Michael Santos led our weekly webinar while I was in Florida. Below are key takeaways.
Navigating the Federal System: What Defendants and Families Should Focus On
Build Your Profile Before Sentencing—Not After
If you’re facing prison, don’t wait to define your narrative. Most people wait too long. Judges, probation officers, and BOP staff won’t understand your background unless you give them something concrete. That’s what your personal profile does.
Michael walked through how to build and share your profile through platforms like PrisonProfessorsTalent.com. It’s not about overselling or spinning—it’s about documenting your values, your plan, and your daily work. If you’re already inside, send the info to someone outside who can upload it for you. That profile becomes a reference point for staff and future advocates.
Medical Care in The BOP: Pressure Is Required
Prison healthcare is slow to respond—even when problems are urgent. You or someone close to you must stay on top of every medical issue.
Michael gave examples where serious health concerns—like dizziness, blood pressure drops, or unexplained pain—were ignored until families intervened. Letters to U.S. Marshals, the BOP’s Central Office, and congressional offices were often what moved the needle. Keep a record. Send follow-ups. Don’t assume the request was seen just because it was submitted.
Family Advocacy Needs to Be Strategic In The BOP, Not Just Supportive
Support helps—but advocacy is what leads to outcomes. Michael’s wife, Carole, didn’t just wait and hope. She learned where to send letters, who to call, and how to speak the language the system understands.
If someone close to you is ready to help, give them direction. Don’t just ask them to “send a letter”—show them how to contact congressional staff, inspector general offices, or the facility warden. Frequency and targeting matter more than volume.
Don’t Guess on Financial Disclosures
The government looks for gaps and inconsistencies. If you or your family is managing a trust, paying expenses, or holding money on your behalf—disclose it. Even if you don’t touch the money directly, you’re still responsible for reporting it.
Michael continued working through prison by giving his sister power of attorney. It was legal, documented, and done with transparency. That’s the model. Avoiding disclosure can lead to more serious consequences than the original conduct.
Congressional Letters: Effective When Used Properly
Many people assume letters to Congress don’t go anywhere. In the federal system, they often do. If you raise a legitimate concern—access to healthcare, refusal to transfer, unexplained delays in visitation—Congressional staff can open an inquiry. The BOP doesn’t ignore those.
Keep it factual. Outline what’s happened, what steps you’ve taken, and what response (or lack of response) you’ve received. You’re not asking for sympathy—you’re requesting oversight from the right authority.
Expect the BOP to Push Back
Michael was direct: don’t expect help from the Bureau of Prisons. The institution is built to maintain structure—not serve your needs.
That doesn’t mean sit quietly. It means learn how to file grievances, how to escalate concerns, and how to follow up with the right language. The BOP responds more often when people have documented their requests and involved others outside the system.
Don’t Wait for Support—Create It
Ross Ulbricht’s pardon didn’t come from a single letter. It came from years of consistent outreach from people who believed in him. He didn’t wait for that support to materialize. He helped build it.
If you’re going into custody, think long-term. Build your network now—people who understand what you’re working toward and are willing to back you. That includes family, former colleagues, even people you meet through advocacy or rehabilitation work. Visibility matters.
Start Now—Not After You’re in Trouble
You don’t need to know everything. You just need to begin—writing your profile, planning your time, learning how to ask the right people for help, and understanding where this system resists change.
We host these webinars every Monday at 1PM Pacific / 4PM Eastern. You’ll hear directly from people who’ve served time, helped others prepare, and know how the BOP actually works—not just how the policies are written.
If this process is already underway, you’re behind. Start today.
Justin Paperny
