White Collar Advice Blog

Lompoc Federal Prison Camp: What You Should Know Before You Report
By Matt Bowyer, who reported to Lompoc Federal Prison Camp in October, 2025 and was released in March, 2026. The morning I

BOP Memo June 2025-2026: Why More People Are Going Directly to Home Confinementβand How the Release Plan Tips the Scale
The June 2025 Bureau of Prisons memo makes one thing clear: if you qualify under the First Step Act (FSA) and/or the

Sentencing Mitigation: The 3-Step Plan That Can Reduce Your Federal Prison Sentence | Chapter 6
What Is a Sentencing Mitigation Plan? In this chapter, I discuss how a sentence-mitigation plan helps judges see the person behind the

Federal Prison Preparation: Complete Guide from Sentencing to Release
Federal prison preparation means taking deliberate steps to minimize your sentence, prepare for incarceration, and position yourself for success during and after

Federal Prison Self-Surrender: Complete Checklist
Federal prison self-surrender means reporting to your designated facility on the date ordered by the judge and United States Marshalls rather than

The Purple Cow: What Matt Bowyer Did After the Raid | Chapter 10
“I never saw a Purple Cow, I never hope to see one; But I can tell you, anyhow, I’d rather see than
The White Collar Advice blog helps people under investigation or facing federal sentencing understand the system, avoid mistakes that lead to longer sentences or tougher prison placements, and prepare for prison and reentry.
People under federal investigation, facing sentencing, or preparing for prison who want to build a documented record that shows they are different from the governmentβs one-sided version of events. Family members who want to understand the process and help a loved one prepare should read it too.
Yes. The blog is based on the combined experience of our team at White Collar Advice, including my time in the system, Michael Santosβs 26 years in federal prison, and the work we’ve done with thousands of people going through investigations, sentencing, and reentry. Everything comes from what weβve seen and documented over many years.
These blogs teach you how to create assets that do not currently exist to influence cynical stakeholders, like a Federal Judge or Probation Officer.