Podcasts about federal prison camp

There's a lot that's happened to Jen Shah since this episode originally aired in August 2022. The “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star was sentenced to more than six years behind bars, and earlier this year reported to Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. But before all that, she was driving a Porsche, throwing lavish parties, and bragging about her $50,000-a-month shopping sprees. This episode traces her humble origins, rise to fame, and dramatic on-camera downfall.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Several years after creating and operating a successful business relating to immigration law, Dr Clover Perez is arrested on Federal Criminal Charges. Dragged through the Criminal Justice System, Dr Perez is sentenced to 10 years in a Federal Prison Camp. In this episode we hear Dr Perez's story of loss, navigating the criminal justice system, spending time in a women's federal prison with celebrities such as Teresa Giudice & Lauryn Hill and how she was able to make it through to the other side. Connect with Dr. Clover Perez:www.Cloveraperez.comwww.abeautifulheartministries.orgFacebook: Clover A. PerezInstagram:  Dr. Clover A. PerezTwitter: Dr. Clover A. PerezLinkedIn: Dr. Clover A. Perez Connect with Ian Bick: https://www.ianbick.com/Subscribe to our membership program on YouTube to get early access to interviews, see behind the scenes photos & more:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRvVklIft6DMelVW18M0oBw/joinPowered by Q29 Productions, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the show today… Lindsay Lohan has announced that she is expecting her first child with her husband Bader Shammas. Here's everything you need to know about her sweet announcement. And just under a month after The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah surrendered herself to a Federal Prison Camp, the disgraced reality TV star has made an interesting move by releasing her personal prison diary to the world via a very unique method. But there's a reason why she's chosen to keep her story in the spotlight. Plus, Paris Hilton's memoir is out in the world today. Along with some funny stories about her childhood, life in the spotlight and marriage are some truly disturbing tales of abuse she has only now chosen to share. It's opened up a conversation around Paris' ‘redemption' story and the price we've made her pay from her earliest days of fame. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Join us in our Facebook group to discuss everything pop culture...https://www.facebook.com/groups/2524018781153963/ Feedback? We're listening. Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at thespill@mamamia.com.au WANT MORE? Read all the latest entertainment news on Mamamia... https://mamamia.com.au/entertainment/ Subscribe to The Spill Newsletter... https://mamamia.com.au/newsletter CREDITS Hosts: Laura Brodnik & Kee Reece Executive Producer: Gia Moylan Audio Producer: Leah Porges Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Art of Dental Finance and Management podcast, Art meets with Dr. Roy Shelburne, a medical records keeping and business systems consultant who helps protect dentists from committing healthcare fraud. Dr. Shelburne has developed a compliance program for dentists to help them keep accurate records in their practice.In March 2008, Dr. Shelburne was found guilty of healthcare fraud, racketeering and money laundering and spent 19 months in a Federal Prison Camp. He illustrates how important it is for dentists to keep good records with accurate coding and submitting claims properly. If your records, billing and coding systems are faulty, claiming ignorance is no defense. Reach out to Art if you have any questions regarding dental finance and management for your dental practice. More information about the Eide Bailly dental team can be found at www.eidebailly.com/dentist.Being more strategic in all aspects of your dental practice will lead to increased profitability. https://www.eidebailly.com/industries/health-care/dentists#chatForm

Holidays in Prison   If you're facing challenges that could lead to a federal prison term, or if you have a loved one in prison, it's always helpful to know what's going on inside. Our team at Prison Professors strives to provide as much insight as possible, from as many voices as possible. We have a close friend that is serving time in the Sheridan Federal Prison Camp. He sent us this letter with a report of life at Sheridan Federal Prison Camp. We hope it's helpful to you. Visit us at Prison Professors for more insight on federal prison. Happy Thanksgiving!   The last month has been quite a ride. A slow ride, but a ride nonetheless. Trying to get settled in and find my routine. I think I have finally found it and days are starting to go by faster and faster.   I continue to make friends, acquaintances, and learn new names of people on a regular basis. I make a point to introduce myself to people, get their name when possible, and learn their story. The idea of two y ear's - one mouth - allows me the opportunity to educate myself in a unique way, only possible in a place like this!   It's amazing how far a, "How are you doing today," goes. People love to tell you their stories and followed up by just a few questions, they share interesting tales of wild adventures! You would be amazed. I can't really share them on this platform as I am sure you understand, but just know - wow! :) Some tales are how they got here in the first place, and others just about lives before this. If someone wanted to, they could make an entire Netflix series on just a few guys stories here (and likely have).   Rest assured though, my story will not be one of them! The power (gov), motivations, and capability of that which lurks around us, but cannot be seen - is immense. I am lucky, so lucky and grateful, that my experience with it will be a limited one.    I started my "job" in the garden last week. It's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the camp where almost every single program is closed down. Not much of a job right now. More of a place to read and study. The indoor recreation room is closed which forces everyone to exercise outside or in the dorm areas where its warm. The sun comes out from time to time and the weather is very similar to Sonoma County's weather.   It is beautiful here in many ways with the changing of the seasons, green grass, fresh air, and wooded hillsides. As I look out, it reminds me of home. I am not sure how the cold will affect outdoor activities in the winter, but I have a feeling that guys will still be running the track and exercising, snow or no snow! Think Rocky 1, when he was in Philadelphia and there was snow on the ground while he ran up the stairs! I'm getting in good shape. The love handles have melted off and so far I have lost about 15 pounds. I think I have gained some muscles too. Hopefully, but likely because I am getting stronger.   It's amazing how much guys work out here. Many are doing 1,000 push-ups a day, some even 2,000! I couldn't believe it until I did a workout with them one day. It was a slow day, so we only did 45 sets, 15 reps each set, a 15 second brake between sets! I was tired! and, "not doing that again" came to mind when I was done. No reason to pre-emptively wear out the body! Nonetheless, I work out every day and I'm feeling good.   More importantly, I have gained lots of traction in my "self-study" program I created. I have been reading a series of books, newspapers, and magazines. Mostly books and the magazines which have begun firing cylinders in my brain. And what better place to do this then in my own private study quarters - the green houses in the garden.   You might be wondering why quiet time is so special. Well, it's because there is absolutely no quiet place here. Nowhere. Considering there is only a few places you can be, there is no place to just sit and study. I thought there would be somewhere to study, I was wrong.   When they say there is a "library," they mean there is a room that will hold about 6 guys, one copy machine (for 340 guys) and two small tables. And most of the time the "Library" is closed because there is literally, hardly ever, any staff here ever (staff is needed to open and close rooms).   Then there is the housing wing. Or should I say the "fraternity" house! Which are wild at time with guys talking, joking, cooking, hanging out and laughing, or trying to sleep. Speaking of sleeping; have you ever heard a symphony of 30 guys sleeping in the same room? Well - the snoring becomes a musical composition with your occasional "trumpet" sound firing off in the distance. Let's just say its not the Ritz. Good thing there is a steady air flow in the room that keep things circulating.   Luckily, I am in the back, back corner of the wing. I'm mostly removed from the nightly traffic of guys walking in and out of the wing and bathroom. And when its loud, I put in my ear plugs. Then Mozart finally stops playing. For more insight, visit Prison Professors dot com

James Catlidge talks with us and reveals the preparations he made prior to reporting to a minimum security camp. You can learn from his positive mindset.

James Catlidge went to prison for offenses related to fraud. A federal judge sentenced him to serve a 60-month sentence. This podcast reveals his journey, including how he got out in less than 14 months. This is the first conversation we recorded since his release. James reveals the mindset of knowing that he was going to prison.

Jim Reese says readers connect most with his “failures and screw-ups,” because they reveal the humanity that lives within each of us. The author of four books, including a beautiful collection of essays called Bone Chalk, and director of the Great Plains Writers Tour, Jim teaches writing at Mount Marty College and as part of a writing-as-healing program at Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, S.D., where he is “passionate about helping people come to terms with their emotional instabilities through writing.”

109. Insights from Federal Prison Camp   Innocent from The Inside Blog: By James Catlidge   James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison.   James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset.   For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp.     As I've mentioned before, any sentence less than 1 year creates real difficulty for both the "short-timer" and the population he's serving with.  Some of my good friends have been shot-timers.  My advice and our conversations all revolve around all the rich life experiences they are missing out on.  I encourage open honest dialogue with all my friends so my short-timer buddies often express real sadness and family difficulty brought about by their incarceration.  Keep in mind the natural consequences of all this outward verbal difficulty.  No man who will be here for years has any sympathy whatsoever for any short-timers difficulty!  None.  So if the short-timer is LOUD or needs emotional attention or is a whiner, or a victim-minded personality, life here can get ugly fast.  Every man in prison feels harshly treated.  Deprived of family time and not listened to to by the institution.  The short-timer must be aware that their time will be over soon and the rest of us are not ever going to feel sorry for them.   So last week, my short-timer buddy, Luke and I agree to go walk around 9:00 AM.  Luke is 265 lbs., 6'2" and very loud.  I'm constantly telling Luke to lower his voice.  He's a pitbull lawyer, who I would never want to oppose.  He's the scorched earth personality, who will win at all costs.  By any means necessary and I know this, so I use our workout times and our walks to allow him to rant, to fully express his sadness and longing to be with his wife and two young kids.  He's a good man with a very loud and threatening bark.  Luke has a 6 months sentence.  So after agreeing to walk, we each walk back to our cubicles to grab workout gloves and our coats,  As I exit my cube #6, I hear his voice very loudly addressing Chino, the head of the Pisa gang and my cook!  Chino is 5'10", 200 lbs. and kind and even tempered with a 10 year sentence.  Chino worked directly for the Cartel in Mexico and is highly respected by me and every man on the yard.  He's mopping the hallway outside Luke's cube and the floor is wet while Luke is walking across it back to his cube to get his stuff for our walk.  Chino, who I could not hear, said something to him about walking on his freshly mopped floor and Luke verbally attacked.  As I head toward the cube, the scene was escalating.  Chino went to get Greg, our Shot Caller (white).  Chino, of course, now has every Pisa in our dorm running toward Luke's cube.  Honest to God, as I'm tuning in and walking, the inner hallway is jammed up with 42 Pisas and 15 white guys, me included, waiting for a fight to erupt.  No one is closer to Luke, than me, but this is out of control.  I decide I need to attempt to defuse this very tense scene when Greg goes chest to chest with Luke and explains that Chino is mopping "our floor".  We all live here and he needs to be respected.  Now a correction officer enters the scene.  I'm now next to Greg and Luke and this C.O. looks right at me and says "Is everything ok here"  I know and the C.O. knows that question is an opportunity to defuse a sure fight between the Pisas and the whites.  So I say, "it sure is, we are just wrapping up here.  Chino and Luke are apologizing for a simple misunderstanding!"  So they shake hands and a real forced stand down occurs!   Now, since our walk is still pending, I say Luke, let's walk!  We spend the next 30 minutes talking about respect and gangs and the prison rule that when you fight, we all fight even if its 15 vs 40 Pisas.  No offense you take is personal.  It belongs to all of us.  So, please consider in all you do how important it is when you feel offended so quickly.  I then take a considerable amount of time discussing the loud, aggressive, abrasive script he enters every room with.  Luke says, I have never ever even considered this.  At age 48, I'm amazed he has zero awareness of the impression he leaves on others.  So, Greg meets with me later and says, does he get it?  I explain, I think so, but its a short-timer mentality that never quite invests himself into his new surroundings.  I love Luke and he has since apologized to Chino, Greg and several others, but this was very close to a disaster.   

James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison. James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset. For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp. Its daybreak around 7:15 A.M.  This time of year, I make my way to the eastern corner of the track approximately 80 yards from my cube  I'm laced up tight for my 9 laps this morning, as the sun casts its warming glow across my face and body.  Its cold, maybe 50 degrees.  I have my   t-shirt and gym shorts on.  Today I have a fleece lined sweatshirt on also to keep the damp chill off my body. I have my earbuds in to ward off any would-be talkers, who often use this solitary time to invade my well managed head space.   Today I'm listening to my favorite country music station, KUZZ, broadcasting from Bakersfield.  As I pick up pace, I'm walking fast, usually 5 minute laps.  Each lap is .38 miles and all dirt and gravel, worn down over the 25 years since this camp opened.  Its hard to keep up, if anybody dares merge in and try to talk.  Few here want to walk this fast.  It's actually peaceful and feels like exercise. The track provides me with a 360 degree view of freedom.  To the East, in the near distance, are miles and miles of farm fields, growing thick crops, very well groomed.  Beyond that, a mountain/hill range that circles the entire prison compound.  To the West is a small private airport, used by Chevron/Shell and other oil executives who come here for the vast oil wells and refineries in the near vicinity.   I often look far East, as i make my way down the straight away of the track and I can see I-5 Freeway.  This road feels to me like familiar Freedom.  I've travelled that road, north and south, hundreds of times.  My walks are usually filled with daydreams of great memories with you and my kids, my business associates, chasing down that familiar highway.  For golf or a meeting or to see Kendra or to go to court.  I-5 connected me to many of my activities in a Life of Freedom.   Today, however, I am walking fast with different thoughts, "What is Freedom?" Racing to court? Having to be at a meeting and sit there for hours?  Staring at my Facebook and social media feed, thinking about being wherever they are?  Chasing a deal, cause I need that deal and many are counting on me to close it?  Sitting in a class that I'm bored by?  Is Freedom defined by one's ability to leave a confined perimeter?  Or is it something else? Maybe I am free, totally free, uncomfortably free.  The Camp must provide all 3 meals for me.  The Camp must provide religious freedom.  The Camp must provide exercise facilities, education facilities, medical services, even mail, TV and telephone access.   Yet, I am not allowed or even permitted to pay for any of it.  I think I'm Free.  I can wake up when I want, shower when I want, eat when I want, exercise, study, have deep discussions, talk and listen to funny stories, draw, paint, read, pray, go to church and Yes....I can still eat fudge and chocolate cake. There are a few things I cannot do, all of them are With You, because we are separated by 6 "out of bounds" posts that keep our lives apart for a time, but  I think I'm free.  The bigger question I'm thinking about today is....Are you free?  Freedom is not defined by the distance between "out of bounds" posts but rather, the ability to be present and productive and challenged right where you stand.  In your dorm room, in your bedroom, in a conference room, staring at your social feed or walking the track at Taft.  Are you captive or free?  I'm through walking now.  I think I'll have a lemonade and check the menu for lunch, its the weekend!!! 

James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison. James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset. For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp.     Prison is an amazing social science experiment.  As I observe my fellow inmates and occasionally insert counsel, I'm struck by the difficulty that brilliant men have with doing their time.  Men I respect for their intellect can suffer so needlessly.  I'm left to assume they must of had a spouse or friend or child in their life that assisted them on the outside.  Life is very easy here IF you are aware of your surroundings, use your manners, show outward respect, assume nothing, talk less, listen more, stay clean, groom yourself and keep neat, clean, tidy cubicles and stay vigilant with exercise and nutrition.  Remove any one of those and your time becomes difficult quickly.  Bad habits equal hard time.  Good habits equal easy time.  As a simple example, my lawyer friend, Sean, and I crossed each other in the hallway and he was moving sloth-like, walking in the middle, not his lane. When a black gentleman, A.D. says, "get the hell out of the way".  It scared Sean so badly he almost fell down.  I flipped around quickly and told A.D. that "I'll take care of it".  I grabbed my smart friend, Sean, and ushered him to his cube and sat him down on his bed and said, "do you know what just happened out there?" Sean says "NO"!  I then said, "Sean are you OK? You've lost 35 pounds, you look great but your energy level is so low, you're wandering the hall like a crazy man and moving like a sloth."  He says, in total sincerity, "really?"  I said, "Sean, you're my friend, trust me, you are moving like a sloth." We then go through the food he is eating, which was a guess as to his decline in energy and aimless behavior.  We discovered he literally is starving himself.  We discussed hallway etiquette and self-awareness and then planned the balance of today's food intake and hopefully my brilliant friend will self correct.  A.D. came by and said 'What's wrong with that weirdo"?  I said he's exhausted and has lost so much weight.  He needed to increase calories, but he's OK. Those odd self-inflicted behaviors are everywhere, young and old, smart and not so smart.  Anybody headed to prison must be advised that self-governance is essential.  A strong independent minded person can adapt quickly to prison life.  Anyone dependent on others for daily decision making will suffer.  My great friend, Margaret, visited me yesterday and what a wonderful time we shared in the visitation room.  Margaret was so good to me throughout my legal ordeal.  She was one of my top advisors when the case hit.  Margaret was harassed, sued and maligned unfairly and her visit was so emotionally healthy for us both.  I'm so very grateful for Margaret and her wonderful husband, Mel, for their undying support, even while they faced their own wrongful persecution.  Real friends reveal themselves in the difficult times in our lives. I am keeping a gratitude journal in here (Ken Hogan suggested this).  I look at at it and add to it regularly.  Today, I am reminded of the immense value of real friendship and its power to keep the lights on in the darkest days. This last week I moved to my new cube 6 Low, a window view of the sunset side of the yard.  I look out at 60 foot trees that are in their fall color transition.  I love my cube.  It has only one bunk bed in it and much more room.  I've finally outgrown the busy hallway by the bathroom. Its dark at night, serenely quiet and filled with natural light throughout the day.  The window is 8 feet tall and 2 feet wide and starts about 3 feet from the floor and goes up to the ceiling.  The window frames the entire recreation portion of the yard. I am sitting at my desk this Sunday morning at 6:40 AM, looking out at the track as I write this.  I am settled and will likely not move again until I come home.  I can do this.  I can grow mentally here.  I am becoming stronger here.  I will work on all that is wrong with me here.  I have a list of self improvement projects that will all be worked on here at A4A 6 Low, my current home. I love you all and continue to benefit from your thoughts, prayers and kindness. Life is Good,    James.    

105. Insights from Federal Prison Camp   Innocent from The Inside Blog: By James Catlidge James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison. James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset. For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp.     There is a rhythm or an ebb and flow to the camp population here at Taft Camp.  Every week men leave for home and new men arrive, either self-surrender or transfer from another prison.  Oddly, those departing are sad and excited.  We, also, are sad and excited.  We share 24 hours a day, all meals, classes, recreation, church, deep talks, intense debates with each other, a bond, a trust.  Respect is built quickly.  Your true nature cannot be hidden here.  You are not leaving.  You cannot hide.  This facility has developed a peaceful, rule following culture.  The rebels are punished severely, only the smartest mavericks can maintain their rebellious nature.   No slick talker lasts long.  No hustler can maintain his hustle here. The inmates provide the ultimate in social order.  The C.O.'s (correction officers) operate control out on the fringe where the nutty inmates can't help themselves. I'm having some clothes custom tailored this week (a real luxury in here)  Our wardrobe is limited.  We wear khaki slacks, white t-shirts, mesh athletic shorts, long sleeve white t-shirts and sneakers.  There is only one tailor in the camp.  Douglas is my friend.  He has all my pants with custom pockets, tapered and hemmed at the bottom, the pockets are slanted and have a plush material for the inside to hold my photo I.D.  Our issued pants from laundry have no pockets and are always longer or shorter than they should be.  Douglas comes in to my cube and chalks waist, inseam and the slanted front pocket location.  He even fits my shirts.  He does not like it when his friends are walking around in ill-fitting clothes.  We all look alike except for the custom features that Douglas creates.  There is some pride in the custom clothes, very odd, I know.  Another unique luxury are the barbers.  There are 5 barbers.  Thank God, the white barber has outside experience.  Some don't!! I get my haircut every 2 weeks.  The cost is free but I tip him one tuna or a package of M&M's.  He goes home to Vegas in one month (UH-OH). My bunkmate, Steve, goes home in three months.  I'll miss him.  We walk together, 3 miles a day around the track while I'm recovering.  We walk from 8:00-8:35 PM, while the sun is setting.  We get amazing sunsets with brilliant orange, red skies as the sun works its way down behind the distant hilly landscape.  It's just beautiful. Each time a man leaves for home,  it's a tradition give away your things to friends, almost a presentation of sorts.  The more valuable items to the closest friends.  You take nothing with you, that's the tradition. This week, two friends will go home.  We also have a pecking order based on seniority for a change in cubes, when a good one is vacated.  There are 2 window cubes coming available this week, but I don't want to leave Steve, so I will not apply.. I'm recovering well, all soreness is gone and God's miracle remains an amazing memory for me and Dunn. here at Taft.  I still get asked everyday to explain what happened and when I do, I know and they do, too, that God helped Dunn fix me that hot day in July!  

105. Insights from Federal Prison Camp   Innocent from The Inside Blog: By James Catlidge James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison. James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset. For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp.     Very dramatic week.  I have insulated myself both physically and mentally for the road ahead.  As each of you know, I am an optimist having grown up on the sunny side of the mountain.  I earnestly prepared to be here.  I immediately deployed a strategy of kindness, openness and seek to be very helpful with everyone here at Camp.  I cross racial lines, language and religious barriers.  This strategy has allowed me to live peacefully and build relationships that are essential to make life at Camp easier.  This week I got two reminders of where I am: 1.  My workout buddy, Mike, who is 6'2", white, 220 lbs. was physically threatened by a crazy inmate on the tennis court.  They don't do a lot of talking here, things get escalated quickly.  The awkward part is WE were playing doubles and winning and the other guy was losing his cool.  Mike approached the net to discuss the obvious verbal altercation and was told the following, "do you want to go in the bathroom and settle this right now?"  Then this was said, "you don't have a door on your cube where you sleep at night."  This of course, is not a wise thing to say.  Immediately I'm left to jump in the middle and crazy guy's partner also jumps in and after a few more verbal threats both guys back off.  But the reality of grown men willing to lose their freedom over a tennis match was disturbing. 2.  My VERY good friend, Jay, is a dishwasher in the kitchen.  Very high moral character.  His IQ is 159 (a chartered member of MENSA) on the outside he is a high level securities lawyer.  I personally review many things with him for his assessment .  NO DOUBT the smartest man I've ever known -- #2 is Bud Dock. So Jay had 2 Mexican gang members stealing food by the pound right in front of him.  He warned them to stop (its our food).  Jay was trying to protect our food from these thieves.  They bristled and told him to mind his own business.  When he left for his job the next morning at 6:00 am., they entered his cube and poured Mackerel (stinky fish) in his clothes, on his bed, in his shoes and ruined all of his stuff.  This hurts because it has the real potential to escalate quickly into a war with whites versus Mexican gang.  As I soon learned, this theft has been going on for years, an economy unto itself that Jay just naively stepped in the middle of,  Jay is now classified as a "snitch".  So I am carefully navigating my relationships attempting to turn down the volume on this.  As I write this Jay and I have had hours of discussion about human nature and the prison/camp life that is very unique to the world we came from.  Jay needs both a friend and advice.  I will be both. My week has been a sobering reminder of where I am and who is in here with me.  I expect things to settle down, but it is very volatile.  Looking forward to a calm week ahead.  I AM SAFE!     

Innocent from The Inside Blog: By James Catlidge James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison. James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset. For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp. Lots of oddities that make life at Camp interesting. Visitation: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and all Federal holidays. We meet our visitors in a large visitation room located in the front of the Camp. All visitors can arrive as early as 9:00 AM and must leave by 3:00 PM. 5 vending machines has every snack you can imagine. You must bring usually 2 rolls of quarters to use the machines. All of those snacks are only available to us when we have visitors. JPAY: This is our total communications system email, telephone -- all cost money through JPAY. You, as my friend, can download the app on your phone and send me emails, pictures or money for me to use JPAY. You must use my name and number to communicate with me #17658-111. Food: We eat at 6:00, 10:30 and 4:30 PM and these meals are served in the cafeteria. We eat with our dorm only. There are 4 dorms (75-80 in each). The food is LOW quality. The only other option is to purchase food that is more desirable from the commissary. We are limited to one trip per week to the commissary. We purchase everything there-underwear, socks, a mirror, shampoo, notebook paper, pens, protein powder, fruit and vegetables. They restrict our monthly budget to $360 for everything: food/phone/e-mail/stamps and clothes. I ran out after the first 10 days just buying clothes and shoes to wear. Camp Employees: Correction Officers: These are the police, some are mean and some are nice. We work hard to stay out of their way. They have the power to put you in solitary confinement. Counselor: My counselor is the lady I go to for all of my needs at Camp, from my job to updating my phone list. Sergeant: He is the BOSS over the entire facility. All C.O.s report to the Sarg Education Director: Mrs. Robinson gets you signed up for all of the classes you want to take here. She runs the school here.   Recreation Director: This guy runs all of our softball, soccer, volley ball, basketball and tennis matches. Medical Staff: There is a head doctor, dentist and 3 nurses. They manage all medical needs or medication we may need. My Address/Home: My cubicle 36 Low is where I sleep, also my home. Its a cinder block room that is 6' high that holds 1 bunk bed and 1 flat bed on the ground plus 2 lockers and one pull out drawer under the single bed. The dimensions are 10'x8'. We also have 3 chairs in each cubicle. The chair is plastic like an outdoor stackable patio chair. Your address 36L is on your chair, your locker and your clothes. I'm very lucky. I have my cubicle all to myself. We are required to stay in our cube for all Counts (4 at night)(2 in the day). I can change cubes every 6 months by completing bunk change paperwork. You must stay where you are for another 6 months after any change. I am located directly across from the showers/sinks/toilets. They call my cubicle "Flushing Meadows". I don't mind it. TV/Radio: TV rooms are divided by race. I'm in the White Only TV room. Everybody starts on Row 1 and then the TV Boss decides when you can change your seating. Our Boss moved me to Row 3 in week 2 and now can see all of the TVs and tune in using my radio and ear buds. My bunk is close enough to the TV room that I can tune in from my cube. This place is like summer camp with a few crazies. I'm good, safe and heathy. Love you all, James    

Innocent from The Inside Blog: By James Catlidge James Catlidge is serving a 60-month sentence for a white collar crime. He is a businessman that got caught up in a criminal probe. Prior to surrendering, he began writing a blog. We are recording James’ blog, Innocent from the Inside, to help more people understand the challenges of surrendering to federal prison. James serves his sentence with dignity, and readers may find hope in his positive mindset. For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com   Below is the written version of his blog from one of his entries, describing his second week in a federal prison camp. It takes 21 days to build a habit. Today is day 13. I’m adjusting to the rhythm and sounds unique to Camp. Our housing is 2 and 3 man cubicles. The population is so light that I have been afforded my own cubicle. This is a real luxury. I can write, read, think, be left alone or invite a friend into my cube for a nice chat. The floors are concrete and the ceiling is like a warehouse ceiling with pipes and vents. We are required to be standing in our cube at 10:00 AM and 4 :00 PM, 7 days a week. This process is called “count”. No matter where you are on the compound, you are required to be standing in your cube at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Additionally, we all can hear the sounds of count because 2 corrections officers (CO’s) enter our dorm and yell “count”. We all scurry back to our personal cube and we can hear the sound of enormous keys banging against each other on the belt of each CO. They march single file all the way down the hall counting each of us twice. They count on the way down and on the way back. “Count” is concluded with the yelling of the word “clear”. We then resume our day. There are good men here. Many, falsely accused, serving very long sentences. I have been pulled into 2 groups (adopted)—the white, older, intellectual men, ages 60-75. I am the youngest. They have a section in the TV room and they placed my chair with them. The second group that sucked me in is the fitness crew. I workout with them 6:30-9:00 AM every day. Six of us take the tennis courts at 11:30 AM every day. Lots of sunscreen is required here. This Camp location has long, beautiful, sunny days and we are outside a bunch. Classes are held at night. I will be offered a job in the next couple of weeks. The hours will depend on the job. The laundry is done by another inmate. Our cube is inspected, intensely, every Thursday. That inspection dictates what order we go to the Chow Hall. Two weeks now, we have finished in 3rd place out of 4. The Camp is very clean. No tolerance, whatsoever, for filth, mess or disorder. Overall, a really good thing. I love you all. Please put a visit on your calendar. I would love to see you.

From the blog of James Catlidge: Innocent from the Inside In the final stretch now..........12 days remaining and the preparations for unplugging, exiting the grid continue. I will use this Post to provide you with details about logistics available to me to stay connected to you:   TELEPHONE: I have 300 minutes per month, I will focus those minutes on the kids and my mother, If I  do call you and you are not my mother or my children then we will be brief. I have been told that the minutes are going up to 450 soon, which will allow much better connection with all of  you. So with all this in mind the old adage "don't call me I'll call you" seems to apply here.   MAIL: Mail day I have been advised is a significant day at camp, all men are lined up as one camper is assigned as his job to be the mailman and deliver to every recipient their mail once per week. 90% of men standing at their dorm door receive NO MAIL yet they all stand in hopes that each new mail day may bring them a message from the outside. I have been mailing several men inside mail alerting them of my arrival and looking for a personal tour when I arrive. This is my address for your greetings and wisdom, I can receive regular mail, newspaper and magazine subscriptions and paperback books (would love to read any books you send me:                                     JAMES CATLEDGE                                     #17658-111                                      Taft Federal Camp                                      PO Box 7001                                      Taft, Ca. 93268   VISITING DAYS: Every Friday-Sunday, 9am-3pm. The Camp uses a point system that favors Friday visits and charges me more points for weekend visits. Visitors can stay all day and can hug, kiss, hold hands and speak privately in an open setting. I'm hopeful you can squeeze into your busy lives a road trip or two my address is: Taft Camp                                                              1500 Cadet road                                                              Taft, California                                                               93268   SATELLITE IMAGE of Taft Camp:  CLICK HERE Taft Camp and Taft Minimum Security prison In this image there are 2 facilities, an actual minimum security prison where 2,500 men are housed and the Federal Camp where I will be which has 312 men in a dormitory style setting. Look close at the image and you will see many athletic fields and tennis courts, I have been told there is also a music hall and culinary arts school. I will build a daily routine that will allow my time to pass with purpose and personal growth.

101. Discover Insights From Federal Prison Camp: Memorializing a Journey to Prison Camp with James Catlidge #2 Innocent from the Inside   In Victor Frankls book "Man's Search for Meaning" (written while in a German concentration camp) he contends.... "EVERYTHING can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the human freedoms- to choose one's own attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."......lots of meetings with new friends have yielded so much knowledge about my upcoming vacation, I was referred to a new friend Michael Santos (amazing story) who spent 23 years in Federal Prison for a crime he did commit and decided early on that he would emerge a new man. I can tell you having spent 4 electric hours with him that he is unlike any man I have EVER met with. I realized during our visit That I have spent 30 years working on me, reading every book on self-improvement I could get my hands on and ultimately making my career a 30 year focus on team building, lifting, encouraging, mentoring.....Michael Santos was doing the exact same thing behind bars! He studied read and mastered the content from the exact same books I had read and mentored fellow inmates and received his Doctorate, Masters and undergraduate degrees all from behind bars! He published 20 books several best sellers and from behind bars made millions in book sales and trading stocks through his sisters brokerage account. He today, 5 years on the outside has thrived, Married to a great woman who followed him to every prison he was serving at, Michael is networked across the USA with great people from all walks of life  because he DECIDED, his time away would be dedicated to building a great life. I will share more as it develops but let this post give fair warning, many among us are living lives in a prison they built called their life and will never serve time behind any physical bars and there a few are in actual prison who are free in almost every sense of the word. Freedom is a state of mind, The day Michael Santos was released from Taft camp (his final stop) he was invited to be a Professor at San Francisco state university in the criminal justice department. Michael had NEVER been on any college campus, EVER until that invitation came. He had the most attended class on campus, kids sitting on the floor to hear him teach lessons on life and liberty. Liberty, as I'm sure you've considered is not a physical thing but a mental state. I am most grateful for the new friend I have met on this most circuitous journey toward my destiny!   The link for more on Michael Santos can be clicked here: michaelsantos.com     It was early on in the legal battle, My lawsuit against the Developer had been dismissed by the Judge, all my company's clients were now at risk of losing the condos they bought. New lawyers were swirling, at least 10 new lawsuits had been filed naming me as a defendant. The Government was now finally interested in investigating the case I had reported 4 years previously. I was getting calls from friends letting me know the FBI had just been to their home, I also learned I needed to hire a NEW, additional legal team that specialized in "criminal defense" just in case I was a "Target" of the FBI investigation. I am not a fearful person, nor do I spend much energy playing the "what if"  game but the heaviness was palpable. All of these circumstances combined seemed to be eroding my power to cope. I had begun playing racquetball with a dear friend Leon just months before, we would meet at 9pm and play til they threw us out at 11pm. We talked and beat each others brains out several times a week and on this particular night around 11:20pm I arrived at my driveway and as I made the 100 yard push up the hill I took note all the lights were off and all 6 babies and Momma were sound asleep. I pulled into my stall nearest the outer edge of the house and I did not want to get out of the car, I thought about each of my kids, I went room to room in my head thinking about their lives, their total lack of awareness that ANYTHING was wrong, at least that's what I had hoped. I clicked the overhead garage door button and just sat there as it came down, eventually the overhead light in the garage went off, a few minutes passed and I thought to myself .....One day I will pull into this garage and it will all be over, what will that feel like? my mind went further down this trail, no more news articles misrepresenting the truth, no more parents approaching me or my wife with that suspicious look, no more rumors at church that weaken the strongest of us.....one day, one day this will all be over! So i decided to stay into this exploratory thought stream and in total darkness I said to myself  what will be different if it all ended tomorrow? I began answering my own questions 1. Friends will say I'm glad its over for your sake  2.strangers will say nothing 3. bad friends will already have faded away, cause they did. It was so clear as though Heaven was literally directing my thoughts, the only thing that matters is my mindset, my internal confident spirit, I decided in that garage on that night in 2010 that I would face this cascading legal tidal wave as an event in my calendar ONLY and I would face life with my head high and my shoulders back and talk with anyone and everyone who needed questions answered. I would face this dragon head on and not be twisted or eroded by the nastiness of litigation. I exited my car, I went room to room looking in on each child as they slept and assured them in my mind they were going to be OK because dad decided tonight that this is OVER! I sat with the older kids that next day with Tiffany in tears as I explained at a high level that dad had been accused of something he did not do and that it was probably going to be in the newspaper and We would be fighting the false charges. Later that week we met with the kids elementary school principal in our home and gave her clarity about the accusations and how we were handling it.I can honestly say, since that day in 2010 in my garage in total darkness I won the battle, the weight was lifted, the energy returned and my optimism has never left. There was obviously a foggy long road still ahead but my mind would be my asset through every twist and turn. The lesson for me was, friends are friends forever and great friends pull in closer, nurturing in tough times. The waiting for the drama to end in order to feel good again was a myth created by my mind. If I created the myth, I could destroy it. That night, I learned a life lesson, deal with every challenge head on but don't imagine challenges that are not real, don't add to the drama. Life is tough enough, why allow my attitude, my imagination to work against me. I decided to handle every lawyer call, lawyer meeting, every court appearance as an other item in my calendar. I would live my life and enjoy every moment in between, no more fretting, fearing, imagining the worst. I now only deal with real issues, that life presents in real-time. You can learn a lot in the darkness of your garage.

Discover Insights From Federal Prison Camp: Memorializing a Journey to Prison Camp with James Catlidge #1   Let me start by saying It's good to have friends and even better during the tough times.    I wanted to give you each an update on my case. Nearing the end now, I spent 6 years fighting the FALSE charges and in summer of this year negotiated a plea. We are preparing for a sentencing hearing for me on the 12th  (This coming wednesday) ...Thank you Jack, John, Steve, Margaret, Charles, Randy, Jerry and MOM who will be in attendance!   The Judge has many options: -Up to a 60 month cap in a minimum security camp -or Probation  -or Home confinement  - OR Any combination of the above   This has been an exhausting protracted battle and I feel somewhat relieved that the end is insight. The financial cost (for those curious) were 8.3 million in legal and an additional 3.1 million Tiffany and I personally decided to give to those who lost money in the project. These are not the cost that matter most however.... Those much more meaningful cost are too difficult to lay out here.   Through it all ,  so many of you have been there to comfort and counsel me through each twist and turn. It’s one thing to be innocent and accused of a fraud and compelled to accept a plea, an entirely different matter to be a friend to someone in that circumstance. I know that’s not easy either, what to say? should I bring it up? does he want to talk about it, did he do it?, none of this has been easy for you. You have made me stronger and I'm very fortunate to have had you in my corner from the beginning.  I wanted to share some insight into what can happen inside a person going through a situation like this, so that maybe you can glean some perspective into my mindset. First of all, there is a peace of mind available to anyone falsely accused.  You cant be too afraid knowing they are wrong! When this all began to unfold in 2008 I knew the road may get nasty, I was counseled to go and get a serious physical.  I went and had an executive physical completed to establish a baseline understanding of my mental and physical health. Scripps took 3 days and I met with 9 different doctors with various expertise. They provided me a binder with unique insight into my overall health. I also, shared with the psychiatrist (provided by Scripps) the recent legal battle beginning to unfold. The doctor gave me excellent advice. In short, he said this! “ become very physical, get fighting fit and become completely engaged in a deeply creative venture. These two tasks along with my children, my family and each of you have all kept me alive and hopeful! Those of you who know me well have seen this in real time.    I also have been forced to stop my career and that new found time has allowed me to focus on each of my children and their unique needs, this time became a blessing, unforeseen but so valuable for me and I hope for them. This 10 years has been a life lesson in blessings and kindness as well as observing friendships built on sandy soil versus the lasting kind. I’m prepared completely for the road ahead and that’s been made so much easier by you. There is no manual for any of this. Your genuine concern for me and my family has taught me how to be a better friend. I thank you and love you very much!!!! I’ll send out a final update after sentencing. Thank you for always being in my corner. If you would include me in your family and personal prayers i know it will matter.   Forever Grateful,

We recently talked to Wade Walker at Pharm Aide Pharms in Oklahoma. His son Skylar is currently serving 5 years at The Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida for transporting cannabis legally grown in California through Texas. Now he could be facing death as COVID-19 infiltrates the prison system, inmates are in an impossible situation, unable to quarantine, isolate or distance. Help prevent a prison pandemic. 

In Transformation Talks Episode No. 12, show host Lacy Frazer and special guest Traci Philips talk about the Key Ingredients that engage, support, and sustain True Personal Transformation. Traci Philips volunteered at the Federal Prison Camp where Dr. Lacy Frazer worked for several years, and co-facilitated some of the groups there where men learned more of the True Language of who they really are and they were empowered to take positive action steps in their daily lives to embrace more meaningful, integrated, positive, and happy lives. Come join us in this powerful conversation today about true change, authenticity, and the ingredients that many of us need to live our best lives and our true gifts in the world today! Please Like, Subscribe, and Share with your Social Media Networks and Friends! Help us spread the word about Whole Soul School and Foundation’s podcasts and inspirational offerings. This is our last video/podcast for the year 2019! Please consider making a one time donation or monthly sustainer donation of any amount ~ before December 31st ~ or in the New Year of 2020! For more information about, or to donate to, Whole Soul School and Foundation, please visit:https://www.wholesoulschoolandfoundation.org To contact us, please send an email to:wholesoulschool@gmail.comFor more information about Lacy Frazer’s Life, Leadership, and Soul Coaching Services, please visit: https://www.lacyfrazercoachingandconsulting.com or email her directly at: lacyfrazer@gmail.comAdditionally, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Check out the following links. Twitter:https://twitter.com/SchoolWholeFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/wholesoulschoolInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/wholesoulschool/Buzzsprout:http://www.wholesoulschoolandfoundation.buzzsprout.comSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0mqvqQdalV4KR1UR5EbPvjApple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/whole-soul-school-and-foundation/id1450850339iHeart Radiohttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-whole-soul-school-and-foun-43072257/Google Play Music:https://play.google.com/music/listenLogin and Search ~ Whole Soul School and FoundationThanks for listening! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!Support the show (https://wholesoulschoolandfoundation.org/donate/)

Meet Lisa Grossmann Lisa Grossmann is a Network Marketing legend.  Many years ago, Lisa was fortunate to have found a home in a Network Marketing company rich with industry heavy hitters who mentored her.  Always a hard worker, she listened, learned, and flourished.  Through the years she has developed into an extraordinary businesswoman, a multimillion-dollar earner, and an energetic entrepreneur always willing to impart her knowledge, mentor others, and share her remarkable vision. Go Pro with Eric Worre is proudly brought to you by: * The Most Powerful Women in Network Marketing – a celebration of women sharing success.  For the 5th year in a row, the most powerful women in Network Marketing will be gathering from April 25 – 27, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, for three life-changing days and they want YOU to join them.  Surround yourself with top leaders, million-dollar earners, motivators, and other powerful female-preneurs as they share their wisdom, tips, strategies, and teach you how to ignite your team, explode your income, and accelerate your growth.  To learn more, go to NetworkMarketingPro.com/women2019. Show Notes Lisa shares a little bit about her upbringing, her education, and her days in the family business.  [2:12] Lisa recalls when she was introduced to Network Marketing. [7:14] Lisa details her dealings with the FBI. [9:34] Lisa compares Federal Prison Camp to Network Marketing. [16:17] Lisa shares how Network Marketing embraced her after her incarceration. [26:08] Lisa defines what million-dollar earners in Network Marketing do that is different than others in the Profession. [31:54] Lisa offers advice on how to live a big life inside the Network Marketing Profession.  [35:32] Questions or Comments? Do you have questions you would like Eric to answer in future podcasts or comments on the show you’d like to share?  Just email us at podcast@networkmarketingpro.com.

Lynn Espejo went through ordeal of preparing for trial, then preparing for presentence investigation report, then preparing to surrender to federal prison for women. Learn more about prison reform by visiting https://prisonprofessors.com

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.  

On today's show Dr. Cassandra Little joins host John Odermatt to share her heartbreaking story of injustice. Dr. Cassandra Little had dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable in society by operating several group home to house and care for youths. Dr. Little found herself the subject of an investigation by the IRS and Medicaid Fraud Unit, which began in 2010. She was indicted in 2013 on 38 counts of healthcare fraud and money laundering. Dr. Little was essentially legally forced to plead guilty to the original indictment for 38 counts of fraud and money laundering. In the end the guilty plea ended in a sentence of 33 month of incarceration in a Federal Prison Camp which began on October 14, 2013. On September 8, 2015 Dr. Little was released to a halfway house in San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show Dr. Cassandra Little joins host John Odermatt to share her heartbreaking story of injustice. Dr. Cassandra Little had dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable in society by operating several group home to house and care for youths. Dr. Little found herself the subject of an investigation by the IRS and Medicaid Fraud Unit, which began in 2010. She was indicted in 2013 on 38 counts of healthcare fraud and money laundering. Dr. Little was essentially legally forced to plead guilty to the original indictment for 38 counts of fraud and money laundering. In the end the guilty plea ended in a sentence of 33 month of incarceration in a Federal Prison Camp which began on October 14, 2013. On September 8, 2015 Dr. Little was released to a halfway house in San Francisco.

On December 23, 1987, a prisoner escaped from the Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia. But this wasn’t just any prisoner, this was a member of the Manson Family, a group of hangers-on to Charlie Manson. On this episode of the podcast, Steve and Rod tell the story of the escape and capture of […]

I’m Michael Santos and I’m typing this manuscript on an awesome Mac Pro computer. When I served my sentence, I had to write all of my manuscripts by hand. Now I’m addicted to Apple products and word processors. These tools allow me to write much more efficiently, but I no longer have the time that was available to me while I was in prison. Again, that’s why I won’t devote hundreds of hours to editing this manuscript. At least for this draft, what you see is what you get. I started typing this manuscript on Saturday morning, December 4, 2015. I don’t know how long it will take for me to finish, but I’m going to do my best to finish a solid draft before the end of this year. Why? Well, it may seem strange, but I’m scheduled to visit the United States Penitentiary in Atwater on January 8, 2016. After speaking at a judicial conference in Sacramento that I wrote about in the introduction, I had a conversation with Warden Andre Matevousian. He extended an open invitation for me to return to Atwater—the prison that released me in 2013—so I could meet his team and make an address to the prisoners inside. I welcomed the opportunity. Twenty-eight months have passed since I concluded my 9,500-day journey as a federal prisoner. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me, which I’ll explain in the chapters that follow. But in order to help readers understand more about how I opened opportunities that few would expect for a man who served so much time in prison, I need to provide some context—at least an abbreviated background. If you’ve read my earlier books, particularly Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, you won’t be learning anything new in this chapter. I won’t take the time to provide the same level of detail as I wrote in that book. Those who want a more comprehensive glimpse of my prison journey will find value in Earning Freedom. After this initial chapter, the remainder will show how decisions in prison related to opportunities and success I’ve been building since my release. We’ll start with the backstory. Background: In 1982, I graduated from Shorecrest High School in Seattle as a mediocre student. Then I started working with my father in a contracting company he established when I was a young boy. My father escaped from Cuba and worked hard to build his company, hoping he would pass the business along to me after I matured. Unfortunately, I disappointed both my father and mother. When I was 20, in 1984, I saw the movie Scarface, with Al Pacino. Pacino played the character Tony Montana, a super cool Cuban immigrant who built a fortune trafficking in cocaine. Rather than wanting to follow in my father’s footsteps, I made the bad decision to follow guidance from Tony Montana. “In this country, first you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the woman.” I admired Tony’s philosophy. His outlook on life didn’t work out so well. After seeing the film, I coordinated a scheme to earn quick money by distributing cocaine. Foolishly, I believed that I could shield myself from prosecution. By limiting my role to negotiating transactions and hiring other people to transport the cocaine, or storing the cocaine, I convinced myself that I could avoid the criminal justice system. On August 11, 1987, I learned how badly I had misinterpreted the criminal justice system. In the late afternoon, I saw three DEA agents pointing guns at my head. They told me I was under arrest. Soon I felt an officer pulling my wrists behind my back and locking them in steel cuffs. My journey began. Over subsequent decades, I’d go through: Federal holding centers Court proceedings Jails: Pierce County Jail, Kent Jail, Puyallup Jail, USP Atlanta, FCI McKean, Federal correctional Institution, Fairton, United States Penitentiary Lewisburg, Fort Dix, Federal Prison Camp in Florence, Federal prison camp in Lompoc, Federal prison camp, Taft, Federal Prison Camp Atwater. Residential Drug Abuse Program Prisons Halfway house Supervised Release Parole, and Special parole The pages that follow will show how decisions I made inside influenced my life outside. It’s my hope that this message will inspire you to begin preparing for your successful outcome. Transformation after Trial: Wanting nothing more than to get out of jail, I welcomed my attorney’s optimism. When he told me that a big difference existed between an indictment and a conviction, I put my future in his hands. Then I proceeded to make every bad decision a defendant could make. I refused to accept responsibility. I didn’t contemplate expressing remorse. While in custody, I stayed involved with the criminal enterprise that I had begun. I took the witness stand to testify during my trial and I lied to the jury. Members of the jury saw through my perjury and convicted me of every count. A New Philosophy: After the jury convicted me, the U.S. Marshals returned me to the Pierce County Jail. While in my cell, for the first time, I came to terms with the bad decisions that I had made. I began to pray for guidance. Those prayers led me to a book of philosophy and I came across the story of Socrates. At that time, I didn’t know anything about philosophy or Socrates. He was a teacher in ancient Athens. Laws of that era made it a crime to teach people who were not from the ruling class. Socrates broke that law. He believed that every human being had value and a right to learn. Authorities convicted Socrates for breaking the law of teaching and judges sentenced him to death. While being held in jail until his execution date, Socrates received a visit from his friend Crito. Crito presented Socrates with an opportunity to escape. Instead of taking the easy way out of escape, Socrates chose to accept his punishment—accepting death before dishonor. From Socrates, I learned a great deal. His wisdom came through asking brilliant questions—which spawned the term “Socratic questioning.” After reading several stories about his life, I stretched out on the concrete slab in one of Pierce County’s jail cells and I thought about the decisions I had made that put me in my predicament. While staring at the ceiling, I contemplated the many bad decisions of my youth. I made a poor choice of friends I lived a fast lifestyle, and I lacked discipline. As a consequence of my convictions for leading an enterprise that trafficked in cocaine, I faced a possible sentence of life in prison. Even though my conviction carried the possibility of a life sentence without parole, I believed that I would return to society at some point. I began to question whether I could do anything while I served my sentence to prepare for a better life when my prison term ended. As I learned from Socrates, the secret to success wasn’t to ask questions about my own life. Instead, I needed to ask questions about my relationship to the broader society. Later, I learned from many other masterminds that taught me the timeless value of asking the right questions. For example, a well known sales coach and motivational speaker, Zig Zigler, is famous for having said: If I can ask questions to help other people get what they want, I can get everything that I want. Reading about Socrates taught me to ask questions that would help me understand the people I wanted in my life. I hated confinement and didn’t want to be a prisoner forever. Although I couldn’t undo the bad decisions of my past, I started thinking about the people I wanted to interact with in the future. Ironically, although I faced a life sentence, I didn’t want to think of myself as a criminal. In the future, I wanted others to judge me for the way that I responded to my problems—not for the bad decisions that resulted in my imprisonment. Socratic Questioning and Avatars: Who were the people I would want to interact with in the future? What did they do for a living? What influence would they have in my life? Those kinds of questions led me to “humanize” my avatars. What’s an avatar? From my perspective, an avatar was the type of person I wanted to meet in the future. That person would influence aspects of my life. Although the avatar didn’t exist as a flesh-and-blood person, in my mind the avatar was real—even though I didn’t know who he or she would be. I thought about my future probation officer because that person would have an influence on my life whenever my prison term ended. I thought about my future employer. I thought about future lenders. I thought about the woman I would marry and the friends I would choose. Who were those people? What characterized their lives? What level of education would they have? What could I do to earn their respect? The more questions I asked of my avatars, the more insight I had as I contemplated the way that I would adjust through my prison journey. I began with questions about whether there would be anything that I could do from prison to influence the way those avatars would perceive me in the future. The initial answer to my question was a resounding yes. If I acted appropriately, I believed that I could influence the perceptions of my avatars. As Socrates taught, one question always led to another. What then could I do to influence the ways that those avatars would see me? What would they expect from me if they were going to see me as something more than the bad decisions I made when I was 20? Those questions led to a three-part plan: My avatars would expect me to educate myself. My avatars would expect me to contribute to society. My avatars would expect me to build a support network. If I kept the expectations of my avatars at the forefront of my mind, and if I turned to those thoughts with every decision, I believed that I would influence perceptions. Instead of judging me for my criminal conviction, being a prisoner, or an ex convict, my avatars would respect me. They would perceive me as a man of discipline and integrity, as someone who worked to earn his freedom. Now I have a question for readers. If you could influence someone, who would you want to influence? What do you know about that person? In what ways would influencing that person change your life? What steps could you take today to influence that person?

A newly incarcerated inmate at the Federal Prison Camp at Dadeland Mall adjusts to minimum-security life and pines for his sweet Maria.

Who is the Racketeer? And what does he have to do with the judge’s untimely demise? His name, for the moment, is Malcolm Bannister. Job status? Former attorney. Current residence? The Federal Prison Camp near Frostburg, Maryland. This is another John Grisham action packed great. Get the Audiobook or Print Version of this book.