Podcasts about rdap

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan explore the system of RDAP and answer a fan's question. They explain halfway housing and specify receiving time credits for their sentence. This diverges into how laws are created, how things can be overly complex, and how the process of Congress needs improvement. One area Susan seeks to clarify is trauma and patch evolutions that inmates take, and these can influence certain aspects of their time and location requirements. This episode dives into how system elements can be improved while explaining how people can navigate it to help secure time credits. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Their best sellers are available at Amazon https://a.co/d/0RfvebL and https://a.co/d/bMHEAp2

On this episode of Federal Prison Authority Presents: Around the Block, Bruce and Susan begin by reviewing some of the topics from the previous episode and answering questions from the fans on YouTube. If you have any questions about an earlier episode, feel free to send questions to be answered on the show. After answering the fan questions, Bruce and Susan transition and discuss substance use cases and how they impact RDAP and federal time credits. FSA versus RDAP early release programs were detailed. This portion has a lot of information, but Susan goes through it step by step, and it is also explained in the book, specifically in chapter 6. Towards the midway point, Bruce shares a story about an inmate and discusses his journey. Dr. Susan Giddings can be found on their shared website https://federalprisonauthority.com/who-we-are/ Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032 Check out their books: Unlocking Federal Time Credits- https://a.co/d/5bH9kf6 Unlocking Classification: https://a.co/d/9A8kFFv

DomainTools CEO discusses the move to RDAP and how companies use DNS data to thwart attacks. Many listeners know DomainTools for its database of historical Whois records, domain monitoring, and other domain data. However, the company and its customer base have evolved over the years. On today's show, DomainTools CEO Tim Chen discusses that evolution. […] Post link: Whois, RDAP, and DNS data – DNW Podcast #517 © DomainNameWire.com 2024. This is copyrighted content. Domain Name Wire full-text RSS feeds are made available for personal use only, and may not be published on any site without permission. If you see this message on a website, contact editor (at) domainnamewire.com. Latest domain news at DNW.com: Domain Name Wire.

Matt and Zach tell funny stories from their time in RDAP. Checkout Zack's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackZack365 Zach's Cash App: $blkzac50 Follow me on all socials! Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/matthewcoxitc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidetruecrime/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattcoxtruecrime Follow my 2nd channel - Inside The Darkness! https://www.youtube.com/c/InsidetheDarknessAutobiographies Want to be a guest? Send me an email here! insidetruecrime@gmail.com Want a custom Con man painting shown up at your doorstep every month? Subscribe to Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/insidetruecrime Get a custom painting done by me! Check out my link! https://www.etsy.com/shop/coxpopart Listen to True Crime Podcasts anywhere! https://anchor.fm/mattcox Check out my prison story books here! https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Cox/e/B08372LKZG Support me here! Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/MattCox69 Cashapp: $coxcon69 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

We've spent a lot of time running down the BOP, and not without good cause, BUT we don't give as much attention as we should to the positive things happening inside those walls.  Lawyers need to learn about and advocate for beneficial programming placements for clients, especially those with special needs. Therefore, helping us get set for sentencing is Dr. Alix McLearen, former acting director of the BOP and psychologist who is responsible for the creation of some really important programs, including the Skills program for clients on the Autism spectrum, IN THIS EPISODE: The Skills Program (for those on Autism Spectrum or have other special needs); The F.I.T. program (Female Integrated Treatment); Directory of First Step Act approved programs; Advice for lawyers to improve their advocacy at sentencing when it comes to prison; Dr. Mclearan's services LINKS: Contact Dr. Alix McLearen at: alixmclearen@gmail.com   OTHER BOP PODCAST EPISODES: Please visit www.setforsentencing.com  or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@setforsentencing/videos) for several other episodes on the functioning (or more likely dysfunctioning) of the federal prison system, including, Ep. 99 (BOP Horror Stories); Ep. 83 (BOP Stands for Back Off Punishment!); Ep. 70 (BOP Stands for Backwards on Purpose); Ep. 67 (BOP Stands for Big Ol' Problems); Ep. 44 (3 Years of Hell:  Covid & the BOP); Ep. 3 (Telling the Story of Prison at Sentencing). Directory of Programming at BOP:  fsa-approved-program-guides-en.pdf Federal Prison Guidebook (Alan Ellis): https://alanellis.com/federal-prison-guidebook/

The Most Hated Man on the Internet | RDAP Dan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

Fraudology is presented by Sardine.In this episode of Fraudology, host Karisse Hendrick welcomes Ryan Konop, Senior Manager of Payment Systems and Processing for Newfold Digital, to discuss the complex world of domain fraud. Ryan, with a background in the navy and extensive experience in the domain web hosting industry, dives into the sophisticated tactics of fraudsters who exploit international events and the evolving systems used to combat these threats. They explore the critical role of domain registrars, the impending switch from whois to RDAP for registrar information, and the growing need for collaboration across various teams to detect and prevent different types of fraud. Ryan also shares insights on machine learning applications for fraud prevention and the unique challenges faced by the web hosting industry. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on how advanced systems and a collaborative mindset are essential in staying a step ahead of these digital adversaries.To connect with Ryan Konop:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkonop/Fraudology is hosted by Karisse Hendrick, a fraud fighter with decades of experience advising hundreds of the biggest ecommerce companies in the world on fraud, chargebacks, and other forms of abuse impacting a company's bottom line. Connect with her on LinkedIn She brings her experience, expertise, and extensive network of experts to this podcast semi weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Susan Giddings and Bruce Cameron, co-authors of Unlocking Federal Time Credits: A Guide for Attorneys, Inmates, and Families, discuss various aspects of the First Step Act and Federal Time Credits. Along with other issues, they cover how time credits are earned, how they differ from Good Conduct Time, the impact of waiting lists and declining programs, participation in the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), 924(c) convictions, and the Conditional FSA Release Date Calculator. They can be reached at Home - federalprisonauthority.com

What Really Happens In Prisons Programs | RDAP --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

What Really Happens In Prisons Programs | RDAP --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

PRISON RDAP PODCAST GONE WRONG!! W/ RDAP DAN --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

Imagine being addicted to heroin and needing $2,000 for rehab. A guy comes to you and says he works for a Columbian Drug Cartel as a courier. His bosses stole money from him. If you help him get it back by robbing their stash house...you will never need to work again. It was all a setup and the Columbian Courier was an undercover federal agent with a fake stash house. This episode features an interview with Josh Boyer, who shares his experience of being involved in a stash house sting operation and receiving a 24-year prison sentence. Josh discusses his descent into addiction, the day of the sting operation, and his time in prison. He also talks about his work in the law library, helping other inmates with their cases, and his hope for clemency through President Obama's initiative. The conversation highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system and the importance of legal representation. Joshua Boyer shares his journey from discovering stash house cases to working in criminal justice reform advocacy. He discusses connecting with Katie Tinto, finding legal support, and the Obama Clemency Initiative. Joshua also talks about completing the RDAP program, the challenges of reentry, and the struggles with employment and housing. He shares his work with Stand Together Trust and his involvement in policy discussions in Washington, DC. Joshua's biggest takeaway is the importance of charting your own path and staying committed to personal growth and success. Takeaways --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brent-cassity/support

What Really Happens In Prisons Programs | RDAP --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

Exposing The Prison Consulting Scam | RDAP DAN --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

Insane Stories From The Prison Drug Program | RDAP --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mattcox/support

In this rerun episode titled "From Incarceration to Advocacy: Dan's Eye-Opening Account of the Prison System," the host - Noble Ij, sat down with Dan Wise, also known as RDAP-Dan. Dan shares his eye-opening account of the prison system, how he ended up in federal prison, and his experience serving a five-year sentence. In addition, he discusses the uncertainty and powerlessness of facing federal charges and how he became passionate about helping others navigate the federal prison system.Dan describes his journey of successfully navigating the prison system and culminating in an early release. In addition, he shares how he became a federal prison consultant and helps others manage their negative emotions and improve their chances of a positive outcome. The episode is described as super informative and jaw-dropping. Listeners will be shocked by Dan's story and enlightened by his expertise, leaving them with a deeper understanding of the prison industrial complex and the importance of advocacy for those impacted by it. Connect with RDAP-Danwww.federalprisontime.comhttp://www.youtube.com/RDAPDANThe Spokesman-Review ArticleConnect with the Host ~Noble Ij:Links: https://podbio.me/thebeautifullybrokenmeJoin our Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautifullybrokenmeFollow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/thebeautifullybrokenme

Conversamos con Carlos Martínez, CTO de LACNIC, y Gerardo Rada, Líder de Desarrollo de Sistemas sobre LACNIC Tools, una solución integrada donde consultar y conocer oportunidades de mejoras en la configuración de sus organizaciones en los distintos sistemas de LACNIC. Sus reportes provienen de información que ya es pública: información de los repositorios de RPKI, consultas a RDAP, WHOIS y preguntas directas a servidores de nombres, entre otras fuentes. P https://tools.labs.lacnic.net/tools/home

Prison consultants have been receiving dubious attention in the press lately.  The truth is, a qualified prison consultant can be a valuable member of a well-managed defense team.  But, beware of so-called experts who promise you the moon for a fee.  Helping us get set for sentencing is Walt Pavlo, the founder of Prisonology, a collection of exceptionally qualified prison consultants, most of whom are former high-level Bureau of Prisons officials.  IN THIS EPISODE: Deconstructing the New York Times piece about “a new breed of fixers”; Picking the right consultant for the job; The kind of experts connected to “prisonology”; Example of "RDAP Law" who weren't lawyers, gave terrible advice, bilked clients out of millions, and went to prison as a result; What are reasonable fees for Prison consultants; Limitations of prison consultants; The importance of finding a prison expert that can testify or submit sworn declarations to a judge at sentencing; How finding the right expert can save the attorney time and the client money; How the wrong consultant may put work product and attorney-client privilege at risk; How the attorney's failure to properly manage a consultant/expert can lead to disastrous results; How an attorney's failure to properly communicate and connect with a client may drive them into the arms of a charlatan; How to properly vet a potential prison consultant;  LINKS:   NYT Article:  Want to Do Less Time?  A Prison Consultant May Be Able To Help Prisonology Walt Pavlo at Forbes.com Prison consultant, former BOP Warden, Maureen Baird was an early guest on the podcast.  This is a great example of someone who can really help at sentencing.  Listen (or re-listen) to Set for Sentencing, Ep. 3, Telling the Story of Prison at Sentencing!

Stay informed! Understand the truth about the U.S. prison system. Whether or not you have been or knows someone in prison, whether or not you know, or do not know about the U.S. prison system; you should listen to this episode. Listen and stay informed! This episode is a must listen! Listen to the full episode here: http://www.thebeautifullybrokenme.com/podcast.Wanna watch the video version? Listen to the video version hereRegister to attend the Beautifully Broken Me Summit hereIn this super informative and jaw-dropping episode; I sat with a very lively, friendly and outspoken guest Dan Wise often called RDAP-Dan. It was super expository as RDAP-Dan shared his incredible story of how he found himself at the federal prison where he served for five (5) years. In his exact words; "I became as a Federal Prison Consultant after successfully navigating the Federal Prison System, culminating in my early release, and a passion for assisting others facing Federal Prison time. I know the uncertainty and feelings of powerlessness that comes with facing a federal charge. I also know how to help you manage the negative emotions and improve your chances of a positive outcome".Enjoy the journey it's not just about the destination ~RDAP-DanSome Key Highlights:

Leading federal prison consultant "RDAP Dan" explains how to prepare for a prison sentence and how to survive inside a prison for the first time. We also talked about what jail is like for men vs. what jail is like for women. Finally, "RDAP Dan" breaks down what "R.D.A.P." is (Residential Drug Abuse Program) for those preparing for jail and those who are scared of going to jail with an addiction. Most people enter jail having nothing and knowing nothing about what they will need to survive, Dan's company https://www.federalprisontime.com/ prepares people for their jail sentence. This was an interesting and emotional ride, I hope you enjoy it. P.S. I apologize for the audio quality, my mic lost connection. Won't happen again. This episode includes: How to prepare for prison, the first day in jail “survival kit”, and everything you need to know preparing to go to federal prison. RDAP Dan (Dan Wise) shared his top 10 things you should know about federal prison, jail vs prison - what's actually the difference, and his story working for a “pill mill”. Win a PlayStation 5: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClI47mgefRuLsOElux1HXjA/videos Connect with Takis: https://www.instagram.com/petertakis/ https://www.instagram.com/welcomehome.podcast/ https://twitter.com/petertakis https://www.takismusic.com/ Contact Takis: welcomehometakis@gmail.com Takis (real name Peter Takis) is a DJ/ producer from Winnipeg, Canada.

What Are Post-Conviction Proceedings? In the United States, we like to say that a person is presumed innocent until there has been a finding of guilt. Defendants don’t always feel that presumption of guilt. A criminal charge may result in being ostracized by friends, loss of employment, and even loss of housing. Those collateral consequences make a difficult situation worse. From a legal perspective, life officially changes after a conviction. Prior to the conviction, the defendant may have gone through a “pre-trial services” program. While in the “pre-trial phase,” a judicial employee or probation officer may lightly oversee the defendant, imposing light restrictions. As an example, rules may require a person in the pre-trial phase to request permission before traveling outside of a specific jurisdiction. With a criminal conviction, more formal proceedings will follow. For felony cases, a pre-sentence investigation and ensuing report will follow the conviction.   Pre-Sentence Investigation Report (PSI or PSR—used interchangeably): Once a defendant pleads guilty, or a jury convicts the defendant, the person becomes a convicted felon. In most felony cases, the court will order the probation department to conduct a pre-sentence investigation. This investigation will result in a report that has a lasting influence on the defendant’s life. The pre-sentence investigation report provides details about the person’s background for the sentencing judge, staff members in the prison system, and the probation officer that will supervisor the person after release.  Essentially, the report will begin with a narration of the prosecution's version of the offense. The probation officer will interview the defendant and give him an opportunity to make a statement, too. Besides interviewing the defendant, the probation officer will conduct an investigation into the defendant's personal background. It is not uncommon for the probation officer conducting the report to speak with the defendant's family members, friends, employers, and anyone else that may provide material information. Major cases will result in more extensive pre-sentence investigations to provide the judge (and others) with a snapshot of the offense and the defendant's background. The judge relies on this information as a source of reference when deliberating over the appropriate sanction to impose. Those going to prison should not underestimate the importance of the PSR. The PSR will have a big influence on the person while he is in prison and while he is on Supervised Release. Because of the PSR's importance, we devote chapter seven to the process, revealing how our team works with clients that choose to prepare before their interview with the probation officer.    Sentencing: After the finding of guilt, and the completion of the PSR, the next step in the criminal justice process is sentencing. In most cases, sentencing is a function of the court. Basically, the sentencing judge has three alternatives: For the most serious crimes, the sentencing judge may impose a term of imprisonment. For crimes that the judge deems less severe, the judge may impose a term of probation, allowing the offender to remain in the community under specific conditions. Or, the judge may impose some type of financial sanction, like a fine or restitution. Generally, the legislature determined the range of sanctions from which the judge can choose. For federal crimes, judges must rely upon the sentencing guidelines when determining what sentence to impose. The guidelines are not “mandatory,” but judges must consider them. As a result of a Supreme Court case, judges must consider personal characteristics. Those characteristics may warrant a sentence either below or above the guideline range. For that reason, our team recommends that defendants consider a multi-pronged approach to prepare prior to sentencing. Congress designed the guidelines to create uniformity in sentencing. They provide a matrix that take many dynamics into consideration. Among other factors, guidelines consider the defendant's role in the offense, the defendant's acceptance of responsibility, aggravating factors, mitigating factors, and the defendant's criminal history. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual provides details that judges may consider as they deliberate over appropriate sanctions. Anyone anticipating the possibility of receiving a federal sentence ought to read guidelines manual to understand more about what judges consider when sentencing a defendant. Our team has interviewed several federal judges. They’ve given us insight with regard to steps a defendant should take in anticipation of sentencing. Specifically, judges want to know: What does the defendant understand about victims in the case? What led the defendant into the criminal behavior? What has the defendant learned from the process? What steps has the defendant taken to reconcile with society? Although the defendant’s attorney will prepare legal arguments to advocate for the defendant, every defendant should work to advocate for himself. Our team urges defendants to work toward a multi-part strategy that includes: Preparing a sentencing narrative. Preparing a sentencing video. Preparing a package of character-reference letters. Preparing a sentence-mitigation story of reconciliation with society. Our catalog offers details on each of those options. This multi-part strategy will help the judge get to know the defendant’s true nature. It can lead to mercy, or the least restrictive sanction. Read more about these options by texting the following word, to the following number: Text number: 44222 Test following word: Sentence Or visit ResilienceCourses.com If the defendant has been out on a bond, the judge may order the defendant into custody after the sentencing hearing. In other cases, the judge authorizes the defendant to report to prison later. Our team has seen cases with different outcomes. If the defendant makes a credible argument, he may have reason to wait several months before surrendering to prison. In the rarest of circumstances, defendants may remain free on bond pending the outcome of an appeal. Every case is unique. Defendants should consider the pros and the cons of prolonging a surrender date to prison. In some cases, it makes sense to get to prison at the soonest possible time. In other cases, valid reasons exist to postpone the surrender date.    Becoming a Prisoner / Good Time / Earned Time: After the judge sentences a person, a transition takes place. In the federal system, the trial judge loses jurisdiction over the case in a matter of days. The U.S. Marshal Service sends the Judgment Order, along with the PSR, to the administrative office of the Bureau of Prisons, in Grand Prairie, Texas. Prison staff members then rely upon a program statement, known as the Custody and Classification Manual. That manual includes a scoring system that results in a “security-level” score and a “custody-level” score. BOP officials in Grand Prairie rely upon those scores and other factors to determine where the prisoner will serve the sentence. In December of 2018, President Trump signed the First Step Act. The First Step Act is the most significant criminal-justice reform legislation in more than two decades. Although the president signed the law, as of early summer 2019, the Bureau of Prisons has not yet fully implemented the First Step Act. We do not anticipate people in prison getting the full benefit of the law until 2020. As more details become available, we will update this book and our courses on ResilienceCourses.com. For more current information on details of The First Step Act, please visit our websites at: PrisonProfessors.com, or ResilientCourses.com, or WhiteCollarAdvice.com Every person in federal prison will benefit from this new law. For example, as a result of the legislation, people in federal prison will receive a full 15 percent reduction in their sentences if they abide by rules in federal prison. Further, the law requires officials in the BOP to authorize more self-help programs for people in prison. Some examples of positive programs in federal prison include: Education courses Vocational courses Fitness courses Spiritual-development courses Substance-abuse treatment programs All prisoners that remain active in those positive programs will derive some form of benefit from participating. But if the Bureau of Prisons officials determine that the qualified prisoners are at “low- or minimal-risk” of recidivating, those prisoners will receive “Earned Time” credits of 15 days each month. It’s important to differentiate “Good Time” credits from “Earned Time” credits. Prisoners receive up to 54 days each year in Good Time credits if they avoid being charged with any disciplinary conduct. Prisoners don’t have to do anything particularly good to get the Good Time. They simply must avoid doing anything bad. By adhering to rules, a prisoner’s sentence will be cut by 54 days per year. The First Step Act does not cut time that a prisoner owes to complete the sentence. Rather, the prisoner that works to develop skills through good behavior and positive programming accumulates Earned Time credits at a rate of either 10-days per month, or 15-days per month. At the end of the sentence, the qualifying prisoner will be able to rely upon those Earned Time credits as an objective mechanism to transition into home confinement earlier than would otherwise be possible. Qualifying prisoners may serve significant lengths of time on home confinement. For example, let’s say a person qualifies for the maximum benefit under the First Step Act. That person may have a federal conviction and he may have received a sentence of 100 months. That person may qualify for the Residential Drug Abuse Program, too. The table below offers an estimate on what he could expect to serve with and without the First Step Act.   Factor With First Step Act Without First Step Act 100-month Sentence 100-month Sentence 100-month Sentence Good Time Credits 15% of sentence, which reduces sentence to 85 months. 15% of sentence, which reduces sentence to 85 months. RDAP time reduction 12 months off sentence, which reduces sentence to 73 months. 12 months off sentence, which reduces sentence to 73 months. Earned Time Credit at 15 days per month Roughly 50% of time to Residential Reentry Center, resulting in transfer to home confinement at somewhere between 37 and 42 months. Six to 12 months available for transition to Residential Reentry Center, resulting in transfer to halfway house or home confinement at around 61 to 67 months.   Although the above table is only an estimate, and we won’t have final details until the Bureau of Prisons releases its policy statement on the First Step Act, it’s clear that this law will bring a positive benefit to many people in prison. When it comes to Earned Time credits, the operative word is “qualifying” prisoner. Congress detailed a specific list of offenses that do not qualify for Earned Time credits. Generally speaking, people convicted of non-violent offenses qualify for Earned Time. Again, we will update our sections on Earned Time as the Bureau of Prisons releases policy statements on this law.     Getting to Prison: Once an individual is sentenced to prison, the next step is getting there. Offenders who are sentenced to relatively short terms, fewer than ten years, may have the privilege of surrendering to the facility to which they have been designated or assigned to serve their sentence. The vast majority of people will be taken into custody and proceed through the humiliating prisoner transfer system. Future chapters will describe what to expect when being transferred to an initial prison, or from one prison to another.    Appeals and Post-Conviction Remedies: Most defendants will enter into plea agreements that prohibit them from launching direct appeals. Prisoners that proceed through trial, on the other hand, routinely appeal if the jury convicted them. They may appeal errors in due process. In rare circumstances, such as if they discovered information that had not previously been available, they may appeal issues that the trial court did not consider. Otherwise, appellate courts review errors that the lower court may have made, which would have violated the defendant’s due process rights. Every step in the judicial proceeding brings the case one step closer to finality. The U.S. Supreme Court, being the highest court in the land, is the court of last resort. Few defendants ever see their cases advance that far in the appellate procedure.  Indeed, relatively few offenders find any relief through appellate procedures. According to Modern Criminal Procedure, 9th Edition, by Yale Kamisar, et al, published by West Group, (St. Paul. Minn: 1999)—which we relied upon heavily to write this chapter—fewer than 11 percent of all defendants succeed on appeal. Within one year after the appellate process is exhausted, those in prison may seek relief through habeas corpus, a civil (rather than criminal) proceeding. It is difficult to undo the long record that already has been established. The judicial concept of stare decisis, meaning “Let the decision stand” weighs heavily against defendants that seek relief through habeas corpus. Nevertheless, if defendants believe that their constitutional rights have been violated, such as if their attorney failed to represent them appropriately, and they file their motion within time limits authorized by the rules of civil procedure, they may attempt to get judicial relief through motions such as the §2255 motion. Besides a defendant’s motion, a prosecutor may initiate a post-conviction motion that gives jurisdiction back to the sentencing judge. As an example, prosecutors may file a Rule 35 motion. Prosecutors rely upon the Rule 35 as a tool to encourage people that have been sentenced to cooperate against others. By filing a Rule 35, prosecutors ask the judge to resentence the defendant to a lower term. Final Word: Anyone anticipating a potential problem with the criminal justice system should learn as much about the system as possible. The more knowledge a person has about the system, the better-prepared he will be to work with his attorney to achieve the best possible outcome. People should rely on their attorneys for legal advice. Yet they also should make efforts to gather and learn from the experiences of others.  Do not be an ostrich, living as though problems with the criminal justice system will somehow disappear. If charged with a crime, we recommend reading the statute to find a complete definition of the elements of the offense. The defendant should read through potential penalties as well. The defendant does not have to speak with a law enforcement officer, but if he chooses to speak, he had better not lie. Lying to any law enforcement officer exposes the person to more problems—like obstruction of justice charges, or charges of making a false statement to a federal officer. If ensnared in the criminal justice web, think about damage control. It’s best to think proactively about navigating the challenges ahead. Learn the stakes associated with every decision. When considering whether to go to trial or plead guilty, remember that sentencing guidelines incentivize those that expresses remorse and accept responsibility. The sooner a person starts preparing for leniency at sentencing, the better. Although holding the prosecutor to task on every issue may bring some advantages, that option does not come without potential costs—both in terms of financial costs to launch an aggressive defense, and costs in terms of exposure to more difficult sanctions. You’ve just listened to another chapter of Prepare: What Defendants Need to Know Before Court / Sentencing / or Prison. Get a free digital copy of the book by visiting Prison Professors.com. You can also send an email to team@Prisonprofessors.com. Call or text 949-205- 6056

My guest today is Vanessa Foss. Vanessa has been planning and managing conferences for twenty-five years. She's the founder and president of Kunverj, an event planning and management company. Vanessa and her team run one of my favorite events of the year, the Information Architecture Conference. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to manage such an event. Listen to the full conversation https://theinformeddotlife.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/the-informed-life-episode-21-vanessa-foss.mp3   Show notes Kunverj ASIS&T Information Architecture Conference Cvent platform Euro IA Conference SoftConf Slack Mailchimp Zoom RDAP Conference Kunverj upcoming events Read the full transcript Jorge: So Vanessa, welcome to the show. Vanessa: Thank you, Jorge. Jorge: For folks who don't know you, please can you tell us about yourself? Vanessa: Okay, my name is Vanessa Foss. I run a company called Kunverj; it's an event planning organization. I started it about two and a half years ago, but I've been running conferences for over 25 years. I worked at ASIS&T for that time. And so I ran the IA Conference and the ASIS&T Conference and two others. So I was there from their inception, and you know, I was just able to do something that I really love doing, which is organizing things and also getting to meet different people. And that was very important and is still very important to who I am. I started running conferences, and how I got involved in all of this was that I went to University of Maryland, and I was studying engineering. And on my first internship, I was like; I cannot do this. This is not for me. And so I drifted, and I ended up at ASIS&T. And when I was there, I was very fortunate to have a great boss who allowed me to do, you know, just look around and basically do what I was interested in. And you know, I was fascinated by event planning. And he just said, okay if you are, then just basically showed me the tools and I was able to do it. And so I was very fortunate to have had someone to mentor me like that into something that I really enjoy doing. And the great thing was, a few years ago, I thought back on it, and I was like, wait just a minute, you've always loved doing this. I've organized a lot of family functions when I was in my teens. I did one of my older cousin's wedding. I organized the whole thing before I turned 18, before I went to college. So I realized that this was something that was a part of me, but I didn't realize it was there because in the days when I was go was growing up if you were good at math, people said okay, you be an engineer, and so that's where my mind… You know, that's where the culture and everything was pushing me. But my mind is was not there. And then now that I'm older, I was able to realize you know, this is something that I always wanted to do. Jorge: You and I met at the IA Conference. You said that that you love organizing things and meeting people, and we met through the conference, right? So I can definitely see that I see you and your team every year working so hard, and you've talked about event planning, and I have no idea what goes on behind the scenes with the stuff that you all are doing and I'm wondering if you can unpack a little bit what event planning is and what goes into it. Vanessa: Okay, there are different aspects of it. At least for my company, we also select venues for the conferences. So there's that end of it, where we use a software called Cvent, and so I will basically go in and say, “I want to go to this area or this part of the world.” Because I do European IA [Conference] also. And it will give me all the venues that it has available based on the criteria that I put in. So once I have that, then I sent out an RFP that describes the conference, in an RFP and then send it out to the venues, and then they respond to me. The biggest aspect about the event planning is the getting the logistics behind it. And so I have software that was designed for event planning that was designed by ISS. And basically they will take all of the information that I want and then spit it back out to me in a unified way. So when people register for the conference, you know, it takes registrations in, it takes what they've registered for, and then it spits it back out to me. When I have the venue information, I enter it into that system, and then I'd say, “well, this room I would like it to be set up this way, and this is the AV I would like in this room.” And that's so all of that information comes together from that system and it tells me and the hotel and all of the other players what goes where and how it's done. So it's it's a great system. It was designed by Russell Evans, and it's proprietary, so he basically will design it for your needs. So if I wanted to tweak it in any way, it would just get updated. So there's that aspect of it. And so when we get the attendees' information, we get the hotel information, and speakers' information, it all comes together in a big package. And so we just basically run reports on what information you would like for that day. Jorge: Well, that's fascinating. I wasn't aware of the fact that it was all managed together in a single platform. Does that include things like submissions for talks? Vanessa: No, submissions… On that end, that's another aspect. I am very fortunate because I work with a lot of volunteers. And for each conference that I do, their set of volunteers that I work with, and we basically have been using one submission system call SoftConf. And so its solicits, you know, we would solicit to come the submissions, and people were just basically go in and put their talk in, and it helps us with peer review, with getting… We have to enter all the reviewers in there. And so it's a process where it helps us to send out to reviewers different papers, different submissions, and then they give us their reviews. But you know, that's basically handled by the volunteers, for the program, like the chairs of each event that I run, they are usually responsible for that. So it's really not that much on me; I just know that aspect of it. Jorge: So the part that you and your team are managing has to do with the infrastructure; the place where the conference will happen, the registrations, all that stuff. Not the content per se. Vanessa: No, no, we don't get involved with the content. We just… We do everything. All the logistics is basically making sure that people have the right badges, and like I said, all of that is generated from the software, the event planning software. So either… It keeps track of the accounting, it keeps track of every aspect on that end, you know, basically churning information out. They send whatever criteria, you know, put in at what you know what you need at that time.  Jorge: I've had a little bit of experience in the content side of this equation. I was program chair for a conference once, and have organized a couple of events — much smaller events — myself, and one aspect of event organizing and management that I'm aware of is that the needs of the team that's organizing the event change over time. There's a period of time where you're gathering the content and planning for the event, and there's a period of time where you have to do very intense marketing and getting the word out, and there's a period of time when you're gathering registrations, and then there's the event itself. And I'm just aware that it goes through stages, and I'm wondering if your information needs vary over time and if you can talk a little bit to that. Vanessa: Oh, yes, you know at the beginning like I said right now we work with volunteers in terms of getting the program itself, but there's so many different aspects, and it depends on what's going on at the time. And after the program is set, we do have to work on promotion, like you said. The timeline varies. At one point speed your work… You're always working on the badges and making sure that people, when they registered, they get confirmations and that end of it. But then there's the end of making sure that the event not only happens, but it happens in a way where the user experience is good. You know, if you've booked a large room and you somehow don't get the registrations that you thought you were going to get for that room, you do have to change the basic setup of the room. And so it's amazing how people's perception it's really… You have to work with what they're seeing, so if you have more registrations, you set the room up in one way, if you have less, you set up in another way so when people walk in the room always looks full. And that's a very important thing because that builds on the energy of the conference, where people feel, “there's a lot of people here, but you know, it's still great that I can still talk to people.” So that part of the conference is very human-related, and you have to make a lot of judgment calls in terms of, “Would it be better if I did this?” Jorge: Where does the buck stop for that sort of decision? Because I know that when working with teams of volunteers, it can often be hard to coordinate and make sure that everyone is aligned in the same direction for things like these decisions that you're talking about. The figuring out the layout of the room, and who gets to speak where, and at what time… Who has the ultimate decision-making authority for an event like the IA Conference? Vanessa: No, the chairs decide who speaks and when. I just decide where and how. So, like I said, you know, I do five conferences, and all five are volunteers. And you know, they all have chairs. And those chairs are very important, because they work very hard. And so it's very important to me that they get the type of conference that they want. So we do spend a lot of time getting to know each other and understanding that when someone says… Like if a chair says to me, “Vanessa, I would like this,” you know, and I feel like I can't do it, I will say to them, “You know, this can't happen because we don't have the budget for it or this cannot happen because this is how it's going to be viewed, and here are my reasons why.” And so we talked about it, and we work out a compromise where they can still get what they want, it's just that going to be maybe at the time that they want it and how. Jorge: That coordination with the team of volunteers, the chairs, and the other folks who are working on the conference… I would imagine that communication between the teams changes over time, right? Like I would expect that before the event, a lot of communication would happen over email, whereas during the event itself, folks must be communicating more in person. How do those communication needs change as time goes by before and during and after the conference? Vanessa: Okay, before the conference, at six months before the conference, there is a monthly or bimonthly phone call. There's a lot of Slack activity. We use Slack a lot. And the great thing about Slack is that we can speak to each other and it just can be for like a few minutes. It's just like texting, but texting in a forum where others can see it. So it's… There's a lot of that. And at the event itself, we use Slack. Basically say, you know, there's something going on that someone needs to know, we'll send them a notification. They get it, you know just like that. So there's a lot of that. We do a lot of phone calls. There's a lot of room conversations that happens over the period with each team. So, you know, you meet with the user experience team, you meet with the sponsorship team, and we discuss what the chairs would like to see happen because it's basically about the chairs of the conference. Jorge: You also talked about the promotion of the conference. Is that something that is on the chairs and their team, or is this something that Kunverj helps them with as well? Vanessa: It is the chairs in their team. I will go in Twitter, I go to LinkedIn, I go to Facebook, and if I don't see a lot of activity I will say, “Well, you know, there should be more of this.” But they drive to conversation. I'm a passenger that's aware of what's going on. So if I see that they should be making a right turn at this point, you know, I'll just interject that, you know, this should be happening at this time. But they're basically driving the car. And I think that that's very important because every year for all the conferences that I do, every year you get different chairs coming in and they have a right to bring their own slant on something. And so it's very important that we don't keep things at the same every year. You know, there are standard things that we do every year, but how we do it, it should be the chairs' vision and how it should be done. Jorge: In a conference like the IA Conference, or the Euro IA Conference — and I speak from experience here, having been to both of those — those are conferences that are long-running and have developed a set of traditions. And for the most part, the chairs are people who come from within the community that has already participated in previous events. Vanessa: Yes. Jorge: But to your point, for many of them — perhaps for most of them — this will be the first time they've ever been responsible for organizing a conference. It sounds like Kunverj is also providing a structure for where you can tell them, “You know, by this time, you should be getting this many registrations.” Is that fair? Vanessa: Oh, yes. And that that goes back to the system, the software that is designed for me. I will print out weekly registrations, and it will say, “This is where we were last year.” We can go back for at least from the beginning of any of the conferences. It'll say, “This is where they were at this time, and this is where you are.” So basically gives you an idea of whether doing better or whether you're doing worse. So if you're doing better, you know you continue to do what you're doing. If you're doing worse, then you will say, “Well, what can we do?” And this is probably where Kunverj comes in and says, “Okay, well, let's let look at where we are, and let's try to see why we are where we are. And what can we do to make these numbers go up. What can we do to promote this more?” And so we do have that conversation. It happens at a weekly basis probably, at that time. Because before that, we watch, and we put our promo codes or we do different mailings just to make sure that it happens. But if none of that is working then we have to re-evaluate where we are and say, “Okay, let's let's do more of this. So let's do less of this.” Jorge: Are the mailings something that Kunverj takes care of, or is that something that the program chairs have to look for a system to send things out like emails? Vanessa: Well, we use Mailchimp. You know, we have Kunverj's account, and so it's used for that. I said it depends, there are times when Kunverj has done it, and there are times when the chairs are done it. And so it depends on the chairs. It's a very fluid thing. And this is one thing with event planning: you run into a problem and you become very rigid. You have to work with personalities, and you have to understand that if you have someone who wants to do this, then you just basically guide them. And then you have people who are like, “Well, I don't really care to do it.” And then you have to do it. So it just depends on the chairs and the different years, but you know, we have we have Zoom, we have Mailchimp. We provide it to the events and say, “Okay, you know, you can use this for your communications, or if you want us to do something, we will do it.” But it's all driven by their need. Jorge: I'm hearing you describe this and thinking how much of a people business this is and how much experience comes into play. Because what you're talking about requires a lot of very subtle gauging of people's abilities and capabilities and bandwidth and being able to be there to help the thing happen, but also picking up the pieces that they might not be ready to provide for. Vanessa: Yeah. You know, most people don't know their limitations, or sometimes they don't know themselves. And so we have to gauge what's going on and what's you know what that person's about and in a gentle way do certain things for them. You know, “Let me help you do this. This is what we should be doing right now, and it's not happening. Do you need help, or should we do this?” And not necessarily make them feel like they're not doing a good job. Because the one thing with work with volunteers is that when you volunteer for something, your schedule might be clear at that time, but life happens. And so, it's just basically understanding that life happens. And so at this time, this chair might have a problem, and they're responsible for social media. Are they responsible for the other communications? And if they're having a problem… There's no… You know, family comes before volunteering. Your job, your paying job comes before that. So you're having a hard week. It's just basically understanding that you can count on us to do this. I know that you signed up for it, but you can count on us to take care of this for you. Jorge: This is so fascinating, what you're describing here. This idea that you have to be able to gauge people's ability to do the things that they need to do in order for the event to be successful, and to be able to fill in the gaps where they might not be able to perform to the level that is required of them. And what strikes me is that being able to gauge that sort of thing is something that for a lot of folks — myself included — takes time. Like, it takes time for me to know whether someone is able to come through with their commitments. But when you're working in an environment where you have a date that you have to meet for that conference, you're working under time pressure. So you don't have a lot of time to get a sense for people's abilities and the degree to which they meet commitments. And I'm wondering if you've found and — I don't know if to call it tricks or shortcuts — to finding out that aspect of people's personalities, you know? Whether they can, whether they're biting off too much or taking on more than they can chew at any moment? Vanessa: Well, you know the good thing about the IA Conference and also the Euro IA Conference, I speak to the chairs at least a year before the event. So within the first two to three months, when the timelines and demands are not great, you get a feel for how people work. Because you know, you have small little deadlines, and so you get an idea of well, did they reach this deadline? And some people are very truthful, you know, some people know themselves, and they'll say well this is my flaw, and this is something that I want to work on, that I want to get better. The thing about being a chair for a meeting… And this is my feeling, I think that people, when they volunteer, they should leave with a skill they didn't have before. They should be… If they're not good with timelines, when they're finished they should leave with that skill, you know. They should leave the conference with not just putting on a great conference, but they should have gained something from it. Personal achievement. And so, when we speak the first three or four months before we really kick everything into gear, because nothing… You know, at the beginning all you're working on is basically getting a theme and choosing your team, choosing different volunteers to work with you. And you get to observe that whole process. By three months you get an idea of, “Well, this person's going to be the type of person who's going to be on top of everything or this person is going to need a lot of help to do what they're trying to do.” So, you know Jorge, it's about relationships a lot. It's a lot less about relationships where you learn a lot about personality types and understand if the main thing is everyone's trying to do the best job that they can. And so as an organization Kunverj, we have to get the best we can out of them. Jorge: I love this idea of, it's not just that you're going to be putting on a good show, it's that you're going to grow as a person because you've done it. And being on the lookout for that is really admirable. You touched on the IA Conference, and I was hoping that we would speak a little bit about that event in particular. I consider to be my home conference in the sense that it's one that I try to go to every year and where I have ongoing conversations, where I find the greatest alignment with my own professional interests. And I was hoping that you would tell us a little bit about the upcoming IA Conference. Vanessa: Right. We are going to be in New Orleans, and we have three wonderful chairs that are working on this conference. The IA Conference is… And I'm going to push a little bit about it because I think it's a great event. But it's not only an event. It's like coming home. And I'm not an IA, and I'm an organizer. But I just… Sometimes I sit at the registration desk, and I watch their interactions between the attendees, and it's always amazing to me, always amazing to me to see people who are considered like the rock stars of the IA community, and they are so approachable. That people have their first meeting, they can approach them, and everyone is always reaching out to each other and whether it's exchanging ideas, you know, it's just a great event in that way. You know, no one's new. No one's in there because if you are, you know, they'll pull you in. I constantly hear this all the time:** “I found my tribe.” So it's a great event where you learn a lot, and you also get to meet great people. People that you might have read their books and you know, you can talk to them about it. Everyone's always approachable. So it's a fairly large event, but it's still like a family then, because it's coming home. And you probably have experienced Jorge, every time you've gone. You know, it's like, “Oh, I haven't seen this person in a year, but I can still talk to them like I've just talked to him yesterday.” Jorge: Well, I for one, want to thank you in particular for enabling the infrastructure that allows this tribe to gather, and that allows this conference and this learning to happen. Like I said, I see you there every year. Usually super busy, making sure that everything is running on time and that things are working well and that every need is provided for. And it's an invaluable service, and I am very thankful that you do that and that you've been doing it year after year. Vanessa: You know, Jorge the bottom line with all of this is that I have a great love for people. And so every time… It's like having a dinner party, but it's just bigger. What these people, you know, they're coming to your home, and you want to make sure that they have… You know, that everything is just right for them. And so with all of the conferences — and it's not just the IA Conference — all the conferences, that's the type of participation that I like to have, where I feel like this is my home, and I'm trying to prepare the best meal and the best experience for everyone coming into my home. And you know, with the IA Conference, the Euro IA Conference, and the RDAP conference that I do, these are all people that I've been working with for a long time. And so there's a sense of family there. There's a sense of… I'm not an IA, but I have learned so much from this community, the IA community, especially from the IA Conference. I see people that are so great, and they show so much empathy towards each other, and you know, the want to mentor and to help is always there. It's hard work, but it's very rewarding when you get to see the better side of human beings. Jorge: Hear, hear. And folks can experience this at the IA conference. You mentioned it's going to be in New Orleans, and it's in the middle of April, right? Vanessa: April 14th-18th. We have wonderful workshops, and it's going to be at the New Orleans Sheraton, and it's going to be an amazing conference. Jorge: Do you have a sense for when registration opens? Vanessa: Yeah, we're hoping to have registration open at the end of November. Just so did we can make sure that everyone gets a chance to register this year or next year, depending on your company's budget. But we will be opening right after Thanksgiving. Jorge: Well, Vanessa, where can folks follow up with you if they want to find out more about what you're doing? Vanessa: Okay, I have my website at kunverj.com/events, and it will list all of my upcoming events. Jorge: I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans in April. Thank you so much for being on the show, Vanessa. Vanessa: Thank you, Jorge.

Dan Wise - Federal Prison ConsultantDan Wise founded RDAP Dan | Federal Prison Time Consulting, LLC in 2015, after successfully navigating the Federal Prison system, culminating in his early release. Dan wanted to help other people facing federal prison time to have the same success in learning from the experience and achieving federal prison sentence reduction. He began by creating YouTube videos, and his business grew from there.Dan Wise and Jenny Good created a proprietary Success Method™, combining the strengths of an experienced Prison Consultant and a talented Coach to guide clients through a process focused on increasing clients’ chances for sentence reduction.Dan's vision included special support for the families of those facing federal incarceration, an often underserved segment in other prison consultancy models. If your family is experiencing difficulties as a result of your legal situation, we can help.Dan tells it like it is. We understand that the unknown and waiting in limbo can be the most difficult parts of this process. As a client, his straight-forward approach lets you know exactly what to expect as a federal defendant.When not working with federal prison consulting clients, you might find Dan playing poker with friends or relaxing with his pets.To learn more about Dan and the work he does, visit https://www.federalprisontime.com/To learn more about Rob Lohman, visit www.TheAddictionRecoveryHub.com

Dan Wise joins us to discuss his journey within the federal prison system and his efforts to bring awareness to the mental health of families and individuals facing this journey also. Dan Wise founded RDAP Dan, Federal Prison Time Consulting LLC in 2015, after successfully navigating the Federal Prison system, culminating in his early release. Dan created a proprietary Success Method, combining the strengths of an experienced Prison Consultant and a Registered Coach to guide his clients through a process focused on possible sentence reduction. Dan's vision included special support for the families of those facing federal incarceration, an often underserved segment in other prison consultancy models.​Dan combines straight-forward tough love with compassion and personal experience to bring his best to the clients he serves. www.rdapdan.com

Dan Wise began as a Federal Prison Consultant after successfully navigating the Federal Prison System. He blends knowledge about RDAP, the hard-hitting truth, and a proven method of helping clients position themselves for the best possible outcome.

If anyone has any fears or concerns for your loved ones entering Federal Prison, Dan is definitely the man you want to talk to. This episode is a blessing. Enjoy!

Josh discusses clemency for Matthew Charles with Kevin Ring of FAMM. Thanks to The Crime Report for publishing my Op-Ed supporting passage of the First Step Act. Our new dedicated website is DecarcerationNation.com Kevin Ring is the President of Families Against Mandatory Minimums. As near as I can tell, this is the original Julietta Martinelli story from last December, she also wrote this article last week as Mr. Charles was returning to prison. The Career Offender sentencing guidelines (like the ones that forced Mr. Charles back to prison) are pernicious and are often very counterproductive. We all hope you will join us in signing "This Petition" for clemency/commutation for Mr. Matthew Charles. The first tweet in the amazing Twitter thread from Kevin Ring we discussed during this episode started with the linked tweet. You can read Mr. Pfaff's book "Locked In" or any of the articles quoting his recitation of the evidence proving that people "age out" of violent crime." Episode 2 of Decarceration Nation was entirely about this (largely fake) distinction between violence and non-violence in the law (one of my personal favorite episodes of the podcast). Learn more about the Bureau of Prisons drug programs including RDAP from their site. Some of the articles supporting President Trump granting a commutation to Mr. Charles include articles in The National Review, The Federalist, and The Root. I have also seen calls for his release on social media from the ACLU and Cut 50. Please sign the Petition to free Mr. Charles!!!! The petition, at this moment, is about to break 65k signatures. Here is a preview article about next week's episode (Statesville Correctional Debate Team).

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 Daniel Wise, aka RDAP Dan, joins Felony Friday host John Odermatt. Daniel is the creator of the YouTube channel RDAP Dan, which provides real-world information for people to benefit who may be facing a federal prison sentence. RDAP stands for Residential Drug Addiction Program. Wise says this program changed his life by giving him the opportunity to reduce his prison term by 12 months and assisted with an additional 11 month halfway house program. By utilizing RDAP he was able to only serve 13 months in federal prison on a 42 month sentence. You can find the show notes page >here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show Daniel Wise, aka RDAP Dan, joins Felony Friday host John Odermatt. Daniel is the creator of the YouTube channel RDAP Dan, which provides real-world information for people to benefit who may be facing a federal prison sentence. RDAP stands for Residential Drug Addiction Program. Wise says this program changed his life by giving him the opportunity to reduce his prison term by 12 months and assisted with an additional 11 month halfway house program. By utilizing RDAP he was able to only serve 13 months in federal prison on a 42 month sentence. You can find the show notes page >here

Here comes a special episode with our guest RDAP Dan! We weren't sure what to expect when a friend of ours suggested we have his prison coach on as a guest, but as it turns out Dan's is pretty fuckin cool and had some crazy stories to tell! If you or anyone you know is about to get their ass locked up then take a listen because Dan really had some important stuff to talk about. It was a blast having him on, so take a listen and enjoy, my lil mackerel pouches!