Going to Prison

The jury found you guilty and the judge passed sentence. If this was your first offense and did not involve the use of a firearm or bodily violence, you're on your way to a federal prison camp provided you committed a crime under any of the United States Codes. Even the lowly drug dealer gets a chance at a prison camp.
No. You do not leave from the courtroom in a prison van. The court usually allows you time for an appeal or at least to put your house in order, so to speak. Speaking from personal experience I think the time between the sentencing and the actual day you are to report is the greater punishment.

I remember reading about a federal case that involved an attorney, who was found guilty of a crime. He insisted on beginning his sentence on the day it was pronounced. At first I didn't comprehend what appeared to be an odd request. But in retrospect by the time his appeal was lost he had already completed almost half of his sentence. Who knows the system better than one of its own?

You may be asking yourself,why are you wasting your time reading this article. You'll never wind up in a federal prison camp or otherwise. Just ask yourself if you were completely honest in anwering the questions on your mortgage application. How about the ton of credit card offers you receive? Did you accurately portray your income and net worth? Did you honestly complete the last three years of federal tax returns? Maybe you have a secret off shore bank account. And if your a corporation executive, ask yourself if you really know where all the bodies are buried in your organization. Maybe your brother in law tipped you on the merger of his firm. Remember Martha Stewart? Don't forget Leona Helmsley.And how many Enrons were there in the last few years.

So pay attention. This article may ease the way for your entrance to hell.

If you are fortunate you still have family left after you borrowed from them are cleaned out your own savings for legal fees. Yes, there is a stigma to a criminal record starting the way your family members will view their hero from now on. So step one is to have a family sit down and explain the sordid details of your crime.
If you are really remorseful, tell them. Put their feelings first. You did the crime not them. You may be surprised at the outcome. Be prepared for the worse condition.Completing this first step will take away some of the anxiety that will live with you from now until you've finished your sentence.A successful meeting of the minds with family will go a long way toward building a support system while you're on the inside.

Every family is different as is every crime. Only you can determine how much damage the crime caused your family. But unless you are able to gain their forgiveness and trust, the time you'll have to spend will be a lot more difficult.

Let's start with the day of the trip. You have an arrival time issued by the court and and the name of the facility to which you've been committed The Bureau of Prisons, BOP, has a comprehensive web site. www.bureauofprisons.com. I suggest you visit the site and glean as much information about your camp as possible. You may want to do this every other day until your almost a resident. Share it with your family members. They'll need to refer to it.

The clothes you wear is a good starting point. I recommend a sweat suit. Whoever brings you to the facility ,where you'll be stripped naked, will be given all the clothes you're wearing. The bureau of prisons will issue you their own clothing. Whatever you do don't wear any jewelry including watches. You may keep your glasses and a pair of running shoes. So, I suggest you wear a pair of New Balance running shoes, white, www.NBwebexpress.com. They will let you keep these and it'll save you some money at the prison store, where you can later buy a new sweat suit.

Make sure your hair is closely cropped. It'll be some time before you can get a haircut at the prison barber, who is an inmate like you. Bring some cash with you. My suggestion is about four or five hundred dollars. The money will be deposited in your prison account from which you can draw for telephone calls and the goodies that are sold in the prison store, where you'll be allowed to shop once a week. It will be some time before you can make a phone call. Making a call is a privilege and you are restricted to a fifteen minute call each day. But getting a time slot is difficult for new comers. So tell your loved ones what the telephone situation is and that they may not hear from you for awhile. Eventually, you'll become familiar with the routine and get your slot for calls. It all depends on how crowded the facility is at the time you enter.

When the guard strips you and gives your belongings to those who brought you to the facility, you will be fingerprinted and photographed and given an ID card for use at the prison store. Safeguard this with your life. You'll be given bedding and clothing. Don't expect too much. Remember you're in jail. Later as you acclimate yourself to prison life you'll find ways to become a lot better dressed and more comfortable. If you are doing less that a year, don't even bother.

The guard ill show you to your living space. Chances are you'll have at least one bunk mate. Don't trust him or any inmate you come in contact with. Most are ears for the camp administrator and will tell him everything you tell them. Don't ask questions not related to how do I get on the telephone, shop, get a prison job.

You'll be interviewed by the camp administrator. He is not your friend. He is your jailer. Be respectful, not condescending, answer his questions directly. But don't volunteer any information. Most of the prison employees are working stiffs trying to get through the day without problems. Stay out of their way and you will not have any trouble doing your time.

The prison camp chaplain will also interview you. Remember they are bureau employees. So the gag rule applies to them as well. Catholic priests in the employ of the bureau are not bound by their vow of secrecy. Need I say more?

If you have an illness make sure you have your medicine with you and medical records from your doctor. The bureau does a good job of keeping you healthy. If you have hypertension or a heart ailment or life threatening disease make sure your lawyer has this documented when before you enter the facility. This way you'll be eligible for chronic care at the infirmary.

The prison camp is not a violent place and you don't have to worry about homosexuality, unless that is your preference. No one is going to rape or beat you. There are no violent offenders in a prison camp. All the bathroom or shower jokes you've heard are just that, jokes.

You committed a crime and now you must pay the consequences. Avoid all the jail house lawyers, who will guarantee you they will win an appeal for a few hundred dollars. If they're so good how come they are still locked up? The time will pass quickly. Visiting can be a hassle for your family and friends. Let them try it once. But don't hold it against them if they don't return.

Relax, stay healthy and remember, you will rise again. Good luck.