Preparation, Sentence Mitigation

INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT; FOR A SMOOTHER SELF-SURRENDER

I’m Dr. Marc Blatstein. I’ve been where you are and am here to help you on your journey. With work, I got my license reinstated and my career back. While I can’t make promises, preparing for the PSI is critical for a successful journey; from my experience, it is both needed and helpful.

Preparation for release (at least considering it) before their PSI is a start in the right direction. They may do something completely different, but having a Plan and Daily Routine for day 1 in prison as to what to expect is a good start. Prison is Temporary.

1. I repeat myself: By this time (before your PSI), you have provided documentation for a Comprehensive Presentence Report, especially if you have medical needs.
2. Verify with all parties that the receiving facility has received all the required judge’s orders for your arrival before you get there, 18 U.S.C. § 3621(c).
   • If you arrive before your judge’s orders (no matter how rare that may be), you may find yourself being placed in an Isolation Cell, and now that they have you, they’re not likely to let you go.
   • If we have prepared you, your orders will be there, and you’ll have books to read soon, which should take the edge off if they keep you in Isolation for several days.
3. If you’re ultimately designated to a ‘satellite’ camp, know you must present yourself to the adjacent, ‘higher’ secure facility – not the satellite camp. If you’re going to a Free-Standing Federal Prison Camp (FPC), No Worries, you will not face most of these challenges.
   • Also, know that at the higher secure facility, you will likely see prisoners in handcuffs and shackles, guards with long guns, guard towers, etc., so just an FYI.
   • Being prepared is essential—this is not a time for surprises. Clients deal with the emotional aspects of “prison” in their own way, especially if it’s their first time.
4. Once inside, you will be screened and given a change of clothes. The clothes and peripherals they came with will be boxed and mailed to your ‘legal residence.’ You’ll also have to strip, squat, and cough.
5. The copies (or originals) of your birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, and social security card will all be kept and returned to you at the time of your release.
   • If you store them somewhere, know who is holding them and where they are.
6. What Not to do while you’re there,
   • No Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling, or Sex with Inmates or Staff.
   • When you first arrive, keep a low profile until you understand the prison world better; look for someone like you.
   • No chit-chat, casual talking to guards.
   • Don’t be an informant.
   • Don’t use anyone’s Cell Phone.
   • It’s expected to be apprehensive at first.
   • Emails and USPS letters are read, and calls are monitored (Never do a 3-Way Call)
   • Don’t use someone else’s medications.
   • The TV Room is mostly under others’ control – don’t change the channel if others watch TV.
   • Don’t miss the counts. Find out where the Call-Out Sheet is and look at it daily for your name.
   • Be Respectful to other inmates, their personal space (don’t just sit on a person’s bed – ask permission), and staff.
7. Be aware that banks and different investment, mortgage, and other loan companies may elect to close your accounts due to your criminal charge(s).
   • Be sure to have someone you trust notarized as your Power of Attorney. They could also be your emergency contact at the prison for your visits.
   • Start looking at smaller local banks, possibly in different states, and look to open other accounts.
   • To not get financial penalties as some of your investments are being forced to close, here, too, look for other places to move your funds to avoid those penalties.
   • Possible Felon-friendly Banks – Check First: BMO U.S, Bluevine, SoFi, Choice Bank, Vanguard: Mutual funds, IRAs, ETFs, 401(k), Credit Unions, Capital One® Secured Card and Best Credit Building Credit Cards (Updated May 2024).
     • Disclaimer: Please verify that these will not close your accounts before you move your funds to these institutions.
8. Case Managers will be looking for Personal Growth and Development in addition to your taking the First Step Act (FSA) Programs. Keep a record of your activities and conversations with BOP Staff because like insurance –you don’t realize you need it until You Do.
9. Reading Books (Non-Fiction) for Personal Growth,
   • Amazon sells cheap paperback journals with lined pages, but they will also need writing inside because the BOP may not let in blank pages. These can be inspirational quotes, religious, or anything else, but something is necessary.
   • Constructive Learning. Whatever you are interested in—art, History, Famous people, Banking, Real estate, or painting or drawing—do that.
   • Now The Journal. Every day, start a routine for yourself once you get inside. Every day, write what you’ve done,
     • You’ve taken an FSA Class [note the day, time, class name and find something that you learned],
     • Note every conversation you had with a correction officer (BOP Staff), just in case…
     • Once you start reading BOOKS (Non-Fiction), again [note the day, time, book, and find something (anything) you learned and may want to implement later].
     • As you document your journey, this is also Building your Release Plan
   • You’ve been educated to the max as a Ph.D., Doctor, Lawyer, Scientist, etc., so consider teaching a class to inspire those around you.
10. Reputation Management. Create a website for yourself before you surrender, and then email home everything you’re doing to rebuild your life. So far, all that is there is your INDICTMENT, and Reputation Management Companies don’t hold up in the long run. I’ve paid for one, and it hasn’t held up. Your daily log of your activities is a great starting point.
11. Once you enter the BOP, this is another Planet. Frustration and Disappointment are to be expected and will test you to your core.
    • Don’t vent your frustrations to your unit team and case managers; you will only worsen things for yourself. This period is Temporary for you, but for the BOP Staff, it is their job; they are here every day and have heard every complaint. Please stay under their radar and don’t get the reputation of a complainer.
12. When you first arrive, as soon as you can get to a computer, take your first SPARC 13 Assessment Questions. You may still be offered programs without it, but you will not get any credit.
13. Cancel all subscriptions to everything unless someone will be paying those fees.
14. Credit Cards – Card Lock: What It Does, Who Offers It, How to Use It 
    • Credit card companies call the feature different names, often using “lock” or “freeze.” To initiate or cancel an immediate lock, use your card issuer’s mobile app or log in to your online account to activate an on-off switch. Many debit card accounts also feature a lock.
    • When you lock a card, new charges and cash advances will be denied. However, recurring autopayments, such as subscriptions and monthly bills charged to the card, will continue to go through. Typically, so will bank fees, returns, credits, interest, and rewards. Transactions that occurred before locking the card are unaffected.
    • Check with your issuer or its website to determine whether you have a card lock and exactly how yours works. Locks work differently depending on the card issuer.
    • Many issuers have added this feature in recent years; check yours. Here is a sampling,
      1. American Express freeze
      2. Barclays SecurHold™
      3. Capital One Card Lock
      4. Chase lock/unlock
      5. Citi Quick Lock
      6. Discover Freeze it®
      7. Wells Fargo Control Tower