I saw it firsthand when I was serving my sentence. When I started creating alongside Michael Santos, plenty of people told me I was wasting my time. “No one will read that.” “They won’t let you do anything from in here.” “You should just relax.”
If I had listened, I wouldn’t be here today. I wouldn’t have built a successful business, helped thousands of people, or paid back all of my restitution.
Prison is filled with people who do nothing but complain, waiting for their time to run out. Many don’t start preparing until they have “six months to the house” (six months left before the halfway house). By then, it’s too late. They step out into the world with no plan, no assets, and no way to prove they’re more than their past mistakes.
How to Think Independently and Set Yourself Up for Success
You need to stop thinking like everyone else in prison. Start asking the right questions:
- What does my probation officer expect from me?
- What does the judge want to see from me post-prison?
- How can I build something while I’m inside that will influence them?
These are the questions I asked myself while I was in Taft Federal Prison Camp. I knew I could never go back to being a stockbroker or a real estate agent. My choices took that away from me. So I focused on what I could do—document my journey, share my experiences, and help others avoid my mistakes.
I started writing a blog from prison. That blog led to my book Lessons from Prison (which you can get for free—don’t buy it). I wrote letters to my probation officer, updating him on the skills I was developing. I shared my progress with stakeholders who had a say in my future. And it paid off.
Real Examples: People Who Built Something from the Inside
I wasn’t the only one who ignored the negativity and focused on building something.
- Michael Santos documented his entire journey through 26 years in prison, laying the foundation for his career today.
- Jonathan Chokri and Mossimo Giannulli successfully ran businesses while incarcerated in a minimum-security camp.
- Countless others have used their time wisely, building assets that made their transition back to society easier.
The common theme? They didn’t listen to the people around them who said it was impossible.
What Happens If You Do Nothing? The Real Consequences
Let’s talk about what happens if you follow the crowd and waste your time inside.
- Your probation will be harder. If you have no clear plan or evidence of rehabilitation, you’ll face stricter supervision.
- Your job options will be limited. Without skills, documentation, or a clear plan, your choices post-prison shrink to low-wage, dead-end jobs.
- Your transition will be rough. People think the hardest part is prison itself. It’s not. The hardest part is getting out and realizing you’re unprepared.
Too many people say, “I’ll deal with it when I get out.” That mindset is why so many struggle to rebuild their lives.
Your First Steps: How to Start Building Today
If you’re reading this and wondering where to start, here’s what you can do right now:
- Start writing. Keep a journal, start a blog, or write letters to your probation officer. Create a track record of growth.
- Identify skills you can develop. Whether it’s writing, business planning, or personal development, use this time to grow.
- Build your network. Connect with people who can support your transition—family, mentors, lawyers, or even pre-trial officers.
Most importantly, stop worrying about what others inside prison think. You’re not doing this for them. You’re doing this for yourself and your family.
Make the Most of This Time or Regret It Later
Had I listened to people in prison who told me my work was pointless, I’d have walked out with nothing—no credibility, no plan, and no way to support myself. Instead, I put in the work, built something meaningful, and made my life easier after release.
Too many people waste this time and pay for it later. They scramble to find a job, struggle under strict probation rules, and wish they’d done things differently.
You don’t have to be one of them.
If you want a real plan for using your time wisely, schedule a call with our team.
Justin Paperny
