During Prison
Surviving and thriving inside the Bureau of Prisons. The daily realities, the unwritten rules, and the systems you need to understand.
Life Inside the BOP
I spent 35 months inside the Federal Bureau of Prisons, including time in the Special Housing Unit (SHU). I know what you're facing because I lived it every day.
The BOP is a bureaucracy with its own rules—written and unwritten. Understanding how it actually works (not just what the handbook says) is essential for navigating your time productively and avoiding problems that extend your stay or make life harder.
Daily Survival
The first weeks are the hardest. You're learning the routines, the population dynamics, the staff personalities, the commissary system, count times, meal schedules, recreation, and work assignments. Everything is new and disorienting.
I help people understand what to expect in those early days and weeks, how to establish yourself without problems, and how to settle into a routine that makes the time productive rather than just something to endure.
Disciplinary System
The BOP disciplinary system can add time to your sentence, remove good conduct time, and affect your custody level and FSA eligibility. Understanding how "shots" work—from informal resolution to Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) to Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO)—is critical.
If you're facing a disciplinary hearing, preparation matters. While I can't represent you (I'm not an attorney), I can help you understand the process, your rights within it, and how to present your case effectively.
The Grievance System
The Administrative Remedy process (BP-8, BP-9, BP-10, BP-11) is how you formally raise issues within the BOP. It's bureaucratic, slow, and often frustrating—but it's also required before you can pursue many legal remedies.
Understanding how to file effective grievances, meet deadlines, document everything, and escalate appropriately can make the difference between having issues addressed and being ignored.
SHU / Special Housing Unit
Time in the SHU (solitary confinement) is psychologically challenging. Whether it's disciplinary, administrative, or protective custody, the isolation takes a toll. I've been there. I can help you or your family understand what to expect and how to cope.
Programming & First Step Act
The First Step Act created opportunities to earn time credits through evidence-based programming. With 112 approved programs available across BOP facilities, understanding which programs apply to you, how to get enrolled, and how credits are calculated can significantly impact your release timeline.
What You Need to Know
TRULINCS / Corrlinks
The BOP's email system is how you'll communicate with approved contacts. Understanding how it works, the monitoring, and the limitations helps maintain family connections.
Phone System
300 minutes per month. Expensive rates. Scheduling challenges. I help families understand how to maximize communication within BOP constraints.
Work Assignments
From UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries) to facilities maintenance, your work assignment affects daily life. Some positions are better than others—I explain the landscape.
Education & Programs
GED, college courses, vocational training, drug treatment (RDAP), and FSA-eligible programming. Using your time productively pays dividends.
Medical Care
BOP medical care is... limited. Understanding how to access care, document issues, and escalate when necessary can be important for your health.
Good Conduct Time
How GCT is calculated, what can cause you to lose it, and how the First Step Act changed the calculation. This directly affects your release date.
Inside and Need Help?
Family members can reach out on your behalf. Crisis response available.