Pre-Sentencing Preparation
Preparation should begin before sentencing whenever possible. The period between conviction or plea and sentencing can be extremely important. We help clients understand the federal sentencing and correctional process and organize the information necessary to prepare intelligently for what may come next.
Services may include:
- Federal sentencing-process orientation
- Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) education
- Preparing for the probation interview
- Personal-history organization
- Document and records preparation
- Mitigation-support organization
- Understanding sentencing recommendations
- Family preparationFinancial and business continuity planning
- Preparing questions for defense counsel
- Post-sentencing planning
Our role is not to replace your attorney or provide representation in your criminal matter. Our role is to help you become better informed and better prepared.
Presentencing Investigation & PSR Preparation
Understand One of the Most Important Documents in the Federal Correctional Process
Information contained in the PSR may be considered in connection with classification, programming, institutional decisions, release planning, and other correctional matters.
We help clients understand:
- The purpose of the presentence investigation
- What typically happens during the probation interview
- Why accuracy matters
- Personal and family-history preparation
- Employment and educational history
- Financial information
- Medical and treatment history documentation
- Substance-use history documentation
- Reviewing information with defense counsel
- Understanding the importance of correcting material inaccuracies through appropriate legal channels
The objective is simple: Walk into the process informed instead of surprised.
Federal Prison Designation
RDAP Consulting
Understanding Where You May Serve Your Sentence
After sentencing, the Federal Bureau of Prisons determines where an individual will be designated. A number of factors can affect classification and placement.
We educate clients regarding issues that may include:
- Security classification
- Custody considerations
- Institution types
- Federal Prison Camps
- Federal Correctional Institutions
- Medical considerations
- Programming needs
- Geographic considerations
- Sentence length
- Detainers and unresolved matters
- Institutional resources
No consultant can guarantee placement at a particular institution. We help clients understand the process and prepare appropriately.
Residential Drug Abuse Program Education
For eligible individuals, participation can potentially have significant implications, including possible statutory early-release benefits. However, eligibility, admission, successful completion, and any resulting sentence reduction are determined by the Federal Bureau of Prisons under applicable law and policy.
Our consulting services help clients understand:
- What RDAP is
- General eligibility considerations
- The importance of documented treatment history
- How the PSR can affect later program evaluation
- Program structure
- Expectations during participation
- Potential benefits
- Common misconceptions surrounding RDAP
We do not promise or guarantee RDAP admission or sentence reductions.
First Step Act (FSA)
White-Collar Federal Defendants
Understanding Federal Earned Time Credits
The First Step Act significantly changed aspects of the federal correctional system.
For qualifying individuals, participation in eligible evidence-based recidivism reduction programs and productive activities may result in earned time credits that can potentially affect placement in prerelease custody or supervised release, subject to federal law and Bureau of Prisons determinations.
We help clients understand:
- First Step Act fundamentals
- Earned Time Credits
- Risk and Needs Assessment concepts
- Evidence-based programs
- Productive activities
- Programming strategy
- Potential prerelease pathways
- Residential Reentry Centers
- Home confinement concepts
- Supervised release transition
Specialized Preparation for Professionals and Business Owners
Federal incarceration presents unique challenges for professionals who have never experienced the criminal justice system.
Our clients may include:
- Business owners
- Corporate executives
- Entrepreneurs
- Physicians and healthcare professionals
- Attorneys and other professionals
- Financial professionals
- Technology executives
- Real-estate professionals
- Investors
- Individuals convicted of financial or regulatory offenses
Surrender Preparation
Federal Prison Orientation
Know What to Expect Before You Walk Through the Door
For many clients, the days immediately before surrender are among the most stressful periods of the entire process. Preparation can make a significant difference. We walk clients through the surrender process so they can understand what is likely to happen.
Topics may include:
Before Surrender
- Important personal affairs
- Financial arrangements
- Business continuity
- Family preparation
- Legal documents
- Authorized property considerations
- Prescription and medical documentation
- Contact information
- Communication planning
The Surrender Process
- Arrival
- Identification
- Intake
- Searches
- Property processing
- Medical screeningI
- nstitutional clothing issuance
- Housing assignment
- Orientation
Knowing what to expect can reduce unnecessary anxiety.
Understanding the Environment Before Entering It
Federal prison has its own culture, terminology, routines, expectations, and unwritten social dynamics.
Walking into that environment without preparation can create unnecessary problems.
Our orientation addresses topics such as:
- Institutional structure
- Daily schedules
- Counts
- Housing units
- Work assignments
- Commissary
- Recreation
- Meals
- Telephone systems
- Electronic messaging
- Visitation
- Personal property
- Institutional rules
- Disciplinary procedures
- Social boundaries
- Personal conduct
- Conflict avoidance
Our philosophy is simple:
Understand the environment. Follow the rules. Respect others. Avoid unnecessary conflict. Use your time productively.
Business & Financial Continuity
Release & Reentry Preparation
Prepare Your Affairs Before Surrender
Business owners and executives may need to address significant responsibilities before incarceration.
Depending on the client’s circumstances and advice from their attorneys, accountants, and financial professionals, planning may include:
- Business-management continuity
- Authorized signatories
- Corporate responsibilities
- Bill payment
- Banking arrangements
- Insurance
- Property management
- Tax coordination
- Records organization
- Family financial planning
- Emergency contacts
- Digital-account planning
- Powers of attorney and estate-planning discussions with qualified counsel
We help clients develop a checklist of issues that should be discussed with the appropriate legal, financial, tax, and business professionals.
The Sentence Ends. Your Future Continues
Successful preparation shouldn’t begin a few weeks before release.
Federal incarceration can be used as a period to prepare for the next chapter.
We encourage clients to develop a long-term reentry strategy addressing:
- Education
- Professional development
- Employment preparation
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial planning
- Family relationships
- Personal development
- Residential Reentry Center preparation
- Home-confinement transition
- Supervised-release expectations
- Technology changes
- Professional reputation
- Long-term goals
The objective isn’t simply to get through prison. The objective is to come home prepared to rebuild.