Inmate
The federal inmate at the center. Their progress, their goals, their advocacy. Account belongs to them.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Navigation
Navigate the Federal System with People Who Know It Inside and Out
Our team combines clinical expertise with firsthand BOP experience. Our consultant Ken Gaughan spent 35 months incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 12 months on home confinement, and 55 months under pre-sentence supervision. 102 months total. We're not working from theory—we bring both professional credentials and lived experience.
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Incarcerated
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Home Confinement
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Pre-Sentence
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Total Time in Federal System
Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Prison Reality
Understanding the BOP system starts with understanding the numbers.
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Federal Inmates in BOP Custody
Bureau of Prisons, 2025
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Average Sentence Length
U.S. Sentencing Commission
9.7%
FSA Recidivism Rate
vs 46% Pre-First Step Act
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Released Under First Step Act
2020-2024
Your Journey
Support for Every Phase
The federal system has distinct phases, each with unique challenges. I provide expert guidance wherever you are in the process.
Before Prison
Facing federal sentencing? We help with BOP designation strategy, self-surrender preparation, family planning, and setting realistic expectations for what's ahead.
Learn More →During Prison
Navigating life inside the BOP. From disciplinary hearings (DHO) to the grievance system (BP-8/9/10/11), SHU survival, and maintaining family connections via TRULINCS.
Learn More →After Prison
Reentry is harder than you think. RRC (halfway house) navigation, home confinement compliance, supervised release success, employment, and rebuilding your life.
Learn More →
The Difference
Why Work With Us?
Lived Experience in the BOP
Our consultant Ken Gaughan isn't reading about prison from a textbook. He lived through every phase of the federal Bureau of Prisons system—from the anxiety of pre-sentence supervision through the disorientation of intake, the daily realities of institutional life, time in the SHU, the halfway house, home confinement with GPS monitoring, and supervised release. He knows what you're facing because he faced it himself. Ken is also the author of Navigating the Federal Prison System: What I Wish I Knew Before Prison — From Cuffs to Freedom.
Clinical & Professional Expertise
Dr. Patrick Fisher, PhD, LPC, NCC, founded Dr. Prison to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and lived experience. With over 20 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Ph.D. in Psychology, Dr. Fisher brings professional rigor to every aspect of our consulting practice. This combination of clinical expertise and Ken's firsthand experience gives our team a unique ability to help you navigate the system.
Transparent & Honest
We won't promise outcomes we can't deliver. The federal system is unpredictable. What we offer is honest guidance, practical strategies, and support from a team that understands what you're going through. All our pricing is published. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Federal Reform
Understanding the First Step Act
The First Step Act of 2018 fundamentally changed the federal Bureau of Prisons system. Over 44,000 people have been released under its provisions, with dramatically lower recidivism rates than before.
But navigating FSA benefits isn't automatic. Understanding earned time credits, the PATTERN risk assessment, eligible programming, and how to maximize your opportunities requires knowledge of how the BOP actually implements these provisions.
I've studied the FSA extensively and can help you understand how it applies to your specific situation—what credits you may be eligible for, which programs count toward earned time, and realistic timelines for release to RRC or home confinement.
Important: I'm not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice about your sentence. For legal matters, work with a qualified federal defense attorney. But I can help you understand the practical realities of how the BOP implements the First Step Act.
Our Commitment
What We Promise
Honest Guidance
We'll tell you the truth—even when it's not what you want to hear. The federal system is unpredictable. We won't make promises we can't keep or give you false hope.
Lived Experience
Our consultant Ken Gaughan shares from personal experience in the BOP system. He's been where you're going. He knows the daily realities, the unwritten rules, the pitfalls to avoid.
Complete Transparency
Our backgrounds, our credentials, our pricing—everything is disclosed. We have nothing to hide. Read the full story on the transparency page.
Success Stories
What Clients Say
★★★★★
"Dr. Prison's guidance was invaluable during the most difficult time of my life. Their firsthand knowledge of the BOP system helped me prepare for what was coming and made the transition manageable."
★★★★★
"The monthly newsletter keeps me informed about policy changes that affect my husband's case. It's the only reliable source of BOP information we've found."
★★★★★
"After release, I was struggling with my online reputation. Dr. Prison's team helped me rebuild my digital presence and move forward professionally. Game changer."
Latest Content
Recent Videos
Real talk about the federal system. Follow for daily tips on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
2:45
First Step Act: What They Don't Tell You
The real story behind FSA time credits and why your calculation might be wrong.
3:12
Commissary Secrets: Stretch Your Money
How to make the most of limited commissary funds inside the BOP.
4:01
Home Confinement: What to Expect
GPS monitoring, check-ins, and surviving home confinement after release.
Don't Face the BOP Alone
Free 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation. No obligation, no pressure—just an honest conversation about how I can help.
Built Around a Three-Party Model
Inmate at the center. Sponsor on the outside. Coach inside the network. All three working together.
Sponsor
A trusted family member or friend. Creates the account, manages logistics, communicates with the coach.
Coach
DrPrison staff with lived experience and clinical training. Handles filings, advocacy, and federal-system mechanics.
A Note on the Word "Inmate"
We use "inmate" deliberately. It's the official term used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and federal law. It's also what families type into search engines when they need help. Using softer alternatives would make this platform harder to find for the people who need it. The word describes a circumstance, not a character. The clinical respect for the person inside that custody status is in everything else we do.
Read the full statement →