surrounding areas.   Stores ran out of guns, ammo, locks, window shades and blinds and the search for guard dogs increased.   News outlets even stated that “the killer might strike again at any moment, at any place, and at anyone.”   With its heightened sense of alert and everyone toting guns, Texarkana, once easy going and peaceful, became an area of danger. It was so bad that when the police would answer calls or check on disturbances, they had to turn on their sirens, stand in front of the headlights and yell “HEY! IT'S THE FUZZ!” so they wouldn't be shot at by some scared, nervous homeowner.   This was only exacerbated when Texas Ranger Gonzaullas told “oil up their guns and see if they are loaded” and to “not hesitate” if people were inclined to bust a cap in someone's suspicious ass.   Gun sales and fear reached other cities, as well, including Oklahoma City, some 5 hours away. Luckily, the people's concern diminished after about 3 months, with no other attacks happening, in that time.   Of course the rumors of the murderer being caught, being held in the county jail or sent off to another jail were flying around and the Texas Rangers had to hold a press conference to tell everyone to shut the fuck up because those rumors were making their investigation that much more difficult. Stating the rumors were “a hindrance to the investigation and harmful to innocent persons.”, the same press conference informed the folks around town that the murderer had NOT been caught, despite the rumors suggesting otherwise. Gonzaullas also said “Rumors only take the officers from the main route of the investigation. It is so important that we capture this man that we cannot afford to overlook any lead, no matter how fantastic it may seem.” This was mainly because a lot of innocent people were accused of being “The Phantom.”   Then there were the vigilantes. Teenagers sitting in parked cars HOPING to catch the criminal. One instance had a couple of police officers walk up on a parked car with a couple inside and as the officers announced who they were, a girl inside said “It's a good thing you told me who you are,” as she showed them the .25 caliber pistol she had pointed at them.   Texas Ranger Gonzaullas gave a statement to the Gazette, telling people that vigilantism was “a good way to get killed.”   SUSPECTS The “Phantom”, as he was dubbed by the Texarkana Daily News and was continuously called by other news outlets at the time, was described as being around 6 feet tall, wearing a white mask with eye and mouth holes cut out. However, the first attack, where the police were weary of their conflicting statements, was the only time a description was able to be given of the perpetrator. He attacked late at night, on the weekends, focused on young couples, took a 3 week cooling off period and used a .32 caliber pistol. Even though they came out and officially said that the Stark's attack wasn't affiliated with the “Phantom Murders”, due to the type of gun used, a lot of law enforcement and citizens believed it was.   Texas Ranger Gonzaullas believed the murderer was a “shrewd criminal who had left no stone unturned to conceal his identity and activities,” was a “cunning individual who would go to all lengths to avoid apprehension” and that his attacks were clever and baffling.     Sheriff Presley stated, “This killer is the luckiest person I have ever known. No one sees him, hears him in time, or can identify him in any way."    A psychologist at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, Dr. Anthony Lapalla, believed that the one person committed all five murders and that he was planning on killing people the way he murdered Virgil Starks. In their homes with no one to stop him. He also believed he was motivated by a strong sex drive and sadism.   His shift from the parked cars on the dark and desolate roads to the farmhouse of the Starks also leads Lapalla to believe that the killer was smart enough to know that he had to change his behavior. He also stated that there was evidence of “deep planning, that he worked alone, told no one of his crimes and could shift his crimes to a distant community or overcome the desire to assault and kill people.”   However, this dickhead is the same person that said he didn't believe the murderer was a black man because… AND I QUOTE… “In general, negro criminals are not that clever.” What the fuck.   Almost 400 suspects were arrested throughout this case. Of course there were a shit ton of false confessions. There were at least nine people who confessed to being the Phantom, but their shit didn't line up with the facts of the case. In the first attack case where no one was murdered, no suspects were ever apprehended. Remember, that's the one where law enforcement believed the victims were covering for someone.   Ok, let's talk about Youell Swinney According to Wikipedia Youell Swinney was a 29-year-old car thief and counterfeiter. He was arrested in July by Tackett, who was investigating car thefts after realizing that on the night of the Griffin-Moore murders a car had been stolen in the area and a previously stolen car had been found abandoned. Tackett was able to locate the former car and arrested Swinney's wife Peggy when she came to retrieve it. Peggy confessed in great detail that Swinney was the Phantom Killer and had killed Booker and Martin. Her story changed in some details across several interviews, and police believed she was withholding information due to fear of Swinney or of incriminating herself. Police were able to independently verify some details of Peggy's confession, such as the location of a victim's possessions where she said Youell had discarded them. There was considerable circumstantial evidence against Swinney, but Peggy's confession was the most critical part of the case. However, Peggy recanted her confession, was considered an unreliable witness, and could not be compelled to testify against her husband. Law enforcement officers worked for six months trying to validate Peggy's confession and tie Swinney to the murders. They found that on the night of the Booker-Martin murders, the Swinneys were sleeping in their car under a bridge near San Antonio. Swinney was never charged with murder and was instead tried and imprisoned as a habitual offender for car theft. Presley reported in his 2014 book that investigators in the Swinney case later said that the sentence was effectively a plea bargain, though the case files indicated no formal agreement. Swinney was apparently concerned about being sentenced to death for the murders, so agreed to not contest the habitual offender charge and in fact tried to plead guilty despite the charge requiring a jury trial. H. B. "Doodie" Tennison Henry Booker "Doodie" Tennison was an 18-year-old university freshman who died by suicide on November 4, 1948, leaving behind cryptic instructions which directed investigators to a suicide note in which Tennison confessed to the Booker, Martin, and Starks murders. He had played trombone in the same high-school band as Booker, but they were not friends. Investigators were unable to find any other evidence linking Tennison to the murders. James Freeman, a friend of Tennison, provided an alibi for the night of the Starks murder, stating that they had been playing cards that evening when they heard the news of the attack. Ralph B. Baumann Ralph B. Baumann, a 21-year-old ex-Army Air Force (AAF) machine-gunner, claimed to have awoken from a fugue state of several weeks on the day of the Starks murder, with his rifle missing. He said that he heard about a suspect matching his description and hitchhiked to Los Angeles, feeling like he was running from murder. On May 23, he told Los Angeles police that he thought he might be the Phantom. "I'm my own suspect," he said. Police arrested him but Gonzaullas stated that several parts of the man's story had little basis in fact. Baumann said that he'd been discharged from the AAF for being a psychoneurotic, and he had previously confessed to killing three people in Texarkana in a period of three days (which did not match the timeline of killings).   Saxophone peddler Investigators had hoped that Booker's saxophone, which she had played the night of her murder and which was missing, might lead them to a suspect. On April 27, a suspicious man was arrested in Corpus Christi, Texas, for trying to sell a saxophone to a music store. He had asked about selling the instrument to the store but became evasive and fled from the store manager." Although no saxophone was found in his possession, the police found a bag of bloody clothing in his hotel room. After several days of questioning,the man was cleared as a suspect. Booker's saxophone was located on October 24, six months after her murder, in underbrush near the place her body had been found. German prisoner of war On May 8, it was announced that an escaped German prisoner of war—who was already being hunted as "a matter of routine"—was considered a suspect. He was described as a stocky 24-year-old, weighing 187 pounds (85 kg), with brown hair and blue eyes. He had stolen a car in Mount Ida, Arkansas, and attempted to buy ammunition in several eastern Oklahoma towns. The police kept searching for the POW, but it was said that he had "vanished into thin air." Unknown hitchhiker On May 7, a hitchhiker armed with a pistol carjacked and robbed a man, threatening to kill him and stating that he had killed five people in Texarkana, naming Martin and Booker. The hitchhiker went on to say that he was not finished killing people. Gonzaullas said that police were doubtful that this man was the Phantom Killer, noting that the killer had gone to lengths to conceal his identity while the hitchhiker boasted to a living witness.   Atoka County suspect On May 10, in Atoka, Oklahoma, a man assaulted a woman in her home, ranting that he might as well kill her because he had already killed three or four people, and that he was going to rape her. He then fled. A widespread search for the man included 20 officers and 160 residents. Two days later, police arrested a suspect but did not believe this man was the Phantom. According to the man's story, he could not have been in Texarkana at the time of the Starks murder.   Sammie Sammie is a pseudonym given to a longtime Texarkana resident with a good reputation whom the police were reluctant to name as a suspect. His vehicle's tire tracks were found across the road from Martin's corpse. He failed a polygraph test so the police decided to have him hypnotized by psychiatrist Travis Elliott. Elliott concluded that Sammie had no criminal tendencies, that he had pulled his vehicle to the side of the road in order to urinate, and that he subsequently visited a married woman with whom he was having an affair—concealing this caused Sammie to fail the polygraph test. After police verified the details, they cleared Sammie as a suspect. Taxi driver A taxi driver became a major suspect in the Booker-Marin murders because his cab was seen in the vicinity of the crime scene that morning, but he was soon cleared. Earl McSpadden On May 7, at approximately 6 a.m., the body of Earl Cliff McSpadden was found on the Kansas City Southern Railway tracks 16 miles (26 km) north of Texarkana, near Ogden. The body's left arm and leg had been severed by a freight train a half-hour earlier. The coroner's jury's verdict stated, "death at the hands of persons unknown", and that "he was dead before being placed on the railroad tracks." Because the murder is unsolved, locals have speculated that McSpadden was the Phantom's sixth victim. A prominent rumor exists claiming that McSpadden was the Phantom, and had committed suicide by jumping in front of a train.   The Texarkana Moonlight Murders are, to this day, still unsolved.   https://screenrant.com/best-small-town-thrillers/ SUPPORT THE SHOW www.patreon.com/themidnighttrainpodcast

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend James Early. James is a Bible teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. He grew up in Amarillo, TX, and received his BA from Vanderbilt University. He gives talks and conducts workshops on the Bible covering a wide range of topics to churches and groups as well as online. Since October 2008, James has conducted weekly Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. He started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in October 2019, now with listeners in 130 countries. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus. As the “Jesus Mindset Coach,” he helps people embrace the mindset of Jesus and rediscover their rights and ability to think, act, pray, love, and heal like Jesus. James lives in Bethel, CT with his wife. They have three grown children.James has set up a special web page for Messy Spirituality listeners. You can find his podcast, social media, and the free resources he mentioned in the episode here.If you'd like to help us produce future episodes of The Messy Spirituality Podcast, you can contribute via Venmo and Cash App at @messyspirituality.Thanks so much for listening!Jason Elam Get bonus content on Patreon Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we chat with James Early Here is James' bio in his own words. I am a Bible teacher, speaker, blogger, podcaster, soon-to-be author. And I am a “Jesus mindset”coach.  Since October 2008 I have conducted weekly Bible studies at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. I give talks and conduct workshops on the Bible covering a wide range of topics to churches and groups as well as at the prison. I grew up in Amarillo, Texas and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In high school I became dis-satisfied with some of the things I was being taught there and started going to the Christian Science church, which I have been a member of since. Currently I live in Bethel, CT with my wife, Polly Castor. We have three grown children, which we homeschooled all the way through high school. I was a full-time stay-at-home dad for 10 years when we first started our family. I love to garden and hike in my spare time. I never fit into the corporate world, but have done sales and marketing and voice-over work, which led me to want to share my message instead of someone else's. So, I started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in the fall of 2019, to explore the here-and-nowness of the kingdom of heaven and how it impacts the way we live our daily lives. The purpose of my podcast is to get back to the original Christianity of Jesus without all the things we have added in the last 2,000 years, to rediscover our right and our ability to think, act, pray, and heal like Jesus did. I am on a journey to discover our right and ability to embrace this mindset of Jesus, to see ourselves through the lens of Christ's love, and live our lives from the perspective of Jesus's promise that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. I help others discover this for themselves as well. You can follow James on: Facebook     Twitter     Instagram Check out all things connected to James and his podcast on his website You can connect with us on    Facebook     Instagram      Twitter Want to help us with our future episodes of This Is Not Church Podcast? Join us on Patreon where you will get access to exclusive patron content such as early access to episode, videos of upcoming episodes, and live Q&A sessions. Also check out our website for upcoming interviews and blog posts Each episode of This Is Not Church Podcast is expertly engineered by our producer The Podcast Doctor Eric Howell. If you're thinking of starting a podcast you need to connect with Eric!

Aerial view of Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin. | Image by Wikimedia user Jesstess87 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 On today's show: 0:08 – PG&E's emerges from probation for its role in the San Bruno pipeline explosion. We discuss what's next for the private utility with Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network. 0:33 – We shed some light on the sexual abuse allegations at FCI Dublin with Susan Beaty, a staff attorney at Centro Legal de la Raza (@centrolegal). Victoria Law (@LVikkiml), a writer, editor, and prison abolitionist based in New York City also joins us to discuss the routine sexual abuse in prisons across the U.S. Her latest book is “Prisons Make Us Safer” and 20 other Myths About Mass Incarceration. 1:08 – California State Assemblymember Alex Lee, representing the 25th Assembly District in San Jose joins us to discuss Assembly Bill 854, which would reform the Ellis Act. 1:33 – Lastly, Brandon Anderson (@brandn_andersn), a Black queer abolitionist organizer and Founder and Executive Director of Raheem joins us to discuss the organization's national campaign to explore 911 alternatives. The post PG&E's emerges from probation for its role in the San Bruno pipeline explosion; Sexual abuse allegations at FCI Dublin; Asm. Alex Lee on Ellis Act reform; “Technology won't win this fight. It's organizing.” Brandon Anderson on Raheem's national campaign to explore 911 alternatives appeared first on KPFA.

Today, we welcome Alice Johnson to talk about her remarkable story as a former federal prisoner. From using her writing skills to change the lives of women inmates to being denied clemency multiple times and using faith to surpass her dark days. Now a free woman, she continues to advocate for the freedom of other women who share similar stories.  Alice Marie Johnson is an American criminal justice reform advocate and former federal prisoner. She was convicted in 1996 for her involvement in a Memphis cocaine trafficking organization and sentenced to life imprisonment. In June 2018, After serving 21 years in prison, she was released from the Federal Correctional Institution, Aliceville, in June 2018 after U.S. President Donald Trump exercised executive powers to grant clemency. And in August 2020, Trump granted Alice a full and unconditional pardon. Thanks to this episode's sponsor: BiOptimizers/Magnesium Breakthrough: Go to www.magbreakthrough.com/doug and use the code DOUG10 to save 10 percent when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Earth Echo Foods/Cacao Bliss: www.earthechofoods.com/dougbopst  Use Promo code "Doug" at checkout to receive 15% off your order What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 01:19 Growing up in a very close-knit community 05:35 A time of extreme segregation 11:56 The gift of writing 16:16 Getting addicted to gambling 24:06 The estimated amount that triggered a life sentence 30:27 To live a life of service and in service 34:50 Creating an impact in this dark place 42:09 Being denied clemency multiple times 47:55 October became a huge blessing 54:00 When it's time to leave prison 01:02:49 What is the First Step Act?  01:09:14 Forgiving someone is freeing Episode Resources: Alice Johnson | Book Alice Johnson | Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn Taking Action for Good Follow me on Social Media: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

 is a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer turned KGB double agent, who was convicted of espionage in 1994. He is serving a life sentence, without the possibility of parole, in the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States. Ames was formerly a 31-year CIA counterintelligence officer who committed espionage against the U.S. by spying for the Soviet Union and Russia. At the time of his arrest, Ames had compromised more highly classified CIA assets than any other officer in history until Robert Hanssen's arrest seven years later in 2001.

Today's guest: James EarlyJames is a Bible Teacher, author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. He holds weekly bible studies at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT where he gives talks and conducts workshops on the bible covering a wide range of churches and groups.James has never fit into the corporate world. He has a background in sales and marketing. James' experience in voice-over work led him to want to share his message instead of someone else'sJames started his podcast, the Bible Speaks to You to explore the here-and-nowness of the kingdom of heaven and how it impacts the way we live our daily lives. James has a refreshing view on the individual nature of each person's spiritual journey and has an amazing way of connecting with those from all backgrounds of spiritual and religious beliefs to create engaging thought provoking conversations.On this episode:Amber is joined by author and podcast host James Early for a conversation on surrounding yourself with the people who build you up, faith, and spirituality.Tweetable Quotes:"Competition doesn't exist. We're all working together to try and impact the most amount of people we can." -Amber Fuhriman"I was doing voice over work, when I realized I had my own message to share." -James Early"We're all born with purpose but sadly most of our lives we're driven away from that purpose by those around us." -Amber Fuhriman"Faith leaders try to teach their brand of ideology as the only correct one. Teaching in prisons has helped me see everyone as a child of God." -James EarlyJames Early:https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/If you are interested in connecting with Amber, send an email to amber@amberfuhriman.com.Connect with other incredible people looking to break out of the corporate mindset by joining the More Than Corporate Facebook group: http://bit.ly/2MuWn53Schedule a connection call with Amber: https://calendly.com/amberfuhriman/connection-call?month=2021-05 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you willing to have a conversation with someone, especially when you disagree with them on topics you consider to be your core values, your non-negotiables in the faith so to speak? Today James Early will walk you through how to have in-depth conversations with those you may disagree on any topic. Mr. Early is from Connecticut, originally from Texas and has the Bible Speaks To You ministry. Mr. Early’s ministry is about getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus, experiencing God’s healing presence in your life. [17:30] Too often, in the Body there are different views of the Faith, these differences are not supposed to divide you with those in Christ. Christ, Himself has called you to deny yourself, take up the cross and follow Jesus. 1 Corinthians 12:15-28 calls you to acknowledge that everyone in the body have a different function to do the work of God and each is appointed by God to that job. So, my friend my question for you today is: Are you following God’s call to love His people by loving God more, loving your neighbor more than yourself, and building the faith for all to come to the Father?How to reach James Early:ames Early is a Bible teacher, author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. Since October 2008 he has conducted weekly Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. He gives talks and conducts workshops on the Bible covering a wide range of topics to churches and groups as well as online. He has served in every capacity in his local congregation including conducting church services for 12 years in his lay led congregation. He started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in October 2019, now with listeners in 96 countries, to focus on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus and to rediscover our right and ability to think, act, pray, love, and heal like Jesus. He lives in Bethel, CT with his wife. They have three grown children.Links: Website: https://thebiblespeakstoyou.comResource when you subscribe to the podcast: Prayer Guide: Praying with the Mindset of Jesus https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/mindset/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebiblespeakstoyou/https://www.facebook.com/james.earlyhttps://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebiblespeakstoyou/ How to reach Coach Paul:Sign up form for “Free Book” http://bit.ly/lifetipsfreeLink Tree: https://linktr.ee/coachscornerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachpaulybarraFacebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/318706336148254 IG: https://www.instagram.com/coach.paulybarra/ Website: https://www.setfreelife.net/Email: identityofonecoaching@gmail.com

Hilaria Baldwin swears off Instagram — then returns with 8 posts within hours!  Lori Loughlin released from Federal Correctional Institution, Chrissy Teigen has already revealed the resolution that she started a bit early. Rob is joined by special co-host Lauren Conlin from Red Carpet Rendezvous Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Andrew Beasley was quickly losing his cool. It was October 2015, and he was about two years into his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Mike Savage was convicted of 89 counts of money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud and sentenced to 17 and a half years in federal prison. He's a former radio personality, television news anchor, and has been described as a criminal mastermind. These days he's an adjunct professor teaching Bible Theology and Psychology, and co-hosts A Savage Perspective podcast with his wife Cynthia, Mike authored the book, A Prisoner's Perspective: Redemption of a Criminal Mastermind.   Website: https://www.mikesavagebooks.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikesavagebooks/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcsavage89/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikesav78418   (Transcript is a guide only and may not be 100% correct.) Emily OlsenWherever there are shadows, there are people ready to kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight. This is Bleeding Daylight with your host Rodney Olsen. Rodney Olsen  Welcome to Bleeding Daylight. Just a quick reminder that you can find Bleeding Daylight wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Today’s guest was convicted of 89 counts of money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud and sentenced to 17 and a half years in federal prison. His remarkable story of life transformation and a wife who stood by him throughout everything is inspiring. Mike Savage was jailed for his beliefs. His beliefs were that he could get away with his crimes without getting caught. He's a former radio personality, television news anchor, and has been described as a criminal mastermind. These days he's an adjunct professor teaching Bible Theology and Psychology, and co hosts A Savage Perspective podcast with his wife Cynthia, Mike authored the book, A Prisoner's Perspective: Redemption of a Criminal Mastermind. Today, we get to explore his colorful life on Bleeding Daylight. Mike, thank you so much for your time. Mike Savage  Well, it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you for inviting me. Rodney Olsen  I know that the question on everyone's mind is what did he do to get sent to prison? Tell me about the days before you were caught. Mike Savage  The best way to put it I try not to go into too much detail for two reasons. One, I don't want to glorify my sin and second, I don't want to give anybody any ideas of what to do to make extra money. I was a radio talk show host I was making very little money doing that in the 1980s when I was approached to do some work overseas which had to do with transferring large sums of money. It could be cash, sometimes other types of wire transfers, that sort of thing. Well, I made a little money to begin with and then suddenly discovered, you know, there's a lot more that could be made. So I got involved with doing that and so it was international money laundering. And then, in the United States, there's two there were two forms of money laundering. One was just general money laundering, and the other was international money laundering. I was convicted of both 89 counts of money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud and so the sentence was 17 and a half years in federal prison. Rodney Olsen  And I'm wondering now, about those people who knew you at the time, I imagine they didn't even know that this was going on. So this would have been a real surprise, especially for those people who were used to listening to Mike on the radio. He's a good guy, and suddenly you sent off to prison. Mike Savage  Right? Well, no one knew what I was doing. My family didn't know the people that I was working with the time did not No, I had two lives. I had one the the family man, the working guy was working in Napa, California at the time on a radio station there. And no one had any idea. None whatsoever. I mean, I kept it totally away from them. The other side was the criminal side, which was an entirely as a Jekyll Hyde type of personality. The nice guy, the funny guy who was on the radio, the controversial guy on the radio suddenly became an entirely different person when it came to running a crime business and, and necessarily, so you can't be a nice guy when you're criminal, and being around other criminals. And so there was two different distinct Mike Savages at that time. Both liars, both cheating doing things that he shouldn't have been doing. I want to make this clear I accept responsibility for my crime I went to trial was proven guilty. I was guilty, I am guilty. I take responsibility. I don't want to downplay any of that, like, I was a nice guy to get caught up and stuff. That wasn't the case at all. I was not that people try to pay Oh, it wasn't a pretty nice guys. No, I was a liar. I was a liar. And I was really, really good at it. And until the Lord broke me down, I probably would have stayed on that path and ended up dead. But the amazing thing through all of this was that my wife, Cynthia, who had no idea what was going on, until the federal government, organized crime, Task Force, FBI, IRS, US Postal Service. Everybody came busting into our house, and she was six months pregnant at the time. And they took her away from it to reduce the stress. They told me that until you talk with us, we're not bringing her back. Well, they actually took her to breakfast, you know, they're being hard guys. And so my choice at that point was to I could have confessed and gotten much Last time, but instead I became the tough guy. And so this thing drew out and dragged out for over two years before we actually went to trial. Rodney Olsen  So that day, this is the time that your wife finds out of what's been going on, you say that you weren't prepared to admit it to the authorities who came busting down your door. What did you say to your wife? Mike Savage  I told her it was a mistake. They had the wrong person. I lied. I was a liar. I was unsaved. I was I was trying to cover my tracks trying to figure a way out of this and so I lied, and because she loves me so much, and she stayed with me through the entire incarceration. She's with me today in the other room, right? We're still together. And I got out in 2007. She loved me so much. She went along with with what I was saying she she would believe and that was it. It wasn't until much later that I would confess anything to her. That's after I'd been in prison for over two years. Rodney Olsen  So at that stage, she believes that an innocent man has been sent to prison. She has no idea at this point that you were absolutely guilty. Mike Savage  Yeah, that's right. And she was raising our children at the same time and sacrificing to come see me visit me in prison every other weekend. six hour drive each way six and a half hour drive from where she was living in the in the Napa area to Lompoc, California. So yeah, I was I was a rotten guy, truly a rotten guy. Rodney Olsen  And what did that do to the trust in your relationship? When finally you admitted that over those two years of getting to trial, and then a couple of years into the sentence, all these years of continuing that lie? And you suddenly say, Well, actually, I did it. What happened to the trust between the two of you? Mike Savage  It grew, it grew because she has always been trustworthy. To me and our relationship always been trustworthy, even though when I was trying to come up with reasons we should divorce While I was in prison, all this type of thing, she wouldn't have any of that at all. This is the the book honestly started out as an homage to her, and quickly morphed into oh my gosh, this is all about God. Only God could do this. Only God could bring a woman into my life before I got caught. Stay with me after I got caught through all the lies through all the stuff, stay faithful to me. And when I finally told her, she forgave me, she forgave me. Rodney of all of all the things I expected forgiveness was not one of them. But that was what came absolutely, totally, completely. And our relationship grew from from then on even further. If it could, I mean, it just it it mushroomed after that the idea of being able to just confess and say yeah, you know, look, I was I was bad. I got caught up and stuff. I had no business getting caught up in And I mean, the title of the book, the whole thing of the criminal mastermind is irony in the 1980s, and in the United States, they had this war on drugs and so forth. And I was convicted under drug statutes, even though drugs weren't part of the crime and every person that had more than one person working for them, was considered a criminal mastermind in the indictments. It was a it was like a template that was filled out if there was a kid on the street slinging drugs to and he had two or three people that work for him. He was a criminal mastermind it was the is the irony that everybody's a criminal mastermind at that particular time. I wasn't a criminal mastermind, I'd never been in trouble in my life. I just got greedy, and I fell for it and it was exactly the wrong thing to do. But it was a decision that I made willingly. I wasn't tricked, or duped into it. And then once I found out I was pretty good at it, then I expanded the enterprise and went from there. So that was, you know, that's just the way it is. I mean, I saw somebody say something about, you know, Mike never takes acceptance of response, but I did read the book, you know, I, I'm thinking I'm losing everything, including my wife and instead, God gave me the greatest gift, you know, eternal life and returned me to my wife. We've just continued to grow since then. Rodney Olsen  And I imagine that label of criminal mastermind is really a masterstroke by the police because as soon as you're labeled, that you're going into court and assumed to be guilty if you're being called at a criminal mastermind, and still, they have to prove the guilt and, and obviously, as you've said, that was there but that's a great way to put the jury on your side right from the start, Mike Savage  Right? This this type of crime will never have to we have to stand up to that stop. It'll never happen again. I mean, come on. I was before Bernie Madoff or any of these other people are doing anything and and it didn't stop or slow down. Anything people are going to send because they're centers, there's gonna be crime because there's criminals. You're not going to make an example. I mean, here in the US, and I'm not sure about Australia, we have the capital punishment or that sort of thing. But in the United States, certain states do. And there's even a federal law that allows under certain circumstances, but people are still killing people. Even though there's there's the capital punishment. So it speaks to the inherent evilness of man's heart. Mine in particular. I mean, it was a dark dark place, Rodney, it wasn't a again, I don't come across as Oh, I was a nice guy. I really was not a nice guy. There's a lot of things I wouldn't tell you about because I don't think the audience would be ready to hear that. When God reached down he had to come down a long way to grab hold of Mike Savage. Rodney Olsen  You said that you had to eventually admit your guilt to your wife. Was there a part of you that found it difficult to even admit that to yourself? Were you kidding yourself to some degree and thinking, well, this is all justified, I need to make a living and this is my way to do it? Or did you just know straight out, I'm absolutely guilty? Mike Savage  No, I lied to myself. I felt like I was caught up in something that I couldn't get out of. I'll be honest with you I prayed even when I was an unbeliever I remember praying the last couple of years before I got caught caught please get me out of this. This this is let me just get out of this. This is this is killing me this double life is I got to get out of this and the answer the prayer because I got I got arrested and put in prison. I was out of it. And I'm not making a joke there. I'm serious. I mean, that was that was an answered prayer. I see it now as an answered prayer. But at the time. My whole thought process was justification. I'm justifying this. This is what I do. If it was against the law, I would have been caught or I would know that it was against the law. All the justification in the world I would pour into my, but knowing deep down inside you know, that's a lie Mike. But going against that, no, no, no, I got to keep going. Gotta keep going. Gotta keep going. And I had people dependent on me, not just my family. But the crime people that I was they were dependent on me. So trying to stop wasn't really an option. I needed someone to help and God did help. I mean, there was that's a thorough cut when you go to prison. That's it. There's no coming back on this type of thing for me. I don't know what had been happened would have happened if I hadn't been saved in prison. I don't know what would have happened when I got out, or if I would have gotten out, you know, because it was just it was a dark, dark time where there's just no hope whatsoever of change. But initially, it was all justification. This is what I do. This is who I am. It's gonna be fine. I can handle this. All the lies you tell when you're trying to justify sin. Rodney Olsen  And as for the money that you are making, through your, your job as a criminal mastermind. All this money. How much did you make and how did you hide that away from the people that knew you? Mike Savage  in the 80s it really wasn't that much of a problem. Remember? There's no cell phones, there was no internet, the most advanced technology was faxing things from from one place to another. So moving money around was extremely easy transferring from one bank to a bank overseas or bank overseas to places in the United States. It wasn't a difficulty at all. I mean, that there weren't these limits on how much you can transfer now without reporting it to the Internal Revenue Service here in the US. So those laws and those things weren't in effect at that time. The amount that I was convicted of was $2 million, which back then was was quite, I mean, still quite a bit. Now. What am I saying? But I mean, back then it was even it was meant even more, but there was considerably more than that. That was moved around and that I got commissions on being able to do stuff. And the government traced virtually every penny of it and any property that we had that I had at the time, was seized and forfeited to the federal government. The banks overseas they talk about they have all the secrecy, you know, They rolled over instantly when the federal government asked them for the information. So they were able to track it, but it was they they got all the money that was left at the time of things that I hadn't bought or, or given to others or that sort of thing. It was it was millions of dollars. And it was it was very easy to do back. Rodney Olsen  You mentioned that you had an encounter with God whilst you were in prison, that he did answer the prayer that you prayed even before knowing if he was real or not and so often I find that that's the way that we pray for an answer, and we get the answer we didn't expect, but that is the answer that God brings. Mike Savage  Right. Rodney Olsen  How far into your jail term did that actually happen? Mike Savage  It was it was about two and a half years in. So the first I was first sent to the penitentiary in Lompoc, California. You know, it was classified as white collar criminal, all this kind of stuff, a civilian organized crime. They never proved any of that but I mean, they sent me to accidentally sent me to the penitentiary that they had misclassified my level of security supposed to be sent to a correctional institution which is a low, but I was sent to a very high level prison. So I was there for a short time till that got changed. And that I was transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, which is right across the street from penitentiary. And I was assigned to the kitchen duty where I quickly ingratiated myself with some people there and began making alcohol for sale to the other prisoners. It's called pruno. And it was made with bread and yeast and sugar and I won't give the recipe out someone by trying it and going blind. But we would make that and so I had a little side hustle going on doing that I was also one of the guys making book, you know, for taking bets on football games and baseball games, basketball games, all that kind of stuff. So I fell right back into a criminal lifestyle. So I got into prison. So that was I was it was great. You know, it was where I got this. Now I can do this for the next you know, few years. But then about 18 months in I get transferred out of the kitchen where I was doing all this stuff to the chapels office the chaplains office and I became the lead chapel clerk. And I I didn't ask for the transfer obviously and and I went in and asked the chaplain, Why are you transferring me in here? Because I saw you on the on the compound he says, you know, Holy Spirit spoke to me about you and so I'm I wanted you to come work for me. And I said I look I don't know God I don't know any other stuff. You know, I've got time to do I'm not trying to sit around with a bunch of Bible thumpers or you know, Quran thumpers because like 13 different religious groups there you know from Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Jehovah Witness, Wiccans, all these Catholics, everything that you can think of right? So I don't want to be around people. Come on. He says now just give it a try. So I'm there and I know you gave me the responsibility for being in service. And then after the services are over with making sure everything was straightened out, everything was sorted, everything's cleaned out, ready for the next group ready for whatever was going to be coming in. And so over a period of six months, I'm going to all these different services, right? And not just Protestant service, I'm going to all of them and thinking this is the worst job in the world. Everybody thinks they're right. Everybody's got away to God, and we got to do this. You got to do that. Come on, come on. So the thing that I hated most was going to Protestant services. Because there was always this altar call at the end, where you know, you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, come forward, say this prayer, you'll be saved and I'm like, okay, right. I'm sitting in the back. And it was it had been a particularly rugged week for me. I'd argued with Cynthia, I wanted to divorce or over the phone and so I want to divorce now you're not going to divorce me? She was she's just adamant, there's not gonna be a divorce. So I'm miserable. I've got, you know, a million years left on my sentence. I mean, this is 1990s I don't get out until 2007. And I'm thinking, you know, that's Buck Rogers time back since 2000. Oh, that's far, far away. And I'm miserable and depressed and angry because I can't make the pruno anymore. I'm upset about not being able to involve the gambling and do any of this stuff at all. And I sat through so many of these Protestant services, I probably could have given the sinner's prayer, even being an unbeliever. It's just and so this particular night, I'm angry, I'm depressed, frustrated, I'm sitting in the back waiting for these guys, just the volunteers that come in and, you know, volunteers before come in and see me and let me pray for you. They put their hands on, oh, God tells me you're not going to do any more of your sentence. You're going to go home soon. And you know, truly rockin it every single day of my sentence, so none of their prophesizing work but I didn't know at the time I was just irritated. Just Just a miserable person. As I'm sitting In the back and vice of rotten week, I said, You know what, God, I'll tell you what if you're real, if you really are real, and all this stuff I've been hearing for these months is true. Show me something. Just show me something. And the guy's going into the sinner's prayer at the same time, and I'm just seeing it together. Show me something. Because I don't. This is his last chance. Show me something. And Rodney, I started crying. I don't cry. I'm not a crier. Never been a crier. But I start crying not not like crying, but like, weeping. And all I can describe, and I don't expect everybody to go through this. I don't expect a lot of people necessarily gonna believe me when I say this, but suddenly it's like a synapse in my brain that had been dormant fired and all those sermons I sat through, and all those things teaching seminars that I sat through and all the stuff that I was so miserable having to do. I suddenly understood, I got it. I understood and I, and I believed. It made sense to me for some reason, while I'm weeping like a baby, this, I'm a big guy, I'm 6'3" at the time, I was like, 280, now I'm 220 Thank You, Jesus. But this big old guy weeping in the back, and actually believing for the first time, not only in God, that God loved me. And I just, that's how I that's how I got saved. As I don't everybody goes through that I'm just this is just what happened to me. It's just what happened to me. And it was at synapse firing. All that stuff filtered through. I could understand what was being said. I wanted a closer relationship with with this person, who when I asked him to prove something to me, made me cry. You know, I've just kept my head down, waiting for everybody to leave. Now, usually the volunteers come and we say something. Nobody said he left. And so I finished up cleaning up the thing left with back to the, to the to the cell, and just laid there quietly, trying to figure this stuff out. A couple of days later had to go back to work. I go in and see the chaplain, I say, Look, let me tell you what happened. So I told him, he said, I've been waiting for that. Like, it's just, I've been waiting for this, Mike, this is this is great news don't. And I said, Well, that's, that's great news for you. But I have no idea what to do. I said, I am I supposed to go to every Bible study? I'm supposed to go every service one, what am I supposed to do? And he said, Just be patient. This is let's let's let's pray together. And we did. And let's see what God would have you do. About a week later, I was enrolled in seminary because I wanted to know If, like in the first chapter of John, when it says that, that Jesus is God, I remembered from the Jehovah Witnesses when they read it so that Jesus was a god. So the first thing I wanted to do was see in the Greek what it actually said, he says, we're gonna need to go to seminary. I said, Yeah, give me the Strong's Concordance, and let's go through this. And so when I saw, I said, Okay, then I was in, then I, all I wanted to do was learn. And I was 30 something years old. And all I wanted to do was learn about God. And so over the next, you know, what was 13 years? That's all I did was I learned, I went to seminary. I got my degrees. I'm trying to figure out okay, when I get out what am I called to do? And the chaplain was gone by then other chaplains are talking, Oh, God, I'll show you that. But you're called to be a Pastor Mike. And I was saying, that's cool. You know, that's great. I only have to work on what Wednesday to do a Bible study. And then Sunday, I preach and I'm rest of the week mine pretty much, right? So I had obviously, I had no clue as to what a pastor did. But I became a teacher. And I began teaching the other inmates and stuff that I was learning. And, you know, I would preach, got to the point when I transferred Finally, when my custody dropped far enough down, I was transferred to a camp in Taft, California. And we put together a choir, and we would go out and sing in the local churches, and I would preach, and it was, so it Okay, well, you know, I'm not, I'm an okay, preacher, I don't know. But I'm really a teacher and a counselor because I was counseling guys and doing things like that. And so it was it was a metamorphosis, you know, over the over the period of time from from this cocoon of prison to where coming out, you know, what am I going to be? Am I going to be, you know, an ugly duck might be a butterfly, you know, what's this and you shouldn't be the person I want you to be like, and so that's kind of in a nutshell, from you just asked me about salvation, but I kind of felt like you need to see the whole story of how it played out. It wasn't a Oh, I've got this now. My life has changed. This is a road to Damascus thing. There was no road to Damascus God had me do every single day of my time. And my wife waited for me every single day of that time, and suffered greatly by doing so. But she stayed nonetheless. And I mean, that's kind of tell you, I mean, it's amazing that our youngest child became a police officer a year and a half ago. How's that? People say God doesn't have a sense of humor. How's that for a sense of humor, but I mean, it's just been kind of a that type of a metamorphosis is taking place. Rodney Olsen  So you were able to undertake those seminary courses whilst you're in prison. I guess that's one way of making sure that you have the time to study. Mike Savage  Yeah, you know, I'm I don't know how many people you know, who have read all of Calvin's Institute's who've read most of the Pentecostal literature on preaching worship, teaching that story. thing, read through most of the word biblical commentaries, I went through all those. When I wasn't in the chapel. I was either at the weight pile, or I was in myself reading books. And if I could get away with reading books while I was on duty at the chapel, I did that too. I mean, I, I read every commentary I could get my hands on. I read different versions of the Bible. I learned the the Greek and the Hebrew writings, I can't pronounce it people laugh at me when I try and read it out loud because I didn't have anybody teaching me how to save the words. But that and I did some time with a priest and he was walking me through the Latin rights and Latin masses and, and going through those things. And so I had this this opportunity to get a world class education doing that. I was just amazed. You know, what I look back now. I'm amazed. But it was it was a rare opportunity. And I'm really glad I took that time to be able to read rather than you know, just In the stuff that I was starting out doing, Rodney Olsen  it certainly has been a big change around. And you mentioned that initial chaplain who saw you out there and just felt the Holy Spirit saying, There's something about this guy, you need some sort of connection. Do you ever get a chance to catch up with him once you left prison? Mike Savage  Thank goodness for Facebook, right? He found me. He knew when I was getting out, and we weren't allowed to communicate while I was in prison, but he had retired. And when I got out, he contacted me. So we have been in contact. This is just a wonderful, wonderful man of God. And there was there's another chaplain that I met at Taft that I'm still in contact with also he's retired as well. Just wonderful men of God that were instrumental in keeping me on the right path when I got to Taft, that there were some extreme rough edges because I'd been at higher level institutions and going into a camp it was entirely different. I had higher level institutions swearing is de rigueur, you know, it's part of the the process. So he, he had to work on my swearing, I had a tendency to, I felt like there were certain times where only a certain word would do you know, and I know that sounds strange for Christians but I have saved in prison I was educated in prison. So the the rough and he he worked as hard as he could to get those rough edges off of me and and I have to give him a lot of credit for, for having a lot of patience. There was times I would just I was amazed at some of the stuff that people would say that were the lower level institution. I mean, it's as low as it was no fence around it, not the walk off if you wanted to. But I mean, the people who come in were just straight from the streets where I've been in prison for over a decade. So if there was some some fisticuffs and other things that occurred just kind of leave it at that, but he I'm telling you, Rodney was the the Mike Savage of today is entirely different than the one that made it into that prison camp at the end for the final two years of a sense of Oh man, so that it's a It was a process and God always put the right people there to take care of that. Rodney Olsen  There is a thought for some people that once you come to meet with God, you accept Jesus. There's that salvation that we talk about in Christian circles, that life gets pretty sweet after that. But you're saying that that's not quite the case. You still had to serve out that sentence. And that goes against the way that some people would like to believe. Mike Savage   I had guys tell me, you just need to claim your way out of here. You just need to claim your way out Mike because God loves you. I said, show me one person that's claimed their way out of prison. Just one. I said, let's take a look at the scriptures. You know, where did Paul end up? Where did Peter end up? In prison. As if there's anybody that could have walked out? It's those two but they chose to stay. Why? Because their faith in God. I have faith in God that he's going to make now there weren't times that I wasn't still talking to Father and saying, hey, look, you know, this is this is good to go. I'm ready to go. But the thing is that the books that I read one of them was the practice of his presence by Brother Lawrence. Are you familiar with that book? Rodney Olsen  I've certainly heard of it. Yes. Mike Savage  Oh, that's the only way I pray anymore is this constant conversation I mean, whether I'm, you know, scooping dog poop in the backyard, or whether I'm cooking dinner, or whether the Bible open in front of me, He and I are in a conversation. When I teach prayer. When I teach the theology of prayer, one of the first things I tell the students is, from here on out for this for this semester, when you finish praying to God, do not say amen. Unless you're praying over food, because we don't want the food to get cold but other than that, we're forbidden from saying amen, because that's like hanging up the phone. You're done. Maybe he's not. And so would you be in conversation? And the first time I said that, I got reported to the Academic Dean who calls me to his office, I'm teaching heresy. I explained to him what I said, and he says I've never thought of that. That's a good point. And so the first lesson is for them. I want you to sit there for one minute, close your eyes and think about nothing but God just just got for one minute. Everything else is gone. Close your eyes. I'm timing. And of course, I'm a big guy. So these students are intimidating in prison. So they are their best right? At the end of one minute, okay, who was able to keep their mind on God for one minute without any intrusive thoughts, and whoever raises their hand, I'm going to call a liar, because there was no way you could do that. It takes practice. It takes effort. It takes building a relationship where you can be in conversation, and I learned that from Brother Lawrence. And Brother Lawrence said that even when he would forget when he would get caught up in the mundane things of life, God would call him back and we've got did call him back by the Lord's didn't have to fall down and apologize, guys, I know how you're from. Let's just continue where you left off. And they would have that communication. The same way Jesus did with his disciples when they were walking to me that was prayer. They're walking and talking to me, you're talking to God, that's perfect. He's talking back. That's the best form of prayer. So Those types of books made a big difference in my life. I didn't learn that in seminary. I just found the book and read it. It happened to be in the prison library. And it was it was a life changer for me. I mean, I walk around the backyard talking to God out loud. And occasionally some of the neighbors say you're talking to me. I know. Sorry. I was just thinking out loud cuz I don't tell him talking to God because I don't want him to think I'm crazy, right? But I do. Talk to him just like that every day. Walk around the house, my dogs will look at me. They know he's talking to God. He's not talking to us. My wife puts up with it, which is brilliant. I don't even realize I'm talking out loud to God but he brought me through so much. Why am I gonna give up on him now? Why? Why wouldn't I keep praying that way? Is our life terrific? Yeah. Because we're together. Doesn't mean we have millions of dollars or any of that type of thing. Sometimes it's tough to find a job, you know, for an ex con, who's a professor, an adjunct professor, rather than being a tenured professor. Sometimes it's tough, but he's never let us down. We went through hurricane Harvey a few years ago had bunch of stuff destroyed. God built it right back up. Went through another hurricane a couple of months ago. God was right there with his to do it again. And so it's kind of hard to doubt him. After all I've been through over the time being in prison and looking back and seeing what He did, it is hard to doubt that He's not going to do the right thing moving forward. So I mean, why would I doubt that will be the reason for that. He's never let me down before Why would he suddenly do that? Rodney Olsen  At the end of your sentence, you're released and even though your wife Cynthia has stood by you all this time, was it like studying a new relationship coming out and having to set boundaries again and, and just begin again, from a new point? Mike Savage  To a degree. Now understand when I left to go to prison, there was no cell phones, internet. Starbucks was just kind of starting type of stuff in California. When I get out, she hands me a cell phone. As I don't need his cell phone. I need to call anybody No, for 15 years you had to call me I wouldn't be able to call you. Okay. All right, I'm cell phone. I thought the internet was like a big library that everything was true on it. You can look stuff up. So I was anxious to to try that. But my behavior in prison. I'll give you an example. I got home shortly before Thanksgiving. And on Thanksgiving, the whole family came over right there stand in the house and I was talking all this. Well, 10 o'clock at night, you know, I was tired. So I went to bed. And Rodney when I say went to bed. I just got up and left and went to the bedroom, went to bed. And I got up the next morning. And Cynthia says, Are you mad? I said mad, what would I be mad about? I'm happy. I'm home. You know, this is great. I'm happy to be with you. You went to bed last night. You didn't say good night to anyone. Well in prison, you don't go around. Okay, night night, everybody. I didn't even dawn on me and I suddenly realize That that, you know, they talk about being institutionalized the idea that you become used to routines and institutions so you carry them with you. That's exactly what it happened. And so I had to learn to do those sort of things. Another example of that a few weeks later, Cynthia and our youngest son, we're going to the grocery store, get out the car, walk in a parking lot. This lady comes running up to Cynthia with a clipboard, asking if she registered to vote. And Cynthia is very polite, very elegant woman professional. She's director of case management for three hospitals here in Corpus Christi. Just a terrific lady. She goes, Yes, I have. Thank you. Okay. And so Jessie and I are beginning to talk. I mean, he's, he's a teenager. And so we were kind of struggling to establish a rapport. Me being there all the time. So we're talking about sports, we're talking about American football. And so we're going back and forth about football. We're still talking or walking up the street. There. All of a sudden ladies in front of me says, Did you register to vote? I just walked around or continue talking to Jesse. And we kept going. She comes around a second time gets right in front of me. I said, Did you register to vote? And I just walk around again, still talking to Jesse, third time, almost to the store. She She comes around, answer me, did you register to vote, but you don't point at people in prison like that you don't get in their face like that. I mean, it's just not something that's done unless you're looking for a fight. And so I informed her loudly that I was an ex con, I wasn't going to be able to vote, and that I just had 15 years in prison and the she needed to not stand in front of it. Only I used a lot of swear words to do it loudly and I'm a Christian at the time. Okay. But this is I'm acting, I'm acting out, you know, like, and so she kind of withers and goes away. I see Cynthia pull up the hood on her jacket and go into the store quickly. Jesse is my youngest son just beaming. He's, he's so happy. smiling. His old man just, you know, swore at this lady. I, you know, there's a little bit of the Holy Spirit convicting me. But sometimes the Holy Spirit wouldn't convict me until there was a lesson that had to be learned in the right lesson, the right person that we learned that lesson was there. Excuse me. Well, when I walk in, Cynthia's got her hood up. Got the grocery cart, trying to speed away, Hey, where are you going? Come here, come here. Let me let me push that for you. And it's what's wrong? And she said, you just you realize that you just very loudly swore at this lady and told everyone in hearing range that you're an ex con. Yeah. She said, there's nothing wrong with that, other than the swearing and being loud is nothing wrong being an ex con. But she says the people who heard you, they don't know what you did to go to prison. So they might think they're in the presence of a murderer or rapist or child abuser or something like that. You might consider that in the future beforehand. And that's when the Holy Spirit came said, Yeah, like, come on. Settle down. trust in me. Let me guide you a little. I had to learn that lesson that way. So there were a couple of times that I can remember right off the top of my head. That things did not go well. Yeah, I was a Christian. Yeah, I was saved. Yes, I believe all of those things, but I still had to change coming out of prison. So Cynthia and I, my relationship was great. She would support me through anything. But the children were kind of like, Who is this guy? Now? Well, Jessie loved the idea of the tough guy, ex con dad coming out. Daughter, not as much, oldest son not as much. So I had to learn to readapt into society. At the same time, be true to God, and be true to who he made me, which is sometimes I can be maybe a little loud or sometimes I can be a little, you know, demonstrative and in how I talk and I don't mean swearing, but I mean, I get close. Stop. I hardly ever do it from the pulpit anymore, right? No, I'm just kidding. I've. But it's one of those things I had to get back into me. Because I was a guy from the 80s coming out in 2007. You know, I it was rough inside prison. I mean, it's not I've been through riots. I've been through solitary confinement more times than I can count, but I never went to solitary confinement until after I was a Christian. Because I was always under suspicion for something because with the stuff that I used to do, I wasn't doing more so he must be doing something worse. So there was a change and things had to occur and I had to grow as a person as God wanted me to be outside of prison. And and that's that's been an ongoing process. Rodney Olsen  Tell me a little of what life is like now. Very different to those prison days. And I'm sure that God is still teaching you lessons. But what does life look like for you today? Mike Savage  When I turned 60, which was a year and a half ago. I thought, Okay, that's it. I'm done. You know, that's it. It's 60 that's old. You're finished. You know, we're going to, okay, I'm going to retire, and then slowly fade away. But it's, it's it hasn't been that way at all. I wrote the memoir. I've written a novel that I'm working on now. I finished up a dissertation for my doctorate in psychology over the last few years. And so today I'm an adjunct professor, I teach online, occasionally I go into the classroom. I enjoy being in the classroom. I enjoy teaching students and and challenging them and having fun with them. But I enjoy the time alone with God. I can see what was so appealing to to Francis Merton and his writings a Roman Catholic monk, a Trappist monk, about that this solitude of being God. And so there are days when I have contact with them. No one but Cynthia, and I can, I'm content with that. There are other days that I'll have me doing interviews, or we'll be interviewing people have classes, and I'm busy going back and forth. And it's fine. But any problems that arise, I always put into the perspective of what I've been through in the past and how God was faithful with that. And I've been in prison riots where, you know, things got ugly in a hurry, and he still protected me. And so, I always give the example of this way in prison when they say that brother is gonna stab you in the back. They mean it literally. It's not like it's not a metaphor of, he's going to say something bad about you. So there's this perspective that I've been that I've been given by God, that it's okay to be alone. Because you're not alone because you're with God. It's okay if if people don't always remember your name or they're not struck by this interview or by reading one of your books are. That's okay. That's okay. And so my life is one of pleasant solitude at times of pleasant action at times, but of trying my best to be led by God and whatever he wants me to do it and sometimes that's moment to moment because sometimes I can get a little restless, I'll admit. And that's time of Okay, we'll pick up the guitar. You know, let's just talk Mike why you play your little chords, or, you know, let's let's write some more. Let's edit some more. This is a quiet more contemplative time and I've described it to Cynthia as being in solitary confinement, with privileges. But I mean, it's a good life. Our children are all grown. We have five grand sons. It's an enjoyable life because I see it through how God wants me to see it in times that I get restless. I realize I'm just being kind of a knucklehead and just to settle down. Rodney Olsen  I'm going to put some links to your website in the show notes at bleeding daylight dotnet. But for anyone listening, what's the easiest way for them to get in touch with you? They want to pick up a copy of your book and delve further into your story or listen to the podcast. Where should they go? Mike Savage  Well, I made it pretty simple. If they want to buy the book, it's on Amazon. It's called a prisoner's perspective, the redemption of a criminal mastermind. So it's right there on Amazon. If you're interested in finding out more about me or for whatever reason that may be, you can go to MikeSavageBooks.com. That's, that's the website and I'm also on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. And I'm not a master of any of those, but I am capable of returning messages. So if I can at least do that, but the that's the best way to get in touch. I appreciate your you're putting those out there. Thank you, Rodney very much, Rodney Olsen  Mike. It has been a delight hearing your story to hear where you've come from and where God has you headed and I'm sure that the story is not over yet but thank you so much for your time today on Bleeding Daylight. Mike Savage  Thank you very much. Emily OlsenThank you for listening to Bleeding Daylight. Please help us to shine more light into the darkness by sharing this episode with others. For further details and more episodes, please visit BleedingDaylight.net 

Despite having a great playing career, Willie Wilson is better know for getting caught up in a bad time for professional athletes. Host of Radio Baseball Cards is Hall of Fame Pitcher and play by play broadcaster, Don Drysdale (1936-1993). Created by Fred Greene (Golf Smarter) Radio Baseball Cards was originally a nationally syndicated radio pre-game show in 1987. Radio Baseball Cards is listed in the Baseball Hall of Fame & Library.Willie James Wilson played 19 MLB seasons for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. He was an outfielder known for his speed and ability as an effective leadoff hitter. Wilson's career total of 668 stolen bases currently ranks him in 12th place all-time (after 2019 season) among major leaguers.After the end of the 1983 season, Wilson found himself in a drug scandal along with teammates Willie Aikens, Vida Blue, and Jerry Martin. All four pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges (attempting to purchase cocaine) on November 17. They became the first active major leaguers to serve jail time, serving 81 days at the Fort Worth, Texas, Federal Correctional Institution. He was suspended by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for the entire 1984 season, but the suspension was reduced on appeal and he was able to return on May 15. The Royals traded or released the other three, with only Wilson returning to the Royals, and he hit .301 and stole 47 bases after his return.

I’m continuing to read from my book Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term. This is the second installment of chapter 7, covering months 93 through 95 of my confinement, in 1995. *  *  *  *  *  *  * In search of the associate warden, I walk to the chow hall during the noon meal and I see Nuss standing in line, looking like the Grim Reaper. Knowing that he can influence my transfer to low-security, I approach him. “I spent the weekend reading through the Custody and Classification manual,” I tell him. “According to the formula in the policy statement, I calculate that I should be in a low-, not a medium-security prison. When my case manager comes in I’ll see what he thinks. If I’ve got a low-security rating, would you support my transfer?” “Don’t you have 45 years?” “Yes. But I’ve done eight years without any problems or disciplinary infractions.” “But you led a criminal organization.” His knowledge of my case makes me wonder what he has against me. “I don’t have a history of violence or weapons, and I’m within 18 years of my release.” I counter. “When’s your release date?” “August, 2013.” He looks up, does the math in his head. “You’re just barely under 18 years, by three months.” “Still, I’m under 18 years. That qualifies me for placement in a low-security prison.  I’d like a transfer.” “Where do you want to transfer?” “Wherever I can complete my schooling. I’m from Seattle, but I don’t care where I serve my sentence. I just want to earn my degree and I might face fewer restrictions if I’m in a low.” “Let’s see what your case manager says.” A bit more optimistic, I walk to the serving line and notice pizza on the menu.  It’s little more than tomato sauce and cheese melted over a cardboard-like crust, but I’ve grown to like it. The line server drops a postcard-size slice on my plastic tray. I fill a plastic cup with water from the beverage bar and weave my way through the crowd to an empty table. A lieutenant with a lumberjack’s weathered face and a wad of chewing tobacco bulging in her lower lip walks toward where I’m sitting. We’ve never spoken before. “When you finish your lunch, come see me,” she barks, spitting tobacco juice into a foam cup she holds. I haven’t taken a bite, but I’m curious about what she wants with me and I ask her what’s up. “I’ll talk with you outside,” she says, as if challenging me. “I can go now.” “Come with me.” With some apprehension over what she wants, I stand and follow her out of the chow hall, leaving my tray on the table.  I can’t think of any reason why a lieutenant would want to talk with me. We leave through the glass door and she turns to the left. “Put your hands up against the wall,” she orders as I step out of the chow hall. “What?” “You heard me,” the lieutenant orders. “Put your hands up on the wall.” I can’t believe this, but I know that it doesn’t make any sense to resist or to ask for an explanation. I raise my arms and lean against the wall while she searches me, running her hands along my outstretched arms, my torso, and down my legs. “Put your hands behind your back.” I comply, and she snaps steel handcuffs around my wrists. “Let’s go.” She grabs the short chain between the cuffs to guide me. I’m silent as we walk across the compound and listen while she speaks through her radio. “I’ve got one en route to SHU.” We reach the door to the Special Housing Unit, the jail within the prison, and a guard buzzes the lock. She escorts me inside, handing me to the guards stationed there. “Lock this one up. I’ll send the paperwork over later.” “What’s he in for?” the SHU guard inquires, looking past me. To him I’m not human. “Investigation. Nuss’s orders.” “Got it.” My mind spins. I’m not being charged with a disciplinary infraction, but I suspect this disturbance won’t look good on my petition for clemency. The strict rules in SHU will prohibit access to my books, and I know that an investigation can last years. Consistent with the administration’s you’ve got nothin’ comin’ attitude, Nuss wants to bury me in here, limiting my ability to communicate, to study, or earn a Ph.D. After strip searching me the guard issues an orange jumpsuit with the letters SHU stamped on the back, a broken zipper on the front. “It’s too big,” I tell him. “That’s all we got. Let’s go.” I dress in the baggy orange suit, and he then locks me back in cuffs before he leads me through the gates into the segregation tier. I’m puzzled by water I see flowing from under cell doors and flooding the tier walkway. The icy water quickly covers my institutional-issue plastic sandals, soaking my socks. As we walk by, prisoners kick their steel doors and slap hands against the glass windows. The noise is deafening. One calls out. “Day got Santos!” “Yo Dawg! What up? What day be done got you fo’?” One prisoner yells out, his face against the cutout window. “What up Homie?” Another yells, slapping the steel door. The prison lingo annoys me and at this moment I detest every aspect of institutional living. I look straight ahead, trying to ignore the mayhem and prisoners who’ve been locked up since the riot, as I’m shivering from wet feet as we slosh through the flooded tier.  Since I know the guard won’t issue me a dry pair of socks, I don’t bother asking. The guard uses his heavy metal lock to tap against a cell door’s window. “Step to the back wall.” He orders to a prisoner inside. “Come on boss, I’m in my rack.” I recognize Red’s voice coming from inside the cell. “I said get up and step to the back of the cell. Stand against the wall.” Guards take the security precaution to prevent a prisoner in the SHU from attacking the incoming prisoner while he stands defenseless in handcuffs. The guard unlocks the cell door and I step over the sheets placed to block water from flowing into the cell from the tier. The guard locks me inside and then unlocks a trap in the center of the door. “Back up to the door so I can unlock your cuffs,” he tells me. I squat and the guard holds my wrists through the door trap with one hand, using his other to turn the key. He slams the trap door shut and I hear his boots sloshing through the water as he walks down the tier. “Hey Homie, what’s up?” Red greets me. I express surprise at seeing him and ask how long he’s been locked in the SHU. “Four months now, two to go.” “Why? You just disappeared. I never heard why they nabbed you off the compound.” Red was once assigned to a room on my tier, but guards came for him one night. They escorted him off the compound and I didn’t hear anything about what happened. Since it wasn’t my business, I didn’t ask. I’ve seen thousands of prisoners’ faces, and I’ve heard nearly as many stories, so I didn’t miss Red, just as I’m sure that no one’s missing me. “Busted me on a three-way.” “What?” “A three-way.” “What’s that?” “I was on the phone with my ol’ lady and she conferenced me into another call with my homie.” “A three way phone call? You’ve been in here four months because you made a three-way phone call?” I ask, incredulous. “And I got two more months to go. Plus they done took my phone and visits away for a year. These sanctions ain’t no joke.” “Did you appeal?” Red shrugged. “What’s the point? Ain’t gonna change nothin’. I told the DHO that I got a baby girl, a family. Takin’ my phone and my visits was jus’ gonna drive ’em away.” “What’d he say to that?” The Disciplinary Hearing Officer determines guilt on institutional rule violations and imposes sanctions. “Fuck him! Said I should’a thought about my baby girl ’fore I done made the three-way phone call. How ’bout you? What’d they get you fo’?” “Investigation,” I reply. “You? What’re they investigatin’ you for? Too many books?” “Something like that. I had a conversation with Nuss about my school last Thursday. Spoke with him again today, and here I am.” “That’s all it takes. Fuckin’ Nazi!” I climb up to the top rack, pull my wet socks off and hang them over the edge to dry. I lie down. The metal plank that serves as my bed pops from my weight while an overhead fluorescent light blinds my eyes and forced air from the vent blows my hair back. “Is it always this cold in here?” “Part ̓a the gig, Homie. I done tried to block the vent by pressin’ shit paper into the screen, but the fuckin’ jerk-off cop said he’d gimme a shot if I did it again.” “What’s with all the water on the tier?” I ask. “The homies keep floodin’ it, stuffin’ sheets in the toilet and hittin’ the flusher ’til the water floods the cell, spillin’ out onto the tier.” “What’s the point?” “Piss the guards off. They gotta mop it up.” “Do you have anything to read?” I ask. He shuffles around on the bunk beneath me and offers up three torn, stained Maxim magazines that don’t interest me. “Anything else?” I ask. “Got a Bible.” “I’ll take it.”   *  *  *  *  *  *  *   The continuous glare of fluorescent light in the windowless room causes me to lose sense of time. Red doesn’t have any postage stamps so I won’t be able to write anyone about this latest development until next week, when I’ll be allowed to submit a commissary order. Reading the Book of Job lessens my anxieties and I drift into sleep. “Santos!” A guard yells and kicks the steel door twice with his boot, waking me. I sit up. “What?” “Roll up!” We converse by shouting through the locked steel door. “Am I going back to the compound?” “Roll up for transfer. You’re outta here.” “What?” I’m groggy from sleep deprivation, but I can’t believe what he’s telling me. “Where’m I going?” “Just get dressed. Wake your cellie up. Tell him to stand against the wall so I can cuff you.” My immediate thoughts concern my school responsibilities. I wonder what is going to happen to the books I left behind in my locker before I went to lunch yesterday. The university library holds me accountable for those books and I have many. Guards resent packing personal property of prisoners transferred to the SHU or off the compound.  They frequently “lose” heavy items and I know it’s unlikely I’ll ever see those books again. The guard doesn’t give me time to worry about what I’m leaving behind. He taps his key against the window. “Get movin’! Now!  Wake your cellie up.” I jump down from the top bunk and pull on my damp socks, slipping my feet into the plastic sandals before backing up to the steel door. My roommate, Red, has moved from his bed and now stands with his nose against the far wall, hands behind his back. I squat and the guard snaps the cold metal bracelets around my wrists. “Take care, Red.” “Be cool, Bro.” I back out of the cell with the guard’s grip on my handcuffs. We walk down the tier and I’m processed out, chained up, and marched outside with 20 other prisoners. Our traveling clothes are nothing more than khaki trousers, t-shirts, and blue canvas deck shoes despite the late November cold. We trudge through the snow, flanked by guards bundled into blue winter parkas, black leather gloves, and wool caps. The guard in front unlocks the final gate and I follow the procession onto the bus, drop into a seat, and begin to thaw, grateful for the heat pumping through the vent beside me. Even though it’s dark outside I peer through the window at FCI McKean, knowing it’s the last time I’ll see this prison that has held me for 18 months. The two-lane road winds through pristine, snow blanketed forests, but my mind isn’t on the beautiful scenery. I’m bracing myself for the worst-case scenario, wondering why Nuss felt compelled to transfer me in this hasty manner. He seems to resent my education and that I’ve earned my degrees while in prison, as if somehow I’d put one over on the system. The way he had the lieutenant lock me up during lunch yesterday was a clear message that he positively didn’t want me making the case for a reclassification to low security. He wants me gone, and this intentionally abrupt transfer doesn’t bode well for me. On the Interstate, I see overhead road signs with names I don’t recognize.  They zip past my window as the bus rolls on. It’s overcast and cold, so I press against the heater vent, trying to relax and rest, deluding myself with the mantra that one prison is the same as the next and that I can make it anywhere. After several hours pass, we pull into the Federal Correctional Complex at Allenwood, Pennsylvania, dropping some prisoners off at the low-security correctional institution. When my name’s not called, my anxiety increases. The bus drives on, leaving Allenwood behind and passing through other small towns. Storefront signs advertise the businesses in downtown Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a prison town, and giving me some insight on where we’re going. The bus winds along the serpentine drive leading into USP Lewisburg. I see gun towers, razor-wire topped fences, and the high stone wall that looms in front of me. I sense that I’m about to be locked inside another high-security penitentiary. Even though I know a hundred prisoners inside the Lewisburg walls who were once with me in Atlanta, I can’t believe I’m back at a high-security USP. I breathe in slowly to steady myself for the tension that is coming, not wanting to go through this again. The first gate rolls open and the bus inches its way inside, stopping in front of the second gate. Guards step out to check their firearms and exchange paperwork. Then the second gate rolls open and our driver pulls us inside the walls of USP Lewisburg. The medieval buildings feature heavy blocks of red brick and gothic turrets reminiscent of a monastery. But black iron bars over all the windows make clear that this isn’t a monastery. As the tires crunch over gravel leading to the prisoners’ entrance, I ready and steady myself, clenching my jaw and tightening my fists, pumping blood into my arms and chest to psyche myself up for the aggravations to come. Once the bus stops, the driver pulls a lever opening the door and we all file out. Guards in BOP uniforms gripping assault rifles stand outside. They order us into a line alongside the bus. I’m shivering, cold, and aggravated as the guards count us, matching our faces to mug shots on their files. Taunts from prisoners we can’t see echo from inside the buildings. “You’s up in Lewisburg now!” “Too late to get scared!” “Daddy got just wha’choo need!” “You gonna be mine tonight bitch!” The guards march us forward to a flight of stairs and we descend into a basement that feels more like a dungeon. I’m looking for the sign from Danté’s Divine Comedy when he descends into hell: “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” The iron door swings open into a heated waiting room and we crowd in to stand in place while guards unchain our ankles and wrists. I crouch near a radiator to let it warm me and I look around. I came into prison with a few pimples on my face, now, eight years later, I’m no longer the youngest man in the room but I haven’t yet gotten used to this. I’ll never grow used to it. Every man in this room was with me at McKean, but I don’t really know anyone. I watch their lips move with nervous chatter but recede into a space in my mind. Okay. I’ve been here before. One penitentiary is the same as another. I’ll find my way again. Familiar faces will tell me what I need to know about Lewisburg and I’ll master it. A guard comes through to hand us each a brown sack lunch, snapping me out of my thoughts. I dig inside and find white bread, cheese, bologna, crackers, a red apple, and a carton of milk, all of which I inhale. The guards begin calling us one at a time. I’m ready. “Santos?” I stand, tossing my crumpled bag into the corner trash, and I step toward the guard. “Number 16377-004,” I answer him with my registration number. “Let’s go.” Moving from one room to another without cuffs or shackles, I’m processed in, my heart pounding. Every prison has the same routine of fingerprinting, mug shots, and strip searches. A plain round clock hangs on the wall right beneath the side-by-side pictures of President Bill Clinton, Attorney General Janet Reno, and BOP Director Kathy Hawk. The apathetic guard orders me to strip naked so he can inspect me for contraband. “Hands up.” “Open your mouth.” “Run your fingers through your hair.” “Let me see your ears.” “Lift ’em.” “Turn around.” “Let me see the bottoms of your feet.” “Bend over.” “Spread ’em.” I smirk, knowing that I’ve just mooned portraits of our president, attorney general, and the director of our prison system. The guard tosses me an orange jump suit, underwear, and plastic sandals.  I dress and move on to the next station, where the nurse reviews forms I hand her. Finally I step into another office where the case manager sits at a metal desk reviewing files. “Name?” The tortoiseshell glasses sit at the bottom of his nose, and rather than lifting his head to acknowledge me, his bloodshot eyes look over the top of his frames. “Michael Santos,” I answer him. “Number?” He inquires. “16377-004.” “You know where you’re going?” I nod, then make a request. “If I could, I’d like to go to J-unit. I was with some guys in Atlanta who are assigned to that unit and I’d like to see them again.” “What’re you talking about?” the case manager asks, finally lifting his head. “J-unit,” I say.  “I’d like you to assign me to J-Unit.” “You mean here?” I shrug, not following his question. “You’re not stayin’ here. You’re going to Fairton.” “The medium?” I ask about the security level at the Fairton prison. “You’re a medium, right?” I smile as tension drains from my mind and body. Ever since the guards called me out of the cell early this morning I was convinced that Nuss had finagled some paperwork to boost my security level and place me back in a penitentiary. With the news that I’m en route to another Federal Correctional Institution, I exhale with relief, as I didn’t want to endure another USP battle zone.   

125: Earning Freedom with Michael Santos Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term I’m reading from chapter six of Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, by Michael Santos. In this reading, we’re covering chapter Six: 1992-1995 Months 62-84: Chapter Six: 1992-1995 ******* The air brakes sigh as the bus stops in front of the administration building of FCI McKean. As I look through chain-link fences separated by razor wire, I remember my first close look at a prison, back in 1987, when the DEA escorted me through the gates of MCC Miami. McKean has that same non-threatening feel of an office park. Without the impenetrably high concrete walls and gun towers of Atlanta, McKean looks almost welcoming, at least from the outside. I suppose the years have institutionalized me. While hobbling off the bus I inhale the scent of evergreen trees. McKean is set in the midst of northwestern Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Forest. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in such a natural setting, double, razor-wire topped fences notwithstanding. The cool mountain air makes me shiver, but I soak up the sight of trees, spring flowers, and distant rolling hills as I shuffle along in line with 22 other prisoners toward the processing area. It’s early afternoon by the time guards snap my photograph, fingerprint me, issue my bedroll and ID card. Rather than following the wide concrete walkways through manicured lawns toward my housing unit, I detour into the education department for a look and to introduce myself to the supervisor of education. I find Ms. Barto’s office and knock. “May I speak with you for a minute?” She looks at my blue canvas shoes, my elastic-waist khaki pants, my dingy white t-shirt with 2XL written in black felt-tip marker on the upper left chest, and the bed roll I carry under my arm. “Looks like you just pulled in.” “Yes. I just got here.” From Bruce’s description of her I knew to expect a sight different from Mr. Chandler. Ms. Barto is in her mid-30s, slender, with chestnut hair, gleaming white teeth, and blue eyes that sparkle. She has a welcoming smile that many prisoners, I’m sure, confuse with an invitation to flirt. “Haven’t you reported to your housing unit yet?” “Before going there, I wanted to introduce myself and ask if you might have a job for me. My name is Michael Santos. I’m just transferring from USP Atlanta. You may remember my mentor, Dr. Bruce McPherson, who visited you and a few inmates here about a month ago?” “Oh, you’re Dr. McPherson’s friend. He mentioned that you were going to try transferring here. I’m surprised you made it, and so quickly.” “I was lucky, I guess. I wanted to talk with you about an educational program I’m involved in, and I hope you’ll help me with some special requirements.” “You’re in correspondence school, right?” She remembers Bruce talking about me. “I’m nearly finished with a program at Hofstra University. To complete it I’ll need to make arrangements here so Hofstra’s library can send the books I need to read. Besides those arrangements, I’m hoping you might have a job available that will provide access to a word processor.” With Bruce having paved the way before I arrived, Ms. Barto extends all the support I need, and there are no delays settling in at McKean. She assigns me to a job of tutoring other prisoners on their self-paced studies to learn word processing skills. She authorizes my use of the computer for school and coordinates with the mailroom to accept packages from Hofstra’s library. With Bruce’s advance preparations and my clearly documented record of achievement, I have a seamless transition into Dream McKean. ******* Compared to the penitentiary, McKean is a dream. Although a handful of prisoners on the compound serve life sentences, the tension at McKean isn’t as pervasive or palpable as it was at USP Atlanta. Professional, intelligent leadership is the reason behind the tranquility. Warden Dennis Luther doesn’t cling to the simplistic notion that prisons should exist solely to isolate and punish. Instead of relying on policies that crush hope, and managing by threat of further punishment, Warden Luther uses a highly effective system of positive incentives. I no longer live in a cauldron ready to boil over. To leave my cell in Atlanta I had to wait for specific times and pass through eight separate checkpoints, metal detectors, and searches just to get to the weight pile. By contrast, the doors don’t lock at McKean and our liberty to walk freely encourages a responsible independence, thus lessening the tension all the way around. McKean has a token economy where prisoners can earn points individually and collectively. We redeem the points for privileges and rewards that ease our time. The progressive system vests the population with incentives to exercise self-control. By keeping rooms and housing units clean, prisoners earn the privilege of more access to television and the phones. Those who accumulate enough points earn the privilege of having a portable television and VCR in their rooms. By minimizing disciplinary infractions, prisoners can participate in family picnics, order food and goods from local businesses, and wear personal rather than institutional clothing. No one wants problems that can lead to the loss of privileges or lockdowns. The system works exceptionally well, eliminating problems like gangs and violence. The rigid bureaucracy of Atlanta stands in stark opposition to McKean. Ideas for my master’s thesis begin to form as I study Luther’s management style. Eagerly, I write a letter explaining my intentions to him. He’s not only supportive but invites me to his office and makes himself available as an interview subject. ******* “I’m here to see Warden Luther,” I explain to the guard who eyes me suspiciously when I present myself to the control area. The guard is stationed in a locked booth, an area that is off limits to prisoners. After he makes a call and confirms that I’m authorized to visit the warden in his office, the guard–still wary–buzzes the door open and I walk in. Tall indoor plants with heavy green leaves fill the atrium-like lobby. I look up and see several skylights. Brightly colored fish swim in a large aquarium adjacent to the receptionist’s desk. She tells me to walk up the stairs. “The warden’s office will be to the left.” When I walk into the office the warden’s secretary greets me from her desk. “Have a seat Mr. Santos. Warden Luther will see you momentarily.” She smiles at me and offers to pour me a cup of coffee, as if I’m a colleague calling on a business acquaintance. I thank her but decline the coffee while picking up a magazine on the wooden table beside the chair. The trade magazine serves the prison industry and those who work in prison management. In perusing the table of contents I quickly spot an article that Warden Luther coauthored with one of my mentors, Professor John DiIulio. The phone on the secretary’s desk rings and she tells me I can walk into the warden’s office. My legs shake a little as I walk on the plush carpet. Warden Dennis Luther sits in a high-backed leather chair, at a desk of cherry wood. Behind him a large window overlooks the center of McKean’s compound. An American flag and another flag bearing the Department of Justice insignia hang from poles in the corner. Bookshelves line the wall and I see photographs of him with other Bureau of Prisons officials, including Director Kathy Hawk. “Have a seat.” Warden Luther gestures to a couch adjacent to his desk. It’s the first couch I’ve sat on since my term began. “Tell me about your thesis and how I can help,” he encourages me. “I’m at a stage where I have to propose my thesis subject to the graduate committee. I’d like to write about the incentive system and the token economy you’ve initiated here. I could make a more persuasive case if I could learn about the influences that shaped your management philosophy.” “Okay. We can start right now. What are your questions?” “Wow. I wasn’t expecting to start today, but since you’re offering, I’d like to hear about your relationship with Professor John DiIulio.” My question surprises him, and I’m sure he wonders how I know about the Princeton professor. “John DiIulio? Why would you ask about him?” “Well, while I was waiting in your outer office, I flipped through the magazine on the table. I didn’t have time to read it, but I saw that you coauthored an article with Dr. DiIulio. For the past few years I’ve had an ongoing correspondence with him and I’ve read all of his books. From what I’ve learned through our correspondence and from his books, Governing Prisons and No Escape, I’m surprised that you two would collaborate as colleagues.” He chuckles. “The truth is, John and I share more in common than you might think.” ******* After an hour with the warden I return to my room and immediately write a letter to Dr. DiIulio. I explain that I’m proposing to center my thesis on Warden Luther’s management style, contrasting his token economy with the goals of isolation and punishment that Professor James Q. Wilson promotes, and even with the strict control model that DiIulio himself extols. Dr. DiIulio surprises me with his quick response to my letter. He writes that he’s glad I’ve settled in so well at FCI McKean and that I’ve had an opportunity to learn from his friend, Warden Luther. “What if I could arrange to bring a class of Princeton students on a field trip to McKean? That way they could tour the prison and perhaps spend some time listening to you and Warden Luther describe your perspectives on confinement.” It’s an incredible offer for me, and I accept with enthusiasm. ******* On a Saturday morning, in the fall of 1994, I wake at three o’clock as a guard shines his flashlight into my single-man cell for the census count. After climbing out from under the covers and flipping on the light, I sit at my desk to read through the notes I’ve taken from Dr. DiIulio’s books. In a few hours I’ll receive an honor that I know will have meaning for the rest of my life. Although not quite equivalent to lecturing at Princeton, I’m looking forward to speaking with a group of Ivy League students, contributing to their education and to their understanding of America’s prison system. Few prisoners will ever enjoy such an honor and I bask, momentarily, in my good fortune.  I feel as if I’m charting my own course, making progress. At nine o’clock I walk to Warden Luther’s office, ready, intent on making a favorable impression while giving Dr. DiIulio and his students a different perspective on the need for prison reform. Three of us, including Warden Luther, Associate Warden Craig Apker, and I sit in a conference room. “Care for coffee or hot chocolate?” Warden Luther points to the buffet table. I walk over and pour hot chocolate from a thermos. While admiring the array of pastries on the oak table I suddenly realize it’s the first time I’ve sipped from a ceramic mug since I’ve been incarcerated. I’m used to plastic and this heavy mug dings against my teeth. The whole experience makes me grin. “Did you sleep well?” the warden asks. He’s dressed casually, in brown corduroys and a tan sweater over a shirt with a button-down Oxford collar. He looks preppy, which I guess is appropriate for a meeting with the undergrads. “I’ve been awake since three,” I admit. “This is a big day for me and I wanted to study the notes I’ve taken on Dr. DiIulio’s books.” Through the conference room window the three of us watch the charter bus come to a stop in front of the administration building. I’ve seen photographs of Dr. DiIulio before and recognize him as he steps off the bus. I’ve read everything I could about him. I know that he earned his Ph.D. from Harvard, and also that he was one of the youngest professors at Princeton to receive tenure. I count fourteen students, all well dressed, and I contemplate the brilliant futures that await them. These are future leaders being groomed in one of the world’s finest universities. Some may be offspring of legislators and judges. I’m thinking of the influence they represent and I’m grateful for the privilege of speaking with them while I’m wearing the khaki uniform of a prisoner. After introductions, we sit in cushioned chairs around the highly polished wooden conference table. The students take notes as Warden Luther provides the group with details on the prison. It is a medium-security Federal Correctional Institution with a population that ranges between 1,400 and 1,800 men. He describes how he governs the prison from the perspective that prisoners are sent to prison as punishment for their crimes, rejecting the notion that he has a duty to punish them further by creating an oppressive atmosphere. “So do you think others might construe your prison as one that coddles prisoners?” one of the students asks. “What do you think, Michael? Are you being coddled?” Warden Luther deflects the student’s question to me and I’m happy to respond. “I served the first several years of my sentence in a high-security prison, an environment that really dehumanizes everyone. Although I was able to create a routine and focus on educating myself, most of the other prisoners abandoned hope. Those perceptions and attitudes stoked their hostility. That level of anger doesn’t exist here, and from that perspective, it’s better, at least for me. “Some people might believe this atmosphere coddles prisoners, but it has many advantages that should interest taxpayers.  I don’t sense a strong gang presence, I haven’t seen any bloodshed, and the prisoners work together to sustain the availability of privileges we can work toward. We’re still in prison, still living without family, without liberty. When I’m lying on a steel rack in a locked room at night, with an aching to see my mother again, or to hug my sisters, or when I’m suffering from the estrangement I feel from society, from women, I’m aware of my punishment. I’ve been living that way for more than 2,500 days already. To me it doesn’t feel like I’m being coddled.” “What kind of changes do you think Congress could make that would serve the interests of taxpayers?” Dr. DiIulio asks Warden Luther. “One change I’d recommend would be to close all minimum-security prison camps. The camps don’t serve a useful purpose. Fences don’t confine the camp prisoners, and the men aren’t a threat to society. Camp prisoners should serve their sanctions in home-confinement or under some other form of community-based sanction that would not require taxpayers to spend more than $10,000 a year to support each man we confine in a camp.” “How about you, Michael? What kind of changes would you like to see Congress make?” “Well, as a long-term prisoner, I’d like to see citizens and members of Congress rethink the concept of justice. Instead of measuring justice by the number of calendar years a person serves in prison, I’d like to see changes that would measure justice by the efforts an offender makes to redeem his crimes and reconcile with society. Reforms should encourage offenders to work toward earning freedom through merit and redemptive acts.” “How about violent offenders?” Another student interjects. “Should offenders who violently prey on society have opportunities to earn freedom?” “I’m a big believer in a person’s capacity to change, to lead a productive and contributing life. An enlightened society such as ours ought to allow its criminal justice system to evolve. I don’t know the mechanisms citizens or leaders ought to put in place, or what challenges an individual ought to overcome to earn freedom, but I think we can come up with a system that serves society better than locking a human being in a cage for decades. Perhaps some offenders won’t express remorse, or work to atone, or do enough to earn freedom. But many will. And such a system, I’m sure, would serve the interests of society better than one limiting itself to isolating and punishing.” ******* The hours we spend together in Warden Luther’s conference room raise my spirit. When we leave I’m the tour guide, responding to student questions as we walk through the housing units, recreation areas, and prison compound. After our tour we return for a second conference that lasts another few hours. I’m energized as I finally walk them out to their bus, and I don’t mind at all when the guard at the gate leading back into the prison orders me against the wall so he can pat me down. Indifferent to the degradation and assault on my human dignity, I smile back at the group of students who watch the search. “Who’re they?” the guard asks, curious about why I’m with the group. “They’re students from Princeton.” He’s giving me a thorough search, perhaps because the group is looking on. I’m a spectacle, on display, with the guard’s hands working their way along my arms as if he’s squeezing meat into a sausage casing. “So why they coming to see you? You go to Princeton?” “No. I correspond with their professor, who has a relationship with Warden Luther.  The students came on a field trip and I was invited to participate.” “Lucky you,” he says as he clears me to walk through the gate and into the prison yard. ******* My meeting with Dr. DiIulio and his students inspires my thesis. It becomes a project that succeeds in making me feel luckier still, opening new avenues few long-term prisoners enjoy. Warden Luther authorizes me to record a video for presentation at the 1994 Annual Conference of the American Society of Criminology, and in May of 1995, Hofstra awards my Master of Arts degree. With those credentials and letters of endorsement from my growing support network, Dr. George Cole convinces his colleagues to admit me into a program at the University of Connecticut that will lead to my Ph.D. Eight years into my sentence and I’m on my way toward becoming a scholar of distinction. Or so I think.

Podcast 124: Earning Freedom with Michael Santos Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term   I’m reading from chapter six of Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, by Michael Santos. In this reading, we’re covering chapter Six: 1992-1995 Months 62-84   It’s Thanksgiving, 1992, just before my sixth holiday season in prison. Despite the forbidden affair I’ve been carrying on with Sarah for the past six months, today she tells me that she needs to move on with her life. She understands the risks associated with our trysts and she’s come to the conclusion that the stress would be too much to bear for another 21 years. I’ve hardened emotionally, as I’m now familiar with the concept of loss. I’ve been expecting this moment, anticipating her good-bye since our first kiss.  Grateful that it has lasted this long, I’m prepared to move forward. ******* “What’s up? Did she finally dump you?” Windward asks, sensing my despondency when I return to the cell and drop to my rack without undressing. “I told you she’s my lawyer. That’s it.” “And I told my judge that I thought it was flour I was bringin’ in. What’s that got to do with anythin’?” “Can’t you just be quiet?” “Least you can do is tell me how it went down. No sense keep denyin’ it. Ain’t no hot young lawyer gonna keep visitin’ a man in the joint ’less somethin’s going on. ‘Sides that, I smell her all over ya.” “She was trying to help with my case. That’s it. Enough, just drop it.” Lying on my rack, ignoring Windward’s irritating interrogation, I silently acknowledge that I knew Sarah would eventually disappear from my life. She was a wonderful, delicious respite from my all-male world, but now she’s gone and despondency starts to settle in like a dense fog. Thoughts of women, family, and the normal life from which I’m separated rush in, squeezing me. I have to refocus, to push thoughts of Sarah out of my mind and block all hope of finding a woman to carry this burden with me. I’m going to focus on completing five years at a time, alone. I’ve got to reach 1997. ******* The people have elected William Jefferson Clinton the 42nd president of the United States. I closely followed the political coverage throughout the year. Julie even purchased a subscription to the Washington Post for me to keep abreast of politics. Now, on a sunny day in January 1993, I’m overwhelmed by my emotions, tears filling my eyes, as I watch Justice Rehnquist swear our new president into office. “Why do you care so much who the president is when you can’t even vote?” In my sister’s world the president doesn’t play much part in day-to-day life and she doesn’t grasp why I’m optimistic with this switch from Bush to Clinton. As a federal prisoner, I live under the restrictions of the Bureau of Prisons, an agency that needs major reform. I’m hoping that President Clinton or his attorney general will appoint a new director of this agency. I’m certain the change will bring more empathy, as the president’s younger brother, Roger, served a federal prison sentence for nonviolent cocaine trafficking. Reform and liberalization of prison could well come under Clinton’s leadership. In preparation of a research report I’m working on for Hofstra I read about various progressive prison systems that President Clinton may consider. In Scandinavian countries citizens from local communities participate in panels designed to oversee and facilitate positive adjustments for offenders. Prisoners meet with “ombudsmen panels” at the beginning of their terms and together they work to establish clearly defined, individualized programs that prisoners may follow to reconcile with society and earn their freedom through merit. No similar program exists in our justice system, though under Clinton there’s hope for change.  Hope has been a mantra of Clinton’s throughout the campaign, and if he wants to restore it for people in prison, he’ll need a different kind of system. Instead of a system that encourages offenders to embrace societal values, studies combined with my experiences convince me that our system has a dramatically different mission with dramatically different outcomes.  It began to deteriorate in 1973, after Robert Martinson, a criminologist, published “Nothing Works.” It was an influential study suggesting that regardless of what programs administrators initiated, people in prison were incapable of reform. Then Professor James Q. Wilson, a mentor of Dr. DiIulio’s, published his widely quoted book, Thinking About Crime. In that book, Professor Wilson suggested that society ought to limit the functions of prisons to two goals: isolate and punish.  I’d like to see a different approach, and under President Clinton’s leadership, I’m hopeful for meaningful reforms. Either way, I’m on my own, knowing that I must succeed in spite of external forces.  The concepts of isolation, deterrence, and punishment don’t concern me. I’m making daily progress by staying physically fit and putting in long hours of study toward my master’s degree. Regardless of whether President Clinton appoints enlightened leadership to change the system or not, I’ll continue to learn and grow. Neither the system of punishment nor anything else will block me from achieving the goals that I set. Despite the rigid, punishment-based policies espoused by theorists like Martinson and DiIulio and endorsed by the BOP–policies that thwart my struggle to emerge as a capable and contributing citizen–I’m heartened to learn of leaders who embrace what I consider an enlightened system of justice. Some come from surprising places, like the United States Supreme Court. In a 1985 commencement speech entitled “Factories With Fences,” Former Chief Justice Warren Burger called for the graduating students from Pace University to reform America’s growing prison system. Instead of perpetuating a system that simply isolates and punishes, Justice Burger urged changes within the system that would encourage prisoners to work toward “earning and learning their way to freedom.” Although eight years have passed since Justice Burger delivered his speech, the Bureau of Prisons has done little to implement his vision. I don’t see any way to earn freedom. Through my work and achievements I want to become an example and a catalyst for change. I may not advance my release date, but I will contribute, and I will lead a life of relevance. I will show by example that self-discipline and education can lead a prisoner to emerge as a contributing citizen, and I will urge reforms that encourage others to do the same. ******* I’m inspired by what I’ve learned from The Future of Imprisonment, a book Dr. Norval Morris published in the 1970s. Dr. Morris wrote that prisons in an enlightened society should enable prisoners to rise to their highest levels of competence.  His thoughts resonate with me so I write him. Thinking that he’s still a law professor at Harvard, I send my letter of introduction to Cambridge. I want him to know that his work has touched my life, and I ask for his guidance going forward. Several months pass before I receive his response. Administrators at Harvard forwarded my letter, as Dr. Morris moved to become the Julius Kreeger Professor of Law at The University of Chicago. He responded graciously to my letter, offering to advise me with my studies at Hofstra and throughout the remainder of my term. “I may be of particular help to you at times,” he writes, “as I’ve known every director of the Bureau of Prisons, and the past three directors are close friends of mine. Count on my support if you run into any obstacles with your pursuit of education.” Dr. Morris’s support boosts my spirits. To have distinguished academics like Professors McPherson, DiIulio, and Morris as mentors means that I’ll have guidance from the same professionals who offer expert opinions to legislators and to the highest levels of prison administrators. The professors will have an interest in preparing me for release; I can trust in them to advocate for me if I need help. Through our letters and phone calls, Dr. Morris and I become friends. He encourages me to call him Norval and introduces me to other leading American penologists. I begin to correspond with professors from across the United States, including scholars such as Leo Carroll, Todd Clear, Francis Cullen, Timothy Flanagan, Tara Gray, and Marilyn McShane. They all support my efforts and invite me to contribute to their work. As a prisoner who studies prisons from the inside and shares what he knows with the world of academia, I’m evidently unique. Dr. George Cole, an author and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Connecticut, pledges his support.  We begin to build a close friendship. Liberation seeps incrementally into my psyche with each of these relationships. I’m less susceptible to the hopelessness that pervades the lives around me. The woman I loved left me and I serve a sentence that is still measured in decades, but I’ve created a sense of meaning and I feel as though I’m making progress, which is the key to growth. ******* Bruce and I have completed our collaboration on “Transcending the Wall” about the importance of education in transforming prisoners’ lives. He generously gives me credit as the first author but it is Bruce who coordinates publication in the scholarly, peer-reviewed Journal of Criminal Justice Education. As I told Bruce during our summer visit in 1993, our publication serves a pragmatic purpose. “I need to start thinking about transferring from this penitentiary,” I tell him during one of our visits. “Are you feeling threatened?” he asks, on alert. Bruce read about the violence at USP Atlanta in a New York Times article that cited it as one of the nation’s most dangerous high security prisons. He’s always concerned about my safety. “My schedule keeps me away from trouble, but gang activity is more intense every day. It’s violent, bloodshed every week. I think it’s time to request a transfer.” “So what’s stopping you?” “I need more information. The thing is, when a prisoner asks for a transfer there’s no telling where the BOP will send him. It’s like playing roulette. I need to transfer to the most education-friendly prison possible.” “Can Norval help you?” “He can help, and he said he would. The problem is that I don’t know where to go. If I ask for a transfer the BOP will probably send me closer to Seattle, but being closer to home isn’t as important as the preparations I need to make for when I get out.” “What do we need to do?” I always love Bruce’s steadfast support, and I especially appreciate his use of the “we,” meaning he’s always on board to help. “I need to find the best prison for educational programming, but not according to what staff members say. I need inside information from actual prisoners who serve time in the institutions.” Bruce doesn’t understand why the prisoners’ perspective is so valuable to me when I actively avoid close interactions with the penitentiary population. I try to explain. “If someone were to inquire about educational opportunities here at USP Atlanta, the staff would discuss the basic programs. They would say that teachers, classrooms, and even college programs are available. But I’m the only prisoner out of 2,500 who’s earned a degree here, and there’s a reason for that. It’s because, despite what staff members say, the atmosphere in here is oppressive and the policies in practice discourage us from pursuing an education.” “Yes, but you’ve gotten around the obstacles here. What makes you think that you won’t get around them wherever you go?” “The reason I make progress here is because I have support from Ms. Stephens, Mr. Chandler, and a few others. They let me create a schedule that allows me to avoid problems and gives me access to computers; they intervene when policies or staff members try to block me. When I get to the next prison I’m just another prisoner, and I’ll be facing obstacles there like everyone else, including from BOP staff members that may resent me for striving to become something more. Those kinds of staff members throw up insurmountable barriers. I see them every day here, but this penitentiary has become as familiar to me as the back of my hand and I know how to get around in here. I need details and the up-to-date truth from prisoners about what goes on in other prisons. With that information I can decide where to request a transfer.” Our conversation evolves into a plan. Bruce writes a letter of introduction to Sylvia McCollum, the Director of Education for the entire Bureau of Prisons. He lists his credentials as a retired professor of education from Chicago and explains that for the past several years he has been mentoring me. He includes a copy of the article we co-authored, offering to travel to Washington to meet with Ms. McCollum and discuss contributions he might make to the Bureau of Prisons as a volunteer. Had I written to Sylvia McCollum directly, it’s unlikely that my letter would’ve reached her, or that I would’ve received a response. With Bruce as my emissary, on the other hand, I knew that I would have a better chance of receiving the data I was looking to find. Bruce visited Ms. McCollum at her office in DC, at the Bureau of Prisons headquarters.  She welcomed his offer to mentor other prisoners and even congratulated me through Bruce on the progress I’ve made.  When he told her that he wanted to help others, Ms. McCollum encouraged him.  She gave him clearance to visit any federal prison he wanted and instructed those who presided over education departments to accommodate him by arranging private meetings with the prisoners who were most active in education programs. “I’m ready to begin my journey,” Bruce tells me over the phone after describing his successful meeting with Ms. McCollum. “Where should I go?” ******* The research work pays off.  With Bruce and Norval’s assistance, I successfully coordinate my transfer after learning that the best prison for education is FCI McKean. It’s wonderful news when guards inform me that I’m being transferred out of the United States Penitentiary and that I’m on my way to McKean. “Santos. 16377-004.” I respond to the guard who processes me in for transfer as he calls me forward. He shakes my wrists to ensure the handcuffs are secure and then yanks on the chain around my waist. “Whadda we got goin’ on down here?” The guard pulls my pant legs out from between my skin and the steel bracelets locked around my ankles.  “I didn’t get any socks, sir. The chains were digging into my shins.” “Gonna have to live with it. Security first.” He tightens the cuffs to ensure I don’t pull the pant legs through again. Then he clears me. I once read a novel by Wilbur Smith describing the horrific experiences of people who were locked in chains after slave traders captured them.  The slaves were forced to walk across rough terrain to the ships stealing them from Africa. The descriptions sickened me when I read the novel and I’m reminded of them as I shuffle my way onto the bus. The steel rings once again cut into my skin, but by shortening my steps I lessen the pain. My stomach churns despite three earlier trips to the bathroom. My body hasn’t moved faster than my legs could carry it since 1988, the last time I was in a vehicle. Now, in the spring of 1994, I’m sitting on an uncomfortable seat in the prison bus that is about to transport me out of USP Atlanta. Diesel fumes from the engines make me nauseous and beads of sweat form on my forehead It’s been seven years since my arrest. I’m now 30-years-old, certainly a different man, though still a prisoner with a long, steep climb into more darkness. I smile as I settle into the black vinyl seat, recalling how I engineered this transfer. With Norval’s help the administrative obstacles to the transfer were insignificant. Bruce visited five prisons and spoke with several prisoners in each. Clearly, the news about the Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania, known as FCI McKean, suggested that it would be my best choice. The prisoners at McKean refer to it as “Dream McKean,” with a progressive warden, Dennis Luther, who wholeheartedly supports educational programs. Ordinarily the documented address of release residence in my case file would’ve prohibited my transfer to McKean. The BOP confined me in the Southeast region because of my arrest in South Florida, but my release address is Seattle. “I can submit a transfer for you to FCI McKean,” my case manager told me when I asked, “but I know the Region isn’t going to approve it. You don’t have a release address for that part of the country, and I know you’ll either be sent to a prison in the West or another prison here in the Southeast.” “I don’t care about being close to home. I’ve got too much time left to serve and McKean’s the best spot to finish my education.” I persisted with the request, knowing she wanted to help. “Look, I support you and I’m going to submit you for McKean. I’m just telling you what’s going to happen. Once I send the file to the regional office it’s out of my hands, and no one in that office knows anything about you.” My case manager, Ms. Forbes, had attended my graduation in 1992 and helped me make arrangements with the mailroom to receive the books I needed from the Hofstra library. She supported my efforts but was honest in telling me what she thought would happen once she put forth my file for transfer. I existed only as a number in the system, and I understood that all consideration from staff at USP Atlanta would end with my transfer request. After that conversation with my case manager I called Norval and explained the advantages that FCI McKean offered along with the challenges I would have in transferring. Norval said he knew the regional director and promised to call him on my behalf. That was two days ago. When the bus engine begins to roar, I feel ready to leave. I’ve lived through six holiday seasons amidst prisoners serving multiple life sentences in the penitentiary. Transitioning to a medium-security prison means encountering less volatility and more optimism, I hope. As I wait for the bus to roll along, my thoughts, curiously, turn to my eventual release. I submitted a petition for clemency about six months ago.  It wasn’t my intention to submit the petition until 1997, when I would’ve completed my first decade.  But after discussing my plan with Norval, he convinced me on the merits of submitting the petition at once.  “These efforts take time and work,” Norval explained, “and clemency is extremely rare, especially in this political climate. I don’t see any advantage in waiting until 1997. You’ve earned one university degree and you’re well on your way to earning a second. Draft a petition now and send it to me for review. I think you should get the process started.” With Norval’s letter of support, I proudly sent my petition to the U.S. pardon attorney in Washington. That was more than six months ago. Whenever I’ve made an inquiry on the progress, I received form letters that say my petition is under review. I have no idea what will happen, if anything. I can’t grasp the concept of 19 more years in prison. But I’m transferring from a high-security penitentiary to a medium-security FCI now, and I’m excited about the change of scenery, even if I’m still immersed in a population of more than 1,500 felons.  

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term (1.2)   I’m reading from chapter 2 of my book, Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term   For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com         Podcast 114: Earning Freedom 2.2   ******* Following the chapel service I return to my cell where I catch the guy assigned to the rack below me. He’s in his 40s and not particularly intimidating, standing barefoot in boxer shorts splashing water under his arms; it’s a birdbath in the tiny sink. Still, I feel awkward as I stand outside the open gates of the cell. “You the new guy?” he asks, sensing my apprehension about walking in on his personal routine. “Yeah, got in last night.” “Well, you’d better come in. Count’s about to start and you don’t want to be out on the tier when those gates roll closed.” “Michael,” I offer and stretch out my hand to shake. “Buck,” he responds and closes his hand into a fist. I realize he prefers to knock knuckles in greeting. “Where you headed?” “What do you mean?” “Next stop? Where you going?” “Don’t know, here I guess. I’m just starting out.” “You might be starting out, but it won’t be here. This here’s Oklahoma unit. Every swingin’ dick in here’s in transit, on the way to the next prison. If you were stayin’ here, you’d ‘a been in one ‘a the permanent blocks.” “Well I don’t know where I’m going then.” I set my Bible on the top rack as the cell gate rolls closed and locks us in. We hardly have any floor space. Buck sits on the lower rack. “Have a seat,” he gestures to the toilet. “Count won’t be for a while. Where’d you come from?” “Seattle.” The quivers in my stomach settle when I realize that he’s friendly. “I’ve been in jail going through trial for the past year,” I add. “Yeah I can see that you’ve got that jail skin color. No sunlight.” “This’s been my first time walking outside since last summer.” “You might ‘a liked it this mornin’, but by afternoon you’ll be wishin’ you was still in Seattle. Gets to be over a hun’erd degrees here, humid as a swamp.” “I felt it last night.” “The nights ain’t bad. It’s the late afternoons that’ll bake you.” Buck and I pass the day together exchanging stories. He’s serving a 20-year sentence for armed bank robbery. It’s a crime that surprises me as I associate bank robberies with old westerns rather than crimes that people engage in today. He has spent the past four years at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth. The parole board has taken his good behavior into account and agreed to release him in two more years. Buck is transferring to a medium-security prison in Memphis where he expects to finish out his term. “You can find out where you’re going tomorrow,” Buck tells me. “There’ll be a counselor holdin’ open house in the office downstairs. Tell him you’re new and you want to know where you’ve been designated.” “Where’s the best prison to serve time?” “The best spot is them prison camps, but with 45 years you ain’t going to no camp. Forget about that. You might go to an FCI since you ain’t never been locked up before but there’s a good chance, with a sentence like yours, you might be headin’ to a USP.” As I lie on the top rack listening to Buck talk into the night I feel like a kid listening to ghost stories by the camp fire. The lights are out and a large fan at the end of the tier makes a rickety noise while it stirs the air. “What’s the difference between an FCI and a USP?” “Gonna see a lot more blood in the USP. Lot ̓a the guys inside them walls ain’t never gettin’ out so there’s pressure, somethin’s always cookin’. Ain’t a week gonna pass without some’n gettin’ stuck, or some head bein’ busted open with a pipe. Bloods always flowin’ in a USP.  FCI’s is more laid back, like here.” “This place doesn’t seem so laid back to me.” “What do you mean? What’s not to like about this spot?” I tell Buck about the morning encounter with the guy in the gym. Although I walked away, the remembrance of what was implied still unsettles me. I’m consumed with trying to figure out what to do if a predator approaches me again. A violent altercation isn’t what I want but circumstances may force my hand. “I wouldn’t worry about anything here.” Buck yawns and rolls over on the bunk beneath. “You probably won’t be here but a minute. When you get to your next stop, that’s when you need to act.” “How so?” “Can’t be lettin’ the bulls come at you. Not less you want to start suckin’ ever’ dick in the pen.” He laughs as if such a thing could be a joke. “Gotta take a stand. First thing you’re gonna wanna get is a piece. Someone comes at you wrong, put holes in him, send him away leakin’. Do that once an’ fellas’ll get the message that you ain’t no punk.” I know that I’ll do what it takes to survive, but the penitentiary wisdom Buck dispenses doesn’t sit well with me. “Did you have to stab people when you were at Leavenworth?” “I had to get my respect, but things is different ‘tween me and you. You ain’t barely 20. I’m just sayin’, that ain’t but a baby in the pen. Guys is gonna try you more readily than they gonna try an older dude. Bulls is gonna try to get over on anyone that’ll let ’em, but the younger guys who ain’t got no backup gotta make ’emselves known quick.  The gangs is getting real fierce in these parts.” “How’d they try to get over on you?” “Couple ̓a young dudes came at me thinkin’ they’s gonna get me to pay rent for livin’ on the tier. I wasn’t havin’ it. I didn’t have my piece with me at the time, so I just slow played like I was gonna pay. When they come to collect on store day I was ready. After I laid one out by smashin’ him in the face with a mop ringer, they both got the message that they’d better find someone else to play with. Didn’t have no more trouble after that.” “Weren’t you thinking about your parole date or what would happen if you got caught?” “Shit. When you’s in the penitentiary it’s livin’ day by day. Better not be thinkin’ ’bout no release date or parole board or what the man’s gonna think. All I’m thinkin’ ’bout is one day at a time, gettin’ through. A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. You’ll see.” Before drifting into sleep I think about Buck’s advice. I’m hoping the counselor will tell me that I’ll begin my term in a Federal Correctional Institution, an FCI, but my intuition tells me that I’m on my way to a USP, a high-security United States Penitentiary. A few hours later I wake when a guard rolls the cell gate open. I’m hoping that he has come to take me on the next phase of this prison journey. No such luck. The guard calls for Buck. We wish each other luck, then he walks out. After the guard slams and locks the gate I lie awake for a while longer, intrigued by the roaches racing across the wall without apparent purpose. Buck’s advice troubles me because I can’t see myself serving my sentence day-by-day. Living for the moment may be the conventional adjustment pattern but I don’t want to forget about the world outside. There’s got to be a way for me to make it through my sentence without violence. Join a church group? At least then I wouldn’t struggle with loneliness, vulnerability. I hate this weakness that seizes me, and I’ve got to do something about it, but I don’t know what. Instead of getting up when the gates open in the morning, I doze on my rack. The solitude of the cell gives me space to think. I read the Bible while I wait for the counselor to arrive. The Bible encourages me, though some of what I’m reading doesn’t make sense with what I’ve come to believe about a forgiving God. The concepts of eternal damnation and one path to God aren’t beliefs I can embrace, so I pray for guidance, acknowledging that neither Bible groups nor religious programs are going to carry me through this term. I see the counselor and receive the confirmation I’ve been expecting. I’m on my way to the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta. I’ll deal with it because I have to, because I don’t have a choice. “Can I make a phone call?” “Three minutes,” the counselor says without looking at me. “What’s the number?” The counselor dials the number I give for Lisa. When she answers, the counselor tells her that she has a phone call from a federal inmate.  Then he passes me the handset and fixes his eyes on me. I want to wipe the phone clean, as if I can wash off the filth of prison. “Hi, Baby.” I feel awkward talking to her with the counselor looking at me as he sits across the desk.  To him I’m not a human being. “Michael! I’ve been so worried when you didn’t call. Are you okay? Where are you?” I tell her that I’m on my way to a prison in Atlanta and that I’ll be able to use the telephone once I’m there. When the counselor taps his watch, I tell Lisa I love her and promise to call again when I’m able. Sadness makes me sluggish as I walk aimlessly from the counselor’s office, thinking of Lisa’s voice and remembering how wonderful it felt to hold her in my arms. I’m lost, without a clue of how I’m going to keep our marriage together. Not wanting to dwell on home, I head toward the law library. Feeling sorry for myself makes me vulnerable in a predatory population, which isn’t good. I need a toehold and the strength to climb out of this hole. ******* The law books serve a purpose. Although I want relief from my sentence, the reality that I’ll spend a long time in prison has begun to settle in. A year has already gone by since my arrest, so I’m not a beginner, and I know that many more years will pass before anything changes. I need a plan to make it through. The law books begin to help me understand more about the system that traps me. Like an endless riddle or puzzle, each paragraph I read steers me to other books for clarification. Studying the law distracts me from misery. As with the philosophy books that helped me through the months in the county jail, the main lesson I learn from these studies is the depth of my ignorance. I berate myself for not having continued my education after high school. “Looking for anything in particular?” I don’t know whether the man who stands beside my table is a prisoner or a staff member. He’s in his thirties, trim, with thinning blond hair, and I notice that he missed a spot shaving. He wears the khaki pants and white t-shirt of all prisoners, but he has an authority about him that confuses me with respect to his position or status. “Just reading,” I answer. “Are you designated here or are you in transit?” “I’m in transit, on my way to USP Atlanta.” “My name’s Brett.” He extends his arm with a clenched fist. I introduce myself and tell Brett about my sentence. I’m trying to learn more about the system and about the Continuing Criminal Enterprise charge. “Have you filed your appeal yet?” “I have a public defender in Seattle who’s putting the appeal together.” “If you’ve got a 45-year sentence you’d better get more than a public defender to write your appeal.” “Why? What’s wrong with the public defender?” Brett shrugs his shoulders. “It’s not that there’s anything wrong, it’s just that they’re overworked. They’ve got so many clients to worry about that they can’t give too much attention to one appeal. You need someone who specializes in convictions like yours.” “What I need and what I have are two different things. I don’t have any money to hire specialists. Besides, the last specialist I hired took me through the trials that got me my sentence.” “I’ve got a guy you should contact. He’s a law professor in Indiana and he writes appeals for these kinds of cases. Once you settle in Atlanta you ought to write him. Tell him about your case and that you’re on appeal. He might be able to help.” Brett’s concern for my predicament seems genuine but I’m burned out with legal procedures. I don’t even care about the appeal. The philosophy books I read helped me accept my guilt. Thinking about an appeal might put me on an emotional roller coaster. I don’t want to live in denial anymore. My focus is on living the lessons I’ve learned from those great philosophers. I want to acknowledge that I’m responsible for what I did, and for what I am, and for where I am, and I want to begin to make decisions that will improve my character and my life. “What about a Rule 35? Do you know anything about that?” I ask. Brett laughs when I ask about a legal motion that I want to file for the judge to reconsider my sentence. I’ve read about the motion in the law books. Under the old law, defendants may file the motion after the conclusion of all appeals. “Rule 35 is a joke,” Brett tells me. “With a sentence like yours you better have something more up your sleeve than a Hail Mary.” “So you’re saying no one ever gets relief from the Rule 35?” “Rule 35 motion goes before the same judge who just saddled you with 45 years, Bud. Think he’s going to reconsider the sentence? Better think again. If he wanted to give you less, he would have. That motion doesn’t carry any weight. This system’s about finality, and the only way to change a sentence is through the appeals court where three or more separate judges review the proceedings at trial.” The meeting with Brett is discouraging but I walk away with my resolve intact. I’m okay. I’m going to live through decades in prison, I tell myself, so I better accept it’s reality and prepare my mind for what’s ahead. I’ve already made it through the first year since my arrest. A Rule 35–the legal motion that will petition my judge to reconsider my sentence–may be a “Hail Mary,” as Brett mocked, but a prayer might be all I have. Before I can file the motion I must exhaust all my appeals. I’m not thinking about reversing my conviction. In fact, my experience through the judicial system has been misguided and I feel a little dirty because of it. I’m not going to contest my guilt any more. What I want is a do-over, an opportunity to accept responsibility and express remorse. Forget about winning on appeal, I tell myself. The only way to purge this overwhelming guilt is to atone. Since procedure dictates that I can’t file the motion for the judge to reconsider my sentence until my attorney exhausts all appeals, I write a letter to Justin, the attorney assigned to my case by the public defender. I urge him to focus on stalling for as long as possible. The object for me is not to win through some legal loophole, I explain. Instead, I want time to distinguish myself in prison. I don’t know how I’m going to do that, but if Justin can succeed in delaying the process for a few years, I expect I’ll find opportunities to demonstrate my remorse and my worthiness for reconsideration. From what I’ve read of the law, timing is a critical factor. The established procedure requires that I file the Rule 35 within 120 days of the time that the final appeal affirms my conviction and sentence. After 120 days, the law precludes the judge from modifying my sentence. Before that time limit expires I need to show significant progress toward redeeming my crimes. I don’t yet know how I’ll reconcile with society, but I know the clock is going to start ticking when the appeals court makes its decision. I’d better be ready by then. Returning to my housing unit, I notice a schedule for college classes posted on a bulletin board. The signs announce courses in English, math, history, and other subjects that could lead to a university degree. Earning a university degree would provide the kind of clear, compelling proof of my commitment to change, and with the news of its possibility, I find hope. Judge Tanner would probably resist a motion to reconsider my sentence if nothing changes. Earning a college degree, however, would provide tangible evidence, showing discipline, character, and commitment. The choices I made that led to my conviction suggest such virtues were absent in my life, but earning a college degree might alter and soften the system’s judgment against me. I don’t know whether the penitentiary in Atlanta provides opportunities for collegiate study but the possibility encourages me. ******* I have a lot on my mind, and sleep isn’t coming easily. The prison is a population of more than 1,500 men and I haven’t crossed paths with the predator who tested me in the gym.  Still, I know that confrontations will be a constant in prison. How am I going to handle them? If I’m to invest myself fully in building a string of accomplishments that will persuade the judge I’m worthy of reconsideration then I can’t allow a single blemish on my prison record. Not one. The trouble isn’t with me.  I can control my actions and behavior. Regardless of how I choose to serve my sentence, the real threat comes from how others choose to live in a high-security penitentiary. I won’t be able to control the ways that others serve time, but as I experienced in the gym, the decisions of others could have an immediate impact on my life.  I’ll have to learn how to manage in this twisted environment. But it isn’t only my early adjustment and assessment of my environment that bothers me, as Lisa’s predicament is still unresolved, troubling me. Her sentencing isn’t scheduled until the fall, but the possibility of her imprisonment isn’t something that I can totally dismiss. Everyone has a breaking point and her imprisonment could be mine. I’ve got to put this out of my mind, at least until her sentencing date comes closer. It’s just too much to worry about for now. The gate to my cell rolls open. “Santos!” “Yes,” I sit up from my rack instantly. “Roll up!” the guard orders. I’m on my way, with new anxieties. While locked in the county jail I read Homer’s epic The Odyssey, describing Odysseus’s 20-year journey home. My odyssey might take longer. I don’t know. Moving forward helps, even if my fear of the unknown accompanies each step. It isn’t concern about conflicts with other prisoners that drive my anxieties. I’m 24 and I’m strong–confident that I can give as good as I get if it comes to fighting. But I don’t want an altercation. I want to turn this page of my life, to start writing a new chapter. I need to think about how others will judge me by what is written from now on. Every decision I make will have more than immediate consequences, but those decisions will also dictate where I stand in months, years, and decades to come. After marshals yank on my chains and manacles, I fall into line with others and hobble up the stairs into the airplane. It’s already packed inside and by the time we take flight every seat is filled with hundreds of prisoners who deal with the crisis of imprisonment in his or her own way. Doubting whether any of them have a sentence as long as mine, I close my eyes and rest, wondering how many real killers are on board. ******* My ears pop as the plane descends and lands in New Orleans. We pass by hundreds of private jets and I realize that the airport is busy because the Republican National Convention is in town. President Reagan’s second term is approaching its end and the news reports I’ve read suggest that Vice President Bush will prevail over Michael Dukakis in the fall election. A massive dark plane catches my attention. The words “Forbes Capitalist Tool” decorate the plane’s tail in large, bold letters, distinguishing the jet from smaller, white, sleeker models. The centers of corporate power and wealth have converged upon New Orleans to celebrate the anticipated new leadership of George H.W. Bush. Only a few years ago I came of age and pulled a voting-booth lever for the first time. I considered myself an up and coming businessman, proud to vote Republican, for the party of business, for Ronald Reagan. That was before I considered selling cocaine, before the television series Miami Vice, or the big screen hit Scarface. Now I realize those glitzy shows influenced me. The fast boats, exotic sports cars, designer clothes, and incredibly seductive women presented an exciting image of cocaine trafficking. As the marshals call names for prisoners to disembark I continue watching the fleet of corporate jets. Conservatives have won the marketing campaign of the 1980s, convincing me that they were the party of elites, the ruling class, and the group I wanted to join. Not understanding or caring about the broader implications of governance, I bought into the campaign propaganda painting “liberal” as a pejorative term, as a party of losers. Although I’m not a scholar by any means, the concepts of liberalism and conservatism mean something different to me now that I’ve read essays by John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Those essays convinced me that political parties and political thought dictate the direction of society. When I bought into the Republican theory of conservatism, without even knowing what it was, I rejected the liberal philosophy of John Locke that makes so much sense to me now. Yet as I stare out the window and look at those symbols of power, it’s clear that the conservative philosophy of Thomas Hobbes prevails in the 1980s. I’m an outsider, no longer a man or citizen. I’m a prisoner, stripped of the delusions and pretensions I had about taking a shortcut to a life of comfort.    

Christopher E. Pelloski (http://cepauthorpage.com/) earned his medical degree from the Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago in 2001. He was accepted into the Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program and eventually joined the faculty at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, one of the top cancer centers in the world. He was later recruited to the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he oversaw a busy clinic for central nervous system and pediatric cancer patients, ran a basic science research laboratory, and served as the radiation oncology department's residency training program director. In 2014, however, he became Inmate#: 71491-061 at the Federal Correctional Institution, Elkton. Dr. Pelloski has received numerous literary awards for both of his memoirs, Trauma, Shame, and the Power of Love: The Fall and Rise of a Physician who Heals Himself (2015), and its sequel, A Tortuous Path: Atonement and Reinvention in a Broken System (2019). These works chronicle his humiliating public downfall, therapy and recovery from childhood traumas, journey through the U.S. Criminal Justice System, and the eventual restoration of his life. They also present eloquent and insightful observations of himself and the world around him in the process. Book 1: Trauma, Shame, and the Power of Love: The Fall and Rise of a Physician Who Heals Himself (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1500755532) Book 2: A Tortuous Path: Atonement and Reinvention in a Broken System (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1726303314) Recorded live at Channel 511 studios. A YouTube version is available. (https://youtu.be/cCxRfX_6iFE) From Studio C in the 511 Studios, located in downtown Columbus, OH. Find out more at 511 Media (https://my.captivate.fm/www.channel511.com) . Stephen E. Palmer, Esq (https://www.ohiolegaldefense.com/) . has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere. Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts. He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicle homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience. Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention. For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Yavitch & Palmer Co., L.P.A (https://www.ohiolegaldefense.com/) . Support this podcast

The eighth episode of the Inside-Out Podcast features Joe Schwartz, who served fourteen years in a federal prison in Pennsylvania. Joe shares how his experience of learning alongside students from Mount Aloysius College helped prepare him for life outside the walls. Thanks to Inside-Out instructor Professor Elizabeth Mansley and the Federal Correctional Institution at Loretto for making this class possible. To get trained in the Inside-Out method of education and dialogue, apply to one of our Inside-Out Training Institutes. To help financially support the work of Inside-Out and the production this podcast, click HERE.  The Inside-Out podcast is hosted by Dave Krueger from the international hub of The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program at Temple University.  Episode Transcription Dave Krueger: In this episode of the Inside-Out Podcast, I speak with Joe Schwartz, who served fourteen years in a Pennsylvania prison before he was granted clemency at the age of 65. Joe shares how his experience of learning alongside students from a local college helped prepare him for life outside the walls.   Joe Schwartz: Transition from prison to home begins while one is in prison - it's a process that starts inside and continues beyond release. The importance of the Inside-Out program is that it provided me a pathway to reconnect with the world.  DK: I'm Dave Krueger from the international hub of The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program based at Temple University in Philadelphia. And this is the Inside-Out Podcast. Stay tuned for the conversation with Joe Schwartz after this word by Tyrone Werts.  To read the full transcript, visit our website: http://insideoutcenter.org/news-articles-PE8.html

For this week's episode, host Jason Jefferies is joined by M. Randal O'Wain, author of the sensational new memoir Meander Belt: Family, Loss, and Coming of Age in the Working-Class South.  Topics discussed during part one of this two-part interview include Art Monsters, teaching at a Federal Correctional Institution, switching from writing fiction to writing non-fiction, James Frey, the infinite universe, and much more.  Signed copies of Meander Belt can be purchased in-person at Quail Ridge Books and online here (while supplies last).  Part two of this interview will be published next week.

Are you facing a term in federal prison? I'm Michael Santos, and along with my two co-founders, Shon Hopwood and Justin Paperny, we want to help you master the system. The more you know about the system, the better you can position yourself to succeed.   We're now in our third episode of our five-part series, How to Master Prison. In our two previous episodes, we offered some insight. We discussed the process that brings someone into the system. Then we discussed how people going into the system should work to influence leaders. In this episode, we cover Custody and Classification. Those who have never been to federal prison may not know anything about custody and classification systems. But understanding the system can make all the difference in the world.   It's something that each of our partners knows a lot about. For those who are reading the chapters independently, rather than sequentially, I encourage you to tune into earlier episodes to learn about the members of our Prison Professors team. All readers should know why we're qualified to teach lessons on mastering the federal prison system. Our website at PrisonProfessors.com features a full bio on each of us.   As stated in the previous episodes, to master the federal prison system, start with an understanding of the massive bureaucracy. The system employs more than 40,000 staff members, and it confines more than 200,000 people. In an effort to keep decisions in harmony, the BOP relies about an extensive library of Program Statements and Policy Statements. The BOP invests heavily to train staff members so that they can make decisions in accordance with those Program Statements and Policy Statements.   The Bureau of Prisons operates a website at www.BOP.Gov. Through that website, visitors can access the Program Statements. The BOP published Program Statement 5100.08 on September 12, 2006. This Program Statement covers Inmate Designation and Custody Classification. It is the eighth version of the program statement. In time, the BOP will likely revise the Program Statement. When the BOP revises the Program Statement, it will be known as 5100.09. For now we will provide a primer on the system that is in use as of December 2017.     Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification Our team at Prison Professors has thousands of stories that reveal why an understanding of Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification is so crucial. We'll start with the case of Erik.   A federal judge sentenced Erik to serve a 48-month sentence for wire fraud. Prior to being charged, Erik said that he didn't know the meaning of wire fraud. He didn't consider himself a criminal. Many people make bad decisions during the course of their careers. Sometimes, those bad decisions lead to criminal prosecution. Erik owned, for example, a small finance company. Some financial structuring problems led prosecutors to indict Erik. Inappropriate use of Email and the Internet led to his guilty conviction. Regardless of his self-perception of not being a criminal, a federal judge ordered Erik to surrender to a Federal Prison Camp so that he could serve a 48-month sentence.   Had Erik understood the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system, he would have behaved differently, he said. Instead, Erik made decisions inside that really complicated his journey.   As anyone can see from the free calculators that we make available at PrisonProfessors.com, Erik should have finished his time in prison early. With credit for good time, credit for completion of the Residential Drug Abuse Program, and credit for halfway house, Erik should have served about two years in prison. Then he should have transferred to a halfway house. But Erik didn't understand the prison system. He made decisions inside that resulted in his serving the entire 48 month sentence.   Further, authorities prosecuted Erik a second time for possession of contraband in prison. Although he could have returned to his family in less than two years, he Erik ended up serving the entire four-year sentence. He also received a new felony conviction, and an additional six-month term. Instead of serving his time in a minimum-security camp, he served substantial portions locked in the segregated housing unit and then in a low-security prison.   How did that happen?   Erik's struggle came because he did not know the importance of decisions in prison. He did not consider himself a criminal. And he thought that others wouldn't consider him a criminal.   Yet Erik's self perception didn't have any bearing on how prison staff would treat him. Staff members would consider him an “inmate.” As such, they would judge him in accordance with what the various Program Statements prescribed.   The following sequence of events occurred. Erik surrendered to prison in accordance with the judge's order. As soon as he settled in, he wanted to use the phone. He didn't know the rules associated with the phone system. To use the phone, Erik had to wait for staff members to set up a list of approved numbers that he could call from his account. Erik grew frustrated. He wanted to talk with his parents, but the phone number wasn't approved. Not knowing the rules, Erik asked his wife to patch him through on a conference call. Staff members learned about the three-way call. After finding him guilty of violating the phone rules, a Disciplinary Hearing Officer sanctioned him with the loss of telephone privileges for six months. Erik responded by using a cell phone that he borrowed from another prisoner. Cell phones are contraband. Staff members caught him. Possession of a cell phone brought a series of new problems. Because it wasn't only contraband, it was also new criminal conduct. As a result of his decisions:   Erik lost his good time. He lost eligibility for RDAP and the time off that would have resulted had he completed the program successfully. Prosecutors charged him with new criminal conduct. He underwent more expenses with legal fees. He pleaded guilty to a second felony and he received a new six-month sentence that ran consecutive to his first sentence. He served more than a year in the Special Housing Unit—otherwise known as the hole. He served the remainder of his time in a low-security prison, where he faced other problems.   Erik liked to say that he wasn't a criminal. Yet those who worked in the system did not concern themselves with Erik's self-perception. They judged him in accordance with objective information.   He pleaded guilty to the white-collar crime of wire fraud. A judge sentenced him to serve a 48-month sentence. BOP staff members relied upon Program Statement 5100.08 for his Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification. The objective scoring showed that he should serve his time inside of a minimum-security Federal Prison Camp. Yet his adjustment in prison resulted in a new scoring. He received a Public Safety Factor that resulted in his serving the remainder of his time in a higher-security environment.     Security in The Federal Bureau of Prisons: At the time of this writing, at the end of 2017, The Federal Bureau of Prisons confines about 185,000 people. About 83% of those people, or 154,844 inmates, serve their time inside Bureau of Prisons facilities. The other people serve their time in privately managed prisons or other types of facilities. Males make up more than 93% of the federal prison population. Those people serve sentences in the following types of security levels:   Minimum-security Federal Prison Camps: 32,189 people, or about 17% of the population Low-security Federal Correctional Institutions: 69,437 people, or about 37% of the population Medium-security Federal Correctional Institutions: 55,377 or about 30% of the population High-security United States Penitentiaries: 21,524 people, or about 12% of the population Unclassified: 6,980 people, or about 4% of the population   Our partner Justin Paperny served time for a white-collar crime. He served his entire sentence in at the Taft Federal Prison Camp, a minimum-security camp. Shon Hopwood served time for armed bank robbery, and he served his entire sentence inside the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Illinois. I served time for convictions related to selling cocaine. And over the course of 26 years, I served time in every security level.   Developing literacy of Program Statement 5100, also known as the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system, or the Custody and Classification Manuel, helps people who want to master the federal prison system. No one can change the past. At any time, however, we can start sowing seeds for a better future. In our book Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I show how I started sowing the seeds very early during my journey. The seeds I sowed allowed me to make significant progress in prison.   I took the opposite approach of Erik. He started in a camp. Once he surrendered, Erik made bad decisions that led him to higher-security prisons. I say they're bad decisions, because he told me they were bad decisions.   I started in a high-security United States Penitentiary. As soon as I got there, I started making decisions that would put me on a path to ease my adjustment. By understanding the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system, I laid the foundation carefully. That foundation would allow me to transfer to a medium-security Federal Correctional Institution. Then I transferred to a low-security Federal Correctional Institution. Then, at the soonest possible time, I transferred to a minimum-security Federal Prison Camps.     Understanding Program Statement 5100.08: The Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system is an objective system. On our website, we offer a free calculator to help people determine how staff members in the BOP will score them. Simply visit PrisonProfessors.com, click on the “Calculators” button in the main menu, and respond to the questions.   The calculators simulate Program Statement 5100.08, seeking responses to questions on two separate levels:   Base Scoring Custody Scoring   To arrive at the scoring level, respond to 10 separate questions. The response to each question will provide an objective score. Those questions include the following:   What type of detainer do you have, if any? What is the severity of your current offense? How many months do you expect to serve before your scheduled release? What will the BOP say about your criminal history? Do you have a history of escape attempts? Do you have a history of violence? Will staff in the BOP recognize that I voluntarily surrendered to prison? What will the BOP say about your age? What will the BOP say about your education level? What will the BOP say with regard to your history of alcohol or substance abuse during the past five years?   Notice that we always ask what the BOP will say. It's not important what you or anyone else says. We need to assess what the BOP will say in order to calculate your score appropriately.   Program Statement 5100.08 will attach a score to each of your responses to those questions. This score will be known as your “Base Score.” When it comes to the base score, you will note that the questions focus on your past. For the most part, you will notice that they require static answers—meaning that you will not have opportunities to change the outcome. Since you cannot change the past, you must wait for calendar pages to turn to influence the Base Score.   It's important to understand this score as early as possible. You may be able to influence the score during the presentence investigation process.   Once you calculate the Base Score, the next step will require you to answer questions that will lead to your Custody Score. Those questions follow:   What will the BOP say with regard to how much time you've served as a percentage of your sentence? With regard to program participation, will the BOP assess you as average or good? How will the BOP assess your living skills? What will the BOP say with regard to your record of disciplinary infractions? What will the BOP say about the frequency of disciplinary reports you've received in the past year? What will the BOP say about your community ties? What will the BOP say about your gender?   Program Statement 5100.08 will assign a score to each answer that you provide. The sum of those scores will result in your Custody Score. Then, Program Statement 5100.08 will require you to consult a variance table that may either add or subtract from your score.   By taking all factors into consideration, you receive a scoring. That scoring reflects all of your security points. Those security points will determine the type of prison where you will serve your sentence. Your behavior in prison will determine whether you move to higher security levels, and potentially extend your release date, as was the case with Erik. Or if you pursue the path of a master, your behavior in prison will result in your moving to a lower-security prison, and potentially advancing your release date.   These scores will come from your Presentence Investigation Report. If you want to influence these scores, then learn as much as possible before the PSI. We urge you to review the information available on our website. It will help you understand the importance of the PSR, and it will offer guidance on how to influence that PSR. If you need guidance, contact us today.   Higher-Security Prisons as Compared to Lower-Security Prisons The security-level of a prison influences the level of liberty. As stated earlier in this chapter, about 18% of the federal prison population serves time in a minimum-security camp. More than 80% of the federal prison population serves time in higher-security prisons. Regardless of where a person starts the sentence, various factors can influence the security scoring. A change in security scoring can result in a transfer to either higher or lower security prison.   Learn how behavior in prison influences the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification. Although nothing but the passing of time will influence the Base Score, the Custody Score is more dynamic. In other words, behavior in prison can result in lowering or raising the Custody Score. By understanding how the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system works, a person can choose to behave in ways that reflects a mastery of the system.     Experience in Different Security Levels: As a founder of Prison Professors, I would be remiss if I did not share what I learned from serving time in prisons of every security level. I started my term in 1987. Initially authorities locked me inside a detention center in Miami. At the time, it was called the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Since then, the BOP changed MCC Miami into FCI Miami. When I started, I didn't understand the system at all. I only cared about getting out of prison. Later, after a jury convicted me and a judge sentenced me, I changed my thought process. I wanted to leave prison successfully. Every decision that I made inside would put me on the trajectory of success.   What types of decisions will you make?   After being sentenced, authorities transferred me to the United States Penitentiary, in Atlanta. I had a 45-year term. Under the laws that existed at the time, I could earn credit for good behavior. As long as I didn't lose any of those credits for good behavior, I could complete that term in 26 years. I started to set goals. I wanted to get out of prison at the soonest possible time. Further, I wanted to make sure that when I returned to society, I would be in the best possible position to succeed. I understood that there were some things I could not control. But I had opportunities to make decisions every day. Those decisions would lead me closer to success, or further away from success.   Coincidentally, Program Statement 5100.08 rewards decisions that I consider to be consistent with success. By avoiding disciplinary infractions in prison, I could put myself on a path to move to lower security levels. It wasn't going to happen overnight. Yet by gradually working through programs in prison, I could begin to influence change. I could assess my environment. Although I couldn't avoid the volatility of prison, I could make choices that would minimize my exposure to problems. I could choose jobs that would be more consistent with my goals. I could maneuver my way into the best possible housing situation. By understanding Program Statement 5100.08, I could succeed in a high-security penitentiary. I did not receive any disciplinary infractions. I earned an undergraduate degree. I successfully coordinated my transfer to the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution of my choice.   Once I got to the next stop, I repeated the process. At the soonest possible time, I transferred from the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution to the low-security Federal Correctional Institution of my choice. By the time I arrived, I had a master's degree. While in the low-security prison, I continued the same pattern. While there, I married the love of my life. And at the soonest possible time, I transferred to a minimum-security camp. While there, I built many relationships that influenced my success in prison and beyond. Indeed, I met my co-founders at Prison Professors while I was serving time inside of those minimum-security federal prison camps.     Get Ready to Master Federal Prison If you or a loved one is facing challenges with the criminal justice system, we urge you to understand the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system. You may research the entire manual by reading Program Statement 5100.08. If you want a quick assessment of how the Bureau of Prisons will score you, turn to our free calculators at PrisonProfessors.com. The more you know about the system, the stronger you will become. As you restore confidence, you'll make better decisions. Those better decisions will show that you're a master of the system.   Regardless of where you serve your sentence, you can make decisions that will lead to a life of meaning and relevance. That said, we ask you to consider Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. We all have the basis need of safety. If you can maneuver your way into less-volatile environments, then we urge you to do so. By understanding the Inmate Security Designation and Custody Classification system, you'll know how to seize upon opportunities to influence the scoring level. The sooner you get started, the better off you will be. Our courses and books at Prison Professors will help.   Contact us today if you want more personal assistance.  

I'm Michael Santos with Prison Professors. Along with my partners, Shon Hopwood and Justin Paperny, we're glad to provide more information about how to prepare for the prison journey. Earlier episodes have given extensive biographical information on us. Complete your own due diligence. You'll see why we're exceptionally well qualified to help anyone who is going into the system.   More importantly, we're well qualified to help people who want to get out of the prison system successfully. Each of us succeeded after prison because we understood how to make good decisions as we worked our way through the journey. Always remember, the right decision at the wrong time is the wrong decision.   This episode is part of our series that we're calling how to prepare for prison. In the previous episode, we explained a bit about the process. As Dr. Stephen Covey advised in his best-selling book, it's always best to seek to understand before we seek to be understood.   In this segment of the Prison Professors podcast, we're going to discuss the importance of understanding stakeholders in the criminal justice system.     Federal Prison Hierarchy To succeed in the federal prison system, it's crucial to understand how it operates. Our partner, Shon Hopwood, tells a story that might help us illustrate the point. When Shon began serving his sentence for armed bank robbery, he wanted out. Many people in prison want out.   Shon read a case that highlighted a favorable decision. He thought the legal ruling might apply to him. Shon wrote a motion and he filed his motion in a court that he thought would grant relief. The judge refused to accept Shon's motion. Instead, the judge offered advice. He suggested that if Shon wanted to get relief in court, it would behoove him to file in an appropriate court that would have jurisdiction on his case.   Obviously, Shon went on to master the judicial system. As Steve Kroft of 60 Minute said, while serving his sentence, Shon became the most successful “jailhouse” lawyer in history. The legal briefs that he wrote for other prisoners resulted in victories in the district courts, circuit courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His legal victories changed laws and resulted in liberty for many people in federal prison.   But if Shon did not learn how to master federal prison first, he would not have succeeded in mastering the federal judiciary, or become a skilled jailhouse lawyer. We must take first steps first. And for people going into the prison system, it's essential to understand how the Bureau of Prisons operates.     Branches of Government Like the federal courts, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is a massive bureaucracy. Many years may have passed since some of our readers took a class in civics. As a quick reminder, our nation has three bodies of government. They include the following branches:   The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Executive Branch   Our elected members of Congress make up the Legislative Branch of government. They include representatives from each of the 500+ districts in the United States, and they include the two senators that represent each state. Those members vote on legislation in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Once they're in agreement, the legislative bills go to the President. If the President signs the legislative bills, they become laws.   In our country, we have more than 90 federal Judicial Districts. For example, in California, there are four separate federal Judicial Districts—including the Northern District Court, the Central District Court, the Southern District Court, and the Eastern District Court. Each of those Districts is part of a Circuit. We separate those Circuits by geographic regions. For example , California is in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. New York is in the Second Judicial Circuit. We have the U.S. Supreme Court that presides over all Circuit and District Courts. We have more than 1,000 federal judges that preside over the various courts. Each of the judges strives to ensure that people receive due process—meaning, the judges strive to apply fairness in the courts for all.   The Executive Branch of government oversees the many different applications of government. Our president appoints people who oversee the different departments. For our purposes, we know that the Attorney General of the United States oversees the Department of Justice. And the Attorney General of the United States oversees the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. For that reason, we must understand how the hierarchy operates.     Politics and Prisoners: Earlier, I encouraged you to complete your due diligence on my partners and me. That way you could assess the veracity of our claim to have mastered our time in federal prison. It takes a lot of discipline to grow in prison. In my case, I went through 26 years.   By the time that I met our co-founder Justin Paperny in the Taft Federal Prison Camp, our country was going through a historic election. The economy was in the tank, sliding into the worst recession in recent memory. Unemployment was on the rise. Justin asked me why I followed the political race so closely.   As a prisoner, I explained, we must live with decisions that come down from the top. The president's perspective on governing will influence the policies that he wants to set. As a prisoner, we must live with those policies. If the president believes that people have a capacity to change, the president will appoint an Attorney General that shares that liberal viewpoint. If the president believes that we need to preserve the systems that are in place, then the president will appoint an Attorney General that shares such a conservative viewpoint. Policy shifts in prison will reflect the perceptions of both the president and the Attorney General.   To illustrate, let us provide two recent examples of such change.   The Second Chance Act provided prison administrators with new discretion regarding halfway house placement. Prior to the Second Chance Act, leaders in The Bureau of Prisons could authorize prisoners to serve the final six months of their sentences in a halfway house. After The Second Chance Act, leaders in The Bureau of Prisons could authorize prisoners to serve the final 12 months of their sentences in a halfway house.   Obviously, from a prisoner's perspective, 12 months in a halfway house would be better than six months in a halfway house. But it was up to the Bureau of Prisons to apply the law.   The U.S. Congress passed The Second Chance Act. But leadership in the BOP has discretion. When President Obama was in office, the Attorney General was Eric Holder. Under that administration, people in prison could have some influence on how much halfway house time they could receive. As a master of federal prison, I succeeded in putting myself on a pathway to get the full 12 months of halfway house. Similarly, as a master in the federal prison system, Justin succeeded in getting the maximum halfway house placement that was available to him.   In 2017, President Donald Trump appointed Jeff Sessions to serve as the Attorney General. Both President Trump and Attorney General Sessions had a different perspective. President Trump and AG Sessions had a conservative perspective, meaning that they believed that people should serve the maximum amount of time in federal prison. The 2017 administration cut funding to halfway houses.   But a master of federal prison would know how to cope with such change.   To prevail on maximum halfway house time—or any other matter pertaining to federal prison—Prison Professors urges people to understand the system. Pursue a strategy to get the best possible outcome, depending upon the political philosophy of the administration in power. The strategy that may result in success during a conservative administration may differ from the strategy that could result in success in a liberal administration.   To master federal prison quickly, make sure that you understand the political philosophy on both a macro and a micro level.     Directors of the Bureau of Prisons: The Bureau of Prisons is a massive organization. It employs more than 40,000 staff members that serve in six different regions. Those regions include federal prisons in most states, halfway houses in all states, regional offices, training centers, and headquarters in Washington D.C. The Director of the Bureau of Prisons presides over the entire bureaucracy. He reports to the Attorney General of the United States.   For the nearly 200,000 federal prisoners, it's important to understand the different roles in the BOP. What is the role of the Director?   Well, the Director must make sure that the prison system is operating in accordance with the wishes of the Attorney General. And the Attorney General wants the Director to operate the Bureau of Prisons in accordance with the political philosophy of the President.   The Director is not going to express concern for individual prisoner issues. Rather, the Director focuses on systemic policies. When prisoners attempt to seek relief from the Director, the prisoner reveals a lack of understanding for how the system operates. Masters understand the system. And they learn how to succeed, given the limitations of the system itself.   Unless a prisoner wants to advocate for systemic change, it doesn't make sense for him to advance arguments at the highest levels of the Bureau of Prisons. In fact, doing so can cause problems. Leaders know that the right decision at the wrong time is the wrong decision. Although people in prison may see many injustices on a systemic level, as masters, we should always have a very clear perspective. How are we defining success? What battles are we striving to win? What price are we willing to pay in pursuit of success over our battles.   By focusing on victory as we define victory, we know where to concentrate our energy. It rarely works in our interest to seek relief from the highest levels of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.   To oversee the Bureau of Prisons, the Director relies upon a large team. That team includes a Deputy Director, several Acting Directors, and several Regional Directors. It would be highly unusual for any of those directors to make decisions regarding any individuals in prison. Rather, the directors rely upon their subordinates. We should expect the subordinates to make decisions in accordance with the political philosophies of the people in power. Directors set policies and oversee budgets. Subordinates carry out those policies.   Federal Prison, an Overview: We know that the Bureau of Prisons is a massive bureaucracy. It includes many different divisions. People who want to master federal prison should broaden their understanding of how it operates. The more people understand, the more likely they become to get on the best trajectory.   Masters seek to understand more so that they can influence more.   Although a later chapter discusses custody and classification levels in detail, we can provide a brief overview here. The Bureau of Prisons categorizes in accordance with security levels. Consider the following:   ADX: This designation refers to an Administrative-Maximum U.S. Penitentiary. It is the highest level of security. Most people who serve time in an ADX start in a lower-security prison. They make decisions in prison that result in new criminal charges, or disciplinary problems. When a team or staff member identifies people in prison as being sufficiently disruptive, they may send them to an ADX penitentiary.   SMU: This designation refers to a Special Management Unit. Like the ADX, the SMU is a highly restrictive prison. Staff members may send people to an SMU when they want to restrict their communication. Although most people who are in an SMU have violent histories, it's important to remember the adage “The pen is mightier than the sword.” If staff members consider a prisoner to be a prolific writer, and the prisoner writes content that staff members consider inflammatory, they may confine the person in an SMU.   USP: This designation refers to a United States Penitentiary. In the broader community, people consider the word penitentiary as being synonymous with prison. But in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the word penitentiary has a different meaning and connotation. It means high-security. People going to a USP live in restrictive conditions. Staff members consider USPs to be more volatile. They govern USPs in response to population levels that include higher percentages of people who have violent, volatile, and disruptive histories.   FCI: This designation refers to a Federal Correctional Institution. The FCI includes both medium-security and low-security prisons.   FSL: This designation refers to a Federal Satellite Low Security Prison. The people in an FSL have the custody scoring of people in a camp. But they have some issue that prevents them from going to a camp. For example, they may have a detainer of some type, or they may have longer than 10 years to serve.   SCP: This designation refers to a Satellite Prison Camp. The camp is adjacent to a secure prison, and the inmates in the camp provide labor that keeps the prison operating.   FPC: This designation refers to a federal prison camp. It is frequently a stand-alone camp, meaning it is not tied to another prison, as with the SCP.   FCC: This designation refers to a Federal Correctional Complex. A complex will have several prisons of different security levels in a single location. People in one prison do not mix with people in another prison, but they're all in the same geographical location.   FDC, MCC, or MDC: These designations refer detention centers. People in detention centers, ordinarily, await outcomes of judicial proceedings. Although some people serve the entire term in detention centers, or they are assigned to the work cadre—performing maintenance on the prison, they are not necessarily serving time.   FMC: This designation refers to a Federal Medical Center. People who need medical attention may serve all or a portion of their time in an FMC.   FTC: This designation refers to the Federal Transfer Center, in Oklahoma. Prisoners may spend time in the FTC while traveling to other institutions, or they may serve their sentence in the FTC if they're part of a work cadre.   CI: This designation refers to a privately operated federal prison.   CO and RO: These designation refers to the Central Office and the Regional Office. We can use our understanding of the regional office and the central office to influence our placement, or to influence favorable outcomes.   Mastering the federal prison system requires some knowledge of the different types of institutions. The more we know about the Bureau of Prisons and the staff, the better we can position ourselves to get to the best possible environment.   All secure institutions include the following staff members:     Warden: The warden is the CEO of the institution. Wardens have an enormous amount of influence with regard to how the prison operates. Some wardens make themselves approachable. To the extent that a person in prison positions himself well, he can influence the warden's perception.   As a prisoner, it's crucial to begin with a clear understanding of success. Exercise discretion when it comes to approaching a warden—or anyone else. Lay the groundwork first, before asking the warden to intervene on anything. Understand that the warden has enormous power with regard to every person in the prison. In the various books that Prison Professors have written, we described how wardens influenced our success through the journey. Pay close attention to the extensive amounts of back work that we did, and also note how we were selective when requesting assistance.   Associate Wardens: The associate wardens are part of the warden's executive staff. They oversee various departments within the prison. For example, the Associate Warden of Programs will oversee unit staff. The Associate Warden of Operations will oversee facility management. The population level of the prison will influence how many AWs are available.   Department Heads: Department heads oversee specific departments. For example, the Unit Manager oversees all case managers. A Unit Manager reports directly to the Associate Warden of Programs. The Unit Manager will ask inmates to resolve matters directly with the case manager.   Line Staff: Line staff includes case managers, cook supervisors, counselors, landscape foreman, maintenance leaders, and others who work in various departments. They report to their respective department heads.   Case Managers: Case managers oversee all matters that pertain to a person's case. Once the judge sentences a person “To the custody of the attorney general,” that person becomes an “inmate” as far as concerns the system. And case managers will have direct oversight of the inmate. The inmate will not have a lawyer. The inmate must learn how to advocate for himself effectively. Case managers will be a key person to influence. Although policies guide decisions, there is always some discretion. A master will learn how to influence staff members in the Bureau of Prisons in a positive way.   Counselors: Counselors in federal prison do not offer the type of counseling that someone outside of prison would expect. Rather, they perform jobs like approving visiting lists and assigning jobs. It's best to understand the limited role that counselors play in federal prison. That way, people spare themselves the disappointment that comes from expecting too much.     Influence and Manipulation At Prison Professors, we discuss the long-term approach of influencing a positive outcome. That differs from shortsighted efforts to manipulate staff members. To influence does not mean to manipulate.   For obvious reasons, staff members are extremely cynical. Every day, staff members in prison work with convicted felons. Many of those people have criminal mindsets. That is why staff members expect inmates to lie. They expect inmates to do or say anything that will ease their burden. Masters of the system do not whine or complain about this reality. Rather, they learn how to work within the system, and how to succeed in spite of the challenges.   Masters know that the Bureau of Prisons invests a considerable amount of resources in staff development and staff training. Part of that training teaches staff members how “to be firm but fair.” The Bureau of Prisons wants to make sure the public is safe, the prisons are safe, and the staff members are safe. As such, it's extremely conservative. Training encourages staff members to rely upon policy when making decisions, and it trains them to interpret those policies conservatively. For that reason, it's crucial for masters to understand all policies. By understanding the opportunity costs that come with every decision, masters can make better progress than those who flounder.   If you want to master federal prison, work through all of the programs available through PrisonProfessors.com. You will learn our strategies for making exceptional progress in prison. More importantly, you will learn how to succeed upon release.    

Retired Special Agent Jim McGee served in the FBI for nearly 21 years. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he is interviewed about being a member of the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), one of the world's most elite counter-terrorism teams. McGee provides a first-hand account of his participation in the HRT's first dynamic assault mission which resulted in the successful hostage rescue of nine. In 1991, a violent group of Cuban inmates in the Federal Correctional Institution in Talladega, Alabama, overpowered their guards and took hostages. The inmates demanded that they not to be deported back to Cuba. The HRT was called in and the hostages were rescued unharmed. For their efforts, Jim and the other HRT members were awarded the FBI Medal of Meritorious Achievement. McGee wrote a book about his experience—Phase Line Green. It's available by contacting McGee directly.