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		<title>Martin Shkreli</title>
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&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
| name = Martin Shkreli&lt;br /&gt;
| image = Martin-skhreli.png&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_date = March 17, 1983&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, United States&lt;br /&gt;
| nationality = American&lt;br /&gt;
| education = B.B.A., Baruch College (2004)&lt;br /&gt;
| occupation = Entrepreneur; former hedge fund manager; former pharmaceutical executive&lt;br /&gt;
| known_for = Daraprim price increase (5,000%); securities fraud conviction; &amp;quot;Pharma Bro&amp;quot; nickname&lt;br /&gt;
| charges = Securities fraud (2 counts); conspiracy to commit securities fraud (1 count)&lt;br /&gt;
|charges_date = August 4, 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| sentence = 84 months (7 years) federal prison; $7.36 million forfeiture; $75,000 fine; $1.39 million civil penalty (SEC); $64.6 million disgorgement (FTC antitrust case); lifetime ban from pharmaceutical industry&lt;br /&gt;
| facility = FCI Allenwood Low&lt;br /&gt;
| status = Released May 18, 2022; completed supervised release September 2022&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Martin Shkreli&#039;&#039;&#039; (born March 17, 1983) is an American businessman, former hedge fund manager, and convicted felon who became widely known as &amp;quot;Pharma Bro&amp;quot; after his company Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of the antiparasitic drug Daraprim by more than 5,000 percent in 2015. He was convicted in 2017 of securities fraud related to his hedge funds and sentenced to seven years in federal prison. In a separate civil antitrust case, he was banned for life from the pharmaceutical industry and ordered to pay $64.6 million in disgorgement. Shkreli was released from prison in May 2022 after serving approximately five years.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli was born on March 17, 1983, at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Roman Catholic Albanians who had emigrated from Albania and worked as janitors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Biography.com, &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli,&amp;quot; https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/martin-shkreli.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; His family descends from the Shkreli tribe in Albania. He was raised in a working-class community in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, with two sisters and a brother. Shkreli was raised Catholic and attended Sunday school as a child.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli once declared himself &amp;quot;the most successful Albanian to ever walk the face of this earth.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usnews&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. News &amp;amp; World Report. &amp;quot;10 Things You Didn&#039;t Know About Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; September 14, 2017. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-14/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-martin-shkreli&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli attended Hunter College High School, an elite public institution for gifted students in New York City. Sources differ on whether Shkreli graduated from Hunter or was expelled before his senior year and received the credits necessary for his high school diploma through City-As-School High School.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He received a bachelor&#039;s degree in business administration from Baruch College in 2004, with a focus on finance. While still in college, he secured an internship at the hedge fund Cramer, Berkowitz &amp;amp; Co. at age 17, marking his entry into Wall Street.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grok&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Grokipedia. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; https://grokipedia.com/page/Martin_Shkreli&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Early influences included a family member&#039;s battle with treatment-resistant depression, which sparked Shkreli&#039;s interest in pharmaceuticals and the challenges of drug development for rare conditions. His affinity for finance emerged young—he purchased his first stock shares in Compaq at age 12.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Early Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Wall Street ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli began his career at Cramer, Berkowitz &amp;amp; Co., the hedge fund managed by Jim Cramer (later host of CNBC&#039;s &amp;quot;Mad Money&amp;quot;), in early 2000 while still attending Baruch College. During his tenure there, Shkreli recommended short-selling the stock of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company testing a weight-loss drug. When its price dropped in accordance with Shkreli&#039;s prediction, Cramer&#039;s hedge fund profited. The trade drew the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which investigated Shkreli but was unable to prove wrongdoing.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After four years as an associate at Cramer Berkowitz, Shkreli worked as a financial analyst for Intrepid Capital Management and UBS Wealth Management.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Elea Capital Management ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2006, Shkreli started his first hedge fund, Elea Capital Management. In 2007, Lehman Brothers sued Elea in New York state court for failing to cover a put option transaction in which Shkreli bet wrong on a broad market decline. When stocks rose, Shkreli did not have the money to cover his losses. Lehman won the case in October 2007, but the organization collapsed before receiving the dues.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;famous&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Famous People. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli Biography.&amp;quot; https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/martin-shkreli-51824.php&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== MSMB Capital Management ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In September 2009, Shkreli launched MSMB Capital Management along with childhood friend and portfolio manager Marek Biestek. The hedge fund focused on biotech and pharmaceutical companies. According to prosecutors, Shkreli lied to investors about how well the funds were performing and sent newsletters touting profits of nearly 40% even after the fund experienced huge losses in 2011 and stopped trading.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraud.&amp;quot; March 9, 2018. https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/09/news/martin-shkreli-sentencing/index.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Retrophin ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2011, Shkreli co-founded Retrophin, a biotechnology company focused on rare diseases. The company was named after recombinant dystrophin, a protein missing in patients with muscular dystrophy. Shkreli served as CEO until 2014, when he was ousted by the board of directors amid allegations of financial misconduct. According to prosecutors, Shkreli used stock and cash from publicly traded Retrophin to pay off duped hedge fund investors and to cover personal loans and other debts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-guilty&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma bro&#039; Martin Shkreli found guilty of 3 of 8 charges, including securities fraud.&amp;quot; August 4, 2017. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/04/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-convicted-in-federal-fraud-case.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2012, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) accused Shkreli of attempting to manipulate the FDA for his own profit after he filed multiple requests with the Food and Drug Administration to reject products from companies he had publicly shorted.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Yahoo Finance. &amp;quot;Here&#039;s everything you need to know about Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; December 18, 2015. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/here-s-everything-you-need-to-know-about-martin-shkreli-194819256.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Turing Pharmaceuticals and the Daraprim Controversy ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Founding and Daraprim Acquisition ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In February 2015, Shkreli founded Turing Pharmaceuticals (later renamed Vyera Pharmaceuticals). In August 2015, the company acquired the U.S. marketing rights to Daraprim (pyrimethamine) from Impax Laboratories for $55 million. Daraprim, first approved by the FDA in 1953, is an antiparasitic medication used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that poses serious and often life-threatening consequences for those with compromised immune systems, including babies born to infected mothers and individuals with HIV/AIDS.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ftc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Trade Commission. &amp;quot;Statement on Second Circuit Order Upholding &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli&#039;s Lifetime Ban.&amp;quot; January 23, 2024. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/statement-second-circuit-order-upholding-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-lifetime-ban&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Price Increase ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In September 2015, Turing raised the price of Daraprim from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill—an increase of more than 5,000 percent (or approximately 4,000 percent from the $17.50 price some sources cite).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC News. &amp;quot;Judge upholds &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli&#039;s ban from pharmaceutical industry.&amp;quot; January 23, 2024. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/judge-upholds-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-ban-pharmaceutical/story?id=106612918&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; At the time, Daraprim was the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The price hike generated immediate nationwide outrage. Critics including Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump condemned the decision. Shkreli became known as &amp;quot;Pharma Bro&amp;quot; and was dubbed &amp;quot;the most hated man in America.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ceo&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CEO Today Magazine. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli: From Pharma Star to Prison Cell.&amp;quot; April 28, 2025. https://www.ceotodaymagazine.com/2025/04/martin-shkreli-from-pharma-star-to-prison-cell/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Anticompetitive Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Beyond the price increase, Shkreli and Turing implemented an anticompetitive scheme to prevent generic competition. The company established restrictive distribution contracts and exclusive supply agreements designed to delay and impede generic competitors from entering the market. These practices ensured that hospitals, patients, and others had to pay &amp;quot;exorbitant prices or otherwise be forced to make difficult treatment decisions&amp;quot; because they couldn&#039;t access alternative treatments.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fierce&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fierce Pharma. &amp;quot;Shkreli hit with $64.6M verdict, lifetime pharma ban in antitrust case.&amp;quot; January 14, 2022. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/shrekli-hit-64-6m-verdict-lifetime-pharma-ban-antitrust-case&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Federal Criminal Case ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Arrest and Indictment ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On December 17, 2015, Shkreli was arrested by the FBI on charges unrelated to the Daraprim price hike. He was charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy related to his management of MSMB Capital Management, MSMB Healthcare, and Retrophin.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Robert Capers described the charges as &amp;quot;a trifecta of lies, deceit and greed,&amp;quot; accusing Shkreli of treating MSMB Capital and Retrophin &amp;quot;like a personal piggy bank&amp;quot; and running &amp;quot;a Ponzi scheme.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Trial and Conviction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli&#039;s six-week trial took place in Brooklyn federal court in the summer of 2017. On August 4, 2017, a jury found Shkreli guilty of:&lt;br /&gt;
* Two counts of securities fraud (for defrauding investors in MSMB Capital Management and MSMB Healthcare)&lt;br /&gt;
* One count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud (in connection with manipulating stock shares of Retrophin)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was acquitted of five other counts, including wire fraud conspiracy—what his attorney called &amp;quot;the money count.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-guilty&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Evidence at trial revealed that between 2009 and 2014, Shkreli lied to investors about the performance of his hedge funds, made losing bets on biotech stocks, and then improperly used Retrophin stock and cash to pay back investors. All of his hedge fund investors ultimately received more than they originally invested—but only because Shkreli had embezzled funds from Retrophin to pay them back.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli Sentenced to Seven Years&#039; Imprisonment for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme.&amp;quot; March 9, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-imprisonment-multi-million-dollar-fraud-scheme&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Witnesses at trial painted a picture of Shkreli as a complicated person who could inspire grand visions of life-saving pharmaceutical treatments while also frustrating people with his habit of playing fast and loose with facts. Several witnesses testified to Shkreli&#039;s brilliance, or even genius, as well as his tendency toward depression and self-sabotage.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-sent&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma bro&#039; Martin Shkreli sentenced to 7 years in prison — says, &#039;This is my fault.&#039;&amp;quot; March 9, 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-sentenced-to-7-years-in-prison.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Bail Revocation ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his conviction, Shkreli was released on $5 million bail. However, on September 13, 2017, his bail was revoked after he posted on Facebook offering $5,000 for a strand of Hillary Clinton&#039;s hair during her book tour, which the judge perceived as solicitation to assault. Shkreli claimed the post was satire, and his lawyer described it as &amp;quot;tasteless but not a threat.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; Judge Kiyo Matsumoto determined that Shkreli represented a danger and sent him to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to await sentencing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli was sentenced on March 9, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. Federal sentencing guidelines had suggested a prison term of decades due to Judge Matsumoto&#039;s finding that the losses from Shkreli&#039;s crimes totaled $10.4 million.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-sent&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During sentencing, Shkreli broke into tears and apologized to his investors:&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;I look back and I&#039;m embarrassed and ashamed.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;I am terribly sorry. I lost your trust.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;This is my fault. I am not the victim here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;The one person to blame for me being here today is me. There is no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful and shameful actions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli sentenced to seven years in prison.&amp;quot; March 10, 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-defrauding-investors-n854241&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prosecutors had sought 15 years; Shkreli&#039;s defense had requested 12 to 18 months plus community service and mandatory therapy. Judge Matsumoto sentenced Shkreli to:&lt;br /&gt;
* 84 months (7 years) in federal prison&lt;br /&gt;
* $75,000 fine&lt;br /&gt;
* $7.36 million in forfeiture&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Judge Matsumoto said Shkreli seemed &amp;quot;genuinely remorseful&amp;quot; but faulted him for having &amp;quot;repeatedly minimized&amp;quot; his misconduct.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Forfeited Assets ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As part of the forfeiture judgment, Shkreli was ordered to surrender several notable assets:&lt;br /&gt;
* The &amp;quot;Once Upon a Time in Shaolin&amp;quot; album by Wu-Tang Clan, which Shkreli had purchased for $2 million at auction in 2015—the only copy in existence&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;Tha Carter V&amp;quot; album by Lil Wayne&lt;br /&gt;
* A Picasso painting&lt;br /&gt;
* A $5 million stock account used as bail collateral&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Wu-Tang Clan album was sold at auction in 2021 for an undisclosed amount (later revealed to be approximately $4.75 million to PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency collective) to raise funds for reimbursing victims.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FTC Antitrust Case ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Lawsuit ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In January 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), New York Attorney General Letitia James, and six other states (California, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Shkreli, Vyera Pharmaceuticals, and CEO Kevin Mulleady for anticompetitive conduct related to Daraprim.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyag&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York Attorney General. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma Bro No More&#039;: Attorney General James Scores Court Victory Against Convicted Criminal Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; January 14, 2022. https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2022/pharma-bro-no-more-attorney-general-james-scores-court-victory-against-convicted&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The lawsuit alleged that Shkreli orchestrated an illegal scheme to maintain a monopoly on Daraprim by:&lt;br /&gt;
* Entering restrictive distribution contracts to limit access to the drug&lt;br /&gt;
* Establishing exclusive supply agreements to prevent generic competitors from obtaining samples&lt;br /&gt;
* Deliberately blocking competition to protect monopoly profits&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Verdict ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following a seven-day trial in December 2021, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ruled in January 2022 that Shkreli had violated federal and state antitrust laws. The court found that Shkreli&#039;s conduct was &amp;quot;egregious, deliberate, repetitive, long-running, and ultimately dangerous.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyag&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Judge Cote imposed:&lt;br /&gt;
* A lifetime ban from participating in the pharmaceutical industry in any capacity&lt;br /&gt;
* $64.6 million in disgorgement (representing excess profits from the anticompetitive scheme)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Vyera and Mulleady entered into a consent order settling the claims against them, requiring the company to pay up to $40 million, banning Mulleady from the pharmaceutical industry for seven years, and requiring Vyera to make Daraprim available to generic competitors at list price.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fierce&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Appeals ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli appealed the lifetime ban and $64.6 million penalty, arguing the injunction was &amp;quot;vague and overbroad.&amp;quot; In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court&#039;s ruling, finding that &amp;quot;[g]iven Shkreli&#039;s pattern of past misconduct, the obvious likelihood of its recurrence, and the life-threatening nature of its results,&amp;quot; the lifetime ban was appropriate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Shkreli&#039;s appeal, effectively finalizing the lifetime pharmaceutical ban and $64.6 million penalty.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-sc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC. &amp;quot;Supreme Court rejects Martin Shkreli appeal on pharma fine.&amp;quot; October 7, 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/10/07/supreme-court-martin-shkreli-appeal-rejected-fine.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== SEC Case ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Separately, in February 2022, U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto granted the SEC&#039;s motion ordering Shkreli to pay a $1.39 million civil penalty for violating securities laws between 2009 and 2014 and banned him for life from serving as an officer or director of any publicly traded company.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Incarceration and Release ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Prison ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his bail revocation in September 2017, Shkreli was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. After sentencing in March 2018, he was transferred to FCI Fort Dix (a low-security facility in New Jersey) after his request to serve at the federal prison camp at USP Canaan was denied. He was later transferred to FCC Allenwood in Pennsylvania.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2019, Shkreli was transferred to solitary confinement after prison authorities discovered he was using a contraband smartphone to conduct business from prison, including reportedly directing operations at Vyera Pharmaceuticals and firing an executive.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In April 2020, Shkreli sought compassionate release during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming he should be allowed to help develop a remedy for COVID-19. The request was denied.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Release ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On May 18, 2022, Shkreli was released from Allenwood prison and transferred to a Bureau of Prisons halfway house, having completed all programs that allowed for his sentence to be shortened. He was released from the halfway house in September 2022.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release, Shkreli lived with his sister in Queens and earned $2,500 per month as a consultant for a small law firm, though he later indicated he had additional income from software ventures.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Activities ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Druglike ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In July 2022, shortly after his release from prison, Shkreli announced the founding of Druglike, described as a &amp;quot;Web3 drug discovery software platform.&amp;quot; The company claims to provide cloud-based, decentralized computing resources for early-stage drug discovery projects using blockchain technology and a cryptocurrency called Martin Shkreli Inu (MSI).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;register&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Register. &amp;quot;Jailed pharma bro Martin Shkreli now pushes Web3 venture.&amp;quot; July 27, 2022. https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/26/martin_shkreli_out_of_prison/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The venture drew immediate scrutiny. Attorneys general in New York and North Carolina announced they were investigating whether Druglike violated Shkreli&#039;s lifetime pharmaceutical industry ban, though Druglike stated it is &amp;quot;not a pharmaceutical company&amp;quot; and is &amp;quot;not engaged in pharmaceutical research or drug development.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-d&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fortune. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma bro&#039; Martin Shkreli is fresh out of prison with a new Web3-crypto &#039;drug discovery&#039; business.&amp;quot; July 29, 2022. https://fortune.com/2022/07/29/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-is-fresh-out-of-prison-with-a-new-web3-crypto-drug-discovery-business/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In August 2022, the Martin Shkreli Inu cryptocurrency lost 90% of its value after an account believed to belong to Shkreli sold its holdings. Shkreli claimed the account had been hacked.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In January 2023, the FTC asked a federal judge to hold Shkreli in contempt for failing to provide information needed to determine whether he was violating the pharmaceutical industry ban through Druglike.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ftc-contempt&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Trade Commission. &amp;quot;FTC Asks Federal Court to Hold &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli in Contempt.&amp;quot; January 20, 2023. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/01/ftc-asks-federal-court-hold-pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-contempt&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Wu-Tang Clan Album Lawsuit ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In June 2024, PleasrDAO, the cryptocurrency collective that purchased the Wu-Tang Clan album for approximately $5 million, sued Shkreli claiming he had secretly made digital copies of the album in violation of their deal and distributed them to friends and followers online. Shkreli had allegedly bragged about keeping the files, posting on X: &amp;quot;LOL i have the mp3s you moron.&amp;quot; He also stated on a podcast that he &amp;quot;burned the album and sent it to like, 50 different chicks.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-wutang&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN, &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli ordered to give up all copies of one-of-a-kind Wu Tang Clan album,&amp;quot; August 27, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/27/business/martin-shkreli-wu-tang-album.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On August 26, 2024, Judge Pamela K. Chen in Brooklyn federal court ordered Shkreli to turn over all copies of the album, including digital versions, and report the names of anyone he had distributed the music to by September 30, 2024. The judge also granted a preliminary restraining order barring Shkreli from &amp;quot;possessing, using, disseminating, or selling any interest&amp;quot; in the album.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-wutang&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;Judge orders &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli to surrender all copies of rare Wu-Tang Clan album,&amp;quot; August 26, 2024, https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/26/martin-shkreli-surrender-wu-tang-clan-album.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In late 2024, Judge Chen ruled that Shkreli had potentially violated federal protections for trade secrets by retaining copies of the ultra-rare album after he forfeited it to prosecutors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;reed-wutang&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reed Smith LLP, &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli ordered to hand over all copies of a Wu-Tang Album he made in violation of a court order,&amp;quot; June 2024, https://www.reedsmith.com/en/news/2024/06/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-ordered-to-hand-over-all-copies-of-a-wutang-album.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2024 Legal Defeats ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Shkreli&#039;s lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry and the $64.6 million disgorgement order related to the Daraprim antitrust case. The FTC characterized the ruling as affirming that &amp;quot;competition can now flourish for a crucial medication.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ftc-2024&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Trade Commission, &amp;quot;Statement on Second Circuit Order Upholding &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli&#039;s Lifetime Ban,&amp;quot; January 23, 2024, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/statement-second-circuit-order-upholding-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-lifetime-ban.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Shkreli&#039;s appeal of the $64.6 million disgorgement order, effectively ending his legal challenges to the antitrust judgment. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the victory, stating it held Shkreli &amp;quot;accountable for his illegal scheme to monopolize the market for a lifesaving drug.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-scotus&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fortune, &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli gets snubbed by the Supreme Court and must return millions he reaped from jacking up the price of a lifesaving drug,&amp;quot; October 7, 2024, https://fortune.com/2024/10/07/martin-shkreli-supreme-court-loses-appeal/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Supervised Release Violation ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In late 2024, reports emerged that Shkreli had violated the terms of his supervised release by traveling out of state without permission from his probation officer. The outcome of this potential violation remains unclear.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-wutang&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2025 Activities ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 2025, Q/C Technologies, a quantum-class computing developer, announced that Shkreli had joined as a Strategic Advisor alongside entrepreneur James Altucher. The company develops optical computing technology. Shkreli stated: &amp;quot;I&#039;m convinced that the next leap in frontier computing is optical, not purely quantum. Q/C&#039;s &#039;quantum class&#039; technology approach bridges frameworks, offering the potential for extraordinary performance and efficiency gains.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;qc-tech&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GlobeNewswire, &amp;quot;Quantum-Class Computing Developer Q/C Technologies Welcomes Strategic Advisor Martin Shkreli,&amp;quot; December 9, 2025, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/09/3202470/0/en/Quantum-Class-Computing-Developer-Q-C-Technologies-Welcomes-Strategic-Advisor-Martin-Shkreli.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2026 Eric Swalwell Video Release ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On April 11, 2026, Shkreli inserted himself into the political scandal surrounding California congressman Eric Swalwell. After the &#039;&#039;San Francisco Chronicle&#039;&#039; published a former staffer&#039;s on-the-record account alleging that Swalwell had raped her twice -- once in a hotel room in September 2019, and again at a charity event in April 2024 -- Shkreli announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had obtained a video from a source purportedly showing Swalwell in an intimate encounter with a woman.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-swalwell&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Swalwell&#039;s Former Female Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegations: Sexual Assault, Exposing Himself |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/swalwells-former-female-staffer-drops-bombshell-allegations-sexual-assault-exposing-himself-report |work=Fox News |publisher=Fox News |date=April 11, 2026 |access-date=April 12, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-portnoy&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Dave Portnoy Roasts Eric Swalwell Over Sexual Assault Allegations |url=https://nypost.com/2026/04/11/us-news/dave-portnoy-roasts-eric-swalwell-over-sexual-assault-allegations-serial-drunk-scumbag-cheater/ |work=New York Post |publisher=New York Post |date=April 11, 2026 |access-date=April 12, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli tagged Swalwell&#039;s campaign account on X and stated that he was giving the campaign twenty minutes to respond before releasing the footage. When no response came, he posted the clip. The video, which Shkreli said was filmed inside Swalwell&#039;s home, shows a man kissing a woman on a bed. Shkreli identified the woman as a sex worker and said a source had provided the footage directly to him. Neither the identity of the man nor the authenticity of the video has been independently confirmed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;calwave-swalwell&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |last=Chen |first=Marcus |title=Swalwell&#039;s California Governor Bid Implodes After Rape Allegation and a Video From Martin Shkreli |url=https://californiawave.com/politics/swalwell-california-governor-campaign-collapse-shkreli-video-staffer-allegation |work=California Wave |publisher=California Wave |date=April 12, 2026 |access-date=April 12, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The release of the video accelerated the political fallout from the Chronicle report. Senator Ruben Gallego withdrew his endorsement of Swalwell&#039;s campaign for California governor. CNN subsequently reported that three additional women alleged receiving unsolicited explicit messages or photos from Swalwell. Swalwell denied all allegations, telling reporters: &amp;quot;It&#039;s false.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-swalwell&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Personal Life ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli has indicated that his Catholic upbringing has been &amp;quot;a guiding post&amp;quot; for him, although he has stated he does not believe in God.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 2020, while incarcerated, Shkreli began a relationship with Christie Smythe, a former Bloomberg News reporter who had covered his arrest. They became engaged during his imprisonment, but by October 2021, Smythe stated they had broken up but remained friends. In October 2023, it was revealed that Shkreli had a romantic relationship with Madison Campbell, CEO of Leda Health, between February and August 2023.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mab&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Mabumbe. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli: Biography, Net Worth, and Career Highlights.&amp;quot; November 30, 2024. https://mabumbe.com/people/martin-shkreli-biography-net-worth-and-career-highlights/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli is an avid &amp;quot;League of Legends&amp;quot; player and once attempted to purchase an eSports team (Enemy eSports, which declined his $1.2 million offer). He subsequently founded Odyssey eSports, which failed to qualify for competitive leagues.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;famous&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At his peak, Shkreli&#039;s net worth was estimated at approximately $70 million. Following legal issues and financial penalties, his net worth has significantly decreased.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Congressional Testimony ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli was subpoenaed to appear before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives to answer questions about the Daraprim price increase. On February 4, 2016, Shkreli appeared before the House committee but invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer questions, smirking throughout the hearing. He later called the members of Congress &amp;quot;imbeciles&amp;quot; on Twitter.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
* Securities Fraud&lt;br /&gt;
* Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Offense Enhancements&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Restitution,_Fines,_and_Forfeiture]]&lt;br /&gt;
* FCI Fort Dix (low-security)&lt;br /&gt;
* Residential Reentry Centers (Halfway Houses)&lt;br /&gt;
* Supervised Release&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External Links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-imprisonment-multi-million-dollar-fraud-scheme Department of Justice Press Release on Sentencing]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-25337 SEC v. Martin Shkreli]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Shkreli Martin Shkreli - Wikipedia]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Martin Shkreli convicted of?|answer=Martin Shkreli was convicted of two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy for defrauding investors in two hedge funds he managed.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How long was Martin Shkreli&#039;s sentence?|answer=Shkreli was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison. He was released in May 2022 after serving approximately 5 years.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Why is Martin Shkreli infamous?|answer=Shkreli became notorious for raising the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim by over 5,000% when he was CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, though this was not the crime he was convicted of.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where did Martin Shkreli serve his sentence?|answer=Shkreli served time at various federal facilities including FCI Fort Dix.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What happened to Martin Shkreli&#039;s Wu-Tang album?|answer=Shkreli purchased the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album &#039;Once Upon a Time in Shaolin&#039; for $2 million in 2015. It was forfeited as part of his 2018 sentence and sold by the government to PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency collective, for approximately $5 million. However, Shkreli allegedly kept digital copies and shared them, bragging on social media &amp;quot;LOL i have the mp3s.&amp;quot; In August 2024, a federal judge ordered him to surrender all copies and reveal everyone he had distributed the music to.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Martin Shkreli doing now in 2025?|answer=After his May 2022 release from prison, Shkreli has pursued several ventures despite his lifetime pharmaceutical industry ban. He founded Druglike, a Web3 drug discovery platform, which drew regulatory scrutiny. In December 2025, he joined Q/C Technologies as a Strategic Advisor for their optical computing technology. He continues to face legal issues including the Wu-Tang album lawsuit and reportedly violated his supervised release by traveling out of state without permission.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Is Martin Shkreli still banned from the pharmaceutical industry?|answer=Yes. In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Shkreli&#039;s lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry and the $64.6 million disgorgement order related to the Daraprim antitrust case. In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, ending his legal challenges. The FTC and multiple state attorneys general continue to monitor his activities for potential violations.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What video did Martin Shkreli release of Eric Swalwell?|answer=On April 11, 2026, Shkreli posted a short video clip on X that he said shows California congressman Eric Swalwell kissing a woman in his home. Shkreli identified the woman as a sex worker and said a source provided the footage directly to him. The video has not been independently verified and Swalwell&#039;s campaign has not addressed it.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How is Martin Shkreli connected to the Eric Swalwell scandal?|answer=Shkreli obtained and publicly released a video he claims shows Swalwell with a sex worker, posting it to X on April 11, 2026, the day after the San Francisco Chronicle published rape allegations from a former Swalwell staffer. Shkreli gave Swalwell&#039;s campaign twenty minutes to respond before posting and received no reply.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What are the Eric Swalwell sexual assault allegations?|answer=A former staffer told the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell raped her twice during and after her employment in his congressional office. CNN subsequently reported that three additional women alleged receiving unsolicited explicit photos or messages from Swalwell. Swalwell has denied all allegations.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Martin Shkreli known for in 2026?|answer=In 2026, Shkreli made headlines for releasing a video he claims shows congressman Eric Swalwell in a compromising situation. He previously gained notoriety for raising the price of Daraprim by over 5,000 percent, buying the only copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album, and his 2017 securities fraud conviction. He joined Q/C Technologies as a strategic advisor in December 2025.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Shkreli purchased the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album for $2 million in 2015. It was forfeited as part of his 2018 sentence and sold by the government to PleasrDAO. However, Shkreli allegedly kept digital copies and shared them. In August 2024, a federal judge ordered him to surrender all copies.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What is Martin Shkreli doing now in 2025?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;After his May 2022 release from prison, Shkreli has pursued several ventures despite his lifetime pharmaceutical industry ban. He founded Druglike, a Web3 drug discovery platform. In December 2025, he joined Q/C Technologies as a Strategic Advisor for optical computing technology. He continues to face legal issues including the Wu-Tang album lawsuit.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Is Martin Shkreli still banned from the pharmaceutical industry?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes. In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Shkreli&#039;s lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry. In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, ending his legal challenges to the $64.6 million disgorgement order.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        }&lt;br /&gt;
      ]&lt;br /&gt;
    ,&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What video did Martin Shkreli release of Eric Swalwell?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;On April 11, 2026, Shkreli posted a video on X claiming to show congressman Eric Swalwell kissing a woman identified as a sex worker in his home. The video has not been independently verified.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;How is Martin Shkreli connected to the Eric Swalwell scandal?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Shkreli obtained and publicly released a video he claims shows Swalwell with a sex worker. He posted it to X on April 11, 2026, the day after the San Francisco Chronicle published rape allegations from a former Swalwell staffer.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What is Martin Shkreli doing now in 2026?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;In 2026, Shkreli released a video he claims shows congressman Eric Swalwell in a compromising situation. He serves as a Strategic Advisor at Q/C Technologies and continues to face legal issues related to the Wu-Tang Clan album.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        }&lt;br /&gt;
        }&lt;br /&gt;
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|description=Where is Martin Shkreli now in 2026? Released from prison May 2022, lifetime pharma ban upheld by Supreme Court, Wu-Tang album legal battle continues.&lt;br /&gt;
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{{MetaDescription|Martin Shkreli 2026 update: Released April 2026 Swalwell video. Released May 2022, lifetime pharma ban upheld by Supreme Court Oct 2024, Q/C Technologies advisor, Wu-Tang album lawsuit.}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Martin_Shkreli&amp;diff=5575</id>
		<title>Martin Shkreli</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Martin_Shkreli&amp;diff=5575"/>
		<updated>2026-04-12T04:19:30Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add 2026 Eric Swalwell video release section, FAQ keyword fanout, schema update&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
| name = Martin Shkreli&lt;br /&gt;
| image = Martin-skhreli.png&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_date = March 17, 1983&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, United States&lt;br /&gt;
| nationality = American&lt;br /&gt;
| education = B.B.A., Baruch College (2004)&lt;br /&gt;
| occupation = Entrepreneur; former hedge fund manager; former pharmaceutical executive&lt;br /&gt;
| known_for = Daraprim price increase (5,000%); securities fraud conviction; &amp;quot;Pharma Bro&amp;quot; nickname&lt;br /&gt;
| charges = Securities fraud (2 counts); conspiracy to commit securities fraud (1 count)&lt;br /&gt;
|charges_date = August 4, 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| sentence = 84 months (7 years) federal prison; $7.36 million forfeiture; $75,000 fine; $1.39 million civil penalty (SEC); $64.6 million disgorgement (FTC antitrust case); lifetime ban from pharmaceutical industry&lt;br /&gt;
| facility = FCI Allenwood Low&lt;br /&gt;
| status = Released May 18, 2022; completed supervised release September 2022&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Martin Shkreli&#039;&#039;&#039; (born March 17, 1983) is an American businessman, former hedge fund manager, and convicted felon who became widely known as &amp;quot;Pharma Bro&amp;quot; after his company Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of the antiparasitic drug Daraprim by more than 5,000 percent in 2015. He was convicted in 2017 of securities fraud related to his hedge funds and sentenced to seven years in federal prison. In a separate civil antitrust case, he was banned for life from the pharmaceutical industry and ordered to pay $64.6 million in disgorgement. Shkreli was released from prison in May 2022 after serving approximately five years.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli was born on March 17, 1983, at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Roman Catholic Albanians who had emigrated from Albania and worked as janitors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Biography.com, &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli,&amp;quot; https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/martin-shkreli.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; His family descends from the Shkreli tribe in Albania. He was raised in a working-class community in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, with two sisters and a brother. Shkreli was raised Catholic and attended Sunday school as a child.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli once declared himself &amp;quot;the most successful Albanian to ever walk the face of this earth.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usnews&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. News &amp;amp; World Report. &amp;quot;10 Things You Didn&#039;t Know About Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; September 14, 2017. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-14/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-martin-shkreli&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli attended Hunter College High School, an elite public institution for gifted students in New York City. Sources differ on whether Shkreli graduated from Hunter or was expelled before his senior year and received the credits necessary for his high school diploma through City-As-School High School.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He received a bachelor&#039;s degree in business administration from Baruch College in 2004, with a focus on finance. While still in college, he secured an internship at the hedge fund Cramer, Berkowitz &amp;amp; Co. at age 17, marking his entry into Wall Street.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grok&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Grokipedia. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; https://grokipedia.com/page/Martin_Shkreli&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Early influences included a family member&#039;s battle with treatment-resistant depression, which sparked Shkreli&#039;s interest in pharmaceuticals and the challenges of drug development for rare conditions. His affinity for finance emerged young—he purchased his first stock shares in Compaq at age 12.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Early Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Wall Street ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli began his career at Cramer, Berkowitz &amp;amp; Co., the hedge fund managed by Jim Cramer (later host of CNBC&#039;s &amp;quot;Mad Money&amp;quot;), in early 2000 while still attending Baruch College. During his tenure there, Shkreli recommended short-selling the stock of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company testing a weight-loss drug. When its price dropped in accordance with Shkreli&#039;s prediction, Cramer&#039;s hedge fund profited. The trade drew the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which investigated Shkreli but was unable to prove wrongdoing.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After four years as an associate at Cramer Berkowitz, Shkreli worked as a financial analyst for Intrepid Capital Management and UBS Wealth Management.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Elea Capital Management ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2006, Shkreli started his first hedge fund, Elea Capital Management. In 2007, Lehman Brothers sued Elea in New York state court for failing to cover a put option transaction in which Shkreli bet wrong on a broad market decline. When stocks rose, Shkreli did not have the money to cover his losses. Lehman won the case in October 2007, but the organization collapsed before receiving the dues.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;famous&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Famous People. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli Biography.&amp;quot; https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/martin-shkreli-51824.php&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== MSMB Capital Management ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In September 2009, Shkreli launched MSMB Capital Management along with childhood friend and portfolio manager Marek Biestek. The hedge fund focused on biotech and pharmaceutical companies. According to prosecutors, Shkreli lied to investors about how well the funds were performing and sent newsletters touting profits of nearly 40% even after the fund experienced huge losses in 2011 and stopped trading.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraud.&amp;quot; March 9, 2018. https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/09/news/martin-shkreli-sentencing/index.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Retrophin ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2011, Shkreli co-founded Retrophin, a biotechnology company focused on rare diseases. The company was named after recombinant dystrophin, a protein missing in patients with muscular dystrophy. Shkreli served as CEO until 2014, when he was ousted by the board of directors amid allegations of financial misconduct. According to prosecutors, Shkreli used stock and cash from publicly traded Retrophin to pay off duped hedge fund investors and to cover personal loans and other debts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-guilty&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma bro&#039; Martin Shkreli found guilty of 3 of 8 charges, including securities fraud.&amp;quot; August 4, 2017. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/04/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-convicted-in-federal-fraud-case.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2012, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) accused Shkreli of attempting to manipulate the FDA for his own profit after he filed multiple requests with the Food and Drug Administration to reject products from companies he had publicly shorted.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Yahoo Finance. &amp;quot;Here&#039;s everything you need to know about Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; December 18, 2015. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/here-s-everything-you-need-to-know-about-martin-shkreli-194819256.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Turing Pharmaceuticals and the Daraprim Controversy ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Founding and Daraprim Acquisition ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In February 2015, Shkreli founded Turing Pharmaceuticals (later renamed Vyera Pharmaceuticals). In August 2015, the company acquired the U.S. marketing rights to Daraprim (pyrimethamine) from Impax Laboratories for $55 million. Daraprim, first approved by the FDA in 1953, is an antiparasitic medication used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that poses serious and often life-threatening consequences for those with compromised immune systems, including babies born to infected mothers and individuals with HIV/AIDS.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ftc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Trade Commission. &amp;quot;Statement on Second Circuit Order Upholding &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli&#039;s Lifetime Ban.&amp;quot; January 23, 2024. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/statement-second-circuit-order-upholding-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-lifetime-ban&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Price Increase ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In September 2015, Turing raised the price of Daraprim from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill—an increase of more than 5,000 percent (or approximately 4,000 percent from the $17.50 price some sources cite).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC News. &amp;quot;Judge upholds &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli&#039;s ban from pharmaceutical industry.&amp;quot; January 23, 2024. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/judge-upholds-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-ban-pharmaceutical/story?id=106612918&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; At the time, Daraprim was the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The price hike generated immediate nationwide outrage. Critics including Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump condemned the decision. Shkreli became known as &amp;quot;Pharma Bro&amp;quot; and was dubbed &amp;quot;the most hated man in America.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ceo&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CEO Today Magazine. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli: From Pharma Star to Prison Cell.&amp;quot; April 28, 2025. https://www.ceotodaymagazine.com/2025/04/martin-shkreli-from-pharma-star-to-prison-cell/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Anticompetitive Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Beyond the price increase, Shkreli and Turing implemented an anticompetitive scheme to prevent generic competition. The company established restrictive distribution contracts and exclusive supply agreements designed to delay and impede generic competitors from entering the market. These practices ensured that hospitals, patients, and others had to pay &amp;quot;exorbitant prices or otherwise be forced to make difficult treatment decisions&amp;quot; because they couldn&#039;t access alternative treatments.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fierce&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fierce Pharma. &amp;quot;Shkreli hit with $64.6M verdict, lifetime pharma ban in antitrust case.&amp;quot; January 14, 2022. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/shrekli-hit-64-6m-verdict-lifetime-pharma-ban-antitrust-case&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Federal Criminal Case ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Arrest and Indictment ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On December 17, 2015, Shkreli was arrested by the FBI on charges unrelated to the Daraprim price hike. He was charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy related to his management of MSMB Capital Management, MSMB Healthcare, and Retrophin.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Robert Capers described the charges as &amp;quot;a trifecta of lies, deceit and greed,&amp;quot; accusing Shkreli of treating MSMB Capital and Retrophin &amp;quot;like a personal piggy bank&amp;quot; and running &amp;quot;a Ponzi scheme.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Trial and Conviction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli&#039;s six-week trial took place in Brooklyn federal court in the summer of 2017. On August 4, 2017, a jury found Shkreli guilty of:&lt;br /&gt;
* Two counts of securities fraud (for defrauding investors in MSMB Capital Management and MSMB Healthcare)&lt;br /&gt;
* One count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud (in connection with manipulating stock shares of Retrophin)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was acquitted of five other counts, including wire fraud conspiracy—what his attorney called &amp;quot;the money count.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-guilty&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Evidence at trial revealed that between 2009 and 2014, Shkreli lied to investors about the performance of his hedge funds, made losing bets on biotech stocks, and then improperly used Retrophin stock and cash to pay back investors. All of his hedge fund investors ultimately received more than they originally invested—but only because Shkreli had embezzled funds from Retrophin to pay them back.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli Sentenced to Seven Years&#039; Imprisonment for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme.&amp;quot; March 9, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-imprisonment-multi-million-dollar-fraud-scheme&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Witnesses at trial painted a picture of Shkreli as a complicated person who could inspire grand visions of life-saving pharmaceutical treatments while also frustrating people with his habit of playing fast and loose with facts. Several witnesses testified to Shkreli&#039;s brilliance, or even genius, as well as his tendency toward depression and self-sabotage.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-sent&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma bro&#039; Martin Shkreli sentenced to 7 years in prison — says, &#039;This is my fault.&#039;&amp;quot; March 9, 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-sentenced-to-7-years-in-prison.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Bail Revocation ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his conviction, Shkreli was released on $5 million bail. However, on September 13, 2017, his bail was revoked after he posted on Facebook offering $5,000 for a strand of Hillary Clinton&#039;s hair during her book tour, which the judge perceived as solicitation to assault. Shkreli claimed the post was satire, and his lawyer described it as &amp;quot;tasteless but not a threat.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; Judge Kiyo Matsumoto determined that Shkreli represented a danger and sent him to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to await sentencing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli was sentenced on March 9, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. Federal sentencing guidelines had suggested a prison term of decades due to Judge Matsumoto&#039;s finding that the losses from Shkreli&#039;s crimes totaled $10.4 million.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-sent&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During sentencing, Shkreli broke into tears and apologized to his investors:&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;I look back and I&#039;m embarrassed and ashamed.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;I am terribly sorry. I lost your trust.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;This is my fault. I am not the victim here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;The one person to blame for me being here today is me. There is no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful and shameful actions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli sentenced to seven years in prison.&amp;quot; March 10, 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-defrauding-investors-n854241&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prosecutors had sought 15 years; Shkreli&#039;s defense had requested 12 to 18 months plus community service and mandatory therapy. Judge Matsumoto sentenced Shkreli to:&lt;br /&gt;
* 84 months (7 years) in federal prison&lt;br /&gt;
* $75,000 fine&lt;br /&gt;
* $7.36 million in forfeiture&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Judge Matsumoto said Shkreli seemed &amp;quot;genuinely remorseful&amp;quot; but faulted him for having &amp;quot;repeatedly minimized&amp;quot; his misconduct.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Forfeited Assets ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As part of the forfeiture judgment, Shkreli was ordered to surrender several notable assets:&lt;br /&gt;
* The &amp;quot;Once Upon a Time in Shaolin&amp;quot; album by Wu-Tang Clan, which Shkreli had purchased for $2 million at auction in 2015—the only copy in existence&lt;br /&gt;
* &amp;quot;Tha Carter V&amp;quot; album by Lil Wayne&lt;br /&gt;
* A Picasso painting&lt;br /&gt;
* A $5 million stock account used as bail collateral&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Wu-Tang Clan album was sold at auction in 2021 for an undisclosed amount (later revealed to be approximately $4.75 million to PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency collective) to raise funds for reimbursing victims.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FTC Antitrust Case ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Lawsuit ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In January 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), New York Attorney General Letitia James, and six other states (California, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Shkreli, Vyera Pharmaceuticals, and CEO Kevin Mulleady for anticompetitive conduct related to Daraprim.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyag&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York Attorney General. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma Bro No More&#039;: Attorney General James Scores Court Victory Against Convicted Criminal Martin Shkreli.&amp;quot; January 14, 2022. https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2022/pharma-bro-no-more-attorney-general-james-scores-court-victory-against-convicted&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The lawsuit alleged that Shkreli orchestrated an illegal scheme to maintain a monopoly on Daraprim by:&lt;br /&gt;
* Entering restrictive distribution contracts to limit access to the drug&lt;br /&gt;
* Establishing exclusive supply agreements to prevent generic competitors from obtaining samples&lt;br /&gt;
* Deliberately blocking competition to protect monopoly profits&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Verdict ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following a seven-day trial in December 2021, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ruled in January 2022 that Shkreli had violated federal and state antitrust laws. The court found that Shkreli&#039;s conduct was &amp;quot;egregious, deliberate, repetitive, long-running, and ultimately dangerous.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyag&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Judge Cote imposed:&lt;br /&gt;
* A lifetime ban from participating in the pharmaceutical industry in any capacity&lt;br /&gt;
* $64.6 million in disgorgement (representing excess profits from the anticompetitive scheme)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Vyera and Mulleady entered into a consent order settling the claims against them, requiring the company to pay up to $40 million, banning Mulleady from the pharmaceutical industry for seven years, and requiring Vyera to make Daraprim available to generic competitors at list price.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fierce&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Appeals ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli appealed the lifetime ban and $64.6 million penalty, arguing the injunction was &amp;quot;vague and overbroad.&amp;quot; In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court&#039;s ruling, finding that &amp;quot;[g]iven Shkreli&#039;s pattern of past misconduct, the obvious likelihood of its recurrence, and the life-threatening nature of its results,&amp;quot; the lifetime ban was appropriate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Shkreli&#039;s appeal, effectively finalizing the lifetime pharmaceutical ban and $64.6 million penalty.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-sc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC. &amp;quot;Supreme Court rejects Martin Shkreli appeal on pharma fine.&amp;quot; October 7, 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/10/07/supreme-court-martin-shkreli-appeal-rejected-fine.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== SEC Case ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Separately, in February 2022, U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto granted the SEC&#039;s motion ordering Shkreli to pay a $1.39 million civil penalty for violating securities laws between 2009 and 2014 and banned him for life from serving as an officer or director of any publicly traded company.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Incarceration and Release ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Prison ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his bail revocation in September 2017, Shkreli was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. After sentencing in March 2018, he was transferred to FCI Fort Dix (a low-security facility in New Jersey) after his request to serve at the federal prison camp at USP Canaan was denied. He was later transferred to FCC Allenwood in Pennsylvania.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2019, Shkreli was transferred to solitary confinement after prison authorities discovered he was using a contraband smartphone to conduct business from prison, including reportedly directing operations at Vyera Pharmaceuticals and firing an executive.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In April 2020, Shkreli sought compassionate release during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming he should be allowed to help develop a remedy for COVID-19. The request was denied.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Release ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On May 18, 2022, Shkreli was released from Allenwood prison and transferred to a Bureau of Prisons halfway house, having completed all programs that allowed for his sentence to be shortened. He was released from the halfway house in September 2022.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release, Shkreli lived with his sister in Queens and earned $2,500 per month as a consultant for a small law firm, though he later indicated he had additional income from software ventures.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Activities ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Druglike ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In July 2022, shortly after his release from prison, Shkreli announced the founding of Druglike, described as a &amp;quot;Web3 drug discovery software platform.&amp;quot; The company claims to provide cloud-based, decentralized computing resources for early-stage drug discovery projects using blockchain technology and a cryptocurrency called Martin Shkreli Inu (MSI).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;register&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Register. &amp;quot;Jailed pharma bro Martin Shkreli now pushes Web3 venture.&amp;quot; July 27, 2022. https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/26/martin_shkreli_out_of_prison/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The venture drew immediate scrutiny. Attorneys general in New York and North Carolina announced they were investigating whether Druglike violated Shkreli&#039;s lifetime pharmaceutical industry ban, though Druglike stated it is &amp;quot;not a pharmaceutical company&amp;quot; and is &amp;quot;not engaged in pharmaceutical research or drug development.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-d&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fortune. &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma bro&#039; Martin Shkreli is fresh out of prison with a new Web3-crypto &#039;drug discovery&#039; business.&amp;quot; July 29, 2022. https://fortune.com/2022/07/29/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-is-fresh-out-of-prison-with-a-new-web3-crypto-drug-discovery-business/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In August 2022, the Martin Shkreli Inu cryptocurrency lost 90% of its value after an account believed to belong to Shkreli sold its holdings. Shkreli claimed the account had been hacked.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In January 2023, the FTC asked a federal judge to hold Shkreli in contempt for failing to provide information needed to determine whether he was violating the pharmaceutical industry ban through Druglike.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ftc-contempt&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Trade Commission. &amp;quot;FTC Asks Federal Court to Hold &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli in Contempt.&amp;quot; January 20, 2023. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/01/ftc-asks-federal-court-hold-pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-contempt&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Wu-Tang Clan Album Lawsuit ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In June 2024, PleasrDAO, the cryptocurrency collective that purchased the Wu-Tang Clan album for approximately $5 million, sued Shkreli claiming he had secretly made digital copies of the album in violation of their deal and distributed them to friends and followers online. Shkreli had allegedly bragged about keeping the files, posting on X: &amp;quot;LOL i have the mp3s you moron.&amp;quot; He also stated on a podcast that he &amp;quot;burned the album and sent it to like, 50 different chicks.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-wutang&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN, &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli ordered to give up all copies of one-of-a-kind Wu Tang Clan album,&amp;quot; August 27, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/27/business/martin-shkreli-wu-tang-album.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On August 26, 2024, Judge Pamela K. Chen in Brooklyn federal court ordered Shkreli to turn over all copies of the album, including digital versions, and report the names of anyone he had distributed the music to by September 30, 2024. The judge also granted a preliminary restraining order barring Shkreli from &amp;quot;possessing, using, disseminating, or selling any interest&amp;quot; in the album.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-wutang&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;Judge orders &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli to surrender all copies of rare Wu-Tang Clan album,&amp;quot; August 26, 2024, https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/26/martin-shkreli-surrender-wu-tang-clan-album.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In late 2024, Judge Chen ruled that Shkreli had potentially violated federal protections for trade secrets by retaining copies of the ultra-rare album after he forfeited it to prosecutors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;reed-wutang&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Reed Smith LLP, &amp;quot;&#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli ordered to hand over all copies of a Wu-Tang Album he made in violation of a court order,&amp;quot; June 2024, https://www.reedsmith.com/en/news/2024/06/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-ordered-to-hand-over-all-copies-of-a-wutang-album.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2024 Legal Defeats ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Shkreli&#039;s lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry and the $64.6 million disgorgement order related to the Daraprim antitrust case. The FTC characterized the ruling as affirming that &amp;quot;competition can now flourish for a crucial medication.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ftc-2024&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Trade Commission, &amp;quot;Statement on Second Circuit Order Upholding &#039;Pharma Bro&#039; Martin Shkreli&#039;s Lifetime Ban,&amp;quot; January 23, 2024, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/statement-second-circuit-order-upholding-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-lifetime-ban.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Shkreli&#039;s appeal of the $64.6 million disgorgement order, effectively ending his legal challenges to the antitrust judgment. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the victory, stating it held Shkreli &amp;quot;accountable for his illegal scheme to monopolize the market for a lifesaving drug.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-scotus&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fortune, &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli gets snubbed by the Supreme Court and must return millions he reaped from jacking up the price of a lifesaving drug,&amp;quot; October 7, 2024, https://fortune.com/2024/10/07/martin-shkreli-supreme-court-loses-appeal/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Supervised Release Violation ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In late 2024, reports emerged that Shkreli had violated the terms of his supervised release by traveling out of state without permission from his probation officer. The outcome of this potential violation remains unclear.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-wutang&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2025 Activities ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 2025, Q/C Technologies, a quantum-class computing developer, announced that Shkreli had joined as a Strategic Advisor alongside entrepreneur James Altucher. The company develops optical computing technology. Shkreli stated: &amp;quot;I&#039;m convinced that the next leap in frontier computing is optical, not purely quantum. Q/C&#039;s &#039;quantum class&#039; technology approach bridges frameworks, offering the potential for extraordinary performance and efficiency gains.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;qc-tech&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GlobeNewswire, &amp;quot;Quantum-Class Computing Developer Q/C Technologies Welcomes Strategic Advisor Martin Shkreli,&amp;quot; December 9, 2025, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/09/3202470/0/en/Quantum-Class-Computing-Developer-Q-C-Technologies-Welcomes-Strategic-Advisor-Martin-Shkreli.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2026 Eric Swalwell Video Release ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On April 11, 2026, Shkreli inserted himself into the political scandal surrounding California congressman Eric Swalwell. After the &#039;&#039;San Francisco Chronicle&#039;&#039; published a former staffer&#039;s on-the-record account alleging that Swalwell had raped her twice -- once in a hotel room in September 2019, and again at a charity event in April 2024 -- Shkreli announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had obtained a video from a source purportedly showing Swalwell in an intimate encounter with a woman.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-swalwell&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Swalwell&#039;s Former Female Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegations: Sexual Assault, Exposing Himself |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/swalwells-former-female-staffer-drops-bombshell-allegations-sexual-assault-exposing-himself-report |work=Fox News |date=April 11, 2026 |access-date=April 12, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-portnoy&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Dave Portnoy Roasts Eric Swalwell Over Sexual Assault Allegations |url=https://nypost.com/2026/04/11/us-news/dave-portnoy-roasts-eric-swalwell-over-sexual-assault-allegations-serial-drunk-scumbag-cheater/ |work=New York Post |date=April 11, 2026 |access-date=April 12, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli tagged Swalwell&#039;s campaign account on X and stated that he was giving the campaign twenty minutes to respond before releasing the footage. When no response came, he posted the clip. The video, which Shkreli said was filmed inside Swalwell&#039;s home, shows a man kissing a woman on a bed. Shkreli identified the woman as a sex worker and said a source had provided the footage directly to him. Neither the identity of the man nor the authenticity of the video has been independently confirmed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;calwave-swalwell&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |last=Chen |first=Marcus |title=Swalwell&#039;s California Governor Bid Implodes After Rape Allegation and a Video From Martin Shkreli |url=https://californiawave.com/politics/swalwell-california-governor-campaign-collapse-shkreli-video-staffer-allegation |work=California Wave |date=April 12, 2026 |access-date=April 12, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The release of the video accelerated the political fallout from the Chronicle report. Senator Ruben Gallego withdrew his endorsement of Swalwell&#039;s campaign for California governor. CNN subsequently reported that three additional women alleged receiving unsolicited explicit messages or photos from Swalwell. Swalwell denied all allegations, telling reporters: &amp;quot;It&#039;s false.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-swalwell&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Personal Life ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli has indicated that his Catholic upbringing has been &amp;quot;a guiding post&amp;quot; for him, although he has stated he does not believe in God.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 2020, while incarcerated, Shkreli began a relationship with Christie Smythe, a former Bloomberg News reporter who had covered his arrest. They became engaged during his imprisonment, but by October 2021, Smythe stated they had broken up but remained friends. In October 2023, it was revealed that Shkreli had a romantic relationship with Madison Campbell, CEO of Leda Health, between February and August 2023.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mab&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Mabumbe. &amp;quot;Martin Shkreli: Biography, Net Worth, and Career Highlights.&amp;quot; November 30, 2024. https://mabumbe.com/people/martin-shkreli-biography-net-worth-and-career-highlights/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli is an avid &amp;quot;League of Legends&amp;quot; player and once attempted to purchase an eSports team (Enemy eSports, which declined his $1.2 million offer). He subsequently founded Odyssey eSports, which failed to qualify for competitive leagues.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;famous&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At his peak, Shkreli&#039;s net worth was estimated at approximately $70 million. Following legal issues and financial penalties, his net worth has significantly decreased.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Congressional Testimony ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shkreli was subpoenaed to appear before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives to answer questions about the Daraprim price increase. On February 4, 2016, Shkreli appeared before the House committee but invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer questions, smirking throughout the hearing. He later called the members of Congress &amp;quot;imbeciles&amp;quot; on Twitter.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-shkreli&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
* Securities Fraud&lt;br /&gt;
* Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Offense Enhancements&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Restitution,_Fines,_and_Forfeiture]]&lt;br /&gt;
* FCI Fort Dix (low-security)&lt;br /&gt;
* Residential Reentry Centers (Halfway Houses)&lt;br /&gt;
* Supervised Release&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External Links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-imprisonment-multi-million-dollar-fraud-scheme Department of Justice Press Release on Sentencing]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-25337 SEC v. Martin Shkreli]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Shkreli Martin Shkreli - Wikipedia]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Martin Shkreli convicted of?|answer=Martin Shkreli was convicted of two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy for defrauding investors in two hedge funds he managed.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How long was Martin Shkreli&#039;s sentence?|answer=Shkreli was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison. He was released in May 2022 after serving approximately 5 years.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Why is Martin Shkreli infamous?|answer=Shkreli became notorious for raising the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim by over 5,000% when he was CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, though this was not the crime he was convicted of.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where did Martin Shkreli serve his sentence?|answer=Shkreli served time at various federal facilities including FCI Fort Dix.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What happened to Martin Shkreli&#039;s Wu-Tang album?|answer=Shkreli purchased the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album &#039;Once Upon a Time in Shaolin&#039; for $2 million in 2015. It was forfeited as part of his 2018 sentence and sold by the government to PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency collective, for approximately $5 million. However, Shkreli allegedly kept digital copies and shared them, bragging on social media &amp;quot;LOL i have the mp3s.&amp;quot; In August 2024, a federal judge ordered him to surrender all copies and reveal everyone he had distributed the music to.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Martin Shkreli doing now in 2025?|answer=After his May 2022 release from prison, Shkreli has pursued several ventures despite his lifetime pharmaceutical industry ban. He founded Druglike, a Web3 drug discovery platform, which drew regulatory scrutiny. In December 2025, he joined Q/C Technologies as a Strategic Advisor for their optical computing technology. He continues to face legal issues including the Wu-Tang album lawsuit and reportedly violated his supervised release by traveling out of state without permission.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Is Martin Shkreli still banned from the pharmaceutical industry?|answer=Yes. In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Shkreli&#039;s lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry and the $64.6 million disgorgement order related to the Daraprim antitrust case. In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, ending his legal challenges. The FTC and multiple state attorneys general continue to monitor his activities for potential violations.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What video did Martin Shkreli release of Eric Swalwell?|answer=On April 11, 2026, Shkreli posted a short video clip on X that he said shows California congressman Eric Swalwell kissing a woman in his home. Shkreli identified the woman as a sex worker and said a source provided the footage directly to him. The video has not been independently verified and Swalwell&#039;s campaign has not addressed it.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How is Martin Shkreli connected to the Eric Swalwell scandal?|answer=Shkreli obtained and publicly released a video he claims shows Swalwell with a sex worker, posting it to X on April 11, 2026, the day after the San Francisco Chronicle published rape allegations from a former Swalwell staffer. Shkreli gave Swalwell&#039;s campaign twenty minutes to respond before posting and received no reply.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What are the Eric Swalwell sexual assault allegations?|answer=A former staffer told the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell raped her twice during and after her employment in his congressional office. CNN subsequently reported that three additional women alleged receiving unsolicited explicit photos or messages from Swalwell. Swalwell has denied all allegations.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Martin Shkreli known for in 2026?|answer=In 2026, Shkreli made headlines for releasing a video he claims shows congressman Eric Swalwell in a compromising situation. He previously gained notoriety for raising the price of Daraprim by over 5,000 percent, buying the only copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album, and his 2017 securities fraud conviction. He joined Q/C Technologies as a strategic advisor in December 2025.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Shkreli served time at various federal facilities including FCI Fort Dix.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What happened to Martin Shkreli&#039;s Wu-Tang album?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Shkreli purchased the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album for $2 million in 2015. It was forfeited as part of his 2018 sentence and sold by the government to PleasrDAO. However, Shkreli allegedly kept digital copies and shared them. In August 2024, a federal judge ordered him to surrender all copies.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What is Martin Shkreli doing now in 2025?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;After his May 2022 release from prison, Shkreli has pursued several ventures despite his lifetime pharmaceutical industry ban. He founded Druglike, a Web3 drug discovery platform. In December 2025, he joined Q/C Technologies as a Strategic Advisor for optical computing technology. He continues to face legal issues including the Wu-Tang album lawsuit.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Is Martin Shkreli still banned from the pharmaceutical industry?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes. In January 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Shkreli&#039;s lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry. In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, ending his legal challenges to the $64.6 million disgorgement order.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        }&lt;br /&gt;
      ]&lt;br /&gt;
    ,&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What video did Martin Shkreli release of Eric Swalwell?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;On April 11, 2026, Shkreli posted a video on X claiming to show congressman Eric Swalwell kissing a woman identified as a sex worker in his home. The video has not been independently verified.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;How is Martin Shkreli connected to the Eric Swalwell scandal?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Shkreli obtained and publicly released a video he claims shows Swalwell with a sex worker. He posted it to X on April 11, 2026, the day after the San Francisco Chronicle published rape allegations from a former Swalwell staffer.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        },&lt;br /&gt;
        {&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What is Martin Shkreli doing now in 2026?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;In 2026, Shkreli released a video he claims shows congressman Eric Swalwell in a compromising situation. He serves as a Strategic Advisor at Q/C Technologies and continues to face legal issues related to the Wu-Tang Clan album.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
          }&lt;br /&gt;
        }&lt;br /&gt;
        }&lt;br /&gt;
  ]&lt;br /&gt;
}&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/script&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/html&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{#seo:&lt;br /&gt;
|title=Martin Shkreli 2026 Update - Where Is Pharma Bro Now? | Prisonpedia&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
|description=Where is Martin Shkreli now in 2026? Released from prison May 2022, lifetime pharma ban upheld by Supreme Court, Wu-Tang album legal battle continues.&lt;br /&gt;
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{{MetaDescription|Martin Shkreli 2026 update: Released April 2026 Swalwell video. Released May 2022, lifetime pharma ban upheld by Supreme Court Oct 2024, Q/C Technologies advisor, Wu-Tang album lawsuit.}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Small&amp;diff=5574</id>
		<title>Template:Small</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Small&amp;diff=5574"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:18Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;small&amp;gt;{{{1|}}}&amp;lt;/small&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Wraps text in small tags.&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Formatting templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:URL&amp;diff=5573</id>
		<title>Template:URL</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:URL&amp;diff=5573"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:18Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{1|}}}|[{{{1}}} {{{2|{{{1}}}}}}]}}&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
URL link template. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{URL|https://example.com|Display text}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:External link templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Unbulleted_list&amp;diff=5572</id>
		<title>Template:Unbulleted list</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Unbulleted_list&amp;diff=5572"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;plainlist&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{1|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{1}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{2|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{2}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{3|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{3}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{4|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{4}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{5|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{5}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{6|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{6}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{7|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{7}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{8|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{8}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Unbulleted list. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Unbulleted list|item1|item2|item3}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Formatting templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Stub&amp;diff=5571</id>
		<title>Template:Stub</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Stub&amp;diff=5571"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;padding:8px 12px; background:#f8f9fa; border:1px solid #ddd; border-radius:4px; margin-top:1em; font-size:0.9em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This article is a stub. You can help Prisonpedia by expanding it.&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;[[Category:Stubs]]&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Marks an article as a stub. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Stub}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Article management templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Official_website&amp;diff=5570</id>
		<title>Template:Official website</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Official_website&amp;diff=5570"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{1|}}}|[{{{1}}} Official website]}}&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Link to official website. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Official website|https://example.com}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:External link templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Plainlist&amp;diff=5569</id>
		<title>Template:Plainlist</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Plainlist&amp;diff=5569"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;plainlist&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{{1|}}}&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Unbulleted list wrapper.&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Formatting templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Hlist&amp;diff=5568</id>
		<title>Template:Hlist</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Hlist&amp;diff=5568"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:16Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;hlist&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{1|}}}|&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{1|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{1}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{2|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{2}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{3|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{3}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{4|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{4}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{5|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{5}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{6|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{6}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{7|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{7}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}{{#if:{{{8|}}}|&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;{{{8}}}&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;}}&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;}}&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Horizontal list template. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Hlist|item1|item2|item3}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Formatting templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Reflist&amp;diff=5567</id>
		<title>Template:Reflist</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Reflist&amp;diff=5567"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:16Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Displays the reference list. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Reflist}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Formatting templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Death_date_and_age&amp;diff=5566</id>
		<title>Template:Death date and age</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Death_date_and_age&amp;diff=5566"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:16Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{{4}}}-{{{5|01}}}-{{{6|01}}} (aged {{#expr:{{{4}}}-{{{1}}}}})&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Displays death date and age at death. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Death date and age|birth_year|birth_month|birth_day|death_year|death_month|death_day}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Date templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Birth_date_and_age&amp;diff=5565</id>
		<title>Template:Birth date and age</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Birth_date_and_age&amp;diff=5565"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:15Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}-{{{2|01}}}-{{{3|01}}} (age {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}}-{{{1}}}}})}}&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Displays a birth date and calculates current age. Usage: &amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;{{Birth date and age|year|month|day}}&amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Date templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Cite_journal&amp;diff=5564</id>
		<title>Template:Cite journal</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Cite_journal&amp;diff=5564"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:15Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{last|}}}|{{{last}}}{{#if:{{{first|}}}|, {{{first}}}}}.}} {{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url}}} &amp;quot;{{{title}}}&amp;quot;]|&amp;quot;{{{title}}}&amp;quot;}}.{{#if:{{{journal|}}}| &#039;&#039;{{{journal}}}&#039;&#039;.}}{{#if:{{{volume|}}}| {{{volume}}}}}{{#if:{{{issue|}}}|({{{issue}}})}}{{#if:{{{pages|}}}|: {{{pages}}}}}.{{#if:{{{date|}}}| {{{date}}}.}}{{#if:{{{doi|}}}| doi:{{{doi}}}.}}{{#if:{{{access-date|}}}| Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.}}&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Citation template for journal articles. Parameters: title, url, last, first, journal, volume, issue, pages, date, doi, access-date.&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Citation templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Cite_book&amp;diff=5563</id>
		<title>Template:Cite book</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Cite_book&amp;diff=5563"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:15Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{last|}}}|{{{last}}}{{#if:{{{first|}}}|, {{{first}}}}}.}} {{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url}}} &#039;&#039;{{{title}}}&#039;&#039;]|&#039;&#039;{{{title}}}&#039;&#039;}}.{{#if:{{{publisher|}}}| {{{publisher}}}.}}{{#if:{{{year|}}}| {{{year}}}.}}{{#if:{{{isbn|}}}| ISBN {{{isbn}}}.}}{{#if:{{{access-date|}}}| Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.}}&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Citation template for books. Parameters: title, url, last, first, publisher, year, isbn, access-date.&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Citation templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Cite_news&amp;diff=5562</id>
		<title>Template:Cite news</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Cite_news&amp;diff=5562"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T20:29:15Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create template (biography.wiki alignment)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;includeonly&amp;gt;{{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url}}} &amp;quot;{{{title}}}&amp;quot;]|&amp;quot;{{{title}}}&amp;quot;}}.{{#if:{{{last|}}}| {{{last}}}{{#if:{{{first|}}}|, {{{first}}}}}.}}{{#if:{{{work|}}}| &#039;&#039;{{{work}}}&#039;&#039;.}}{{#if:{{{publisher|}}}| {{{publisher}}}.}}{{#if:{{{date|}}}| {{{date}}}.}}{{#if:{{{access-date|}}}| Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.}}&amp;lt;/includeonly&amp;gt;&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Citation template for news articles. Parameters: title, url, last, first, work, publisher, date, access-date.&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Citation templates]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Craig_Rothfeld&amp;diff=5561</id>
		<title>Craig Rothfeld</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Craig_Rothfeld&amp;diff=5561"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T15:52:58Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Corrections per Craig Rothfeld: NYS state prison (not federal), consulting covers both NYS and federal&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Craig Rothfeld&lt;br /&gt;
|image = Craig_Rothfeld.jpg&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = New York&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Grand larceny, Securities fraud, Tax fraud, Falsifying FINRA statements&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 1.5 to 4.5 years (served 18 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = Rikers Island, NYS DOCCS facilities&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Released&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Craig Rothfeld&#039;&#039;&#039; is an American [[Prison_Consultants|prison consultant]] and former securities industry executive who served 18 months in New York State prison for financial crimes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News, &amp;quot;Well-known inmates hire this consultant to help them navigate life behind bars,&amp;quot; 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/prison-consultant-craig-rothfeld-high-profile-celebrities-diddy-rcna234930.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Rothfeld was the Chief Executive Officer of WJB Capital Group Inc., a New York City-based institutional broker-dealer, before being indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney in February 2014 on charges of grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulatory financial statements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg News, &amp;quot;WJB Capital Executives Charged in Scheme to Prop Up Firm,&amp;quot; February 6, 2014, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-06/wjb-capital-executives-charged-in-scheme-to-prop-up-firm-1-.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Following his release in June 2017, Rothfeld founded Inside Outside Ltd., a prison consulting firm that has represented high-profile clients including [[Harvey_Weinstein|Harvey Weinstein]], [[Allen_Weisselberg|Allen Weisselberg]], [[Luigi_Mangione|Luigi Mangione]], [[Keith_Raniere|Keith Raniere]], and rapper Sheff G.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld worked at prominent financial institutions including Arthur Andersen &amp;amp; Co., Sotheby&#039;s, Conectiv, and WJB Capital Group Inc., where he rose to serve as Chief Executive Officer.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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His criminal case stemmed from his role in a scheme to defraud investors and prop up the failing broker-dealer firm by misrepresenting its financial condition to regulators and stealing client funds for personal use. Rothfeld now operates one of approximately half a dozen prison consulting firms in the United States, providing advocacy, preparation, and support services to individuals facing incarceration in New York State correctional facilities, Rikers Island, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University at Albany, SUNY in 1993.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration in finance and international business from the New York University Stern School of Business.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Financial Planning, &amp;quot;A former broker-dealer executive is now Harvey Weinstein&#039;s prison consultant,&amp;quot; May 28, 2021, https://www.financial-planning.com/news/a-former-broker-dealer-executive-is-now-harvey-weinsteins-prison-consultant.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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After beginning his career in accounting at Arthur Andersen &amp;amp; Co., Rothfeld transitioned to the securities industry and eventually became CEO of WJB Capital Group, a New York City-based institutional broker-dealer, in 2008.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; According to Rothfeld&#039;s own account, the firm appeared to thrive during his tenure, but its success was not what it seemed. WJB Capital halted operations in January 2012 amid slower trading, a shortage of capital, and interest rates of 25 percent on some debts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; FINRA expelled the company in August 2012 for misstating financial records and permanently barred Rothfeld from working in the securities industry.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot;&amp;gt;InvestmentNews, &amp;quot;WJB Capital executives charged in scheme to prop up firm,&amp;quot; February 8, 2014, https://www.investmentnews.com/article/20140208/FREE/140209914/wjb-capital-executives-charged-in-scheme-to-prop-up-firm.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Following his release from prison, Rothfeld completed additional graduate education, earning a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Post Graduate Certification in Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy from Arizona State University&#039;s Watts College of Public Service &amp;amp; Community Solutions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Indictment and Prosecution ==&lt;br /&gt;
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On February 6, 2014, the Manhattan District Attorney&#039;s Office announced that Rothfeld and two co-defendants—WJB Capital co-founder Michael N. Romano and former Chief Financial Officer Gregory S. Maleski—had been indicted and arraigned before New York State Supreme Court Justice Larry Stephen.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The three men were charged with defrauding investors of more than $11 million in an effort to prop up the now-defunct broker-dealer.&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Criminal Charges ===&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld was charged with a total of 65 counts, including first-degree grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying FINRA financial statements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano was charged with 40 counts and Maleski was charged with 59 counts. All three men pleaded not guilty at their initial arraignment. Justice Stephen set bail at $1 million bond or $500,000 cash for Rothfeld and Romano, and $500,000 bond and $250,000 cash for Maleski.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Fraudulent Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
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According to the Manhattan District Attorney&#039;s indictment, the three men convinced at least 15 clients—including friends and family members—to extend old loans and invest more money with the firm while misrepresenting WJB Capital&#039;s financial condition.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The defendants were accused of embezzling at least $7.1 million from the firm from at least 2008 through 2012.&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld and Maleski were specifically charged with filing false reports to FINRA that overstated the firm&#039;s net capital position in order to remain in business.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rothfeld and Romano were also charged with filing false New York State income tax returns that underreported their incomes by hundreds of thousands of dollars.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Prosecutors alleged that Rothfeld used the stolen funds for mortgage payments and improvements on his Manhattan apartment and Hamptons home, as well as private school tuition for his children.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano allegedly spent funds on mortgage payments, luxury cars, and trips to strip clubs, hotels, and country clubs. Both Rothfeld and Romano were accused of using corporate American Express cards for personal expenses and then using company funds to pay those charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Statement from District Attorney ===&lt;br /&gt;
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Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance stated at the time of the indictment: &amp;quot;Another investment fraud has come to light—this time forcing more than 100 employees out of work. Manhattan is the center of the securities industry and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who steal from innocent investors.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Guilty Plea and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
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In July 2015, Rothfeld pleaded guilty in a plea deal in which he admitted to committing various financial crimes in return for a custodial sentence of 1.5 to 4.5 years in New York State prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano also pleaded guilty to various charges including grand larceny, securities fraud, and tax crimes. Both men admitted to stealing approximately $11 million from WJB investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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In his plea, Rothfeld acknowledged his guilt and the harm caused. District Attorney Vance noted that victims included &amp;quot;employees of the defendants&#039; own company, and even friends and family members.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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In December 2015, both Rothfeld and Romano were sentenced to 1.5 to 4.5 years in prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-sentencing&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg Law, &amp;quot;Ex-WJB Capital Heads Get 4-1/2 Years in $11M Scam,&amp;quot; December 16, 2015, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/ex-wjb-capital-heads-get-4-1-2-years-in-11m-scam.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld&#039;s sentence began with five weeks at Rikers Island, New York City&#039;s main jail complex, before he was transferred to a New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYS DOCCS) facility.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He served a total of 18 months in various New York State correctional facilities before being released on a work-release program, followed by a year of parole.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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According to Rothfeld, his attorney advised him to learn as much as he could about the New York State correctional system while incarcerated. Rothfeld researched the department&#039;s rules and regulations extensively, read law school studies, accessed LexisNexis, and interviewed fellow inmates about their experiences.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He took three notebooks into prison to document his research, which would later form the foundation of his consulting business.&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld has stated that &amp;quot;the greatest source of information&amp;quot; for his prison consultancy business was other inmates, from whom he learned the unwritten rules and practical realities of navigating the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Post-Release Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Soon after his release from prison in June 2017, Rothfeld founded Inside Outside Ltd., a prison consulting and advocacy services firm based in New York.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The company specializes in helping individuals and their families navigate the New York City Department of Correction (Rikers Island), the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and various other state correctional systems,&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inside Outside Ltd., &amp;quot;About Us,&amp;quot; accessed November 2025, https://insideoutsideltd.com/about-us.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; providing expertise across both state and federal systems.&lt;br /&gt;
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=== High-Profile Clients ===&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld&#039;s firm has gained national attention for representing several high-profile clients:&lt;br /&gt;
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* &#039;&#039;&#039;Harvey Weinstein&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld began working with the former Hollywood producer prior to his conviction on sexual assault charges in February 2020, serving as Weinstein&#039;s representative for corrections and healthcare matters.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rothfeld worked on a sentencing memo with Weinstein&#039;s legal team and has continued to advocate for his conditions of confinement. Weinstein&#039;s attorney Jennifer Bonjean has stated that prison consultants are important advocates for people entering the system, helping to &amp;quot;resolve a medical concern, assist with a disciplinary issue or to advocate for a placement in a facility.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; In September 2024, Rothfeld arranged for Weinstein to be transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital for emergency heart surgery, an intervention Weinstein later credited with saving his life.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thr-weinstein&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* &#039;&#039;&#039;Allen Weisselberg&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld worked with the former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer prior to his incarceration at Rikers Island in January 2023 for perjury. The Trump Organization reportedly paid Rothfeld&#039;s fees. Rothfeld advised Weisselberg not to go outside at Rikers due to the risk of violence in courtyards and to avoid interjecting himself into conversations between other inmates, noting that &amp;quot;the goal is to keep to yourself.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo-weisselberg&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Yahoo News, &amp;quot;Trump executive Weisselberg prepares for jail on Rikers Island,&amp;quot; January 10, 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/trump-executive-weisselberg-prepares-jail-110000040.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* &#039;&#039;&#039;Luigi Mangione&#039;&#039;&#039;: Following his arrest in December 2024 on charges of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Mangione retained Rothfeld as his prison consultant. Mangione is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting trial on federal and state charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-mangione&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fox News, &amp;quot;Luigi Mangione hires Harvey Weinstein&#039;s prison consultant Craig Rothfeld,&amp;quot; January 29, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/us/luigi-mangione-hires-harvey-weinstein-prison-consultant-craig-rothfeld-report.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* &#039;&#039;&#039;Keith Raniere&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld worked with the NXIVM cult leader, who was sentenced to 120 years in federal prison in 2020 on sex trafficking and child pornography charges. Rothfeld&#039;s work focused on getting Raniere out of solitary confinement after he was allegedly assaulted by another inmate in 2022 and spent 280 days in the Special Housing Unit. Rothfeld described the conditions as a human rights violation, citing &amp;quot;feces on the floor and the walls.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* &#039;&#039;&#039;Sheff G&#039;&#039;&#039;: The rapper hired Rothfeld after pleading guilty to attempted murder charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Professional Activities ===&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld teaches Continuing Legal Education classes to various New York State bar associations including the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA), Kings County Bar Association (KCBA), New York City Bar Association (NYCBA), and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He is an approved mitigation specialist under New York&#039;s 18-B assigned counsel program and has been retained as an expert witness on a dual-jurisdiction death penalty case.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld is actively involved in New York State criminal justice legislation and reform efforts. He lobbied for the passage of the Less is More Act, a parole reform measure that was signed into law in 2021.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He also assists defense attorneys in the pre-trial phase as a forensic research analyst and forensic financial consultant.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld has appeared extensively in media coverage of his clients, including appearances on NBC News, Fox News, and various other outlets providing commentary on prison conditions and the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-tv&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inside Outside Ltd., &amp;quot;TV Interviews,&amp;quot; accessed November 2025, https://insideoutsideltd.com/tv.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Media Coverage ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld has been featured in major national publications for his work with high-profile clients:&lt;br /&gt;
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* In February 2026, &#039;&#039;Rolling Stone&#039;&#039; published a feature on the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where many of Rothfeld&#039;s clients have been detained. Rothfeld provided expert commentary on conditions at the facility, explaining that &amp;quot;it is just one of those moments in time where there are many more high-profile individuals being indicted in the Southern District of New York.&amp;quot; He described the facility&#039;s &amp;quot;4 North&amp;quot; unit, which houses approximately 20 high-profile inmates at a time who have been deemed low security risks or need separation from the general population for their safety.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;rollingstone-mdc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/luigi-mangione-maduro-diddy-jail-mdc-1235507094/ &amp;quot;Inside MDC, Where Luigi Mangione, Nicolas Maduro, and Diddy Spent Time&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Rolling Stone&#039;&#039;, February 3, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* In a 2025 exclusive interview with &#039;&#039;The Hollywood Reporter&#039;&#039;, Harvey Weinstein spoke about Rothfeld&#039;s role in saving his life during a medical emergency at Rikers Island. Weinstein recounted calling Rothfeld when he fell critically ill, stating: &amp;quot;Please help me. I&#039;m sick. I don&#039;t know what to do.&amp;quot; Rothfeld intervened and arranged for Weinstein to be transferred to Bellevue Hospital, where he underwent emergency heart surgery the following day. Weinstein stated that &amp;quot;a day later and I would have been gone,&amp;quot; crediting Rothfeld with saving his life.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thr-weinstein&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/harvey-weinstein-prison-interview-rikers-exclusive-1236523824/ &amp;quot;The Harvey Weinstein Prison Interview From Rikers: Exclusive&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The Hollywood Reporter&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Public Statements ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Rothfeld has been candid about his criminal history and its role in his current career. Reflecting on his crimes, he has stated that he made &amp;quot;some horrible choices and horrible decisions&amp;quot; and takes &amp;quot;full responsibility&amp;quot; for his choices, accepts the consequences, and &amp;quot;is incredibly remorseful for what happened,&amp;quot; expressing regret for the harm caused to his family, employees, and investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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On his philosophy as a prison consultant, Rothfeld has stated: &amp;quot;Everyone is an equal in prison. It doesn&#039;t matter where you come from, what your crime of conviction is, how old you are or how intelligent you are. You&#039;re all equals.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Regarding his advocacy work, Rothfeld has emphasized the human rights dimension: &amp;quot;I&#039;m advocating for their human rights.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
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* &#039;&#039;&#039;NYS DOCCS&#039;&#039;&#039;: The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which operates New York&#039;s state prison system and supervises individuals on parole and other forms of community supervision.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NYC DOC&#039;&#039;&#039;: The New York City Department of Correction, which operates Rikers Island and other city jails housing individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences of one year or less.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;FINRA&#039;&#039;&#039;: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a non-governmental organization that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets in the United States.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;18-B Panel&#039;&#039;&#039;: A panel of private attorneys assigned to represent indigent defendants in New York criminal cases, named after Article 18-B of the New York County Law.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Special Housing Unit (SHU)&#039;&#039;&#039;: A segregated housing area in prisons used for inmates requiring separation from the general population, often for disciplinary reasons or protective custody.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Mitigation Specialist&#039;&#039;&#039;: A professional who assists defense attorneys in gathering information about a defendant&#039;s background, life history, and circumstances to present to the court during sentencing to argue for a reduced sentence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Merit Time&#039;&#039;&#039;: A New York State program that allows certain inmates to earn a reduction in their minimum sentence by completing approved programs and maintaining good behavior.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credit (GTC)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Time credited against a prisoner&#039;s sentence for good behavior during incarceration, reducing the actual time served.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Earned_Time_Credits_Under_the_First_Step_Act|First Step Act Earned Time Credits]] (FTCs/ETCs)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Credits earned by federal inmates for participating in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs under the [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]] of 2018, which can result in earlier transfer to supervised release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
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== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Who is Craig Rothfeld?|answer=Craig Rothfeld is a prison consultant and former WJB Capital CEO who served 18 months in New York State prison. He founded Inside Outside Ltd. and has represented Harvey Weinstein, Allen Weisselberg, Luigi Mangione, and other high-profile clients.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What services does Craig Rothfeld provide?|answer=Rothfeld provides prison consulting services including preparation for incarceration, advocacy during confinement, facility recommendations, and guidance on prison policies for New York State, Rikers Island, and federal facilities.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Craig Rothfeld convicted of?|answer=Rothfeld was convicted of grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying FINRA statements for his role at WJB Capital Group. He and co-defendants defrauded investors of over $11 million.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where did Craig Rothfeld serve his sentence?|answer=Rothfeld served 5 weeks at Rikers Island before being transferred to NYS DOCCS facilities, serving a total of 18 months before release on a work-release program.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Inside Outside Ltd?|answer=Inside Outside Ltd. is Craig Rothfeld&#039;s prison consulting firm founded in 2017, helping individuals navigate New York City DOC, NYS DOCCS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
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== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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[[Category:High-Profile_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:New_York_State_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Prison_Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
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		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Craig_Rothfeld&amp;diff=5560</id>
		<title>Craig Rothfeld</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Craig_Rothfeld&amp;diff=5560"/>
		<updated>2026-04-08T13:56:19Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Update portrait photo (higher resolution square crop)&lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Craig Rothfeld&lt;br /&gt;
|image = Craig_Rothfeld.jpg&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = New York&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Grand larceny, Securities fraud, Tax fraud, Falsifying FINRA statements&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 1.5 to 4.5 years (served 18 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = Rikers Island, NYS DOCCS facilities&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Released&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Craig Rothfeld&#039;&#039;&#039; is an American [[Prison_Consultants|prison consultant]] and former securities industry executive who served 18 months in New York State prison for financial crimes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News, &amp;quot;Well-known inmates hire this consultant to help them navigate life behind bars,&amp;quot; 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/prison-consultant-craig-rothfeld-high-profile-celebrities-diddy-rcna234930.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Rothfeld was the Chief Executive Officer of WJB Capital Group Inc., a New York City-based institutional broker-dealer, before being indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney in February 2014 on charges of grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulatory financial statements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg News, &amp;quot;WJB Capital Executives Charged in Scheme to Prop Up Firm,&amp;quot; February 6, 2014, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-06/wjb-capital-executives-charged-in-scheme-to-prop-up-firm-1-.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Following his release in June 2017, Rothfeld founded Inside Outside Ltd., a prison consulting firm that has represented high-profile clients including [[Harvey_Weinstein|Harvey Weinstein]], [[Allen_Weisselberg|Allen Weisselberg]], [[Luigi_Mangione|Luigi Mangione]], [[Keith_Raniere|Keith Raniere]], and rapper Sheff G.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld worked at prominent financial institutions including Arthur Andersen &amp;amp; Co., Sotheby&#039;s, Conectiv, and WJB Capital Group Inc., where he rose to serve as Chief Executive Officer.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
His criminal case stemmed from his role in a scheme to defraud investors and prop up the failing broker-dealer firm by misrepresenting its financial condition to regulators and stealing client funds for personal use. Rothfeld now operates one of approximately half a dozen prison consulting firms in the United States, providing advocacy, preparation, and support services to individuals facing incarceration in New York State correctional facilities, Rikers Island, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University at Albany, SUNY in 1993.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration in finance and international business from the New York University Stern School of Business.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Financial Planning, &amp;quot;A former broker-dealer executive is now Harvey Weinstein&#039;s prison consultant,&amp;quot; May 28, 2021, https://www.financial-planning.com/news/a-former-broker-dealer-executive-is-now-harvey-weinsteins-prison-consultant.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After beginning his career in accounting at Arthur Andersen &amp;amp; Co., Rothfeld transitioned to the securities industry and eventually became CEO of WJB Capital Group, a New York City-based institutional broker-dealer, in 2008.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; According to Rothfeld&#039;s own account, the firm appeared to thrive during his tenure, but its success was not what it seemed. WJB Capital halted operations in January 2012 amid slower trading, a shortage of capital, and interest rates of 25 percent on some debts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; FINRA expelled the company in August 2012 for misstating financial records and permanently barred Rothfeld from working in the securities industry.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot;&amp;gt;InvestmentNews, &amp;quot;WJB Capital executives charged in scheme to prop up firm,&amp;quot; February 8, 2014, https://www.investmentnews.com/article/20140208/FREE/140209914/wjb-capital-executives-charged-in-scheme-to-prop-up-firm.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release from prison, Rothfeld completed additional graduate education, earning a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Post Graduate Certification in Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy from Arizona State University&#039;s Watts College of Public Service &amp;amp; Community Solutions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment and Prosecution ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On February 6, 2014, the Manhattan District Attorney&#039;s Office announced that Rothfeld and two co-defendants—WJB Capital co-founder Michael N. Romano and former Chief Financial Officer Gregory S. Maleski—had been indicted and arraigned before New York State Supreme Court Justice Larry Stephen.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The three men were charged with defrauding investors of more than $11 million in an effort to prop up the now-defunct broker-dealer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Criminal Charges ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld was charged with a total of 65 counts, including first-degree grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying FINRA financial statements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano was charged with 40 counts and Maleski was charged with 59 counts. All three men pleaded not guilty at their initial arraignment. Justice Stephen set bail at $1 million bond or $500,000 cash for Rothfeld and Romano, and $500,000 bond and $250,000 cash for Maleski.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Fraudulent Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to the Manhattan District Attorney&#039;s indictment, the three men convinced at least 15 clients—including friends and family members—to extend old loans and invest more money with the firm while misrepresenting WJB Capital&#039;s financial condition.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The defendants were accused of embezzling at least $7.1 million from the firm from at least 2008 through 2012.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld and Maleski were specifically charged with filing false reports to FINRA that overstated the firm&#039;s net capital position in order to remain in business.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rothfeld and Romano were also charged with filing false New York State income tax returns that underreported their incomes by hundreds of thousands of dollars.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prosecutors alleged that Rothfeld used the stolen funds for mortgage payments and improvements on his Manhattan apartment and Hamptons home, as well as private school tuition for his children.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano allegedly spent funds on mortgage payments, luxury cars, and trips to strip clubs, hotels, and country clubs. Both Rothfeld and Romano were accused of using corporate American Express cards for personal expenses and then using company funds to pay those charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Statement from District Attorney ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance stated at the time of the indictment: &amp;quot;Another investment fraud has come to light—this time forcing more than 100 employees out of work. Manhattan is the center of the securities industry and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who steal from innocent investors.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Guilty Plea and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In July 2015, Rothfeld pleaded guilty in a plea deal in which he admitted to committing various financial crimes in return for a custodial sentence of 1.5 to 4.5 years in New York State prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano also pleaded guilty to various charges including grand larceny, securities fraud, and tax crimes. Both men admitted to stealing approximately $11 million from WJB investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In his plea, Rothfeld acknowledged his guilt and the harm caused. District Attorney Vance noted that victims included &amp;quot;employees of the defendants&#039; own company, and even friends and family members.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 2015, both Rothfeld and Romano were sentenced to 1.5 to 4.5 years in prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-sentencing&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg Law, &amp;quot;Ex-WJB Capital Heads Get 4-1/2 Years in $11M Scam,&amp;quot; December 16, 2015, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/ex-wjb-capital-heads-get-4-1-2-years-in-11m-scam.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld&#039;s sentence began with five weeks at Rikers Island, New York City&#039;s main jail complex, before he was transferred to a New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYS DOCCS) facility.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He served a total of 18 months in various New York State correctional facilities before being released on a work-release program, followed by a year of parole.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to Rothfeld, his attorney advised him to learn as much as he could about the New York State correctional system while incarcerated. Rothfeld researched the department&#039;s rules and regulations extensively, read law school studies, accessed LexisNexis, and interviewed fellow inmates about their experiences.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He took three notebooks into prison to document his research, which would later form the foundation of his consulting business.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has stated that &amp;quot;the greatest source of information&amp;quot; for his prison consultancy business was other inmates, from whom he learned the unwritten rules and practical realities of navigating the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Soon after his release from prison in June 2017, Rothfeld founded Inside Outside Ltd., a prison consulting and advocacy services firm based in New York.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The company specializes in helping individuals and their families navigate the New York City Department of Correction (Rikers Island), the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and various other state correctional systems,&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inside Outside Ltd., &amp;quot;About Us,&amp;quot; accessed November 2025, https://insideoutsideltd.com/about-us.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; though he is typically considered a specialist in New York state cases.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== High-Profile Clients ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld&#039;s firm has gained national attention for representing several high-profile clients:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Harvey Weinstein&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld began working with the former Hollywood producer prior to his conviction on sexual assault charges in February 2020, serving as Weinstein&#039;s representative for corrections and healthcare matters.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rothfeld worked on a sentencing memo with Weinstein&#039;s legal team and has continued to advocate for his conditions of confinement. Weinstein&#039;s attorney Jennifer Bonjean has stated that prison consultants are important advocates for people entering the system, helping to &amp;quot;resolve a medical concern, assist with a disciplinary issue or to advocate for a placement in a facility.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; In September 2024, Rothfeld arranged for Weinstein to be transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital for emergency heart surgery, an intervention Weinstein later credited with saving his life.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thr-weinstein&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Allen Weisselberg&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld worked with the former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer prior to his incarceration at Rikers Island in January 2023 for perjury. The Trump Organization reportedly paid Rothfeld&#039;s fees. Rothfeld advised Weisselberg not to go outside at Rikers due to the risk of violence in courtyards and to avoid interjecting himself into conversations between other inmates, noting that &amp;quot;the goal is to keep to yourself.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo-weisselberg&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Yahoo News, &amp;quot;Trump executive Weisselberg prepares for jail on Rikers Island,&amp;quot; January 10, 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/trump-executive-weisselberg-prepares-jail-110000040.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Luigi Mangione&#039;&#039;&#039;: Following his arrest in December 2024 on charges of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Mangione retained Rothfeld as his prison consultant. Mangione is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting trial on federal and state charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-mangione&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fox News, &amp;quot;Luigi Mangione hires Harvey Weinstein&#039;s prison consultant Craig Rothfeld,&amp;quot; January 29, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/us/luigi-mangione-hires-harvey-weinstein-prison-consultant-craig-rothfeld-report.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Keith Raniere&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld worked with the NXIVM cult leader, who was sentenced to 120 years in federal prison in 2020 on sex trafficking and child pornography charges. Rothfeld&#039;s work focused on getting Raniere out of solitary confinement after he was allegedly assaulted by another inmate in 2022 and spent 280 days in the Special Housing Unit. Rothfeld described the conditions as a human rights violation, citing &amp;quot;feces on the floor and the walls.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Sheff G&#039;&#039;&#039;: The rapper hired Rothfeld after pleading guilty to attempted murder charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Professional Activities ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld teaches Continuing Legal Education classes to various New York State bar associations including the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA), Kings County Bar Association (KCBA), New York City Bar Association (NYCBA), and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He is an approved mitigation specialist under New York&#039;s 18-B assigned counsel program and has been retained as an expert witness on a dual-jurisdiction death penalty case.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld is actively involved in New York State criminal justice legislation and reform efforts. He lobbied for the passage of the Less is More Act, a parole reform measure that was signed into law in 2021.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He also assists defense attorneys in the pre-trial phase as a forensic research analyst and forensic financial consultant.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has appeared extensively in media coverage of his clients, including appearances on NBC News, Fox News, and various other outlets providing commentary on prison conditions and the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-tv&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inside Outside Ltd., &amp;quot;TV Interviews,&amp;quot; accessed November 2025, https://insideoutsideltd.com/tv.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Media Coverage ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has been featured in major national publications for his work with high-profile clients:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* In February 2026, &#039;&#039;Rolling Stone&#039;&#039; published a feature on the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where many of Rothfeld&#039;s clients have been detained. Rothfeld provided expert commentary on conditions at the facility, explaining that &amp;quot;it is just one of those moments in time where there are many more high-profile individuals being indicted in the Southern District of New York.&amp;quot; He described the facility&#039;s &amp;quot;4 North&amp;quot; unit, which houses approximately 20 high-profile inmates at a time who have been deemed low security risks or need separation from the general population for their safety.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;rollingstone-mdc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/luigi-mangione-maduro-diddy-jail-mdc-1235507094/ &amp;quot;Inside MDC, Where Luigi Mangione, Nicolas Maduro, and Diddy Spent Time&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Rolling Stone&#039;&#039;, February 3, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* In a 2025 exclusive interview with &#039;&#039;The Hollywood Reporter&#039;&#039;, Harvey Weinstein spoke about Rothfeld&#039;s role in saving his life during a medical emergency at Rikers Island. Weinstein recounted calling Rothfeld when he fell critically ill, stating: &amp;quot;Please help me. I&#039;m sick. I don&#039;t know what to do.&amp;quot; Rothfeld intervened and arranged for Weinstein to be transferred to Bellevue Hospital, where he underwent emergency heart surgery the following day. Weinstein stated that &amp;quot;a day later and I would have been gone,&amp;quot; crediting Rothfeld with saving his life.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thr-weinstein&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/harvey-weinstein-prison-interview-rikers-exclusive-1236523824/ &amp;quot;The Harvey Weinstein Prison Interview From Rikers: Exclusive&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The Hollywood Reporter&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has been candid about his criminal history and its role in his current career. Reflecting on his crimes, he has stated that he made &amp;quot;some horrible choices and horrible decisions&amp;quot; and takes &amp;quot;full responsibility&amp;quot; for his choices, accepts the consequences, and &amp;quot;is incredibly remorseful for what happened,&amp;quot; expressing regret for the harm caused to his family, employees, and investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On his philosophy as a prison consultant, Rothfeld has stated: &amp;quot;Everyone is an equal in prison. It doesn&#039;t matter where you come from, what your crime of conviction is, how old you are or how intelligent you are. You&#039;re all equals.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regarding his advocacy work, Rothfeld has emphasized the human rights dimension: &amp;quot;I&#039;m advocating for their human rights.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NYS DOCCS&#039;&#039;&#039;: The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which operates New York&#039;s state prison system and supervises individuals on parole and other forms of community supervision.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NYC DOC&#039;&#039;&#039;: The New York City Department of Correction, which operates Rikers Island and other city jails housing individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences of one year or less.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;FINRA&#039;&#039;&#039;: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a non-governmental organization that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets in the United States.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;18-B Panel&#039;&#039;&#039;: A panel of private attorneys assigned to represent indigent defendants in New York criminal cases, named after Article 18-B of the New York County Law.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Special Housing Unit (SHU)&#039;&#039;&#039;: A segregated housing area in prisons used for inmates requiring separation from the general population, often for disciplinary reasons or protective custody.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Mitigation Specialist&#039;&#039;&#039;: A professional who assists defense attorneys in gathering information about a defendant&#039;s background, life history, and circumstances to present to the court during sentencing to argue for a reduced sentence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Merit Time&#039;&#039;&#039;: A New York State program that allows certain inmates to earn a reduction in their minimum sentence by completing approved programs and maintaining good behavior.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credit (GTC)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Time credited against a prisoner&#039;s sentence for good behavior during incarceration, reducing the actual time served.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Earned_Time_Credits_Under_the_First_Step_Act|First Step Act Earned Time Credits]] (FTCs/ETCs)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Credits earned by federal inmates for participating in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs under the [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]] of 2018, which can result in earlier transfer to supervised release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Who is Craig Rothfeld?|answer=Craig Rothfeld is a prison consultant and former WJB Capital CEO who served 18 months in New York State prison. He founded Inside Outside Ltd. and has represented Harvey Weinstein, Allen Weisselberg, Luigi Mangione, and other high-profile clients.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What services does Craig Rothfeld provide?|answer=Rothfeld provides prison consulting services including preparation for incarceration, advocacy during confinement, facility recommendations, and guidance on prison policies for New York State, Rikers Island, and federal facilities.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Craig Rothfeld convicted of?|answer=Rothfeld was convicted of grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying FINRA statements for his role at WJB Capital Group. He and co-defendants defrauded investors of over $11 million.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where did Craig Rothfeld serve his sentence?|answer=Rothfeld served 5 weeks at Rikers Island before being transferred to NYS DOCCS facilities, serving a total of 18 months before release on a work-release program.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Inside Outside Ltd?|answer=Inside Outside Ltd. is Craig Rothfeld&#039;s prison consulting firm founded in 2017, helping individuals navigate New York City DOC, NYS DOCCS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Holmes&amp;diff=5558</id>
		<title>Elizabeth Holmes</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Holmes&amp;diff=5558"/>
		<updated>2026-03-28T20:25:08Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Fix meta title to Elizabeth Holmes, Startup Fraud&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Elizabeth Anne Holmes&lt;br /&gt;
|image = elizabeth-holmes.png&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = February 3, 1984&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = Washington, D.C.&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Conspiracy to commit fraud on investors, Wire fraud&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 123 months (reduced from 135 by court order, Mar 2026)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = FPC Bryan&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Incarcerated&lt;br /&gt;
|conviction_date = January 3, 2022&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Elizabeth Anne Holmes&#039;&#039;&#039; (born February 3, 1984) is an American former biotechnology entrepreneur and convicted fraudster who was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for defrauding investors in Theranos, Inc., the blood-testing startup she founded, of hundreds of millions of dollars.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes Sentenced To More Than 11 Years For Defrauding Theranos Investors Of Hundreds Of Millions,&amp;quot; November 18, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/elizabeth-holmes-sentenced-more-11-years-defrauding-theranos-investors-hundreds.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Once celebrated as a visionary entrepreneur and the world&#039;s youngest self-made female billionaire, Holmes built Theranos on claims that the company&#039;s proprietary technology could perform comprehensive blood tests from a single finger prick—claims that were largely false. The company raised over $700 million from investors and was valued at $9 billion at its peak before investigations revealed that its technology did not work as represented.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-theranos&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Britannica, &amp;quot;Theranos, Inc.,&amp;quot; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theranos-Inc.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In January 2022, a federal jury convicted Holmes on four counts of fraud against investors, and she began serving her sentence at a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas in May 2023. Her appeals have been rejected, and her sentence was reduced by one year in March 2026, and she is currently projected for release around 2029-2030.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-prison&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes has started her 11-year prison sentence. Here&#039;s what to know,&amp;quot; May 30, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/05/30/1178728092/elizabeth-holmes-prison-sentence-theranos-fraud-silicon-valley.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Current Status (March 2026) ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:right; margin-left:1em; width:300px;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
! colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;background:#f8f9fa; text-align:center;&amp;quot; | &#039;&#039;&#039;Elizabeth Holmes Status&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Current Location:&#039;&#039;&#039; || [[FPC_Bryan|FPC Bryan]], Texas&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Original Sentence:&#039;&#039;&#039; || 135 months (11 years, 3 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Reduced Sentence:&#039;&#039;&#039; || 123 months (10 years, 3 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Reported to Prison:&#039;&#039;&#039; || May 30, 2023&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Time Served:&#039;&#039;&#039; || ~34 months (as of Mar 2026)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credits:&#039;&#039;&#039; || ~28 months earned&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Projected Halfway House:&#039;&#039;&#039; || December 2028&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;BOP Scheduled Release:&#039;&#039;&#039; || ~December 2030&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Appeal Status:&#039;&#039;&#039; || Denied by 9th Circuit (Feb 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Sentence Reduction:&#039;&#039;&#039; || 12 months (granted Mar 26, 2026)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Pardon Campaign:&#039;&#039;&#039; || Active (via social media, Dec 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;As of March 2026&#039;&#039;&#039;, Elizabeth Holmes remains incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, where she works as a reentry clerk helping fellow inmates prepare for release. She has earned substantial good time credits that have reduced her effective sentence by approximately two years. Her appeals have been exhausted at the circuit level, with the Ninth Circuit denying her request for rehearing in May 2025. Her only remaining option is a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== March 2026 Sentence Reduction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On March 26, 2026, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila granted Holmes a 12-month sentence reduction, lowering her sentence from 135 months to 123 months (10 years, 3 months). The reduction was made under U.S. Sentencing Guideline Section 4C1.1, a retroactive amendment that took effect on November 1, 2023, which allows a two-level offense reduction for first-time, non-violent offenders who &amp;quot;did not personally cause substantial financial hardship.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York Post, &amp;quot;Disgraced Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes just caught a break in court -- and prosecutors aren&#039;t happy,&amp;quot; March 27, 2026, https://nypost.com/2026/03/27/business/disgraced-theranos-fraudster-elizabeth-holmes-just-caught-a-break-in-court-and-prosecutors-arent-happy/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prosecutors opposed the reduction, arguing that Holmes&#039;s fraud totaled over $450 million in restitution and constituted substantial financial hardship. Judge Davila rejected that argument, finding that &amp;quot;substantial financial hardship&amp;quot; requires individualized evidence that a specific victim experienced hardship relative to their financial circumstances -- and that even probation officials could not identify a single Theranos investor who met that threshold. The judge noted that Theranos&#039;s investors had represented they could absorb a complete loss of their investments.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Davila was careful to note that the reduction &amp;quot;does not diminish the enormity of Holmes&#039;s crimes,&amp;quot; and that &amp;quot;the hundreds of millions of dollars in losses caused by Holmes&#039;s fraud speak for themselves.&amp;quot; He also cited Holmes&#039;s clean prison record -- zero disciplinary infractions since reporting to FPC Bryan in May 2023 -- as a factor weighing in her favor. Prosecutors had argued Holmes remains a risk to reoffend, citing her continued interest in healthcare technology and her involvement advising a startup run by her husband Billy Evans. Davila was not persuaded, writing that Holmes&#039;s notoriety and the scrutiny she now faces make it far less likely she could carry out a similar scheme again.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The revised sentence of 123 months places Holmes squarely in the middle of a new sentencing range of 108 to 135 months under the revised guidelines.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Our [[Federal Sentence Calculator]] estimates Holmes will now transfer to a halfway house around December 2028 and be released from Bureau of Prisons custody on or around December 2029.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Elizabeth Holmes became one of the most prominent examples of Silicon Valley fraud when the massive gap between Theranos&#039;s promises and its actual capabilities was exposed in 2015 and 2016. For years, Holmes had presented herself as a wunderkind inventor who would revolutionize healthcare by making blood testing faster, cheaper, and less invasive. She cultivated a distinctive image—black turtlenecks reminiscent of Steve Jobs, an unnaturally deep voice, and an intense, unblinking gaze—and assembled a board of directors and roster of investors that read like a who&#039;s who of American business and politics.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Britannica, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes,&amp;quot; https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-Holmes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The reality, as federal prosecutors established at trial, was that Holmes knowingly misrepresented Theranos&#039;s technology to investors, partners, and regulators. The company&#039;s proprietary blood-testing devices, called &amp;quot;Edison&amp;quot; machines, could not reliably perform the tests Holmes claimed they could. To fulfill promises to partners like Walgreens, Theranos secretly used conventional blood-testing equipment from other manufacturers, sometimes running tests on diluted samples from finger pricks that produced unreliable results. When employees raised concerns about the technology&#039;s limitations, they were often ignored, marginalized, or forced out.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;U.S. v. Elizabeth Holmes, et al.,&amp;quot; https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/us-v-elizabeth-holmes-et-al.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes&#039;s conviction and sentence sent a message about accountability in Silicon Valley, where the culture of &amp;quot;fake it till you make it&amp;quot; had sometimes been used to excuse or even celebrate exaggerated claims by startup founders. Her case demonstrated that there are legal limits to promotional puffery, especially when it crosses into material misrepresentation to investors and endangers patients who relied on inaccurate test results for medical decisions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-appeal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fortune, &amp;quot;Theranos&#039; Elizabeth Holmes loses bid to overturn her fraud conviction,&amp;quot; February 25, 2025, https://fortune.com/2025/02/25/theranos-elizabeth-holmes-losses-bid-overturn-fraud-conviction/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life and Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Elizabeth Anne Holmes was born on February 3, 1984, in Washington, D.C. Her father, Christian Holmes IV, worked for government agencies including USAID and later for energy companies, while her mother, Noel Anne Daoust, worked as a congressional committee staffer. Holmes grew up in Houston, Texas, and showed ambition and intelligence from an early age, reportedly telling family members as a child that she wanted to be a billionaire.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes attended St. John&#039;s School, an elite private school in Houston, where she excelled academically. She enrolled at Stanford University in 2002 to study chemical engineering. During her freshman and sophomore years, she worked in labs and became interested in developing new diagnostic technologies. In 2003, she filed her first patent application, which would eventually be granted for a wearable drug-delivery device.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2004, after completing her sophomore year, Holmes dropped out of Stanford to found Real-Time Cures, the company that would later become Theranos. She was 19 years old.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Building Theranos ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes founded her company with the ambitious goal of revolutionizing blood testing. The premise was appealing: traditional blood tests required drawing multiple vials of blood from a patient&#039;s arm, sending them to a lab, and waiting days for results. Holmes claimed that Theranos (a portmanteau of &amp;quot;therapy&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;diagnosis&amp;quot;) could perform hundreds of tests from just a few drops of blood obtained from a finger prick, with results available in hours.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
To build Theranos, Holmes recruited investors and advisers from the highest levels of American business and politics. The company&#039;s board eventually included former Secretaries of State George Shultz and Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of Defense William Perry, former CDC Director William Foege, and former Wells Fargo CEO Richard Kovacevich, among others. Major investors included Rupert Murdoch, the Walton family (founders of Walmart), and the DeVos family, and the company raised over $700 million in total funding.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At its peak valuation in 2014, Theranos was worth an estimated $9 billion, making Holmes, who owned approximately half the company, worth roughly $4.5 billion on paper—making her the world&#039;s youngest self-made female billionaire according to Forbes. Holmes appeared on magazine covers, delivered TED talks, and was celebrated as a visionary who would transform healthcare.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Technology&#039;s Failures ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Behind the scenes, Theranos was struggling to make its technology work. The company&#039;s proprietary &amp;quot;Edison&amp;quot; blood-testing devices had significant reliability problems and could not perform nearly the range of tests that Holmes claimed. Internal documents and testimony from former employees would later reveal that Theranos executives, including Holmes and her second-in-command Ramesh &amp;quot;Sunny&amp;quot; Balwani, knew about these limitations but continued to make false claims to investors and partners.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
To fulfill its partnership with Walgreens, which began offering Theranos testing at stores in Arizona and California, the company secretly used conventional blood-testing equipment purchased from other manufacturers for most tests. When it did use its own devices, it sometimes diluted finger-prick samples to obtain enough blood volume—a practice that could compromise accuracy. Some Theranos test results were so unreliable that patients received false indications of serious medical conditions, causing unnecessary distress and potentially dangerous medical decisions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Investigative Journalism and Collapse ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Theranos&#039;s carefully constructed image began to crumble in October 2015 when John Carreyrou, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, published an investigation revealing that the company&#039;s technology did not work as claimed. Carreyrou&#039;s reporting, based in part on tips from former Theranos employees, exposed the gap between the company&#039;s promises and its actual capabilities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-theranos&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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The Wall Street Journal investigation triggered a cascade of regulatory actions and additional investigations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) inspected Theranos&#039;s laboratory and found serious deficiencies, eventually revoking its lab certification. The Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation into potential securities fraud, and the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Theranos shut down in September 2018, and Holmes was indicted by a federal grand jury the same month on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment alleged that Holmes and Balwani had engaged in a scheme to defraud investors, doctors, and patients by making false claims about Theranos&#039;s technology and business performance.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Trial and Conviction ===&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes&#039;s trial began in August 2021 in federal court in San Jose, California, before U.S. District Judge Edward Davila. The trial lasted approximately four months and included testimony from former Theranos employees, investors who had lost money, and patients who had received unreliable test results. Holmes took the stand in her own defense, testifying over several days about her belief in Theranos&#039;s technology and alleging that Balwani, who was also her romantic partner, had controlled her through emotional abuse.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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On January 3, 2022, the jury convicted Holmes on one count of conspiracy to commit fraud against investors and three counts of wire fraud involving specific investors. The jury acquitted her on charges related to defrauding patients and on some other investor-related counts. The conviction established that Holmes had knowingly deceived investors, though the acquittals suggested the jury was not convinced she had the same intent to defraud patients.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
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On November 18, 2022, Judge Davila sentenced Holmes to 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in federal prison. The sentence was below the maximum Holmes faced but substantially higher than the defense&#039;s request for home confinement. Holmes was also ordered to pay $452 million in restitution jointly with Balwani, including $125 million to Rupert Murdoch, who had invested in Theranos.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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At sentencing, Judge Davila noted the seriousness of Holmes&#039;s fraud and its impact on investors who had trusted her. &amp;quot;She had the brilliance to make it happen, she had the network to make it happen, and she chose the path of fraud,&amp;quot; the judge stated.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-prison&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Balwani, who was tried separately, was convicted on all counts and sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes reported to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas on May 30, 2023, to begin serving her sentence. The facility is a minimum-security prison camp that houses female inmates. Since arriving, Holmes has had time reduced from her sentence through the federal good time credit system, with approximately two years shaved off in July 2023 and an additional four months reduced in May 2024.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;darkdaily-reduction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Dark Daily, &amp;quot;Ex-Theranos Founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes Reduced Her Prison Sentence by Nearly Two Years,&amp;quot; May 31, 2024, https://www.darkdaily.com/2024/05/31/ex-theranos-founder-and-ceo-elizabeth-holmes-reduced-her-prison-sentence-by-nearly-two-years/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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In prison, Holmes works as a reentry clerk, earning 31 cents an hour helping fellow inmates prepare resumes and apply for jobs and government benefits. She maintains a daily exercise routine. Holmes, now a mother of two young children (born in 2021 and 2023, the latter shortly before she reported to prison), is separated from her family during her incarceration.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;people-interview&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Dark Daily, &amp;quot;People Magazine Interviews Elizabeth Holmes in Prison as Panel of Federal Judges Denies Appeal to Overturn Her Conviction,&amp;quot; March 7, 2025, https://www.darkdaily.com/2025/03/07/people-magazine-interviews-elizabeth-holmes-in-prison-as-panel-of-federal-judges-denies-appeal-to-overturn-her-conviction/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Following the March 2026 sentence reduction, Holmes is projected for release around 2030, though the exact date may vary based on additional good time credits or other factors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-prison&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Appeals ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes has pursued multiple appeals challenging her conviction and sentence. In February 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected her arguments and affirmed her conviction, finding no legal errors in her trial. In May 2025, the Ninth Circuit denied her request for a rehearing before the original three-judge panel.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc-appeal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC News, &amp;quot;Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes&#039; conviction upheld by US appeals court,&amp;quot; February 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/Business/theranos-founder-elizabeth-holmes-conviction-upheld-us-appeals/story?id=119135714.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes&#039;s only remaining avenue for appeal is the U.S. Supreme Court, though the Court accepts only a small percentage of petitions for review.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-appeal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes loses bid to have appeal of fraud conviction reheard,&amp;quot; May 8, 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/08/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-fraud-appeal.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== 2025 Pardon Campaign ==&lt;br /&gt;
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In late 2025, Holmes launched what observers characterized as a campaign for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump through social media activity. Her X (formerly Twitter) account, dormant since 2015, resumed posting in August 2025. The account states that posts are &amp;quot;Mostly my words, posted by others,&amp;quot; as federal inmates are not permitted direct internet access. Holmes&#039;s husband Billy Evans links to her X account from his own profile, suggesting he or someone else close to her is posting on her behalf.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Mercury News, &amp;quot;Is Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes angling for a pardon from President Trump?,&amp;quot; November 30, 2025, https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/30/theranos-fraudster-elizabeth-holmes-pardon-trump/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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The content of Holmes&#039;s posts marked a dramatic shift from her previous public persona. Her 2015 posts had featured praise for influential women such as Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, and Melinda Gates. By late 2025, her account was posting overtly pro-Trump and pro-MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) content, including references to RFK Jr.&#039;s health agenda, criticism of Trump opponents like New York Attorney General Letitia James, praise for Trump-aligned pastor Mark Burns, and arguments that Democrats prioritize &amp;quot;foreign nationals over our citizens.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Public relations consultant Sam Singer, reviewing the account&#039;s posts, concluded: &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes is openly seeking a pardon from President Trump, hoping that by a combination of sucking up and perhaps digital fawning that she will get it.&amp;quot; Singer also noted that the strategy might be counterproductive, as &amp;quot;it also plays right into the narrative about Elizabeth Holmes that she&#039;s a con woman.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sfstandard-pardon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;SF Standard, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes is Bryan Johnson&#039;s newest reply-guy on X,&amp;quot; September 2, 2025, https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/02/elizabeth-holmes-bryan-johnson-prison-tweets/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Trump&#039;s pardon history provides some basis for optimism on Holmes&#039;s part. According to a U.S. Justice Department list, Trump&#039;s 69 second-term pardons as of late 2025 included 19 people convicted of fraud. Professor Graham Dodds noted that while political alignment hasn&#039;t traditionally played a major role in pardon decisions, &amp;quot;emphatically it has been with Trump. He&#039;s happy to pardon people who are politically simpatico.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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However, one significant obstacle may work against Holmes: among Theranos&#039;s investor-victims was Betsy DeVos, Trump&#039;s former Education Secretary and a prominent Republican donor. Whether this connection would influence Trump&#039;s consideration of any pardon request remains unclear.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What did Elizabeth Holmes do to go to prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes was convicted in January 2022 on four counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud investors in her blood-testing startup Theranos. The company claimed its proprietary Edison device could perform over 200 medical diagnostic tests using only a few drops of blood from a finger prick—a revolutionary breakthrough that would make blood testing faster, cheaper, and less painful than traditional methods requiring full vials drawn from veins. In reality, the technology never worked as advertised. Evidence at trial showed Holmes knew the devices produced unreliable results but continued to raise over $700 million from investors including Rupert Murdoch, the Walton family, Betsy DeVos, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison by making false claims about the technology&#039;s capabilities, fabricating demonstration results, and overstating the company&#039;s financials and contracts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-holmes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes Sentenced,&amp;quot; November 18, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/elizabeth-holmes-sentenced-more-11-years-defrauding-theranos-investors.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes may be released 2 years earlier than originally sentenced,&amp;quot; July 12, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/07/12/1187174553/elizabeth-holmes-sentence-reduced.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How did Elizabeth Holmes get caught?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = The unraveling of Theranos began with two courageous whistleblowers: Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung, both young laboratory employees who independently discovered that the company&#039;s blood-testing technology did not work as claimed. Shultz, whose grandfather George Shultz (former Secretary of State) sat on the Theranos board, joined the company in 2013 and quickly observed data manipulation and a culture of secrecy. Cheung, a recent UC Berkeley graduate, witnessed lab technicians routinely deleting data &amp;quot;outliers&amp;quot; to make quality control tests appear to pass. Both separately contacted Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou, who published a devastating exposé in October 2015 revealing that Theranos was secretly running most of its tests on conventional third-party machines rather than its proprietary Edison devices. Cheung also filed a complaint with the Centers for Medicare &amp;amp; Medicaid Services, triggering a federal inspection. Despite intense legal pressure from Theranos—Holmes hired powerhouse attorney David Boies to threaten the whistleblowers with lawsuits and deployed private investigators to follow them—Shultz and Cheung persisted. Carreyrou later credited them as essential to his reporting, stating he could not have broken the story without them.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-whistleblower&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Theranos whistleblower celebrated Elizabeth Holmes verdict by &#039;popping champagne,&#039;&amp;quot; January 5, 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/01/05/1070474663/theranos-whistleblower-tyler-shultz-elizabeth-holmes-verdict-champagne.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wsj-shultz&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wall Street Journal, &amp;quot;How Theranos Whistleblowers Overcame Fears,&amp;quot; December 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/theranos-whistleblower-tyler-shultz-1544024088.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How long is Elizabeth Holmes in prison for?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months (135 months) in federal prison in November 2022. She began serving her sentence on May 30, 2023, at Federal Prison Camp Bryan, a minimum-security facility approximately 100 miles northwest of Houston, Texas. Through good conduct credits, participation in prison programs, and a March 2026 court-ordered sentence reduction of 12 months (under U.S.S.G. § 4C1.1), her projected release date has been reduced multiple times—first to December 29, 2032, then to August 16, 2032, and most recently by a full year following Judge Davila&#039;s March 26, 2026 ruling.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;corrections1-reduction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Corrections1, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes seeks sentence reduction, citing rehabilitation work in prison,&amp;quot; June 21, 2025, https://www.corrections1.com/legal/elizabeth-holmes-seeks-sentence-reduction-citing-rehabilitation-work-in-prison.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-release&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes shaves more time off her sentence,&amp;quot; May 7, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/07/tech/elizabeth-holmes-prison-release-date.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Our [[Federal Sentence Calculator]] estimates Elizabeth Holmes will serve about 66.75 months in federal prison and transfer to a halfway house around December 2028. She will then serve 12 months in the halfway house or home confinement and be released from Bureau of Prisons custody on or around December 2029.&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What prison is Elizabeth Holmes in?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes is incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Bryan (FPC Bryan), a minimum-security women&#039;s facility located in Bryan, Texas, approximately 100 miles northwest of Houston. The facility primarily houses non-violent female offenders and offers various rehabilitative programs. Holmes works as a reentry clerk, earning approximately 31 cents per hour to help other women inmates prepare for release. She also attends weekly therapy for PTSD and has participated in or joined waitlists for programs including trauma treatment and counseling. The facility allows visitation, and Holmes has been photographed during family visits with her husband Billy Evans and their two young children. Other notable inmates at FPC Bryan have included former &amp;quot;Real Housewives of Salt Lake City&amp;quot; star Jen Shah, who was also serving a sentence for wire fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;today-update&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Today, &amp;quot;Where is Elizabeth Holmes now? An update on the disgraced biotech founder,&amp;quot; February 13, 2025, https://www.today.com/news/elizabeth-holmes-now-rcna191899.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-release&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes sees more months trimmed from prison release date,&amp;quot; May 6, 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elizabeth-holmes-prison-release-date-rcna149825.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Did Elizabeth Holmes fake her voice?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = This remains one of the most debated aspects of Holmes&#039;s persona. Multiple former Theranos employees and associates have claimed that Holmes&#039;s distinctive deep baritone voice was an affectation she adopted to project authority in the male-dominated tech industry. Former coworker Ana Arriola told the ABC podcast &amp;quot;The Dropout&amp;quot; that at a company party, Holmes &amp;quot;fell out of character and exposed that that was not necessarily her true voice.&amp;quot; Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou, who broke the Theranos story, cited sources who witnessed Holmes &amp;quot;forget to put on the baritone&amp;quot; and slip into &amp;quot;a more natural-sounding young woman&#039;s voice.&amp;quot; A 2005 NPR interview is often cited as evidence, showing Holmes briefly speaking in a higher register before shifting to her signature deep tone—a difference audio analysts have measured at approximately 100 hertz. Stanford professor Dr. Phyllis Gardner, who taught Holmes, has stated Holmes did not speak with a low voice when she knew her as a student. However, Holmes&#039;s family has told media outlets that her deep voice is natural and &amp;quot;runs in the family, including her grandmother.&amp;quot; Research on voice and leadership suggests people perceive lower voices as more dominant and authoritative, which may explain why Holmes would have adopted such a speaking style if it was indeed affected.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;refinery29-voice&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Refinery29, &amp;quot;Is Elizabeth Holmes Deep Voice Part Of Theranos Scam?,&amp;quot; March 21, 2019, https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/01/222442/elizabeth-holmes-real-voice-psychology.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bustle-voice&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bustle, &amp;quot;Was Elizabeth Holmes&#039; Deep Voice Real Or Fake?,&amp;quot; March 4, 2022, https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/elizabeth-holmes-real-fake-voice.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Who is Elizabeth Holmes&#039;s husband, and is she still married?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes is married to William &amp;quot;Billy&amp;quot; Evans, an heir to the Evans Hotel Group, a family-owned chain of luxury hotels in the San Diego area. The couple met at a Fleet Week charity party in 2017—after Theranos&#039;s fraud had already been exposed but before Holmes&#039;s criminal indictment—and married in a private ceremony in 2019. Evans, who is approximately eight years younger than Holmes, holds an economics degree from MIT and previously worked at Luminar Technologies, an autonomous vehicle sensor company. The couple has two children together: a son, William Holmes Evans, born in July 2021 (which delayed Holmes&#039;s trial), and a daughter, Invicta, born in early 2023 (shortly before Holmes reported to prison). Evans&#039;s family reportedly did not initially approve of the relationship, with sources describing them as believing he had been &amp;quot;brainwashed.&amp;quot; Nevertheless, Evans has remained steadfastly supportive throughout Holmes&#039;s trial and imprisonment, regularly visiting her in prison with their children. In May 2025, NPR reported that Evans had raised millions of dollars for a new AI-powered biotech startup called Haemanthus (Greek for &amp;quot;blood flower&amp;quot;), and that Holmes has been informally advising him on the project from prison—raising eyebrows given her fraud conviction in the same field.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-evans&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes&#039;s partner raises millions for new biotech startup,&amp;quot; May 10, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/05/10/nx-s1-5393950/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-billy-evans-blood-testing.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;hollywoodlife-evans&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Hollywood Life, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes&#039; Partner: Everything to Know About William &#039;Billy&#039; Evans,&amp;quot; May 11, 2025, https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/elizabeth-holmes-husband-william-evans-4527589/amp/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = When will Elizabeth Holmes be released from prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Following a March 2026 court-ordered sentence reduction of 12 months, Holmes&#039;s projected BOP release date has moved up to approximately December 2030. Her original sentence of 135 months was reduced to 123 months by Judge Edward Davila under a retroactive sentencing guideline for first-time, non-violent offenders.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Our [[Federal Sentence Calculator]] estimates she may transfer to a halfway house around December 2028. After release from BOP custody, she will be required to serve three years of supervised release. However, if Holmes receives a presidential pardon, she could be released immediately.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;corrections1-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;today-update&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Is Elizabeth Holmes seeking a pardon from Trump?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = According to public relations experts and media reports, Holmes appears to be actively campaigning for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Her X (formerly Twitter) account, dormant since 2015, resumed posting in August 2025 with content that PR consultant Sam Singer characterized as &amp;quot;openly seeking a pardon&amp;quot; through &amp;quot;sucking up and perhaps digital fawning.&amp;quot; The account posts pro-Trump and pro-MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) content, references to RFK Jr.&#039;s health agenda, and criticism of Trump opponents. Since federal inmates cannot access the internet directly, the posts are made on her behalf, likely by her husband Billy Evans. One potential obstacle is that Betsy DeVos, Trump&#039;s former Education Secretary, was among Theranos&#039;s defrauded investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sfstandard-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What happened to the whistleblowers after they exposed Theranos?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung both faced significant personal and professional consequences for their decision to speak out. Theranos hired powerhouse attorney David Boies to threaten both with lawsuits alleging they had leaked trade secrets. Holmes also deployed private investigators to conduct surveillance on them. Shultz&#039;s father reportedly began sleeping with a knife under his pillow due to fear of retaliation. Perhaps most painfully for Shultz, his grandfather George Shultz—the former Secretary of State who sat on the Theranos board—initially sided with Holmes over his own grandson, telling Tyler he was wrong. The two had a falling out that lasted months, though they eventually reconciled before George Shultz&#039;s death in 2021. Cheung described the three years after coming forward as &amp;quot;some of the hardest years of my life&amp;quot; and eventually moved to Hong Kong to escape the scrutiny. However, both have since rebuilt their careers. Shultz returned to Stanford, founded his own biotech company (Flux Biosciences) in 2017, and later started The Healthyr Company in 2022. Cheung co-founded Ethics in Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit organization focused on embedding ethical practices in startups. When Holmes was convicted in January 2022, Shultz celebrated by &amp;quot;popping champagne&amp;quot; with his family, telling NPR: &amp;quot;This story has been unfolding for pretty much my entire adult life.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-whistleblower&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;federal-lawyer-whistleblowers&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Lawyer, &amp;quot;Theranos Whistleblowers,&amp;quot; February 14, 2024, https://federal-lawyer.com/theranos-whistleblowers/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Why was Elizabeth Holmes convicted of defrauding investors but not patients?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = The jury found Holmes guilty on four counts related to defrauding investors but acquitted her on four counts related to defrauding patients. Legal analysts have suggested several reasons for this split verdict. The investor fraud case was more straightforward: prosecutors presented evidence that Holmes made specific, quantifiable false statements to sophisticated investors about Theranos&#039;s technology, revenue projections, and business contracts—claims that were demonstrably untrue and which directly induced those investors to provide hundreds of millions of dollars. The patient fraud case was more complex. While Theranos&#039;s technology clearly produced inaccurate test results that harmed patients who received incorrect diagnoses, proving Holmes&#039;s direct criminal intent to defraud individual patients was more difficult. Many patients may not have known their tests were processed by Theranos equipment, and the chain of causation between Holmes&#039;s statements and harm to specific patients was less direct than with investors. Additionally, some jurors may have distinguished between Holmes&#039;s role as a business executive making claims to investors versus her responsibility for clinical laboratory operations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What is Elizabeth Holmes doing in prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = According to a February 2025 interview with People magazine—her first interview since entering prison—Holmes works as a reentry clerk, helping other female inmates prepare for their release. She earns approximately 31 cents per hour. Holmes attends weekly therapy for PTSD and has participated in or joined waitlists for every rehabilitation program recommended by prison personnel, including trauma treatment and counseling. She told People that she continues to write patents for new inventions and intends to return to the healthcare technology industry after her release. Holmes described her time in prison as &amp;quot;hell and torture&amp;quot; and said being separated from her two young children &amp;quot;shatters my world.&amp;quot; She maintains her innocence, stating &amp;quot;Theranos failed. But failure is not fraud.&amp;quot; Holmes also reportedly collects breast milk for her daughter during her incarceration, describing it as &amp;quot;a way to love her in here.&amp;quot; In 2025, it was reported that Holmes has been informally advising her husband Billy Evans on his new biotech startup from prison, though she has stated she will not take a formal role in the company.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc7-interview&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC7, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes interview: Convicted Theranos founder opens up from prison,&amp;quot; February 12, 2025, https://abc7news.com/post/elizabeth-holmes-interview-convicted-theranos-founder-opens-prison-new-people-heres-what-shes/15898456/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-evans&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Is Elizabeth Holmes a sociopath?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = This question has been widely debated by media commentators, psychologists, and the public, though no formal diagnosis has been publicly disclosed. Holmes has never been diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder (the clinical term for what is colloquially called sociopathy) in any court or medical filing. During her trial, Holmes&#039;s defense team presented evidence of psychological trauma, including her claim that she was sexually assaulted while at Stanford and her testimony that former boyfriend and Theranos COO Sunny Balwani emotionally and sexually abused her during their relationship (which Balwani has denied). Some observers point to Holmes&#039;s ability to maintain a potentially fake deep voice for years, her apparent lack of remorse, and her continued insistence on her innocence despite overwhelming evidence as signs of sociopathic traits. Others note that ambition, deception, and rationalization of wrongdoing—while morally troubling—do not necessarily indicate a personality disorder. Holmes&#039;s ability to deceive sophisticated investors, board members including former Secretaries of State, and media outlets for over a decade does suggest an unusual capacity for sustained manipulation, but whether this rises to the level of a clinical diagnosis remains speculative.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements and Positions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Throughout her prosecution and afterward, Holmes has maintained that she believed in Theranos&#039;s technology and did not intend to defraud anyone. At trial, she testified that she had worked tirelessly to make the company&#039;s technology succeed and that she genuinely believed in its potential. She also alleged that Balwani had exerted psychological control over her, though prosecutors argued this was an attempt to deflect responsibility.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a 2025 interview from prison, Holmes stated that she still intended to revolutionize the medical testing industry—suggesting she has not abandoned her belief in the underlying concept, even if Theranos failed to achieve it. This statement drew criticism from those who viewed it as evidence that she still did not fully appreciate the harm caused by her fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;people-interview&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Wire Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: A federal crime involving the use of electronic communications to execute a scheme to defraud.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Securities Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: Illegal practices that induce investors to make decisions based on false information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credit&#039;&#039;&#039;: Reduction in a federal prison sentence for good behavior and participation in programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Restitution&#039;&#039;&#039;: Court-ordered payment from the offender to victims to compensate for financial losses caused by the crime.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Billy McFarland&lt;br /&gt;
* Prison Consultants&lt;br /&gt;
* White Collar Crime&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
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{{MetaDescription|Elizabeth Holmes 2026 update: sentence reduced by 1 year (March 2026). Projected release December 2029. Trump pardon campaign, FPC Bryan prison status.}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Holmes&amp;diff=5557</id>
		<title>Elizabeth Holmes</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Holmes&amp;diff=5557"/>
		<updated>2026-03-28T20:20:04Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Update: March 2026 sentence reduction (12 months), updated release projections, added NY Post reference&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Elizabeth Anne Holmes&lt;br /&gt;
|image = elizabeth-holmes.png&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = February 3, 1984&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = Washington, D.C.&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Conspiracy to commit fraud on investors, Wire fraud&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 123 months (reduced from 135 by court order, Mar 2026)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = FPC Bryan&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Incarcerated&lt;br /&gt;
|conviction_date = January 3, 2022&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Elizabeth Anne Holmes&#039;&#039;&#039; (born February 3, 1984) is an American former biotechnology entrepreneur and convicted fraudster who was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for defrauding investors in Theranos, Inc., the blood-testing startup she founded, of hundreds of millions of dollars.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes Sentenced To More Than 11 Years For Defrauding Theranos Investors Of Hundreds Of Millions,&amp;quot; November 18, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/elizabeth-holmes-sentenced-more-11-years-defrauding-theranos-investors-hundreds.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Once celebrated as a visionary entrepreneur and the world&#039;s youngest self-made female billionaire, Holmes built Theranos on claims that the company&#039;s proprietary technology could perform comprehensive blood tests from a single finger prick—claims that were largely false. The company raised over $700 million from investors and was valued at $9 billion at its peak before investigations revealed that its technology did not work as represented.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-theranos&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Britannica, &amp;quot;Theranos, Inc.,&amp;quot; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theranos-Inc.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In January 2022, a federal jury convicted Holmes on four counts of fraud against investors, and she began serving her sentence at a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas in May 2023. Her appeals have been rejected, and her sentence was reduced by one year in March 2026, and she is currently projected for release around 2029-2030.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-prison&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes has started her 11-year prison sentence. Here&#039;s what to know,&amp;quot; May 30, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/05/30/1178728092/elizabeth-holmes-prison-sentence-theranos-fraud-silicon-valley.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Current Status (March 2026) ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:right; margin-left:1em; width:300px;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
! colspan=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;background:#f8f9fa; text-align:center;&amp;quot; | &#039;&#039;&#039;Elizabeth Holmes Status&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Current Location:&#039;&#039;&#039; || [[FPC_Bryan|FPC Bryan]], Texas&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Original Sentence:&#039;&#039;&#039; || 135 months (11 years, 3 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Reduced Sentence:&#039;&#039;&#039; || 123 months (10 years, 3 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Reported to Prison:&#039;&#039;&#039; || May 30, 2023&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Time Served:&#039;&#039;&#039; || ~34 months (as of Mar 2026)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credits:&#039;&#039;&#039; || ~28 months earned&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Projected Halfway House:&#039;&#039;&#039; || December 2028&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;BOP Scheduled Release:&#039;&#039;&#039; || ~December 2030&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Appeal Status:&#039;&#039;&#039; || Denied by 9th Circuit (Feb 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Sentence Reduction:&#039;&#039;&#039; || 12 months (granted Mar 26, 2026)&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| &#039;&#039;&#039;Pardon Campaign:&#039;&#039;&#039; || Active (via social media, Dec 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;As of March 2026&#039;&#039;&#039;, Elizabeth Holmes remains incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, where she works as a reentry clerk helping fellow inmates prepare for release. She has earned substantial good time credits that have reduced her effective sentence by approximately two years. Her appeals have been exhausted at the circuit level, with the Ninth Circuit denying her request for rehearing in May 2025. Her only remaining option is a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== March 2026 Sentence Reduction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On March 26, 2026, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila granted Holmes a 12-month sentence reduction, lowering her sentence from 135 months to 123 months (10 years, 3 months). The reduction was made under U.S. Sentencing Guideline Section 4C1.1, a retroactive amendment that took effect on November 1, 2023, which allows a two-level offense reduction for first-time, non-violent offenders who &amp;quot;did not personally cause substantial financial hardship.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York Post, &amp;quot;Disgraced Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes just caught a break in court -- and prosecutors aren&#039;t happy,&amp;quot; March 27, 2026, https://nypost.com/2026/03/27/business/disgraced-theranos-fraudster-elizabeth-holmes-just-caught-a-break-in-court-and-prosecutors-arent-happy/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prosecutors opposed the reduction, arguing that Holmes&#039;s fraud totaled over $450 million in restitution and constituted substantial financial hardship. Judge Davila rejected that argument, finding that &amp;quot;substantial financial hardship&amp;quot; requires individualized evidence that a specific victim experienced hardship relative to their financial circumstances -- and that even probation officials could not identify a single Theranos investor who met that threshold. The judge noted that Theranos&#039;s investors had represented they could absorb a complete loss of their investments.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Davila was careful to note that the reduction &amp;quot;does not diminish the enormity of Holmes&#039;s crimes,&amp;quot; and that &amp;quot;the hundreds of millions of dollars in losses caused by Holmes&#039;s fraud speak for themselves.&amp;quot; He also cited Holmes&#039;s clean prison record -- zero disciplinary infractions since reporting to FPC Bryan in May 2023 -- as a factor weighing in her favor. Prosecutors had argued Holmes remains a risk to reoffend, citing her continued interest in healthcare technology and her involvement advising a startup run by her husband Billy Evans. Davila was not persuaded, writing that Holmes&#039;s notoriety and the scrutiny she now faces make it far less likely she could carry out a similar scheme again.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The revised sentence of 123 months places Holmes squarely in the middle of a new sentencing range of 108 to 135 months under the revised guidelines.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Our [[Federal Sentence Calculator]] estimates Holmes will now transfer to a halfway house around December 2028 and be released from Bureau of Prisons custody on or around December 2029.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Elizabeth Holmes became one of the most prominent examples of Silicon Valley fraud when the massive gap between Theranos&#039;s promises and its actual capabilities was exposed in 2015 and 2016. For years, Holmes had presented herself as a wunderkind inventor who would revolutionize healthcare by making blood testing faster, cheaper, and less invasive. She cultivated a distinctive image—black turtlenecks reminiscent of Steve Jobs, an unnaturally deep voice, and an intense, unblinking gaze—and assembled a board of directors and roster of investors that read like a who&#039;s who of American business and politics.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Britannica, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes,&amp;quot; https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-Holmes.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The reality, as federal prosecutors established at trial, was that Holmes knowingly misrepresented Theranos&#039;s technology to investors, partners, and regulators. The company&#039;s proprietary blood-testing devices, called &amp;quot;Edison&amp;quot; machines, could not reliably perform the tests Holmes claimed they could. To fulfill promises to partners like Walgreens, Theranos secretly used conventional blood-testing equipment from other manufacturers, sometimes running tests on diluted samples from finger pricks that produced unreliable results. When employees raised concerns about the technology&#039;s limitations, they were often ignored, marginalized, or forced out.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;U.S. v. Elizabeth Holmes, et al.,&amp;quot; https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/us-v-elizabeth-holmes-et-al.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes&#039;s conviction and sentence sent a message about accountability in Silicon Valley, where the culture of &amp;quot;fake it till you make it&amp;quot; had sometimes been used to excuse or even celebrate exaggerated claims by startup founders. Her case demonstrated that there are legal limits to promotional puffery, especially when it crosses into material misrepresentation to investors and endangers patients who relied on inaccurate test results for medical decisions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-appeal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fortune, &amp;quot;Theranos&#039; Elizabeth Holmes loses bid to overturn her fraud conviction,&amp;quot; February 25, 2025, https://fortune.com/2025/02/25/theranos-elizabeth-holmes-losses-bid-overturn-fraud-conviction/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life and Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Elizabeth Anne Holmes was born on February 3, 1984, in Washington, D.C. Her father, Christian Holmes IV, worked for government agencies including USAID and later for energy companies, while her mother, Noel Anne Daoust, worked as a congressional committee staffer. Holmes grew up in Houston, Texas, and showed ambition and intelligence from an early age, reportedly telling family members as a child that she wanted to be a billionaire.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes attended St. John&#039;s School, an elite private school in Houston, where she excelled academically. She enrolled at Stanford University in 2002 to study chemical engineering. During her freshman and sophomore years, she worked in labs and became interested in developing new diagnostic technologies. In 2003, she filed her first patent application, which would eventually be granted for a wearable drug-delivery device.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2004, after completing her sophomore year, Holmes dropped out of Stanford to found Real-Time Cures, the company that would later become Theranos. She was 19 years old.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Building Theranos ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes founded her company with the ambitious goal of revolutionizing blood testing. The premise was appealing: traditional blood tests required drawing multiple vials of blood from a patient&#039;s arm, sending them to a lab, and waiting days for results. Holmes claimed that Theranos (a portmanteau of &amp;quot;therapy&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;diagnosis&amp;quot;) could perform hundreds of tests from just a few drops of blood obtained from a finger prick, with results available in hours.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
To build Theranos, Holmes recruited investors and advisers from the highest levels of American business and politics. The company&#039;s board eventually included former Secretaries of State George Shultz and Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of Defense William Perry, former CDC Director William Foege, and former Wells Fargo CEO Richard Kovacevich, among others. Major investors included Rupert Murdoch, the Walton family (founders of Walmart), and the DeVos family, and the company raised over $700 million in total funding.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At its peak valuation in 2014, Theranos was worth an estimated $9 billion, making Holmes, who owned approximately half the company, worth roughly $4.5 billion on paper—making her the world&#039;s youngest self-made female billionaire according to Forbes. Holmes appeared on magazine covers, delivered TED talks, and was celebrated as a visionary who would transform healthcare.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Technology&#039;s Failures ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Behind the scenes, Theranos was struggling to make its technology work. The company&#039;s proprietary &amp;quot;Edison&amp;quot; blood-testing devices had significant reliability problems and could not perform nearly the range of tests that Holmes claimed. Internal documents and testimony from former employees would later reveal that Theranos executives, including Holmes and her second-in-command Ramesh &amp;quot;Sunny&amp;quot; Balwani, knew about these limitations but continued to make false claims to investors and partners.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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To fulfill its partnership with Walgreens, which began offering Theranos testing at stores in Arizona and California, the company secretly used conventional blood-testing equipment purchased from other manufacturers for most tests. When it did use its own devices, it sometimes diluted finger-prick samples to obtain enough blood volume—a practice that could compromise accuracy. Some Theranos test results were so unreliable that patients received false indications of serious medical conditions, causing unnecessary distress and potentially dangerous medical decisions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Investigative Journalism and Collapse ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Theranos&#039;s carefully constructed image began to crumble in October 2015 when John Carreyrou, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, published an investigation revealing that the company&#039;s technology did not work as claimed. Carreyrou&#039;s reporting, based in part on tips from former Theranos employees, exposed the gap between the company&#039;s promises and its actual capabilities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;britannica-theranos&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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The Wall Street Journal investigation triggered a cascade of regulatory actions and additional investigations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) inspected Theranos&#039;s laboratory and found serious deficiencies, eventually revoking its lab certification. The Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation into potential securities fraud, and the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Theranos shut down in September 2018, and Holmes was indicted by a federal grand jury the same month on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment alleged that Holmes and Balwani had engaged in a scheme to defraud investors, doctors, and patients by making false claims about Theranos&#039;s technology and business performance.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Trial and Conviction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Holmes&#039;s trial began in August 2021 in federal court in San Jose, California, before U.S. District Judge Edward Davila. The trial lasted approximately four months and included testimony from former Theranos employees, investors who had lost money, and patients who had received unreliable test results. Holmes took the stand in her own defense, testifying over several days about her belief in Theranos&#039;s technology and alleging that Balwani, who was also her romantic partner, had controlled her through emotional abuse.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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On January 3, 2022, the jury convicted Holmes on one count of conspiracy to commit fraud against investors and three counts of wire fraud involving specific investors. The jury acquitted her on charges related to defrauding patients and on some other investor-related counts. The conviction established that Holmes had knowingly deceived investors, though the acquittals suggested the jury was not convinced she had the same intent to defraud patients.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On November 18, 2022, Judge Davila sentenced Holmes to 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in federal prison. The sentence was below the maximum Holmes faced but substantially higher than the defense&#039;s request for home confinement. Holmes was also ordered to pay $452 million in restitution jointly with Balwani, including $125 million to Rupert Murdoch, who had invested in Theranos.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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At sentencing, Judge Davila noted the seriousness of Holmes&#039;s fraud and its impact on investors who had trusted her. &amp;quot;She had the brilliance to make it happen, she had the network to make it happen, and she chose the path of fraud,&amp;quot; the judge stated.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-prison&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Balwani, who was tried separately, was convicted on all counts and sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-case&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes reported to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas on May 30, 2023, to begin serving her sentence. The facility is a minimum-security prison camp that houses female inmates. Since arriving, Holmes has had time reduced from her sentence through the federal good time credit system, with approximately two years shaved off in July 2023 and an additional four months reduced in May 2024.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;darkdaily-reduction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Dark Daily, &amp;quot;Ex-Theranos Founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes Reduced Her Prison Sentence by Nearly Two Years,&amp;quot; May 31, 2024, https://www.darkdaily.com/2024/05/31/ex-theranos-founder-and-ceo-elizabeth-holmes-reduced-her-prison-sentence-by-nearly-two-years/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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In prison, Holmes works as a reentry clerk, earning 31 cents an hour helping fellow inmates prepare resumes and apply for jobs and government benefits. She maintains a daily exercise routine. Holmes, now a mother of two young children (born in 2021 and 2023, the latter shortly before she reported to prison), is separated from her family during her incarceration.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;people-interview&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Dark Daily, &amp;quot;People Magazine Interviews Elizabeth Holmes in Prison as Panel of Federal Judges Denies Appeal to Overturn Her Conviction,&amp;quot; March 7, 2025, https://www.darkdaily.com/2025/03/07/people-magazine-interviews-elizabeth-holmes-in-prison-as-panel-of-federal-judges-denies-appeal-to-overturn-her-conviction/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Following the March 2026 sentence reduction, Holmes is projected for release around 2030, though the exact date may vary based on additional good time credits or other factors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-prison&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Appeals ==&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes has pursued multiple appeals challenging her conviction and sentence. In February 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected her arguments and affirmed her conviction, finding no legal errors in her trial. In May 2025, the Ninth Circuit denied her request for a rehearing before the original three-judge panel.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc-appeal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC News, &amp;quot;Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes&#039; conviction upheld by US appeals court,&amp;quot; February 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/Business/theranos-founder-elizabeth-holmes-conviction-upheld-us-appeals/story?id=119135714.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Holmes&#039;s only remaining avenue for appeal is the U.S. Supreme Court, though the Court accepts only a small percentage of petitions for review.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-appeal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes loses bid to have appeal of fraud conviction reheard,&amp;quot; May 8, 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/08/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-fraud-appeal.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== 2025 Pardon Campaign ==&lt;br /&gt;
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In late 2025, Holmes launched what observers characterized as a campaign for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump through social media activity. Her X (formerly Twitter) account, dormant since 2015, resumed posting in August 2025. The account states that posts are &amp;quot;Mostly my words, posted by others,&amp;quot; as federal inmates are not permitted direct internet access. Holmes&#039;s husband Billy Evans links to her X account from his own profile, suggesting he or someone else close to her is posting on her behalf.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Mercury News, &amp;quot;Is Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes angling for a pardon from President Trump?,&amp;quot; November 30, 2025, https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/30/theranos-fraudster-elizabeth-holmes-pardon-trump/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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The content of Holmes&#039;s posts marked a dramatic shift from her previous public persona. Her 2015 posts had featured praise for influential women such as Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, and Melinda Gates. By late 2025, her account was posting overtly pro-Trump and pro-MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) content, including references to RFK Jr.&#039;s health agenda, criticism of Trump opponents like New York Attorney General Letitia James, praise for Trump-aligned pastor Mark Burns, and arguments that Democrats prioritize &amp;quot;foreign nationals over our citizens.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Public relations consultant Sam Singer, reviewing the account&#039;s posts, concluded: &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes is openly seeking a pardon from President Trump, hoping that by a combination of sucking up and perhaps digital fawning that she will get it.&amp;quot; Singer also noted that the strategy might be counterproductive, as &amp;quot;it also plays right into the narrative about Elizabeth Holmes that she&#039;s a con woman.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sfstandard-pardon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;SF Standard, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes is Bryan Johnson&#039;s newest reply-guy on X,&amp;quot; September 2, 2025, https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/02/elizabeth-holmes-bryan-johnson-prison-tweets/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Trump&#039;s pardon history provides some basis for optimism on Holmes&#039;s part. According to a U.S. Justice Department list, Trump&#039;s 69 second-term pardons as of late 2025 included 19 people convicted of fraud. Professor Graham Dodds noted that while political alignment hasn&#039;t traditionally played a major role in pardon decisions, &amp;quot;emphatically it has been with Trump. He&#039;s happy to pardon people who are politically simpatico.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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However, one significant obstacle may work against Holmes: among Theranos&#039;s investor-victims was Betsy DeVos, Trump&#039;s former Education Secretary and a prominent Republican donor. Whether this connection would influence Trump&#039;s consideration of any pardon request remains unclear.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What did Elizabeth Holmes do to go to prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes was convicted in January 2022 on four counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud investors in her blood-testing startup Theranos. The company claimed its proprietary Edison device could perform over 200 medical diagnostic tests using only a few drops of blood from a finger prick—a revolutionary breakthrough that would make blood testing faster, cheaper, and less painful than traditional methods requiring full vials drawn from veins. In reality, the technology never worked as advertised. Evidence at trial showed Holmes knew the devices produced unreliable results but continued to raise over $700 million from investors including Rupert Murdoch, the Walton family, Betsy DeVos, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison by making false claims about the technology&#039;s capabilities, fabricating demonstration results, and overstating the company&#039;s financials and contracts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-holmes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes Sentenced,&amp;quot; November 18, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/elizabeth-holmes-sentenced-more-11-years-defrauding-theranos-investors.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes may be released 2 years earlier than originally sentenced,&amp;quot; July 12, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/07/12/1187174553/elizabeth-holmes-sentence-reduced.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How did Elizabeth Holmes get caught?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = The unraveling of Theranos began with two courageous whistleblowers: Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung, both young laboratory employees who independently discovered that the company&#039;s blood-testing technology did not work as claimed. Shultz, whose grandfather George Shultz (former Secretary of State) sat on the Theranos board, joined the company in 2013 and quickly observed data manipulation and a culture of secrecy. Cheung, a recent UC Berkeley graduate, witnessed lab technicians routinely deleting data &amp;quot;outliers&amp;quot; to make quality control tests appear to pass. Both separately contacted Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou, who published a devastating exposé in October 2015 revealing that Theranos was secretly running most of its tests on conventional third-party machines rather than its proprietary Edison devices. Cheung also filed a complaint with the Centers for Medicare &amp;amp; Medicaid Services, triggering a federal inspection. Despite intense legal pressure from Theranos—Holmes hired powerhouse attorney David Boies to threaten the whistleblowers with lawsuits and deployed private investigators to follow them—Shultz and Cheung persisted. Carreyrou later credited them as essential to his reporting, stating he could not have broken the story without them.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-whistleblower&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Theranos whistleblower celebrated Elizabeth Holmes verdict by &#039;popping champagne,&#039;&amp;quot; January 5, 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/01/05/1070474663/theranos-whistleblower-tyler-shultz-elizabeth-holmes-verdict-champagne.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wsj-shultz&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wall Street Journal, &amp;quot;How Theranos Whistleblowers Overcame Fears,&amp;quot; December 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/theranos-whistleblower-tyler-shultz-1544024088.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How long is Elizabeth Holmes in prison for?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months (135 months) in federal prison in November 2022. She began serving her sentence on May 30, 2023, at Federal Prison Camp Bryan, a minimum-security facility approximately 100 miles northwest of Houston, Texas. Through good conduct credits, participation in prison programs, and a March 2026 court-ordered sentence reduction of 12 months (under U.S.S.G. § 4C1.1), her projected release date has been reduced multiple times—first to December 29, 2032, then to August 16, 2032, and most recently by a full year following Judge Davila&#039;s March 26, 2026 ruling.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;corrections1-reduction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Corrections1, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes seeks sentence reduction, citing rehabilitation work in prison,&amp;quot; June 21, 2025, https://www.corrections1.com/legal/elizabeth-holmes-seeks-sentence-reduction-citing-rehabilitation-work-in-prison.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-release&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes shaves more time off her sentence,&amp;quot; May 7, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/07/tech/elizabeth-holmes-prison-release-date.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Our [[Federal Sentence Calculator]] estimates Elizabeth Holmes will serve about 66.75 months in federal prison and transfer to a halfway house around December 2028. She will then serve 12 months in the halfway house or home confinement and be released from Bureau of Prisons custody on or around December 2029.&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What prison is Elizabeth Holmes in?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes is incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Bryan (FPC Bryan), a minimum-security women&#039;s facility located in Bryan, Texas, approximately 100 miles northwest of Houston. The facility primarily houses non-violent female offenders and offers various rehabilitative programs. Holmes works as a reentry clerk, earning approximately 31 cents per hour to help other women inmates prepare for release. She also attends weekly therapy for PTSD and has participated in or joined waitlists for programs including trauma treatment and counseling. The facility allows visitation, and Holmes has been photographed during family visits with her husband Billy Evans and their two young children. Other notable inmates at FPC Bryan have included former &amp;quot;Real Housewives of Salt Lake City&amp;quot; star Jen Shah, who was also serving a sentence for wire fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;today-update&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Today, &amp;quot;Where is Elizabeth Holmes now? An update on the disgraced biotech founder,&amp;quot; February 13, 2025, https://www.today.com/news/elizabeth-holmes-now-rcna191899.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-release&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes sees more months trimmed from prison release date,&amp;quot; May 6, 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elizabeth-holmes-prison-release-date-rcna149825.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Did Elizabeth Holmes fake her voice?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = This remains one of the most debated aspects of Holmes&#039;s persona. Multiple former Theranos employees and associates have claimed that Holmes&#039;s distinctive deep baritone voice was an affectation she adopted to project authority in the male-dominated tech industry. Former coworker Ana Arriola told the ABC podcast &amp;quot;The Dropout&amp;quot; that at a company party, Holmes &amp;quot;fell out of character and exposed that that was not necessarily her true voice.&amp;quot; Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou, who broke the Theranos story, cited sources who witnessed Holmes &amp;quot;forget to put on the baritone&amp;quot; and slip into &amp;quot;a more natural-sounding young woman&#039;s voice.&amp;quot; A 2005 NPR interview is often cited as evidence, showing Holmes briefly speaking in a higher register before shifting to her signature deep tone—a difference audio analysts have measured at approximately 100 hertz. Stanford professor Dr. Phyllis Gardner, who taught Holmes, has stated Holmes did not speak with a low voice when she knew her as a student. However, Holmes&#039;s family has told media outlets that her deep voice is natural and &amp;quot;runs in the family, including her grandmother.&amp;quot; Research on voice and leadership suggests people perceive lower voices as more dominant and authoritative, which may explain why Holmes would have adopted such a speaking style if it was indeed affected.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;refinery29-voice&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Refinery29, &amp;quot;Is Elizabeth Holmes Deep Voice Part Of Theranos Scam?,&amp;quot; March 21, 2019, https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/01/222442/elizabeth-holmes-real-voice-psychology.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bustle-voice&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bustle, &amp;quot;Was Elizabeth Holmes&#039; Deep Voice Real Or Fake?,&amp;quot; March 4, 2022, https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/elizabeth-holmes-real-fake-voice.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Who is Elizabeth Holmes&#039;s husband, and is she still married?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Holmes is married to William &amp;quot;Billy&amp;quot; Evans, an heir to the Evans Hotel Group, a family-owned chain of luxury hotels in the San Diego area. The couple met at a Fleet Week charity party in 2017—after Theranos&#039;s fraud had already been exposed but before Holmes&#039;s criminal indictment—and married in a private ceremony in 2019. Evans, who is approximately eight years younger than Holmes, holds an economics degree from MIT and previously worked at Luminar Technologies, an autonomous vehicle sensor company. The couple has two children together: a son, William Holmes Evans, born in July 2021 (which delayed Holmes&#039;s trial), and a daughter, Invicta, born in early 2023 (shortly before Holmes reported to prison). Evans&#039;s family reportedly did not initially approve of the relationship, with sources describing them as believing he had been &amp;quot;brainwashed.&amp;quot; Nevertheless, Evans has remained steadfastly supportive throughout Holmes&#039;s trial and imprisonment, regularly visiting her in prison with their children. In May 2025, NPR reported that Evans had raised millions of dollars for a new AI-powered biotech startup called Haemanthus (Greek for &amp;quot;blood flower&amp;quot;), and that Holmes has been informally advising him on the project from prison—raising eyebrows given her fraud conviction in the same field.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-evans&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes&#039;s partner raises millions for new biotech startup,&amp;quot; May 10, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/05/10/nx-s1-5393950/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-billy-evans-blood-testing.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;hollywoodlife-evans&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Hollywood Life, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes&#039; Partner: Everything to Know About William &#039;Billy&#039; Evans,&amp;quot; May 11, 2025, https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/elizabeth-holmes-husband-william-evans-4527589/amp/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = When will Elizabeth Holmes be released from prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Following a March 2026 court-ordered sentence reduction of 12 months, Holmes&#039;s projected BOP release date has moved up to approximately December 2030. Her original sentence of 135 months was reduced to 123 months by Judge Edward Davila under a retroactive sentencing guideline for first-time, non-violent offenders.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Our [[Federal Sentence Calculator]] estimates she may transfer to a halfway house around December 2028. After release from BOP custody, she will be required to serve three years of supervised release. However, if Holmes receives a presidential pardon, she could be released immediately.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nypost-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;corrections1-reduction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;today-update&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Is Elizabeth Holmes seeking a pardon from Trump?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = According to public relations experts and media reports, Holmes appears to be actively campaigning for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Her X (formerly Twitter) account, dormant since 2015, resumed posting in August 2025 with content that PR consultant Sam Singer characterized as &amp;quot;openly seeking a pardon&amp;quot; through &amp;quot;sucking up and perhaps digital fawning.&amp;quot; The account posts pro-Trump and pro-MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) content, references to RFK Jr.&#039;s health agenda, and criticism of Trump opponents. Since federal inmates cannot access the internet directly, the posts are made on her behalf, likely by her husband Billy Evans. One potential obstacle is that Betsy DeVos, Trump&#039;s former Education Secretary, was among Theranos&#039;s defrauded investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mercurynews-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sfstandard-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What happened to the whistleblowers after they exposed Theranos?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung both faced significant personal and professional consequences for their decision to speak out. Theranos hired powerhouse attorney David Boies to threaten both with lawsuits alleging they had leaked trade secrets. Holmes also deployed private investigators to conduct surveillance on them. Shultz&#039;s father reportedly began sleeping with a knife under his pillow due to fear of retaliation. Perhaps most painfully for Shultz, his grandfather George Shultz—the former Secretary of State who sat on the Theranos board—initially sided with Holmes over his own grandson, telling Tyler he was wrong. The two had a falling out that lasted months, though they eventually reconciled before George Shultz&#039;s death in 2021. Cheung described the three years after coming forward as &amp;quot;some of the hardest years of my life&amp;quot; and eventually moved to Hong Kong to escape the scrutiny. However, both have since rebuilt their careers. Shultz returned to Stanford, founded his own biotech company (Flux Biosciences) in 2017, and later started The Healthyr Company in 2022. Cheung co-founded Ethics in Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit organization focused on embedding ethical practices in startups. When Holmes was convicted in January 2022, Shultz celebrated by &amp;quot;popping champagne&amp;quot; with his family, telling NPR: &amp;quot;This story has been unfolding for pretty much my entire adult life.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-whistleblower&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;federal-lawyer-whistleblowers&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Lawyer, &amp;quot;Theranos Whistleblowers,&amp;quot; February 14, 2024, https://federal-lawyer.com/theranos-whistleblowers/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Why was Elizabeth Holmes convicted of defrauding investors but not patients?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = The jury found Holmes guilty on four counts related to defrauding investors but acquitted her on four counts related to defrauding patients. Legal analysts have suggested several reasons for this split verdict. The investor fraud case was more straightforward: prosecutors presented evidence that Holmes made specific, quantifiable false statements to sophisticated investors about Theranos&#039;s technology, revenue projections, and business contracts—claims that were demonstrably untrue and which directly induced those investors to provide hundreds of millions of dollars. The patient fraud case was more complex. While Theranos&#039;s technology clearly produced inaccurate test results that harmed patients who received incorrect diagnoses, proving Holmes&#039;s direct criminal intent to defraud individual patients was more difficult. Many patients may not have known their tests were processed by Theranos equipment, and the chain of causation between Holmes&#039;s statements and harm to specific patients was less direct than with investors. Additionally, some jurors may have distinguished between Holmes&#039;s role as a business executive making claims to investors versus her responsibility for clinical laboratory operations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What is Elizabeth Holmes doing in prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = According to a February 2025 interview with People magazine—her first interview since entering prison—Holmes works as a reentry clerk, helping other female inmates prepare for their release. She earns approximately 31 cents per hour. Holmes attends weekly therapy for PTSD and has participated in or joined waitlists for every rehabilitation program recommended by prison personnel, including trauma treatment and counseling. She told People that she continues to write patents for new inventions and intends to return to the healthcare technology industry after her release. Holmes described her time in prison as &amp;quot;hell and torture&amp;quot; and said being separated from her two young children &amp;quot;shatters my world.&amp;quot; She maintains her innocence, stating &amp;quot;Theranos failed. But failure is not fraud.&amp;quot; Holmes also reportedly collects breast milk for her daughter during her incarceration, describing it as &amp;quot;a way to love her in here.&amp;quot; In 2025, it was reported that Holmes has been informally advising her husband Billy Evans on his new biotech startup from prison, though she has stated she will not take a formal role in the company.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc7-interview&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC7, &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes interview: Convicted Theranos founder opens up from prison,&amp;quot; February 12, 2025, https://abc7news.com/post/elizabeth-holmes-interview-convicted-theranos-founder-opens-prison-new-people-heres-what-shes/15898456/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-evans&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Is Elizabeth Holmes a sociopath?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = This question has been widely debated by media commentators, psychologists, and the public, though no formal diagnosis has been publicly disclosed. Holmes has never been diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder (the clinical term for what is colloquially called sociopathy) in any court or medical filing. During her trial, Holmes&#039;s defense team presented evidence of psychological trauma, including her claim that she was sexually assaulted while at Stanford and her testimony that former boyfriend and Theranos COO Sunny Balwani emotionally and sexually abused her during their relationship (which Balwani has denied). Some observers point to Holmes&#039;s ability to maintain a potentially fake deep voice for years, her apparent lack of remorse, and her continued insistence on her innocence despite overwhelming evidence as signs of sociopathic traits. Others note that ambition, deception, and rationalization of wrongdoing—while morally troubling—do not necessarily indicate a personality disorder. Holmes&#039;s ability to deceive sophisticated investors, board members including former Secretaries of State, and media outlets for over a decade does suggest an unusual capacity for sustained manipulation, but whether this rises to the level of a clinical diagnosis remains speculative.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-holmes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements and Positions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Throughout her prosecution and afterward, Holmes has maintained that she believed in Theranos&#039;s technology and did not intend to defraud anyone. At trial, she testified that she had worked tirelessly to make the company&#039;s technology succeed and that she genuinely believed in its potential. She also alleged that Balwani had exerted psychological control over her, though prosecutors argued this was an attempt to deflect responsibility.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a 2025 interview from prison, Holmes stated that she still intended to revolutionize the medical testing industry—suggesting she has not abandoned her belief in the underlying concept, even if Theranos failed to achieve it. This statement drew criticism from those who viewed it as evidence that she still did not fully appreciate the harm caused by her fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;people-interview&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Wire Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: A federal crime involving the use of electronic communications to execute a scheme to defraud.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Securities Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: Illegal practices that induce investors to make decisions based on false information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credit&#039;&#039;&#039;: Reduction in a federal prison sentence for good behavior and participation in programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Restitution&#039;&#039;&#039;: Court-ordered payment from the offender to victims to compensate for financial losses caused by the crime.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Billy McFarland&lt;br /&gt;
* Prison Consultants&lt;br /&gt;
* White Collar Crime&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Elizabeth Holmes was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud investors in her blood-testing startup Theranos. The company claimed its proprietary Edison device could perform over 200 medical diagnostic tests using only a few drops of blood from a finger prick. In reality, the technology never worked as advertised. Holmes raised over $700 million from investors by making false claims about the technology&#039;s capabilities while knowing the devices produced unreliable results.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Following a March 2026 court-ordered sentence reduction of 12 months, Holmes is now projected for BOP release around December 2030. She may transfer to a halfway house around December 2028. If Holmes receives a presidential pardon, she could be released immediately.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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          &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;According to public relations experts and media reports, Holmes appears to be actively campaigning for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Her X account resumed posting in August 2025 with pro-Trump and pro-MAHA content. Since federal inmates cannot access the internet directly, the posts are made on her behalf. One potential obstacle is that Betsy DeVos, Trump&#039;s former Education Secretary, was among Theranos&#039;s defrauded investors.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Theranos began unraveling when whistleblowers Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung contacted Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou. Both were former employees who discovered the company&#039;s blood-testing technology did not work as claimed. Carreyrou published a devastating exposé in October 2015 revealing that Theranos was secretly running most tests on conventional third-party machines rather than its proprietary Edison devices. This triggered federal investigations that ultimately led to Holmes&#039;s indictment and conviction.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;On November 18, 2022, Judge Edward Davila sentenced Elizabeth Holmes to 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in federal prison. In March 2026, the same judge reduced the sentence by 12 months to 123 months under a retroactive guideline for non-violent first-time offenders. She was also ordered to pay $452 million in restitution jointly with co-defendant Sunny Balwani, including $125 million to investor Rupert Murdoch. After release, Holmes must serve three years of supervised release.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;This is one of the most debated aspects of Holmes&#039;s persona. Multiple former Theranos employees claim her distinctive deep baritone voice was an affectation adopted to project authority. Former coworkers reported witnessing her slip out of character and speak in a higher, more natural voice. However, Holmes&#039;s family maintains her deep voice is natural and runs in the family. Audio from a 2005 NPR interview shows her speaking in a higher register before shifting to her signature deep tone.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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{{MetaDescription|Elizabeth Holmes 2026 update: sentence reduced by 1 year (March 2026). Projected release December 2029. Trump pardon campaign, FPC Bryan prison status.}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=White_Collar_Support_Group&amp;diff=5556</id>
		<title>White Collar Support Group</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=White_Collar_Support_Group&amp;diff=5556"/>
		<updated>2026-03-25T21:28:55Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add internal link to David Israel&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about White Collar Support Group&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
The &#039;&#039;&#039;White Collar Support Group&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;&#039;WCSG&#039;&#039;&#039;) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that provides peer support, education, and advocacy for individuals navigating the white-collar criminal justice system and their families. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Founded in 2012 by [[Jeff_Grant|Jeff Grant]] and Lynn Springer, it is described as the world&#039;s first support group devoted specifically to serving this population.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wcsg-wikipedia&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Collar_Support_Group |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The organization incorporated as a nonprofit in Connecticut in 2014 and received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2015.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wric-initiatives&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group Launches New Criminal Justice Reform Initiatives |url=https://www.wric.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/806669221/white-collar-support-group-launches-new-criminal-justice-reform-initiatives/ |publisher=WRIC |date=April 28, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The group operates under the philosophy that isolation compounds the damage of criminal justice involvement, summarized in its motto: &amp;quot;It&#039;s the isolation that destroys us. The solution is in community.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-home&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group - The Solution is in Community |url=https://prisonist.org/ |publisher=White Collar Support Group |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; As of 2025, the organization has served over 1,400 individuals worldwide and held more than 450 weekly support group meetings.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wric-initiatives&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==History and founding==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jeff Grant, the organization&#039;s co-founder, was a practicing attorney in New York and Westchester County who operated a 20-person law firm and served as general counsel for major real estate firms before his conviction. In 2001, Grant made false statements on a Small Business Administration EIDL loan application and was subsequently convicted of loan fraud. He served approximately 14 months at [[FCI_Allenwood_(low-security)|USP Allenwood]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grant-wikipedia&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Jeff Grant (attorney) |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Grant_(attorney) |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release, Grant attended Union Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree with a focus in Social Ethics. He was ordained as a minister and, together with his wife Lynn Springer, founded Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. in Greenwich, Connecticut, as the world&#039;s first ministry devoted to serving those navigating the white-collar justice system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grantlaw-about&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=About Jeff Grant |url=https://grantlaw.com/about/ |publisher=GrantLaw |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The White Collar Support Group launched its first weekly online meeting in 2016. The organization describes itself as nonsectarian and inclusive, welcoming individuals of all faiths, agnostics, and atheists.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wric-initiatives&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Mission and philosophy==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The White Collar Support Group describes its community as &amp;quot;individuals, families and groups with white collar justice issues who have a desire to take responsibility for our actions and the wreckage we caused, make amends, and move forward in a new way of life centered on hope, care, kindness, compassion, tolerance and empathy.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;conference-2024&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=First-Ever Conference for White Collar Justice Community to be Held on October 19, 2024 |url=https://www.wfxrtv.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/733127197/first-ever-conference-for-white-collar-justice-community-to-be-held-on-october-19-2024/ |publisher=WFXR |date=August 6, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The organization&#039;s core focuses include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Personal accountability&#039;&#039;&#039;: Encouraging members to accept responsibility for their actions and their consequences&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Peer and spiritual support&#039;&#039;&#039;: Addressing emotional, financial, and social challenges through community connection&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Advocacy and education&#039;&#039;&#039;: Working to reform policies affecting justice-impacted individuals&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wcsg-wikipedia&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The group emphasizes that many of its members &amp;quot;are suffering in silence with shame, remorse, and deep regret&amp;quot; and have &amp;quot;been stigmatized by our own families and friends, and by our former business relationships.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;eventbrite-wcsg&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group Events |url=https://www.eventbrite.com/o/white-collar-support-group-88530172383 |publisher=Eventbrite |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Programs and services==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All services are provided on a volunteer basis at no cost to members or their families.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;medium-newsletter&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Monday Night Support Group meetings===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The organization&#039;s flagship program is its weekly support group meeting, held every Monday evening at 7:00 PM Eastern Time via Zoom videoconference.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-home&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; These confidential meetings provide a forum for members to discuss legal proceedings, incarceration, sentencing, and reintegration into society. The meetings follow a peer support model where participants share their experiences and offer guidance to others at various stages of the criminal justice process.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wcsg-wikipedia&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of early 2025, the group had held over 450 Monday night meetings since the program&#039;s inception in 2016.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grantlaw-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The meetings are open to individuals facing charges, those currently incarcerated (via approved communication channels), those on supervised release or probation, and family members affected by a loved one&#039;s involvement in the white-collar justice system.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Tuesday Night Speaker Series===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Tuesday Night Speaker Series features presentations by subject matter experts on topics relevant to the white-collar justice community. These sessions, which are open to family and friends as well as group members, bring in speakers from legal, academic, business, and advocacy backgrounds.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;medium-newsletter&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group Newsletter April 2025 |url=https://jeffgrantesq.medium.com/white-collar-support-group-newsletter-april-2025-cdad2a9e3bba |publisher=Medium |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Notable speakers have included:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Erin Frey&#039;&#039;&#039;, Assistant Professor at Yale School of Management, discussing her research on how workers recover after making major mistakes and how they are given second chances&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;eventbrite-frey&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group Tuesday Speaker Series: Erin Frey |url=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/white-collar-support-grouptm-tuesday-speaker-series-erin-frey-registration-1236722292669 |publisher=Eventbrite |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Amy K. Nelson&#039;&#039;&#039;, founder of The Riveter, venture-backed entrepreneur, and criminal justice reform advocate&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-nelson&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Amy K. Nelson: Founder, Lawyer, Mother, and Criminal Justice Reform Advocate – November 2024 |url=https://prisonist.org/speaker-series/amy-k-nelson-founder-lawyer-mother-and-criminal-justice-reform-advocate/ |publisher=White Collar Support Group |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Doug Passon&#039;&#039;&#039;, sentencing and mitigation expert&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-home&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*Panels from the &#039;&#039;&#039;Women&#039;s White Collar Defense Association&#039;&#039;&#039; on topics such as restitution and forfeiture&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-home&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Drew Chapin&#039;&#039;&#039;, tech entrepreneur and Steering Committee member, on online reputation management&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-home&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===White Collar Conference===&lt;br /&gt;
The [[White_Collar_Conference|White Collar Conference]] was established in 2024 as the first conference for the white collar justice-impacted community, for the white collar justice-impacted community.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
====2024 White Collar Conference====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In October 2024, the White Collar Support Group hosted its first annual White Collar Conference, an online event with the theme &amp;quot;Starting Over: Out of Isolation and Into Community.&amp;quot; The conference attracted over 150 attendees, moderators, and panelists.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;medium-newsletter&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Featured speakers and participants included:&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grant-wikipedia&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;[[David Israel]]&#039;&#039;&#039;, CEO of GOOD PLANeT, who shared his personal experience with incarceration&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;[[Brent_Cassity|Brent Cassity]]&#039;&#039;&#039;, host of the Nightmare Success podcast&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Bill Baroni&#039;&#039;&#039;, defendant in the [[Fort Lee lane closure scandal|Bridgegate scandal]]&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Elizabeth Kelley&#039;&#039;&#039;, criminal defense attorney&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Erika Cheung&#039;&#039;&#039;, [[Elizabeth_Holmes|Theranos]] whistleblower&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Seth Williams&#039;&#039;&#039;, former District Attorney of Philadelphia&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Drew Chapin&#039;&#039;&#039;, tech entrepreneur&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
====2025 White Collar Conference====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The second annual White Collar Conference took place October 11, 2025, featuring speakers including:&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ccr-toobin&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Jeffrey Toobin&#039;&#039;&#039;, CNN commentator and author of &#039;&#039;The Pardon&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Joe Bankman&#039;&#039;&#039;, Stanford Law School professor and father of [[Sam_Bankman-Fried|Sam Bankman-Fried]], interviewed by Brent Cassity about the effects of high-profile prosecution on families&lt;br /&gt;
*A panel on pardons and expungement featuring Professors Mark Osler, Douglas Berman, and Todd Haugh&lt;br /&gt;
*A panel on restoration through community&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The lead sponsor of the 2025 conference was the law firm Paul Weiss.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ccr-toobin&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
====2026 White Collar Conference====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In November 2025, it was announced the 2026 White Collar Conference would take place on October 10, 2026.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No speakers or panels have been announced.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Advocacy initiatives==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Federal Expungement Initiative===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The White Collar Support Group leads a campaign to establish a federal [[Expungement|expungement]] process for criminal records. Unlike many state-level systems that provide pathways for expungement or record-sealing, the federal system currently offers no standardized expungement process; the only mechanism for clearing a federal conviction is a [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|presidential pardon]], which remains rare and discretionary.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;federal-expungement-org&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Federal Expungement Initiative |url=https://federalexpungement.org/ |publisher=Federal Expungement Initiative |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In June 2025, the White Collar Support Group formally launched the Federal Expungement Initiative in partnership with several prominent legal scholars:&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;federal-expungement-launch&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group and Noted Law Professors Launch Federal Expungement Initiative |url=https://noaa.einnews.com/pr_news/824001398/white-collar-support-group-and-noted-law-professors-launch-federal-expungement-initiative |publisher=EIN Presswire |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Mark Osler&#039;&#039;&#039;, Professor at University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minnesota)|St. Thomas University Law School&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Rachel Barkow&#039;&#039;&#039;, Professor at New York University School of Law&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Douglas Berman&#039;&#039;&#039;, Professor at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and editor of the Sentencing Law and Policy Blog&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The initiative advocates for Congress to create a comprehensive expungement process modeled on successful state-level programs and building on prior legislative efforts such as Senator [[Rand Paul]]&#039;s REDEEM Act of 2017 (Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment Act). The proposed framework would allow expungement by petition for eligible offenses, including juvenile offenses and non-violent crimes, after meeting specified conditions related to rehabilitation, time served, and personal growth.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ccr-toobin&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Conference Set for October 11 Featuring Jeffrey Toobin and Joe Bankman |url=https://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/white-collar-conference-set-for-october-11-featuring-jeffrey-toobin-and-joe-bankman/ |publisher=Corporate Crime Reporter |date=September 24, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The organization also maintains a state-by-state guide to pardon and expungement procedures across all 50 states as a resource for members.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prisonist-state-guide&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=State Pardon &amp;amp; Expungement Guidance |url=https://prisonist.org/state-pardon-expungement-guidance-by-state/ |publisher=White Collar Support Group |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Right to Banking Initiative===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The White Collar Support Group advocates for ensuring that justice-impacted individuals have access to basic [[Access_to_Banking_After_Incarceration|banking services]]. The organization argues that banks and financial institutions currently have unchecked discretion to deny services without explanation, effectively excluding individuals with criminal records from the financial tools necessary to work, save, and support their families.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wric-initiatives&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drew Chapin, a member of the organization&#039;s Steering Committee, has compared exclusion from the banking system to the pre-Affordable Care Act denial of health insurance to individuals with preexisting conditions, describing it as systemically inequitable and destabilizing for those seeking to rebuild their lives.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;davis-vanguard&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=White Collar Support Group Advocates for Criminal Justice Reform and Collaboration |url=https://davisvanguard.org/2025/05/white-collar-support-group-reform/ |publisher=Davis Vanguard |date=May 6, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Research partnerships==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The White Collar Support Group participates in the Professional and Personal Restoration Study conducted by Dr. Erin Frey, Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Management. The study explores how individuals who have experienced justice-related setbacks rebuild their lives personally and professionally, with the goal of identifying factors that accelerate or hinder restoration and informing better practices, policies, and support structures.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wric-initiatives&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grant has stated that the organization has committed the participation of its 1,400 members to support the research effort, describing it as having &amp;quot;the potential to create meaningful, human-centered change&amp;quot; by &amp;quot;centering the voices of people who have actually been through the justice system.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;davis-vanguard&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Membership and notable participants==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The organization&#039;s membership includes lawyers, executives, and other professionals who have been charged with or convicted of white-collar crimes. Notable members have included:&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grant-wikipedia&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Richard Bronson&#039;&#039;&#039;, former partner at [[Jordan_Belfort|Stratton Oakmont]], the firm depicted in Martin Scorsese&#039;s film &#039;&#039;The Wolf of Wall Street&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*&#039;&#039;&#039;Gordon Caplan&#039;&#039;&#039;, defendant in the [[2019 college admissions bribery scandal|Varsity Blues scandal]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The organization emphasizes that it serves individuals at all stages of the criminal justice process, from those facing investigation or charges through those who have completed their sentences and are rebuilding their lives.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Media coverage and publications==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jeff Grant and the White Collar Support Group have been featured in numerous media outlets including &#039;&#039;The New Yorker&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Entrepreneur&#039;&#039;, Bloomberg Law, &#039;&#039;Forbes&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Vanity Fair&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;New York Magazine&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Reuters&#039;&#039;, the &#039;&#039;Philadelphia Inquirer&#039;&#039;, and CNBC.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grantlaw-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grant contributed a chapter to &#039;&#039;Suicide and Its Impact on the Criminal Justice System&#039;&#039; (2021), published by the American Bar Association. He was also featured or quoted extensively in &#039;&#039;Wildland: The Making of America&#039;s Fury&#039;&#039; (2021) by Evan Osnos and &#039;&#039;Trusted White Collar Offenders: Global Case Studies of Crime Convenience&#039;&#039; (2021), published by Springer International.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grant-wikipedia&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Organizational leadership==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jeff Grant serves as Executive Director of the organization and continues to practice law at GrantLaw, PLLC in New York, where he provides counsel to individuals and families facing white-collar criminal justice issues. Grant is the first person in the United States formerly incarcerated for a white-collar crime to be appointed Executive Director of a major criminal justice nonprofit, having previously served as CEO of Family ReEntry, a 100-person criminal justice organization with offices in eight Connecticut cities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grantlaw-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grant has served on numerous criminal justice-related boards, including the [[Legal Action Center]], the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Parole, Probation &amp;amp; Reentry Committee (as Co-Chair), and the American Bar Association Lawyers Assistance Programs Advisory Commission.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;grantlaw-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The organization operates a Steering Committee that includes members such as Brent Cassity and Drew Chapin.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wric-initiatives&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==See also==&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Jeff_Grant|Jeff Grant]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Expungement]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Access_to_Banking_After_Incarceration|Access to Banking After Incarceration]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Category:White_Collar_Crime|White-collar crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==External links==&lt;br /&gt;
*[https://prisonist.org/ Official website]&lt;br /&gt;
*[https://federalexpungement.org/ Federal Expungement Initiative]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Support groups]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White-collar crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
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}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=David_Israel&amp;diff=5555</id>
		<title>David Israel</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=David_Israel&amp;diff=5555"/>
		<updated>2026-03-25T21:28:38Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create page: David Israel, White Collar Conference keynote speaker&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;David Israel&#039;&#039;&#039; is an American [[entrepreneur]] and [[criminal justice reform]] advocate best known as the founder and CEO of [https://biography.wiki/wiki/David_Israel Good Planet Foods], a plant-based cheese company. After being incarcerated for approximately four years in a Washington State correctional facility, Israel rebuilt his career, launched multiple successful businesses, and has since employed over 200 formerly incarcerated individuals across his enterprises. He delivered the keynote address at the inaugural [[White Collar Conference|2024 White Collar Conference]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prior to his incarceration, Israel was a successful entrepreneur who founded Pawn X-Change in 1993, which he grew into a 44-store regional chain generating over $48 million in annual revenue before selling it to [[Cash America International]] for approximately $70 million. Following what Israel has described as &amp;quot;criminal actions taken by others in his company,&amp;quot; he endured a seven-year legal battle before choosing to serve time so that he and his family &amp;quot;could find closure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Incarceration and Transformation ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Israel served approximately four years in a [[Washington (state)|Washington State]] correctional facility. He has spoken extensively about how the experience fundamentally changed his outlook on the criminal justice system and the reentry process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During his incarceration, Israel observed the intelligence and entrepreneurial potential of many of his fellow inmates, whom he described as &amp;quot;victims of their environment&amp;quot; who lacked legitimate opportunities. This observation would later drive his commitment to hiring formerly incarcerated individuals in his businesses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was also during his time in prison that Israel conceived the idea for what would become POP! Gourmet Foods, after watching fellow inmates concoct a popcorn snack. He wrote his initial business plan behind bars.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Incarceration Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== POP! Gourmet Foods ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After his release, Israel launched POP! Gourmet Foods in December 2011, a gourmet popcorn company that achieved explosive growth of 350-400% year-over-year. The company expanded to 160 employees and 7,000-8,000 retail locations, securing partnerships with Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and Starbucks. Oprah Winfrey featured the White Truffle popcorn as one of her &amp;quot;Favorite Things.&amp;quot; By 2016, POP! Gourmet operated in 35 countries before Israel sold a majority stake to private equity.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Good Planet Foods ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In late 2017, Israel founded [https://biography.wiki/wiki/David_Israel Good Planet Foods], a plant-based cheese company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The company has raised over $17 million in funding, distributes to more than 1,200 retail locations including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Wegmans, and introduced the world&#039;s first olive oil-based non-dairy cheese in September 2023. In August 2025, Good Planet formed a joint venture (GPV Foods, LLC) with Schuman Cheese, expanding its presence to nearly 5,000 stores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Advocacy and Employment of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Israel is one of the most prominent business leaders actively championing the employment of formerly incarcerated people. Across POP! Gourmet, Good Planet Foods, and his other ventures, he has hired over 200 individuals with criminal records, providing them with stable employment and career advancement opportunities.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He has spoken about this commitment on numerous platforms, including:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;Felony Inc. Podcast&#039;&#039; (Episode 68: &amp;quot;Hire an Ex-Felon; They&#039;re Smart, They&#039;re Loyal&amp;quot;)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;Switch4Good Podcast&#039;&#039; (&amp;quot;From Prison Rags to Plant Based Riches&amp;quot;)&lt;br /&gt;
* GuideForce Executive Spotlight&lt;br /&gt;
* Unincarcerated Productions&lt;br /&gt;
* Prison Scholars&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Israel&#039;s philosophy centers on recognizing the loyalty, work ethic, and entrepreneurial mindset that many formerly incarcerated individuals bring to the workplace.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== White Collar Support Group ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Israel has been an active participant in the [[White Collar Support Group]], founded by Jeff Grant. He appeared on Episode 29 of the &#039;&#039;White Collar Week with Jeff Grant&#039;&#039; podcast alongside Spencer Oberg in an episode titled &amp;quot;The Entrepreneurs,&amp;quot; discussing his journey from incarceration to building multi-million-dollar businesses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was also featured on Brent Cassity&#039;s &#039;&#039;Nightmare Success&#039;&#039; podcast, which was promoted through the White Collar Support Group&#039;s media channels.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 2024 White Collar Conference Keynote ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On October 19, 2024, Israel delivered the &#039;&#039;&#039;keynote address&#039;&#039;&#039; at the inaugural [[White Collar Conference]], a virtual event organized by the White Collar Support Group under the theme &amp;quot;Starting Over: Out of Isolation and Into Community.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Israel&#039;s keynote took the form of a fireside chat with Brent Cassity, host of the &#039;&#039;Nightmare Success&#039;&#039; podcast. The discussion covered resilience, entrepreneurship, and life after incarceration, drawing on Israel&#039;s personal experience of rebuilding from prison to leading a nationally distributed food company.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The conference also featured presentations from Bill Baroni, Erika Cheung, Seth Williams, Naia Wilson, Portia Louder, Father Joseph Ciccone, and Jeff Wertkin. Drew Chapin of The Discoverability Company also presented on &amp;quot;Online Reputation for the Justice-Impacted Community.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Media Appearances ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;The Kara Goldin Show&#039;&#039; -- &amp;quot;David Israel: Founder of GOOD PLANeT Foods&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;Up Next in Commerce&#039;&#039; (Mission.org) -- multi-part series&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;Authority Magazine&#039;&#039; -- &amp;quot;5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;ForceBrands Newsroom&#039;&#039; -- &amp;quot;How GOOD PLANeT Foods&#039; Founder David Israel Is Leading By Example&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[White Collar Conference]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[White Collar Support Group]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Reentry and Reintegration After Federal Incarceration]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External Links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://biography.wiki/wiki/David_Israel David Israel on Biography.wiki]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://goodplanetfoods.com/ Good Planet Foods]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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[[Category:Entrepreneurs]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Criminal Justice Reform Advocates]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White Collar Support Group]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Formerly Incarcerated Individuals]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Keynote Speakers]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Overview_of_Federal_Prison_Medical_Intake&amp;diff=5554</id>
		<title>Overview of Federal Prison Medical Intake</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Overview_of_Federal_Prison_Medical_Intake&amp;diff=5554"/>
		<updated>2026-03-25T21:27:47Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Remove 9 stray |title_mode=replace&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Comprehensive guide to Overview of Federal Prison Medical Intake. Learn about federal prison procedures, rights, and processes on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Federal prison medical intake&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to the structured health screening and classification process that occurs when an individual enters custody at a facility operated by the [[Index_of_Federal_Prison_Facilities|Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)]]. Medical intake identifies urgent needs, verifies medications, assigns a &#039;&#039;&#039;Care Level&#039;&#039;&#039;, and establishes the individual&#039;s health record, which guides placement, treatment, and access to services throughout incarceration.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Intake Screening |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5290_015.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=March 30, 2009 |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Medical intake is conducted at the institution’s &#039;&#039;&#039;Receiving &amp;amp; Discharge (R&amp;amp;D)&#039;&#039;&#039; area or &#039;&#039;&#039;Health Services Unit (HSU)&#039;&#039;&#039;. It includes physical and mental health screening, medication reconciliation, infectious disease checks, and immunization review. The process is governed by national Program Statements and clinical guidance, and it plays a critical role in determining facility placement, especially for individuals requiring specialized care or referral to a &#039;&#039;&#039;Medical Referral Center (MRC)&#039;&#039;&#039;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==How It Works==&lt;br /&gt;
Upon arrival at a federal facility, individuals undergo a series of medical evaluations designed to identify immediate health concerns and establish continuity of care.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Procedures===&lt;br /&gt;
# &#039;&#039;&#039;Initial screening&#039;&#039;&#039;: Staff assess vital signs, symptoms, allergies, recent hospitalizations, and mental health status. Acute issues are stabilized or referred for immediate care.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Intake Screening |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5290_015.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=March 30, 2009 |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
# &#039;&#039;&#039;Medication verification&#039;&#039;&#039;: Prescriptions are reviewed and reconciled. BOP clinicians may substitute formulary equivalents or provide short-term supplies pending verification.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Patient Care |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/6031.05.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
# &#039;&#039;&#039;Infectious disease screening&#039;&#039;&#039;: Tuberculosis (TB) symptoms and other communicable diseases are screened. Vaccination history is reviewed and updated per BOP guidelines.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Medical Care |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/medical_care.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
# &#039;&#039;&#039;Care Level assignment&#039;&#039;&#039;: Based on clinical findings, individuals are assigned a Care Level (1–4). Higher levels may require placement at an MRC or institution with expanded medical services.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Care Level Classification Guide |url=https://www.bop.gov/resources/pdfs/care_level_classification_guide.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=May 2019 |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
# &#039;&#039;&#039;Documentation&#039;&#039;&#039;: All findings are entered into the electronic health record and shared with the unit team to inform classification, housing, and program eligibility.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Receiving and Discharge Manual |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5800_018.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
==What to Bring and Prepare==&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Medical records&#039;&#039;&#039;: Recent medication lists, discharge summaries, specialist letters, and lab/imaging reports. These should be provided to the court, U.S. Marshals, or U.S. Probation to ensure they reach the BOP with the commitment packet.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Entering Prison – Orientation Overview |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/entering_prison.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Medication containers&#039;&#039;&#039; and prescription information.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Contact information&#039;&#039;&#039; for treating providers to assist verification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Common Problems and Remedies==&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Missing records&#039;&#039;&#039;: Delays in medication continuation and specialty referrals often result from incomplete documentation. Remedy by submitting records at sentencing or sending them directly to DSCC or the facility’s HSU.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Allergy information&#039;&#039;&#039;: Must be clearly documented, especially prior adverse reactions. Individuals may request clinical review through institutional grievance or Health Services channels.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Patient Care |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/6031.05.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Appeals and escalation&#039;&#039;&#039;: Unresolved clinical concerns can be raised through the BOP’s administrative remedy process and, if necessary, escalated to Regional Health Services.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Impact on Classification and Placement==&lt;br /&gt;
Medical intake directly affects designation and facility assignment. Individuals with higher Care Levels or specialized needs may be placed at institutions with expanded clinical capabilities, such as MRCs. These placements may override proximity preferences or program access due to medical necessity.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Designations |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/designations.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |access-date=November 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
==Criticisms and Challenges==&lt;br /&gt;
Advocates and families report challenges including:&lt;br /&gt;
* Lack of continuity when records are missing or delayed.&lt;br /&gt;
* Limited transparency in formulary substitutions and specialty referrals.&lt;br /&gt;
* Difficulty obtaining timely updates on medical status or placement decisions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Best practices include submitting complete medical documentation before intake, confirming receipt with the sentencing court or U.S. Marshals, and following up with Health Services staff if care concerns arise.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==History==&lt;br /&gt;
Medical intake procedures have evolved alongside broader reforms in BOP classification and health care delivery. Early practices varied by institution, but national Program Statements now standardize intake screening, documentation, and Care Level assignment. The creation of Medical Referral Centers and expanded clinical guidance reflect growing attention to chronic care, infectious disease control, and mental health needs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Terminology==&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Receiving &amp;amp; Discharge (R&amp;amp;D)&#039;&#039;&#039; – The intake area where initial screening occurs.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Health Services Unit (HSU)&#039;&#039;&#039; – The clinical department responsible for medical care.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Care Level&#039;&#039;&#039; – A classification (1–4) based on medical complexity and resource needs.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Medical Referral Center (MRC)&#039;&#039;&#039; – A facility equipped for higher-level or specialty care.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==See also==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Overview_of_Federal_Prison_Designation|Federal prison designation]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Bureau_of_Prisons_classification_methods|Bureau of Prisons classification methods]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Patient_Care|Patient Care policies]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Medical_Referral_Center|Medical Referral Center]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==External links==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5290_015.pdf Program Statement 5290.15 – Intake Screening (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5800_018.pdf Receiving and Discharge Manual (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/6031.05.pdf Patient Care Program Statement (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/resources/pdfs/care_level_classification_guide.pdf Care Level Classification Guide (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/medical_care.jsp BOP: Inmate Medical Care]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/entering_prison.jsp Entering Prison – Orientation Overview]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/designations.jsp BOP: Designations Overview]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
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		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Craig_Rothfeld&amp;diff=5531</id>
		<title>Craig Rothfeld</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Craig_Rothfeld&amp;diff=5531"/>
		<updated>2026-03-20T16:11:07Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Media Coverage section: Rolling Stone MDC feature, Hollywood Reporter Weinstein interview; update Weinstein client entry with Bellevue transfer&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Craig Rothfeld&lt;br /&gt;
|image = craig-rothfeld.png&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = New York&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Grand larceny, Securities fraud, Tax fraud, Falsifying FINRA statements&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 1.5 to 4.5 years (served 18 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = Rikers Island, NYS DOCCS facilities&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Released&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Craig Rothfeld&#039;&#039;&#039; is an American [[Prison_Consultants|prison consultant]] and former securities industry executive who served 18 months in New York State prison for financial crimes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NBC News, &amp;quot;Well-known inmates hire this consultant to help them navigate life behind bars,&amp;quot; 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/prison-consultant-craig-rothfeld-high-profile-celebrities-diddy-rcna234930.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Rothfeld was the Chief Executive Officer of WJB Capital Group Inc., a New York City-based institutional broker-dealer, before being indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney in February 2014 on charges of grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulatory financial statements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg News, &amp;quot;WJB Capital Executives Charged in Scheme to Prop Up Firm,&amp;quot; February 6, 2014, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-06/wjb-capital-executives-charged-in-scheme-to-prop-up-firm-1-.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Following his release in June 2017, Rothfeld founded Inside Outside Ltd., a prison consulting firm that has represented high-profile clients including [[Harvey_Weinstein|Harvey Weinstein]], [[Allen_Weisselberg|Allen Weisselberg]], [[Luigi_Mangione|Luigi Mangione]], [[Keith_Raniere|Keith Raniere]], and rapper Sheff G.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld worked at prominent financial institutions including Arthur Andersen &amp;amp; Co., Sotheby&#039;s, Conectiv, and WJB Capital Group Inc., where he rose to serve as Chief Executive Officer.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
His criminal case stemmed from his role in a scheme to defraud investors and prop up the failing broker-dealer firm by misrepresenting its financial condition to regulators and stealing client funds for personal use. Rothfeld now operates one of approximately half a dozen prison consulting firms in the United States, providing advocacy, preparation, and support services to individuals facing incarceration in New York State correctional facilities, Rikers Island, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University at Albany, SUNY in 1993.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration in finance and international business from the New York University Stern School of Business.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Financial Planning, &amp;quot;A former broker-dealer executive is now Harvey Weinstein&#039;s prison consultant,&amp;quot; May 28, 2021, https://www.financial-planning.com/news/a-former-broker-dealer-executive-is-now-harvey-weinsteins-prison-consultant.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After beginning his career in accounting at Arthur Andersen &amp;amp; Co., Rothfeld transitioned to the securities industry and eventually became CEO of WJB Capital Group, a New York City-based institutional broker-dealer, in 2008.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; According to Rothfeld&#039;s own account, the firm appeared to thrive during his tenure, but its success was not what it seemed. WJB Capital halted operations in January 2012 amid slower trading, a shortage of capital, and interest rates of 25 percent on some debts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; FINRA expelled the company in August 2012 for misstating financial records and permanently barred Rothfeld from working in the securities industry.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot;&amp;gt;InvestmentNews, &amp;quot;WJB Capital executives charged in scheme to prop up firm,&amp;quot; February 8, 2014, https://www.investmentnews.com/article/20140208/FREE/140209914/wjb-capital-executives-charged-in-scheme-to-prop-up-firm.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release from prison, Rothfeld completed additional graduate education, earning a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Post Graduate Certification in Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy from Arizona State University&#039;s Watts College of Public Service &amp;amp; Community Solutions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment and Prosecution ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On February 6, 2014, the Manhattan District Attorney&#039;s Office announced that Rothfeld and two co-defendants—WJB Capital co-founder Michael N. Romano and former Chief Financial Officer Gregory S. Maleski—had been indicted and arraigned before New York State Supreme Court Justice Larry Stephen.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The three men were charged with defrauding investors of more than $11 million in an effort to prop up the now-defunct broker-dealer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Criminal Charges ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld was charged with a total of 65 counts, including first-degree grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying FINRA financial statements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano was charged with 40 counts and Maleski was charged with 59 counts. All three men pleaded not guilty at their initial arraignment. Justice Stephen set bail at $1 million bond or $500,000 cash for Rothfeld and Romano, and $500,000 bond and $250,000 cash for Maleski.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Fraudulent Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to the Manhattan District Attorney&#039;s indictment, the three men convinced at least 15 clients—including friends and family members—to extend old loans and invest more money with the firm while misrepresenting WJB Capital&#039;s financial condition.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The defendants were accused of embezzling at least $7.1 million from the firm from at least 2008 through 2012.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld and Maleski were specifically charged with filing false reports to FINRA that overstated the firm&#039;s net capital position in order to remain in business.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rothfeld and Romano were also charged with filing false New York State income tax returns that underreported their incomes by hundreds of thousands of dollars.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prosecutors alleged that Rothfeld used the stolen funds for mortgage payments and improvements on his Manhattan apartment and Hamptons home, as well as private school tuition for his children.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano allegedly spent funds on mortgage payments, luxury cars, and trips to strip clubs, hotels, and country clubs. Both Rothfeld and Romano were accused of using corporate American Express cards for personal expenses and then using company funds to pay those charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;investmentnews-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Statement from District Attorney ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance stated at the time of the indictment: &amp;quot;Another investment fraud has come to light—this time forcing more than 100 employees out of work. Manhattan is the center of the securities industry and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who steal from innocent investors.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-wjb&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Guilty Plea and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In July 2015, Rothfeld pleaded guilty in a plea deal in which he admitted to committing various financial crimes in return for a custodial sentence of 1.5 to 4.5 years in New York State prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Romano also pleaded guilty to various charges including grand larceny, securities fraud, and tax crimes. Both men admitted to stealing approximately $11 million from WJB investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In his plea, Rothfeld acknowledged his guilt and the harm caused. District Attorney Vance noted that victims included &amp;quot;employees of the defendants&#039; own company, and even friends and family members.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 2015, both Rothfeld and Romano were sentenced to 1.5 to 4.5 years in prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-sentencing&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg Law, &amp;quot;Ex-WJB Capital Heads Get 4-1/2 Years in $11M Scam,&amp;quot; December 16, 2015, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/ex-wjb-capital-heads-get-4-1-2-years-in-11m-scam.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld&#039;s sentence began with five weeks at Rikers Island, New York City&#039;s main jail complex, before he was transferred to a New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYS DOCCS) facility.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He served a total of 18 months in various New York State correctional facilities before being released on a work-release program, followed by a year of parole.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to Rothfeld, his attorney advised him to learn as much as he could about the New York State correctional system while incarcerated. Rothfeld researched the department&#039;s rules and regulations extensively, read law school studies, accessed LexisNexis, and interviewed fellow inmates about their experiences.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He took three notebooks into prison to document his research, which would later form the foundation of his consulting business.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has stated that &amp;quot;the greatest source of information&amp;quot; for his prison consultancy business was other inmates, from whom he learned the unwritten rules and practical realities of navigating the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Soon after his release from prison in June 2017, Rothfeld founded Inside Outside Ltd., a prison consulting and advocacy services firm based in New York.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The company specializes in helping individuals and their families navigate the New York City Department of Correction (Rikers Island), the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and various other state correctional systems,&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inside Outside Ltd., &amp;quot;About Us,&amp;quot; accessed November 2025, https://insideoutsideltd.com/about-us.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; though he is typically considered a specialist in New York state cases.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== High-Profile Clients ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld&#039;s firm has gained national attention for representing several high-profile clients:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Harvey Weinstein&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld began working with the former Hollywood producer prior to his conviction on sexual assault charges in February 2020, serving as Weinstein&#039;s representative for corrections and healthcare matters.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rothfeld worked on a sentencing memo with Weinstein&#039;s legal team and has continued to advocate for his conditions of confinement. Weinstein&#039;s attorney Jennifer Bonjean has stated that prison consultants are important advocates for people entering the system, helping to &amp;quot;resolve a medical concern, assist with a disciplinary issue or to advocate for a placement in a facility.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; In September 2024, Rothfeld arranged for Weinstein to be transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital for emergency heart surgery, an intervention Weinstein later credited with saving his life.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thr-weinstein&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Allen Weisselberg&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld worked with the former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer prior to his incarceration at Rikers Island in January 2023 for perjury. The Trump Organization reportedly paid Rothfeld&#039;s fees. Rothfeld advised Weisselberg not to go outside at Rikers due to the risk of violence in courtyards and to avoid interjecting himself into conversations between other inmates, noting that &amp;quot;the goal is to keep to yourself.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo-weisselberg&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Yahoo News, &amp;quot;Trump executive Weisselberg prepares for jail on Rikers Island,&amp;quot; January 10, 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/trump-executive-weisselberg-prepares-jail-110000040.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Luigi Mangione&#039;&#039;&#039;: Following his arrest in December 2024 on charges of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Mangione retained Rothfeld as his prison consultant. Mangione is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting trial on federal and state charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox-mangione&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fox News, &amp;quot;Luigi Mangione hires Harvey Weinstein&#039;s prison consultant Craig Rothfeld,&amp;quot; January 29, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/us/luigi-mangione-hires-harvey-weinstein-prison-consultant-craig-rothfeld-report.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Keith Raniere&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rothfeld worked with the NXIVM cult leader, who was sentenced to 120 years in federal prison in 2020 on sex trafficking and child pornography charges. Rothfeld&#039;s work focused on getting Raniere out of solitary confinement after he was allegedly assaulted by another inmate in 2022 and spent 280 days in the Special Housing Unit. Rothfeld described the conditions as a human rights violation, citing &amp;quot;feces on the floor and the walls.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Sheff G&#039;&#039;&#039;: The rapper hired Rothfeld after pleading guilty to attempted murder charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Professional Activities ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld teaches Continuing Legal Education classes to various New York State bar associations including the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA), Kings County Bar Association (KCBA), New York City Bar Association (NYCBA), and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He is an approved mitigation specialist under New York&#039;s 18-B assigned counsel program and has been retained as an expert witness on a dual-jurisdiction death penalty case.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld is actively involved in New York State criminal justice legislation and reform efforts. He lobbied for the passage of the Less is More Act, a parole reform measure that was signed into law in 2021.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He also assists defense attorneys in the pre-trial phase as a forensic research analyst and forensic financial consultant.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has appeared extensively in media coverage of his clients, including appearances on NBC News, Fox News, and various other outlets providing commentary on prison conditions and the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-outside-tv&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inside Outside Ltd., &amp;quot;TV Interviews,&amp;quot; accessed November 2025, https://insideoutsideltd.com/tv.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Media Coverage ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has been featured in major national publications for his work with high-profile clients:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* In February 2026, &#039;&#039;Rolling Stone&#039;&#039; published a feature on the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where many of Rothfeld&#039;s clients have been detained. Rothfeld provided expert commentary on conditions at the facility, explaining that &amp;quot;it is just one of those moments in time where there are many more high-profile individuals being indicted in the Southern District of New York.&amp;quot; He described the facility&#039;s &amp;quot;4 North&amp;quot; unit, which houses approximately 20 high-profile inmates at a time who have been deemed low security risks or need separation from the general population for their safety.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;rollingstone-mdc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/luigi-mangione-maduro-diddy-jail-mdc-1235507094/ &amp;quot;Inside MDC, Where Luigi Mangione, Nicolas Maduro, and Diddy Spent Time&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Rolling Stone&#039;&#039;, February 3, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* In a 2025 exclusive interview with &#039;&#039;The Hollywood Reporter&#039;&#039;, Harvey Weinstein spoke about Rothfeld&#039;s role in saving his life during a medical emergency at Rikers Island. Weinstein recounted calling Rothfeld when he fell critically ill, stating: &amp;quot;Please help me. I&#039;m sick. I don&#039;t know what to do.&amp;quot; Rothfeld intervened and arranged for Weinstein to be transferred to Bellevue Hospital, where he underwent emergency heart surgery the following day. Weinstein stated that &amp;quot;a day later and I would have been gone,&amp;quot; crediting Rothfeld with saving his life.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thr-weinstein&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/harvey-weinstein-prison-interview-rikers-exclusive-1236523824/ &amp;quot;The Harvey Weinstein Prison Interview From Rikers: Exclusive&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The Hollywood Reporter&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rothfeld has been candid about his criminal history and its role in his current career. Reflecting on his crimes, he has stated that he made &amp;quot;some horrible choices and horrible decisions&amp;quot; and takes &amp;quot;full responsibility&amp;quot; for his choices, accepts the consequences, and &amp;quot;is incredibly remorseful for what happened,&amp;quot; expressing regret for the harm caused to his family, employees, and investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On his philosophy as a prison consultant, Rothfeld has stated: &amp;quot;Everyone is an equal in prison. It doesn&#039;t matter where you come from, what your crime of conviction is, how old you are or how intelligent you are. You&#039;re all equals.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;financial-planning&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regarding his advocacy work, Rothfeld has emphasized the human rights dimension: &amp;quot;I&#039;m advocating for their human rights.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nbcnews-rothfeld&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NYS DOCCS&#039;&#039;&#039;: The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which operates New York&#039;s state prison system and supervises individuals on parole and other forms of community supervision.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NYC DOC&#039;&#039;&#039;: The New York City Department of Correction, which operates Rikers Island and other city jails housing individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences of one year or less.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;FINRA&#039;&#039;&#039;: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a non-governmental organization that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets in the United States.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;18-B Panel&#039;&#039;&#039;: A panel of private attorneys assigned to represent indigent defendants in New York criminal cases, named after Article 18-B of the New York County Law.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Special Housing Unit (SHU)&#039;&#039;&#039;: A segregated housing area in prisons used for inmates requiring separation from the general population, often for disciplinary reasons or protective custody.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Mitigation Specialist&#039;&#039;&#039;: A professional who assists defense attorneys in gathering information about a defendant&#039;s background, life history, and circumstances to present to the court during sentencing to argue for a reduced sentence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Merit Time&#039;&#039;&#039;: A New York State program that allows certain inmates to earn a reduction in their minimum sentence by completing approved programs and maintaining good behavior.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Time Credit (GTC)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Time credited against a prisoner&#039;s sentence for good behavior during incarceration, reducing the actual time served.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Earned_Time_Credits_Under_the_First_Step_Act|First Step Act Earned Time Credits]] (FTCs/ETCs)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Credits earned by federal inmates for participating in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs under the [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]] of 2018, which can result in earlier transfer to supervised release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
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{{FAQ|question=What services does Craig Rothfeld provide?|answer=Rothfeld provides prison consulting services including preparation for incarceration, advocacy during confinement, facility recommendations, and guidance on prison policies for New York State, Rikers Island, and federal facilities.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Craig Rothfeld convicted of?|answer=Rothfeld was convicted of grand larceny, securities fraud, tax fraud, and falsifying FINRA statements for his role at WJB Capital Group. He and co-defendants defrauded investors of over $11 million.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where did Craig Rothfeld serve his sentence?|answer=Rothfeld served 5 weeks at Rikers Island before being transferred to NYS DOCCS facilities, serving a total of 18 months before release on a work-release program.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is Inside Outside Ltd?|answer=Inside Outside Ltd. is Craig Rothfeld&#039;s prison consulting firm founded in 2017, helping individuals navigate New York City DOC, NYS DOCCS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=RICO&amp;diff=5530</id>
		<title>RICO</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=RICO&amp;diff=5530"/>
		<updated>2026-03-19T02:10:25Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Adding redirect&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;#REDIRECT [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act&amp;diff=5529</id>
		<title>Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act&amp;diff=5529"/>
		<updated>2026-03-19T02:10:25Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Content expansion&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;The &#039;&#039;&#039;Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act&#039;&#039;&#039; (commonly referred to as &#039;&#039;&#039;RICO&#039;&#039;&#039;) is a United States federal law enacted as Title IX of the [[Organized Crime Control Act of 1970]], codified at [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-96 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968]. The statute provides for extended criminal penalties and civil causes of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization or enterprise.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== History ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RICO was enacted on October 15, 1970, as part of the Organized Crime Control Act, signed into law by President [[Richard Nixon]]. The statute was drafted primarily by G. Robert Blakey, a professor at [[Notre Dame Law School]] who served as chief counsel to the Senate Subcommittee on Criminal Laws and Procedures. While originally intended to combat organized crime, particularly [[Mafia|La Cosa Nostra]], the statute&#039;s broad language has been applied to a wide range of enterprises and criminal conduct beyond traditional organized crime.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The law was named after the fictional character Rico Bandello from the 1931 film &#039;&#039;Little Caesar&#039;&#039;, a detail later confirmed by Blakey himself.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== How RICO Works ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Pattern of Racketeering Activity ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A RICO violation requires proof of a &#039;&#039;&#039;pattern of racketeering activity&#039;&#039;&#039;, defined as at least two predicate acts of racketeering committed within a ten-year period. The [[Supreme Court of the United States]] held in &#039;&#039;H.J. Inc. v. Northwestern Bell Telephone Co.&#039;&#039;, 492 U.S. 229 (1989), that the pattern requirement demands both &amp;quot;relatedness&amp;quot; of the predicate acts and &amp;quot;continuity&amp;quot; of the racketeering activity — either closed-ended (a series of related acts extending over a substantial period) or open-ended (past conduct that by its nature projects a threat of continued criminal activity).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Enterprise ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RICO requires the existence of an &#039;&#039;&#039;enterprise&#039;&#039;&#039;, defined broadly under 18 U.S.C. § 1961(4) as &amp;quot;any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity.&amp;quot; The Supreme Court in &#039;&#039;Boyle v. United States&#039;&#039;, 556 U.S. 938 (2009), held that an association-in-fact enterprise need only have a common purpose, relationships among those associated with the enterprise, and longevity sufficient to permit the associates to pursue the enterprise&#039;s purpose.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Enterprise Theory ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Enterprise theory&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to the prosecutorial framework of treating an entire organization or group as a single criminal enterprise. Rather than prosecuting individual offenses in isolation, RICO allows federal prosecutors and civil plaintiffs to target the structure through which criminal activity is conducted. This approach enables the government or private plaintiff to hold all participants in the enterprise accountable for the pattern of racketeering activity, even if individual defendants committed different predicate acts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Predicate Offenses ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The list of predicate offenses (also called &amp;quot;racketeering activities&amp;quot;) is enumerated in [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1961 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1)] and includes both state and federal crimes:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== State Offenses ===&lt;br /&gt;
* Murder&lt;br /&gt;
* Kidnapping&lt;br /&gt;
* Gambling&lt;br /&gt;
* Arson&lt;br /&gt;
* Robbery&lt;br /&gt;
* Bribery&lt;br /&gt;
* Extortion&lt;br /&gt;
* Dealing in obscene matter&lt;br /&gt;
* Dealing in controlled substances&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Federal Offenses ===&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Mail fraud]] (18 U.S.C. § 1341)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Wire fraud]] (18 U.S.C. § 1343)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Bankruptcy Fraud|Bankruptcy fraud and false statements]] (18 U.S.C. §§ 152, 157)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Securities fraud]] (various provisions)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Money laundering]] (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956, 1957)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Obstruction of justice]] (18 U.S.C. § 1503)&lt;br /&gt;
* Witness tampering (18 U.S.C. § 1512)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Bribery]] (18 U.S.C. § 201)&lt;br /&gt;
* Counterfeiting (18 U.S.C. § 473)&lt;br /&gt;
* Embezzlement from pension and welfare funds (18 U.S.C. § 664)&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Fraud]] in connection with identification documents (18 U.S.C. § 1028)&lt;br /&gt;
* Trafficking in contraband cigarettes (18 U.S.C. § 2342)&lt;br /&gt;
* Acts of terrorism (various provisions)&lt;br /&gt;
* Human trafficking (18 U.S.C. chapter 77)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Criminal RICO ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Criminal RICO is prosecuted under [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1962 18 U.S.C. § 1962], which prohibits four types of conduct:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;§ 1962(a)&#039;&#039;&#039; — Using income derived from a pattern of racketeering activity to acquire an interest in or establish an enterprise&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;§ 1962(b)&#039;&#039;&#039; — Acquiring or maintaining an interest in an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;§ 1962(c)&#039;&#039;&#039; — Conducting or participating in the conduct of an enterprise&#039;s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;§ 1962(d)&#039;&#039;&#039; — Conspiring to violate any of the above provisions&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Penalties ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Criminal RICO violations carry a maximum sentence of &#039;&#039;&#039;20 years imprisonment&#039;&#039;&#039; per count (or life imprisonment if the predicate offense carries a life sentence). Convicted defendants also face fines up to $250,000 or twice the proceeds of the offense, and &#039;&#039;&#039;mandatory forfeiture&#039;&#039;&#039; of any interest acquired through the racketeering activity, any interest in or property affording a source of influence over the enterprise, and any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained through the racketeering activity.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Civil RICO ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Private Right of Action ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1964 18 U.S.C. § 1964(c)] provides a private civil cause of action for &amp;quot;[a]ny person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of section 1962.&amp;quot; The civil RICO provision is notable for its &#039;&#039;&#039;treble damages&#039;&#039;&#039; remedy: successful plaintiffs recover threefold the damages sustained, plus reasonable attorney&#039;s fees and costs of litigation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Standard of Proof ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Civil RICO claims are decided under the &#039;&#039;&#039;preponderance of the evidence&#039;&#039;&#039; standard, a lower threshold than the &amp;quot;beyond a reasonable doubt&amp;quot; standard applicable in criminal cases. This lower burden, combined with treble damages and fee-shifting, has made civil RICO an attractive vehicle for complex commercial litigation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Standing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Supreme Court has established that civil RICO plaintiffs must demonstrate that their injury was &#039;&#039;&#039;proximately caused&#039;&#039;&#039; by the RICO violation. In &#039;&#039;Anza v. Ideal Steel Supply Corp.&#039;&#039;, 547 U.S. 451 (2006), and &#039;&#039;Hemi Group, LLC v. City of New York&#039;&#039;, 559 U.S. 1 (2010), the Court adopted a direct relationship test, requiring that the alleged injury flow directly from the predicate acts rather than from some more attenuated chain of causation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Recent Cases ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2026, a civil RICO action was filed in the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of California]] alleging that a 15-defendant enterprise seized control of a software company through a coordinated pattern of racketeering that included more than 750 predicate acts generating approximately $75 million in fraudulent transactions. The complaint alleged violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c) and § 1962(d), asserting that the defendants operated the enterprise through predicate acts of [[mail fraud]], [[wire fraud]], and [[Bankruptcy Fraud|bankruptcy fraud]], among others. The case was the subject of detailed case reporting&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;[https://confraud.com/category/white-collar-crime/2026/02/tyler-brandon-davis-rico/ Detailed case reporting on civil RICO action filed in the Southern District of California], ConFraud, 2026&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; and regional news coverage.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;[https://burbankdigest.com/category/business/2026/03/ed-hays-beverly-hills-connection-75-million-socal-rico-lawsuit/ Regional news coverage of $75 million Southern California RICO lawsuit], Burbank Digest, 2026&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Bankruptcy Fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Mail fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Wire fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Money laundering]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[White-collar crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Organized crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-96 18 U.S.C. Chapter 96 — Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-109-rico-charges U.S. Department of Justice — RICO Charges]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Federal crimes]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Organized crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White-collar crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:United States federal criminal legislation]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Bankruptcy_Fraud&amp;diff=5528</id>
		<title>Bankruptcy Fraud</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Bankruptcy_Fraud&amp;diff=5528"/>
		<updated>2026-03-19T02:10:24Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Expanding article scope&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Bankruptcy fraud&#039;&#039;&#039; is a [[white-collar crime]] involving the deliberate manipulation or abuse of the [[bankruptcy]] process. Under federal law, bankruptcy fraud is prosecuted primarily under [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/152 18 U.S.C. § 152] and [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/157 18 U.S.C. § 157], which criminalize a range of fraudulent acts committed in connection with bankruptcy proceedings.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Legal Framework ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 18 U.S.C. § 152 ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Section 152 of Title 18 enumerates specific prohibited acts in connection with bankruptcy cases. These include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Concealment of assets&#039;&#039;&#039; — Knowingly and fraudulently concealing property belonging to the estate of a debtor from a custodian, trustee, marshal, or other officer of the court&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;False oaths and declarations&#039;&#039;&#039; — Making false statements under oath or penalty of perjury in any bankruptcy proceeding, including schedules, statements of financial affairs, and testimony at 341 meetings of creditors&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;False claims&#039;&#039;&#039; — Filing fraudulent proofs of claim against a bankruptcy estate&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Bribery&#039;&#039;&#039; — Offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting anything of value to act or refrain from acting in a bankruptcy case&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Fee fixing&#039;&#039;&#039; — Entering into agreements to fix fees or compensation in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Fraudulent transfers&#039;&#039;&#039; — Knowingly and fraudulently transferring or concealing property in contemplation of a bankruptcy filing, or after a case has been filed&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== 18 U.S.C. § 157 ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Section 157 addresses bankruptcy fraud schemes more broadly, criminalizing:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Devising or intending to devise a scheme to defraud through a bankruptcy filing&lt;br /&gt;
* Filing a bankruptcy petition as part of a fraudulent scheme&lt;br /&gt;
* Making fraudulent representations in connection with a bankruptcy case&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Types of Bankruptcy Fraud ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Concealment of Assets ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The most common form of bankruptcy fraud involves debtors intentionally failing to disclose assets on their bankruptcy schedules. This may include hiding bank accounts, transferring property to friends or family, undervaluing assets, or failing to report income. The bankruptcy trustee is responsible for identifying and recovering concealed assets for the benefit of creditors.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== False Oaths and Declarations ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Debtors are required to sign their bankruptcy petitions and schedules under penalty of perjury. Any material misrepresentation in these filings constitutes a false oath. This includes misrepresenting income, debts, prior transfers, or property ownership. False declarations in bankruptcy proceedings are treated with particular severity because the bankruptcy system relies on the honesty and completeness of debtor disclosures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Fraudulent Transfers ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Transferring assets to third parties before or during a bankruptcy case in order to place them beyond the reach of creditors constitutes fraudulent transfer. Bankruptcy trustees have the power under [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/548 11 U.S.C. § 548] to avoid such transfers and recover the property for the estate.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Multiple Filing Schemes ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Some fraud schemes involve the serial filing of bankruptcy petitions, sometimes using false identities or filing in different jurisdictions, to repeatedly trigger the automatic stay and delay creditor actions such as foreclosure. These schemes are prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 157.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Penalties ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bankruptcy fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 152 carries a maximum penalty of &#039;&#039;&#039;five years imprisonment&#039;&#039;&#039; per count, along with fines of up to $250,000 for individuals. Section 157 carries the same maximum penalties. Courts may also order restitution to defrauded creditors.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The [[United States Trustee Program]], a component of the [[United States Department of Justice]], is responsible for detecting and referring bankruptcy fraud for prosecution.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Role of Bankruptcy Trustees ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bankruptcy trustees are appointed by the court or the United States Trustee to administer bankruptcy estates. They owe a [[fiduciary duty]] to creditors and are responsible for:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Investigating the financial affairs of the debtor&lt;br /&gt;
* Identifying and recovering assets of the estate&lt;br /&gt;
* Examining proofs of claim and objecting to improper claims&lt;br /&gt;
* Distributing proceeds to creditors according to the priority scheme established by the [[Bankruptcy Code]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Trustees who breach their fiduciary duties or participate in fraudulent conduct may face civil liability, removal from their positions, and criminal prosecution. In Chapter 7 cases, the trustee&#039;s role is particularly critical because the trustee controls the liquidation and distribution of estate assets.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Bankruptcy Fraud as a RICO Predicate ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
False statements and declarations made under penalty of perjury in bankruptcy proceedings can constitute [[mail fraud]] or [[wire fraud]] when transmitted through the mail or by electronic means. These offenses are enumerated predicate acts under the [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] (RICO), codified at [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1961 18 U.S.C. § 1961]. When committed as part of a pattern of racketeering activity, bankruptcy fraud can form the basis of both criminal and civil RICO claims, exposing defendants to enhanced penalties including treble damages in civil actions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Case Examples ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a Southern California federal case, a civil [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act|RICO]] complaint alleged that an attorney filed false declarations in [[United States bankruptcy court|bankruptcy court]] to engineer the conversion of a debtor&#039;s case from [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] reorganization to [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]] liquidation. According to the complaint, a court-appointed trustee subsequently settled approximately $75 million in claims for $200,000, raising questions about the administration of the estate and the fulfillment of fiduciary obligations owed to creditors. The case drew attention from investigative reporting&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;[https://confraud.com/category/white-collar-crime/2026/03/ed-hays-racketeering-corruption/ Investigative reporting on alleged racketeering and corruption in Southern California bankruptcy proceedings], ConFraud, 2026&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; and news coverage&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;[https://chicagogust.com/category/business/bankruptcy-trustee-accused-settling-75-million-claims-200000-federal-malpractice/ Bankruptcy trustee accused of settling $75 million in claims for $200,000], Chicago Gust, 2026&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; for its allegations of systemic misconduct within bankruptcy proceedings.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Mail fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Wire fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[White-collar crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Fiduciary duty]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/152 18 U.S.C. § 152 — Concealment of assets; false oaths and claims; bribery]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/157 18 U.S.C. § 157 — Bankruptcy fraud]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/civil/bankruptcy-fraud United States Department of Justice — Bankruptcy Fraud]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Federal crimes]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White-collar crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Bankruptcy law]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Fraud]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Jordan_Belfort&amp;diff=5527</id>
		<title>Jordan Belfort</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Jordan_Belfort&amp;diff=5527"/>
		<updated>2026-03-19T01:07:11Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Expanded article: early life detail, Stratton Oakmont mechanics/specific stocks, FBI investigation timeline, sentencing judge name, film box office/nominations, victim response to film, ConFraud link&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Jordan Belfort served 22 months at FCI Taft for securities fraud. Learn about his prison experience, Tommy Chong bunkmate story, and $110M restitution.}}&lt;br /&gt;
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            &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;No, Jordan Belfort does not own Stratton Oakmont. The firm was permanently shut down in December 1996 after being expelled from the NASD (now FINRA) for being one of the worst actors in the securities industry. Stratton Oakmont no longer exists in any form. Belfort has no legal connection to any business operating under that name.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Jordan Ross Belfort&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = July 9, 1962&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = The Bronx, New York&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Securities fraud, Money laundering&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 4 years (served 22 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = Taft Correctional Institution&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Released&lt;br /&gt;
|conviction_date = 1999&lt;br /&gt;
|release_date = 2006&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Jordan Ross Belfort&#039;&#039;&#039; (born July 9, 1962) is an American author, motivational speaker, and former stockbroker who served 22 months in federal prison at &#039;&#039;&#039;Taft Correctional Institution&#039;&#039;&#039; after pleading guilty to [[Securities_Fraud|securities fraud]] and [[Money_Laundering|money laundering]] in connection with stock market manipulation schemes conducted through his brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont during the 1990s.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;biography-belfort&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Biography.com, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort,&amp;quot; https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/jordan-belfort&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Belfort&#039;s crimes, which defrauded more than 1,500 investors out of approximately $200 million, were chronicled in his 2007 memoir &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; which was adapted into the 2013 Academy Award-nominated film of the same name directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Crime Museum, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort,&amp;quot; https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/white-collar-crime/jordan-belfort/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While Belfort was sentenced to four years in prison, he served only 22 months after cooperating extensively with federal authorities, wearing a wire and testifying against 29 of his former partners and subordinates.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-belfort&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bloomberg, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort, the Real Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; November 7, 2013, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-07/jordan-belfort-the-real-wolf-of-wall-street&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Belfort was ordered to pay $110.4 million in restitution to his victims—a debt that remains largely unfulfilled decades later, with approximately $97-100 million still owed despite his substantial post-release earnings from speaking fees, book royalties, and film rights.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Celebrity Net Worth, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort Still Owes His Victims $97.5 Million,&amp;quot; https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/wolf-of-wall-street-jordan-belfort-still-owes-his-victims-97-5-million-hasnt-made-a-payment-to-them-in-years-12/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Current Status ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;As of December 2025&#039;&#039;&#039;, Jordan Belfort is no longer incarcerated. He was released from federal custody in 2006 after serving 22 months at Taft Correctional Institution. He remains subject to a $110.4 million restitution order, of which approximately $97 million is still outstanding. He continues to work as a motivational speaker and sales trainer.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== What Is Jordan Belfort Doing Now (2024-2025)? ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jordan Belfort has built a lucrative career as a motivational speaker, author, and sales trainer despite his criminal past. His current activities include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Motivational Speaking:&#039;&#039;&#039; Belfort runs Global Motivation, Inc., which provides corporate training sessions, keynote seminars, and coaching programs based on his proprietary &amp;quot;Straight Line System&amp;quot; methodology. Speaking engagements reportedly cost between $30,000 and $75,000, while sales seminars can run $80,000 and up. Some premium appearances command $200,000 or more. He speaks at corporate events, sales conferences, and private gatherings worldwide.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;finbold&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Finbold, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort Net Worth 2025,&amp;quot; https://finbold.com/guide/jordan-belfort-net-worth/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Books and Courses:&#039;&#039;&#039; Beyond his memoirs &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street&amp;quot; (2007) and &amp;quot;Catching the Wolf of Wall Street&amp;quot; (2009), Belfort has published sales training books including &amp;quot;Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;The Wolf of Investing&amp;quot; (2023). His books have been translated into 18 languages and released in approximately 40 countries. He also sells online courses teaching his Straight Line sales methodology.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;coinpaper&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Coinpaper, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort Net Worth: How Rich Is He?,&amp;quot; https://coinpaper.com/5539/jordan-belfort-net-worth-how-big-is-the-fortune-of-the-infamous-con-artist&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Cryptocurrency Involvement:&#039;&#039;&#039; In 2022, Belfort held a cryptocurrency workshop at his Miami estate where each of nine attendees paid approximately $40,000 (one Bitcoin at the time) to participate. He has discussed investment strategies tied to cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi), and the Metaverse. He has invested in multiple crypto ventures and frequently comments on cryptocurrency markets on social media—a fact that critics find ironic given his history of securities fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;coinpaper&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;YouTube and Social Media:&#039;&#039;&#039; Belfort maintains an active presence on YouTube and social media platforms, where he discusses sales techniques, investing, and business advice. His notoriety from &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street&amp;quot; film continues to drive interest in his content.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Jordan Belfort&#039;s Net Worth in 2024-2025 ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jordan Belfort&#039;s actual net worth is subject to wide-ranging estimates due to his complex financial situation:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Celebrity Net Worth&#039;&#039;&#039; estimates his net worth at &#039;&#039;&#039;negative $100 million&#039;&#039;&#039; when accounting for his unpaid restitution obligations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* Other analysts estimate his &#039;&#039;&#039;gross assets&#039;&#039;&#039; between $100 million and $115 million, not accounting for his debts.&lt;br /&gt;
* His estimated &#039;&#039;&#039;annual income&#039;&#039;&#039; is approximately $18 million from speaking engagements, book royalties, courses, and other ventures.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;finbold&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* Despite technically owing nearly $100 million, Belfort &#039;&#039;&#039;lives luxuriously&#039;&#039;&#039;, maintaining a lifestyle that has drawn criticism from victims and prosecutors alike.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The stark contrast between his apparent wealth and his outstanding legal obligations remains one of the most controversial aspects of his post-prison career. Critics argue he has profited enormously from crimes while paying only a fraction to victims.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Stratton Oakmont: History and Current Status ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Stratton Oakmont no longer exists.&#039;&#039;&#039; The firm was permanently shut down in December 1996 after being expelled from the NASD (now FINRA). Jordan Belfort does not own Stratton Oakmont and has no legal connection to any business operating under that name.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The firm&#039;s history:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Founded:&#039;&#039;&#039; 1989 by Jordan Belfort and Danny Porush&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Peak:&#039;&#039;&#039; Early 1990s, with over 1,000 brokers and $5 million monthly overhead&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Expelled:&#039;&#039;&#039; December 1996 by NASD&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Revenues at peak:&#039;&#039;&#039; $50-100 million annually&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Total investor losses:&#039;&#039;&#039; Approximately $200 million&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The NASD called Stratton Oakmont &amp;quot;one of the worst actors&amp;quot; in the securities industry and cited &amp;quot;obvious disregard for all rules of fair practice&amp;quot; in its expulsion order. The firm&#039;s business model—pump-and-dump penny stock manipulation—was inherently fraudulent and could not legally continue.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stratton-wiki&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following the firm&#039;s closure, multiple executives were prosecuted:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Jordan Belfort:&#039;&#039;&#039; 22 months federal prison, $110.4 million restitution&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Danny Porush:&#039;&#039;&#039; 39 months federal prison&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Steve Madden:&#039;&#039;&#039; 31 months federal prison&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;29 additional co-conspirators&#039;&#039;&#039; convicted based on Belfort&#039;s cooperation&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-belfort&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jordan Belfort became one of the most notorious figures in Wall Street history through his operation of Stratton Oakmont, a &amp;quot;boiler room&amp;quot; brokerage firm that used high-pressure sales tactics to manipulate penny stock prices and defraud investors. At its peak in the early 1990s, Stratton Oakmont employed over 1,000 stockbrokers and generated massive profits through &amp;quot;pump and dump&amp;quot; schemes that artificially inflated stock prices before selling them to unsuspecting investors. The firm&#039;s culture of excess—featuring drug use, wild parties, and ostentatious displays of wealth—would later become the subject of Belfort&#039;s memoirs and the Scorsese film.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort&#039;s relatively brief prison sentence—22 months of a four-year term—resulted from his extensive cooperation with federal authorities. He wore a wire and provided testimony that helped convict 29 other participants in the fraud. While cooperation typically results in reduced sentences, critics have argued that Belfort received exceptionally lenient treatment given the scale of his crimes and the number of victims harmed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;shortform-belfort&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Shortform Books, &amp;quot;What Did Jordan Belfort Do to End Up in Prison?,&amp;quot; https://www.shortform.com/blog/what-did-jordan-belfort-do/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Perhaps most controversial is Belfort&#039;s failure to compensate his victims. Despite earning millions from book sales, film rights, and speaking fees, he has paid only approximately $12.8 million toward his $110.4 million restitution obligation—and $11 million of that came from assets seized at the time of his arrest. At his current minimum payment rate of $10,000 per month, it would take over 70 years to repay his victims in full.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-restitution&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort, &#039;Wolf of Wall Street,&#039; to surrender more profits to victims, judge rules,&amp;quot; December 4, 2018, https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/04/wolf-of-wall-street-belfort-to-surrender-more-profits-to-victims.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jordan Ross Belfort was born on July 9, 1962, in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Bayside, Queens, where his family moved when he was a young child. His father, Max Belfort, and mother, Leah Belfort, were both accountants—a professional background that gave Jordan an early familiarity with numbers and financial concepts, though not the ethical framework that should accompany them. Growing up in a middle-class household in Queens, Belfort developed entrepreneurial instincts at a young age, reportedly earning $20,000 one summer selling Italian ices with a childhood friend on the beaches of Long Island. That experience—moving a commodity through sheer salesmanship—would prove to be a template for everything that followed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;famous-people-bio&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Famous People, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort Biography,&amp;quot; https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jordan-belfort-6511.php&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort attended American University in Washington, D.C., where he studied biology. He briefly enrolled in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, but withdrew on his very first day after the dean told incoming students that dentistry was no longer a path to wealth. The anecdote—whether precisely accurate or embellished by Belfort&#039;s tendency for self-mythology—captures something true about his character: he had no interest in professions that required patience, rigor, and delayed gratification. He wanted money fast, and he wanted a stage. Sales would give him both.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vestpod-crimes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Vestpod, &amp;quot;Unmasking the Wolf of Wall Street: Jordan Belfort&#039;s Financial Crimes,&amp;quot; https://www.vestpod.com/news/the-wallet-podcast/unmasking-the-wolf-of-wall-street&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Entry to Wall Street ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort&#039;s Wall Street career began at L.F. Rothschild, a respected brokerage firm, where he trained as a stockbroker. According to his own account, he received his broker&#039;s license on &amp;quot;Black Monday&amp;quot;—October 19, 1987—the day the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 22.6% in a single session, its worst single-day percentage loss in history. L.F. Rothschild, already under financial pressure, laid off Belfort along with most of its staff. This setback was temporary; Belfort would soon find his way into the lucrative but ethically questionable world of penny stock trading through a Long Island firm called Investors Center, where he first encountered the aggressive cold-call sales culture that would define his career.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vestpod-crimes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Stratton Oakmont ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 1989, Belfort founded Stratton Oakmont with partner Danny Porush after taking over a small existing brokerage called Stratton Securities, based in Lake Success, New York, on Long Island. The firm specialized in penny stocks—low-priced shares of small companies that traded outside the major stock exchanges on the OTC Bulletin Board. Stratton Oakmont became one of the largest &amp;quot;boiler room&amp;quot; operations in American history, employing aggressive sales tactics to convince investors to buy stocks that the firm was secretly manipulating.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The firm&#039;s business model was based on &amp;quot;pump and dump&amp;quot; schemes. Stratton Oakmont would acquire large positions in penny stocks, then use its army of brokers to aggressively promote those stocks to retail investors, driving up the price. Once the price had risen sufficiently, Belfort and his associates would sell their holdings at the inflated prices, leaving ordinary investors holding worthless shares when the price inevitably collapsed. Among the stocks manipulated by the firm were shares of Duke Ferdinand Mineral Corp., Faberge Industries, and dozens of other obscure companies whose names meant nothing to the retail investors being cold-called by Stratton&#039;s brokers.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wklaw-crimes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;WKLaw, &amp;quot;Behind Life of Jordan Belfort: Crimes in The Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; https://www.wklaw.com/crimes-in-the-wolf-wall-of-street/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The mechanics were straightforward but effective. Brokers working from scripts written by Belfort and senior managers would identify targets—typically retirees, small business owners, and other ordinary individuals with savings to invest—and place cold calls offering &amp;quot;hot tips&amp;quot; on stocks that were supposedly about to break out. The firm trained its brokers to overcome every conceivable objection and to never accept a refusal as final. Those who excelled were rewarded lavishly; those who couldn&#039;t hit their quotas were humiliated publicly or fired. This culture of aggressive sales, combined with the fraudulent nature of the underlying investments, produced enormous profits for the firm while systematically destroying the savings of its customers. The Stratton Oakmont pump-and-dump model was among the most studied examples of securities fraud in the 1990s; for a detailed examination of how similar boiler-room schemes have continued to operate in subsequent decades, see [https://confraud.com/category/ponzi-schemes/2026/01/roger-knox/ Roger Knox&#039;s Swiss Web: The $137M Pump-and-Dump Empire].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;allthatsinteresting-stratton&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All That&#039;s Interesting, &amp;quot;The Unhinged Story Of Stratton Oakmont,&amp;quot; https://allthatsinteresting.com/stratton-oakmont&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At its peak, Stratton Oakmont employed over 1,000 brokers and had a monthly overhead of approximately $5 million. The firm was responsible for the initial public offerings of 35 companies, including Steve Madden, Ltd. The firm&#039;s culture became legendary for its excess: lavish parties, rampant drug use, and a &amp;quot;work hard, play hard&amp;quot; mentality that Belfort encouraged. This culture would later be dramatized in graphic detail in the Scorsese film.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;allthatsinteresting-stratton&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== SEC and NASD Investigations ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Stratton Oakmont attracted regulatory attention almost from its inception. The firm was under near-constant scrutiny from the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD, now FINRA) from 1989 onward. In 1994, after a lengthy investigation, Stratton Oakmont paid $2.5 million in a civil securities fraud settlement with the SEC. The settlement also banned Belfort from running a firm, and as a result he sold his share of Stratton.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In December 1996, the NASD expelled Stratton Oakmont, putting the firm out of business. Officials called Stratton Oakmont &amp;quot;one of the worst actors&amp;quot; in the securities industry, with a history of &amp;quot;obvious disregard for all rules of fair practice.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stratton-wiki&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wikipedia, &amp;quot;Stratton Oakmont,&amp;quot; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratton_Oakmont&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== FBI Investigation and Arrest ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 1996, the FBI launched a criminal investigation into Belfort and Stratton Oakmont after receiving numerous complaints from investors. The investigation was led out of the FBI&#039;s New York field office and coordinated with the U.S. Attorney&#039;s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Agents built their case methodically, interviewing former Stratton employees, subpoenaing trading records, and tracing the money-laundering network Belfort had established through Swiss and Bahamian bank accounts. The investigation uncovered a vast network of illegal activities, including the pump-and-dump schemes, [[Money_Laundering|money laundering]], and bribery of a British banker to facilitate the international movement of proceeds.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vestpod-crimes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 1998, Belfort was indicted on charges of [[Securities_Fraud|securities fraud]] and money laundering. Facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, Belfort agreed to cooperate with federal authorities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;shortform-belfort&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Cooperation with Authorities ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort&#039;s cooperation was extensive and began in earnest in 1998. As part of his agreement with the FBI, he wore a wire at meetings with former colleagues and associates, recording conversations that helped investigators build cases against other participants in the Stratton Oakmont fraud. He provided detailed testimony against 29 of his former partners and subordinates, helping to secure their convictions. The cooperation agreement required him to disclose all assets and income, a provision that would later become the basis for ongoing disputes with prosecutors over his restitution payments.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-belfort&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Guilty Plea and Sentence ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 1999, Belfort pleaded guilty to securities fraud and money laundering in the Eastern District of New York. He admitted that for seven years, he operated a scheme in which Stratton Oakmont manipulated the stock of at least 34 companies, defrauding more than 1,500 investors out of approximately $200 million.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wikibooks-stratton&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wikibooks, &amp;quot;Professionalism/Jordan Belfort and Stratton Oakmont,&amp;quot; https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Professionalism/Jordan_Belfort_and_Stratton_Oakmont&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On July 18, 2003, Belfort was sentenced to four years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge John Gleeson of the Eastern District of New York. Because of his extensive cooperation with authorities, he would ultimately serve only 22 months. In addition to his prison term, Belfort was ordered to pay $110.4 million in restitution to the victims of his fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Arrival at Taft Correctional Institution ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort reported to Taft Correctional Institution, a minimum-security federal facility in Taft, California, near Bakersfield, to serve his sentence. The facility primarily housed non-violent offenders.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
His arrival did not go smoothly. According to accounts from his time there, prison officials lost his paperwork, resulting in Belfort spending his first five days in solitary confinement. He later described this experience as &amp;quot;brutal, absolutely brutal.&amp;quot; However, once his paperwork was located and processed, Belfort was moved into the general population of the minimum-security facility.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;uproxx-chong&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Uproxx, &amp;quot;The Real-Life Wolf Of Wall Street Was Tommy Chong&#039;s Cell Mate In Federal Prison,&amp;quot; https://uproxx.com/filmdrunk/wolf-of-wall-street-jordan-belfort-tommy-chong-cell-mate-prison/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Tommy Chong: Bunkmate and Mentor ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Belfort&#039;s prison experience was his bunkmate: &#039;&#039;&#039;Tommy Chong&#039;&#039;&#039;, the comedian famous as half of the comedy duo Cheech &amp;amp; Chong. Chong was serving a nine-month sentence after the federal government spent $12 million prosecuting him and others for selling bongs and drug paraphernalia through a business called Nice Dreams Enterprises.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;macleans-chong&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Maclean&#039;s, &amp;quot;Tommy Chong recalls his months in prison with the Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; https://macleans.ca/culture/tommy-chong-recalls-his-months-in-prison-with-the-wolf-of-wall-street/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Chong has described Belfort&#039;s arrival at Taft as &amp;quot;like Elvis coming to jail&amp;quot; and recalled that the minimum-security facility &amp;quot;would beat many Manhattan hotels for comfort.&amp;quot; According to Chong, Belfort immediately adapted to prison life by hiring other inmates to handle his chores. &amp;quot;Right away, Jordan hired someone to make his bed and to sweep his cubicle,&amp;quot; Chong recalled. &amp;quot;That&#039;s what you did there if you had the money.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;businessinsider-chong&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Business Insider, &amp;quot;How Jordan Belfort&#039;s Prison Bunkmate Tommy Chong Inspired Him To Write &#039;Wolf Of Wall Street&#039;,&amp;quot; https://www.businessinsider.in/How-Jordan-Belforts-Prison-Bunkmate-Tommy-Chong-Inspired-Him-To-Write-Wolf-Of-Wall-Street/articleshow/31187332.cms&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Life in the &amp;quot;Supper Club&amp;quot; ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort, Chong, and other inmates including PGA Tour caddie Eric Larson (who was serving time for drug-related charges) formed what they called an &amp;quot;elite gang&amp;quot; and ate meals &amp;quot;Goodfellas-style&amp;quot; together. The most valuable commodity for bartering in prison was onions—used widely in cooking by inmates from various ethnic backgrounds—and Larson grew them in the prison garden.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;caddie-network&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Caddie Network, &amp;quot;Caddie Eric Larson and Tommy Chong&#039;s prison encounters with The Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; https://www.thecaddienetwork.com/caddie-eric-larson-and-tommy-chongs-prison-encounters-with-the-wolf-of-wall-street/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
However, Belfort&#039;s entitled behavior eventually caught up with him. When he joined the supper club, he hired the same inmate who made his bed to also wash the group&#039;s pots and pans. &amp;quot;That lasted for one day,&amp;quot; Chong recalled. &amp;quot;And then Jordan was uninvited after that.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;yahoo-finance-chong&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Yahoo Finance, &amp;quot;The Real &#039;Wolf Of Wall Street&#039; Lived Like A King In Prison With Tommy Chong,&amp;quot; https://finance.yahoo.com/news/real-wolf-wall-street-lived-190304316.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Writing &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street&amp;quot; ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The most significant outcome of Belfort&#039;s time at Taft was beginning work on his memoir. Chong, who was writing his own book at the time, encouraged Belfort to document his story after hearing his tales during their late-night conversations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We used to tell each other stories at night,&amp;quot; Chong recalled, &amp;quot;and Belfort had Chong rolling hysterically on the floor.&amp;quot; By the third night, Chong told him, &amp;quot;You&#039;ve got to write a book.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;collider-chong&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Collider, &amp;quot;&#039;The Wolf of Wall Street&#039; Left Out One of the Wildest Details in Jordan Belfort&#039;s Story,&amp;quot; https://collider.com/the-wolf-of-wall-street-jordan-belfort-tommy-chong/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort started writing but initially struggled with the prose. He was about to give up when he went into the prison library and discovered Tom Wolfe&#039;s &amp;quot;The Bonfire of the Vanities.&amp;quot; The book&#039;s style inspired him to continue, and he thought, &amp;quot;That&#039;s how I want to write!&amp;quot; The result would eventually become &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; published in 2007, four years after his release.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;businessinsider-chong&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Release ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort was released from Taft Correctional Institution in approximately 2006 after serving 22 months of his four-year sentence. His early release was the direct result of his extensive cooperation with federal authorities in prosecuting other Stratton Oakmont participants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usprisonguide&amp;quot;&amp;gt;US Prison Guide, &amp;quot;Jordan Belfort Prison Time: 22 Months Served,&amp;quot; https://usprisonguide.com/how-long-was-jordan-belfort-in-prison/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Restitution Controversy ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The $110 Million Debt ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At his 2003 sentencing, Belfort was ordered to pay $110.4 million in restitution to the approximately 1,513 victims of his fraud. This remains one of the largest individual restitution orders in securities fraud history.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-restitution&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== What Has Been Paid ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The restitution fund has received only about $12.8 million total. Critically, $11 million of that came from assets (primarily real estate) seized at the time of Belfort&#039;s arrest—not from his post-release earnings. This means his actual voluntary payments amount to less than $2 million over nearly two decades.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Disputed Earnings ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal prosecutors have repeatedly challenged Belfort over his restitution payments. A 2018 court filing alleged that between 2013 and 2015 alone, Belfort earned at least $9 million from speaking engagements but &amp;quot;pocketed it all&amp;quot; without making proportional payments to victims.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;advisorhub&amp;quot;&amp;gt;AdvisorHub, &amp;quot;&#039;Wolf of Wall Street&#039; Belfort Isn&#039;t Paying His Debts, U.S. Says,&amp;quot; https://www.advisorhub.com/wolf-of-wall-street-belfort-isnt-paying-his-debts-u-s-says/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2013, the government agreed to modify Belfort&#039;s payment plan from 50% of all gross earnings to a minimum of $10,000 per month for life. At this rate of $120,000 per year, it would take over 70 years—until Belfort is 133 years old—to repay the full amount owed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-restitution&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Individual Victim Stories ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The human cost of Belfort&#039;s crimes is reflected in his victims&#039; stories:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Bob Shearin&#039;&#039;&#039; lost more than $100,000 at the hands of Stratton Oakmont.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-victims&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;The Greed Report: &#039;Wolf of Wall Street&#039;-type scams live on,&amp;quot; March 4, 2015, https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/04/the-greed-report-wolf-of-wall-street-type-scams-live-on.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Tom Pokorny&#039;&#039;&#039; lost $800,000 and believes the scam also cost him his marriage. He has criticized the Hollywood treatment given to Belfort, saying it &amp;quot;sends the wrong message to would-be scammers.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-victims&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Author and Film Subject ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2007, Belfort published &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; a memoir recounting his years at Stratton Oakmont with unflinching detail about the fraud, drug use, and excess that characterized the firm. A sequel, &amp;quot;Catching the Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; followed in 2009. Both books were commercially successful.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The books attracted Hollywood attention, and in 2013, Martin Scorsese directed a film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort. The production was notable for its three-hour runtime and its refusal to moralize: Scorsese presented the Stratton Oakmont world in vivid, seductive detail, leaving audiences to draw their own conclusions about whether they were watching a cautionary tale or a celebration. &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street&amp;quot; grossed $392 million worldwide on a $100 million production budget and earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (Scorsese), and Best Actor (DiCaprio). DiCaprio&#039;s portrayal of Belfort—manic, charismatic, and utterly amoral—became one of his signature performances and significantly renewed public interest in the Belfort story.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;imdb-wolf&amp;quot;&amp;gt;IMDb, &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street,&amp;quot; https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0993846/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The film&#039;s release prompted a backlash from victims. Victims&#039; advocates noted that neither Belfort nor any character in the film expressed meaningful remorse toward those who lost their savings. Tom Pokorny, who lost $800,000 to Stratton Oakmont, said the film &amp;quot;glamorizes what happened&amp;quot; and was disturbed that it became a cultural phenomenon rather than a warning. Under the terms of his restitution agreement, Belfort was required to surrender a portion of his film rights income to victims. A 2018 court ruling forced him to surrender additional profits after the government challenged his accounting of film-related earnings.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-restitution&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Motivational Speaking ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort reinvented himself as a motivational speaker, developing a sales training program called the &amp;quot;Straight Line System&amp;quot; that he has marketed to corporations and individuals around the world. His speaking fees have reportedly reached $100,000 per appearance, and he has built a substantial business around his personal brand.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vestpod-crimes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
His success as a speaker has been controversial. Critics argue that Belfort has profited enormously from his notoriety while paying only a fraction of what he owes to his victims. Supporters counter that he has legitimately rebuilt his career and is now teaching ethical sales techniques rather than fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Cryptocurrency Commentary ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In recent years, Belfort has become a vocal cryptocurrency commentator, at times warning about crypto scams while also promoting certain digital assets. His critics have noted the irony of a convicted fraudster offering investment advice.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ccn-bitcoin&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CCN, &amp;quot;Judge Forces Bitcoin Basher Jordan Belfort to Pay More Restitution to Victims He Scammed,&amp;quot; https://www.ccn.com/judge-forces-bitcoin-basher-jordan-belfort-to-pay-more-restitution-to-victims-he-scammed/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements and Positions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Belfort has been remarkably candid about his past crimes, discussing them in detail in his books, public appearances, and interviews. He has expressed regret for the harm he caused while also, at times, seeming to revel in the notoriety his crimes have brought him.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On his fraud, Belfort has acknowledged that he was a &amp;quot;wolf&amp;quot; who preyed on innocent investors. He has described his crimes in moral terms while also providing business-oriented explanations for how he rationalized his conduct at the time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On his restitution obligations, Belfort has stated that he is committed to paying back his victims. However, the gap between his apparent earnings and his actual payments has led to ongoing criticism and legal battles with federal authorities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Co-Defendants and Associates ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Danny Porush ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Danny Porush was Belfort&#039;s partner and co-founder of Stratton Oakmont. He was portrayed by Jonah Hill (as &amp;quot;Donnie Azoff&amp;quot;) in the Scorsese film. Porush pleaded guilty to securities fraud and money laundering and served 39 months in federal prison—significantly longer than Belfort.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stratton-wiki&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Steve Madden ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shoe designer Steve Madden was involved with Stratton Oakmont&#039;s IPO of his company. He served 31 months in federal prison for securities fraud and money laundering related to manipulating his company&#039;s stock price.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;allthatsinteresting-stratton&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How long was Jordan Belfort in prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort served 22 months in federal prison at [[Taft_Correctional_Institution|Taft Correctional Institution]] in California. Although originally sentenced to four years, his sentence was significantly reduced because he cooperated with federal authorities by wearing a wire and testifying against 29 co-conspirators from Stratton Oakmont.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-belfort&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What did Jordan Belfort do?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort ran Stratton Oakmont, a boiler room brokerage firm that operated pump-and-dump penny stock schemes from 1989 to 1996. He and his brokers manipulated stock prices through high-pressure sales tactics, defrauding over 1,500 investors out of approximately $200 million. He pleaded guilty to [[Securities_Fraud|securities fraud]] and [[Money_Laundering|money laundering]] in 1999.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crime-museum&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Where did Jordan Belfort serve his prison sentence?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Belfort served his sentence at Taft Correctional Institution, a minimum-security federal prison in Taft, California, near Bakersfield. His cellmate was comedian Tommy Chong, who encouraged him to write the memoir that became &amp;quot;The Wolf of Wall Street.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;uproxx-chong&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Who was Jordan Belfort&#039;s prison cellmate?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort&#039;s prison bunkmate at FCI Taft was Tommy Chong of Cheech &amp;amp; Chong fame, who was serving 9 months for selling drug paraphernalia. Chong described Belfort&#039;s arrival as &amp;quot;like Elvis coming to jail&amp;quot; and encouraged him to write his memoir based on their late-night storytelling sessions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;businessinsider-chong&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Has Jordan Belfort paid back his victims?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = No, Jordan Belfort has paid only a small fraction of the $110.4 million he owes in restitution. As of recent reports, he still owes approximately $97-100 million. Of the roughly $12.8 million collected for victims, $11 million came from assets seized at arrest. At his minimum payment rate of $10,000 per month, it would take over 70 years to repay the full amount.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How much does Jordan Belfort still owe?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort still owes approximately $97-100 million of his original $110.4 million restitution order. Despite earning millions from books, film rights, and speaking fees (including over $9 million from speaking engagements between 2013-2015 alone), he has made minimal voluntary payments to his victims.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-restitution&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What does Jordan Belfort do now?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort is now a motivational speaker and author, teaching his &amp;quot;Straight Line System&amp;quot; sales methodology at events worldwide. He commands speaking fees reportedly as high as $100,000 per appearance. He has also ventured into cryptocurrency commentary and maintains a significant online presence built on his &amp;quot;Wolf of Wall Street&amp;quot; notoriety.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vestpod-crimes&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What is Jordan Belfort doing now in 2024?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = In 2024-2025, Jordan Belfort runs Global Motivation, Inc., a company providing corporate training, keynote speeches, and sales coaching. He charges $30,000-$75,000 per speaking engagement, with premium events commanding up to $200,000. He published &amp;quot;The Wolf of Investing&amp;quot; in 2023, actively trades and comments on cryptocurrency, and maintains a large YouTube and social media presence. Despite earning an estimated $18 million annually, he still owes approximately $97 million in restitution to his fraud victims.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;finbold&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Does Jordan Belfort still own Stratton Oakmont?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = No, Jordan Belfort does not own Stratton Oakmont. The firm was permanently shut down in December 1996 after being expelled from the NASD (now FINRA) for being &amp;quot;one of the worst actors&amp;quot; in the securities industry. Stratton Oakmont no longer exists in any form. Belfort has no legal connection to any business operating under that name. The firm operated from 1989 to 1996, during which time it defrauded investors of approximately $200 million through pump-and-dump penny stock schemes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stratton-wiki&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Is Jordan Belfort still rich?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort&#039;s wealth is complicated. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth at negative $100 million due to his outstanding $97 million restitution debt. However, he earns an estimated $18 million annually from speaking fees, book royalties, and courses, and lives a luxurious lifestyle. He has paid only about $13-14 million toward restitution—most from assets seized at arrest—leaving approximately $97 million unpaid. At his minimum payment rate of $10,000/month, it would take over 70 years to repay his victims.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;celebrity-networth&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How much money does Jordan Belfort make from speaking?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort earns substantial income from motivational speaking. His fees range from $30,000 to $75,000 for standard speaking engagements, while sales seminars cost $80,000 and up. Premium appearances can command $200,000 or more. Between 2013 and 2015 alone, he reportedly earned at least $9 million from speaking engagements. His company, Global Motivation, Inc., provides corporate training, keynote seminars, and coaching programs teaching his &amp;quot;Straight Line System&amp;quot; sales methodology.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;finbold&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Did Jordan Belfort cooperate with the FBI?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Yes, Jordan Belfort extensively cooperated with federal authorities as part of his plea agreement. He wore a wire and provided testimony that helped convict 29 of his former partners and subordinates at Stratton Oakmont. This cooperation reduced his sentence from four years to just 22 months served.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-belfort&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Is Stratton Oakmont still open?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = No, Stratton Oakmont was shut down in December 1996 after being expelled from the NASD (now FINRA). Regulators called it &amp;quot;one of the worst actors&amp;quot; in the securities industry with an &amp;quot;obvious disregard for all rules of fair practice.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stratton-wiki&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How much did Jordan Belfort&#039;s victims lose?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Jordan Belfort and Stratton Oakmont defrauded over 1,500 investors out of approximately $200 million through pump-and-dump penny stock schemes. Individual victims lost anywhere from tens of thousands to over $800,000. Victim Tom Pokorny lost $800,000 and said the scam also cost him his marriage.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-victims&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Boiler_Room|Boiler Room]]&#039;&#039;&#039;: A high-pressure sales operation that uses aggressive tactics to sell securities, often involving fraud. Stratton Oakmont was one of the largest boiler rooms in American history.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Pump and Dump&#039;&#039;&#039;: A scheme to inflate a stock&#039;s price through aggressive promotion, then sell holdings before the price collapses. This was Stratton Oakmont&#039;s primary business model.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Penny Stock&#039;&#039;&#039;: Low-priced shares of small companies, often traded outside major exchanges, that are vulnerable to manipulation due to low trading volumes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Restitution&#039;&#039;&#039;: Court-ordered payment from an offender to victims to compensate for financial losses caused by the crime. Belfort owes $110.4 million in restitution.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NASD/FINRA&#039;&#039;&#039;: The National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), the self-regulatory organization that expelled Stratton Oakmont in 1996.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Cooperation_Mechanisms_Proffers_and_Substantial_Assistance|Substantial Assistance]]&#039;&#039;&#039;: Cooperation with prosecutors that can result in reduced sentences. Belfort&#039;s sentence was reduced from 4 years to 22 months due to substantial assistance.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Martha_Stewart|Martha Stewart]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Jeff_Skilling|Jeff Skilling]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Sam_Bankman-Fried|Sam Bankman-Fried]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Bernie_Madoff|Bernie Madoff]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Securities_Fraud|Securities Fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Money_Laundering|Money Laundering]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Wire_Fraud|Wire Fraud]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Cooperation_Mechanisms_Proffers_and_Substantial_Assistance|Cooperation and Substantial Assistance]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal_Good_Time_Credit_Policies|Federal Good Time Credit Policies]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Released]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Tara_Lenich&amp;diff=5526</id>
		<title>Tara Lenich</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Tara_Lenich&amp;diff=5526"/>
		<updated>2026-03-16T05:23:03Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Create article: Tara Lenich&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Tara Lenich&#039;&#039;&#039; is an American criminal justice advocate, prison consultant, and mitigation specialist who founded [[Liberty Advisors LLC]]. With a unique perspective gained from over a decade as a prosecutor in New York and subsequent personal experience as a defendant and federal inmate, Lenich provides holistic support to clients navigating the criminal legal system.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background and Education ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lenich grew up in New England and pursued her undergraduate education at [[Colby College]]. She later earned her law degree from [[Emory University School of Law]], which provided the foundation for her extensive career in the criminal justice system.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Legal Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Prosecution Experience ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following law school, Lenich began her career as a prosecutor in New York, where she served for over a decade. During this time, she gained comprehensive experience in all aspects of the criminal justice system from the prosecution side, developing expertise in criminal law procedures, case preparation, and courtroom advocacy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Personal Experience with the System ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lenich&#039;s perspective on the criminal justice system underwent a profound transformation when she found herself on the other side of the legal process as a defendant in both criminal and civil cases. This experience provided her with firsthand insight into the challenges faced by individuals and families navigating the complex criminal legal system.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During this period, Lenich hired prison consultants herself, giving her direct experience with the services she now provides to others. She subsequently served 10 months at [[Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury]] (FCI Danbury), a federal prison facility in Connecticut that houses female inmates.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Liberty Advisors LLC ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following her release, Lenich founded &#039;&#039;&#039;Liberty Advisors LLC&#039;&#039;&#039;, a consulting firm dedicated to providing comprehensive support to clients and their families as they navigate the criminal legal system. The company takes a holistic approach, addressing not only the legal aspects of cases but also the emotional and practical challenges faced by defendants and their loved ones.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Services ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Liberty Advisors LLC offers a range of services designed to prepare and support clients throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system. These services include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Prison consulting and preparation&lt;br /&gt;
* Mitigation specialist services&lt;br /&gt;
* Advocacy and support for defendants and families&lt;br /&gt;
* Educational seminars and speaking engagements&lt;br /&gt;
* Guidance on federal prison procedures and expectations&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Mitigation Specialist Certification ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lenich is a certified mitigation specialist, a credential that enables her to work with legal teams to explore and develop mitigation strategies for clients facing criminal charges. Mitigation specialists play a crucial role in criminal defense by investigating and presenting evidence that may reduce sentences or lead to alternative dispositions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Her certification allows her to assist defense attorneys in gathering and presenting biographical, psychological, and social history information that can be crucial in sentencing proceedings. This work often involves extensive research into a client&#039;s background, including family history, mental health issues, substance abuse problems, and other factors that may have contributed to their involvement in criminal activity.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Advocacy and Philosophy ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lenich&#039;s approach to prison consulting and advocacy is informed by her unique dual perspective as both a former prosecutor and former inmate. This background allows her to understand the system from multiple angles and provide clients with realistic expectations while maintaining compassionate support.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Her advocacy work emphasizes the human side of the criminal justice system, recognizing that defendants and their families face significant emotional, financial, and social challenges throughout the legal process. Lenich&#039;s personal experience with these challenges enables her to provide empathetic guidance and practical advice to clients facing similar situations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Holistic Approach ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Liberty Advisors LLC&#039;s holistic approach distinguishes it from traditional legal services by addressing the comprehensive needs of clients and their families. This includes:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Emotional support and counseling&lt;br /&gt;
* Practical preparation for incarceration&lt;br /&gt;
* Family support and communication strategies&lt;br /&gt;
* Post-release planning and reintegration assistance&lt;br /&gt;
* Educational resources about the federal prison system&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Speaking and Education ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In addition to her consulting work, Lenich serves as a speaker and educator on criminal justice issues. Her presentations draw from her extensive experience on both sides of the system, providing valuable insights to legal professionals, advocacy groups, and community organizations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Her speaking engagements often focus on:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Prison preparation and what to expect during incarceration&lt;br /&gt;
* The importance of mitigation in criminal defense&lt;br /&gt;
* Family support during the criminal justice process&lt;br /&gt;
* Criminal justice reform and advocacy&lt;br /&gt;
* The intersection of prosecution and defense perspectives&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Professional Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lenich&#039;s work has contributed to broader discussions about criminal justice reform and the importance of comprehensive support for individuals and families affected by the criminal legal system. Her unique background provides credibility and authenticity to her advocacy work, as she can speak from personal experience about both the prosecutorial mindset and the defendant&#039;s perspective.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Her approach emphasizes the importance of treating defendants as whole people rather than just case numbers, recognizing the complex factors that often contribute to criminal behavior and the challenges of reintegration following incarceration.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Contact and Location ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Liberty Advisors LLC is based in New York, where Lenich continues to provide consulting services to clients throughout the federal system. The firm&#039;s services are available to clients nationwide, reflecting the federal nature of many criminal cases and the consistency of federal prison procedures across different jurisdictions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://taralenich.com Official website of Tara Lenich]&lt;br /&gt;
* Liberty Advisors LLC company information&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison consultant]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Mitigation specialist]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Criminal justice reform]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Prison consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:American advocates]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Colby College alumni]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Emory University School of Law alumni]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Living people]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:People from New York]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons&amp;diff=5524</id>
		<title>Presidential Clemency and Pardons</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons&amp;diff=5524"/>
		<updated>2026-03-04T16:47:12Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: reference strengthening&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{DISPLAYTITLE:Presidential Clemency and Pardons}}&lt;br /&gt;
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      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What is the difference between a pardon and a commutation?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;A pardon is a complete forgiveness of a federal crime that eliminates the conviction and restores civil rights lost due to the conviction. A commutation reduces or eliminates the prison sentence but leaves the conviction intact. A pardoned person can truthfully say they were not convicted; a person whose sentence was commuted remains a convicted felon.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Does a presidential pardon expunge your criminal record?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;No. A presidential pardon does NOT expunge or erase a criminal record. Both the original conviction and the pardon will appear on federal background checks, including FBI fingerprint checks and security clearance investigations. The pardoned person must still disclose the conviction on forms where such information is required.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Can a president pardon someone before they are convicted?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes, the president can issue a pardon before conviction and even before charges are filed. Gerald Ford&#039;s pardon of Richard Nixon is the most famous example of a pre-emptive pardon. However, acceptance of a pardon is traditionally considered an admission of guilt, as established in Burdick v. United States (1915).&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
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      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;No, the president can only pardon federal crimes. State governors have the power to grant clemency for state crimes. This is why some individuals, like Steve Bannon, could be pardoned for federal charges but still face prosecution under state law.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
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    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Does a presidential pardon restore gun rights?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;A full and unconditional presidential pardon generally does restore federal firearm rights for federal felons. However, state laws may still impose restrictions, and some states do not recognize a presidential pardon as sufficient to restore firearm rights within their jurisdiction.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;What notable pardons has President Trump issued?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Notable Trump pardons include Michael Milken (securities fraud), Paul Manafort (tax and bank fraud), Steve Bannon (fraud), Dinesh D&#039;Souza (campaign finance violation), Trevor Milton (securities fraud), Changpeng Zhao (Bank Secrecy Act violation), Juan Orlando Hernández (drug trafficking), and Henry Cuellar (bribery charges, pardoned before trial). Trump also commuted sentences for Rod Blagojevich, Kodak Black, Alice Marie Johnson, David Gentile, and Carlos Watson.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Can a president pardon themselves?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;This question has never been definitively resolved by courts. No president has attempted a self-pardon. Most legal scholars believe a self-pardon would be unconstitutional under the principle that no one should be a judge in their own case. The Justice Department&#039;s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion in 1974 stating a president cannot pardon himself, but this is not binding law.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;How long does the presidential pardon process take?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Through the formal Office of the Pardon Attorney process, applications typically take 2-5 years to process. The Pardon Attorney investigates each petition and makes a recommendation. However, presidents can bypass this process entirely and grant pardons immediately for cases brought to their attention through other channels.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Can a presidential pardon be revoked?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Once accepted, a presidential pardon generally cannot be revoked. The pardon becomes final upon acceptance by the recipient. However, a pardon obtained through fraud or bribery could potentially be challenged. Courts have held that acceptance of a pardon creates a binding contract between the government and the recipient.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Does a pardon make you innocent?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;No. A pardon is forgiveness, not exoneration. The Supreme Court stated in Burdick v. United States (1915) that accepting a pardon carries an imputation of guilt. The underlying conviction remains on record alongside the pardon. For actual innocence claims, the proper remedy is vacating the conviction through the courts, not a pardon.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
    },&lt;br /&gt;
    {&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Question&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;name&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Can family members of the president receive pardons?&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
      &amp;quot;acceptedAnswer&amp;quot;: {&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes, there is no legal prohibition against presidents pardoning family members. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, and Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden in 2024. While legal, such pardons are controversial and raise concerns about abuse of the pardon power.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
      }&lt;br /&gt;
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}&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/script&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/html&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Presidential clemency&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to the constitutional power of the President of the United States to grant pardons and commutations for federal crimes. This power, established in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, is among the most absolute authorities granted to the executive branch and is subject to virtually no judicial review. Since 1900, presidents have granted over 22,000 acts of clemency, though the frequency, timing, and criteria have varied dramatically from one administration to the next.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Constitutional Basis ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Constitution provides that the President &amp;quot;shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.&amp;quot; This language gives the president broad authority to forgive federal crimes or reduce federal sentences.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Founders modeled this power on the English royal prerogative of mercy, believing that justice requires a mechanism for executive mercy in cases where strict application of the law would produce unjust results. Alexander Hamilton defended the pardon power in Federalist No. 74, arguing that &amp;quot;the criminal code of every country partakes so much of necessary severity, that without an easy access to exceptions in favor of unfortunate guilt, justice would wear a countenance too sanguinary and cruel.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Scope and Limitations ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The presidential pardon power is remarkably broad but has specific limitations:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;What the President CAN do:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Pardon any federal crime (before or after conviction)&lt;br /&gt;
* Commute federal sentences (reduce or eliminate prison time)&lt;br /&gt;
* Grant reprieves (temporarily postpone sentences)&lt;br /&gt;
* Remit fines and forfeitures&lt;br /&gt;
* Issue blanket pardons to classes of offenders (amnesty)&lt;br /&gt;
* Bypass the formal clemency application process entirely&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;What the President CANNOT do:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Pardon state crimes (only state governors can do this)&lt;br /&gt;
* Pardon cases of impeachment&lt;br /&gt;
* Pardon civil liabilities unrelated to criminal conviction&lt;br /&gt;
* Expunge or seal criminal records&lt;br /&gt;
* Pardon crimes that have not yet been committed&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Types of Clemency ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Pardons ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A &#039;&#039;&#039;pardon&#039;&#039;&#039; is a complete forgiveness of a federal crime. Understanding what a pardon does—and critically, what it does &#039;&#039;&#039;not&#039;&#039;&#039; do—is essential for anyone affected by the clemency process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== What a Pardon DOES ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A presidential pardon:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Forgives the offense&#039;&#039;&#039; – The legal consequences of the conviction are eliminated&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Restores civil rights&#039;&#039;&#039; – Voting rights, jury service eligibility, and the ability to hold public office are typically restored&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;May restore firearm rights&#039;&#039;&#039; – A full and unconditional pardon generally restores federal firearm rights, though state restrictions may still apply&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Eliminates restitution obligations&#039;&#039;&#039; – Criminal restitution and fines imposed as part of the sentence are typically eliminated&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Removes employment barriers&#039;&#039;&#039; – Many professional licenses and government positions that were closed due to the conviction become available again&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Allows denial of conviction&#039;&#039;&#039; – The recipient may truthfully state they have not been convicted of the pardoned offense on most applications&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== What a Pardon Does NOT Do ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Critically, a presidential pardon has significant limitations that are often misunderstood:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Does NOT expunge the criminal record&#039;&#039;&#039; – The conviction remains on your record. Both the original conviction AND the pardon will appear on federal background checks, including FBI fingerprint checks and federal security clearance investigations. For more information on record clearing, see [[Expungement]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Does NOT seal records&#039;&#039;&#039; – Court records, arrest records, and related documents remain publicly accessible. The pardon does not make these records private or confidential.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Does NOT eliminate disclosure requirements&#039;&#039;&#039; – A pardoned person must still disclose the conviction on forms where such information is required, though they may also disclose that a pardon was received.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Does NOT affect civil liability&#039;&#039;&#039; – Civil judgments, lawsuits, and obligations unrelated to the criminal conviction remain in effect. A pardon forgives the crime but does not make the victim whole.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Does NOT guarantee restoration of all rights&#039;&#039;&#039; – State laws may still impose restrictions even after a federal pardon. Some states do not recognize federal pardons as sufficient to restore firearm rights or professional licenses within their jurisdiction.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Does NOT prevent state prosecution&#039;&#039;&#039; – A federal pardon only covers federal offenses. If the same conduct violates state law, state prosecutors may still bring charges. This is why Steve Bannon, despite receiving a federal pardon, was later convicted of state fraud charges in New York.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Pardons and Background Checks ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
One of the most important practical limitations of a presidential pardon relates to background checks. When employers, licensing agencies, or government entities run FBI fingerprint checks or federal criminal history searches:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* The original conviction will appear&lt;br /&gt;
* The pardon will also appear as a notation&lt;br /&gt;
* The individual is not entitled to claim they have never been convicted—only that the conviction was pardoned&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This means that while a pardon carries significant legal and symbolic weight, it does not make the conviction &amp;quot;disappear.&amp;quot; Between October 2022 and December 2023, President Biden pardoned over 6,500 people for federal marijuana possession, but none had their records expunged—both the conviction and the pardon now appear on their background checks.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== The 2024 Corkern Decision ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On December 23, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in &#039;&#039;United States v. Corkern&#039;&#039; that presidential pardons do NOT create jurisdiction for federal courts to order expungement. Dr. Robert Corkern, who received a pardon from President Trump for federal bribery, sought to have his criminal record expunged. Both the district court and the Fifth Circuit denied his motion, holding that courts lack jurisdiction to expunge records absent specific statutory authority or constitutional violations—even with a presidential pardon. This decision reinforced that pardons and [[Expungement|expungement]] are fundamentally different legal concepts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Acceptance and Admission of Guilt ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The acceptance of a pardon is traditionally considered an acknowledgment of guilt. In &#039;&#039;Burdick v. United States&#039;&#039; (1915), the Supreme Court stated that a pardon &amp;quot;carries an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it.&amp;quot; This principle has led some individuals to refuse pardons when they maintained their innocence and wished to continue pursuing exoneration through the courts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Commutations ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A &#039;&#039;&#039;commutation&#039;&#039;&#039; reduces or eliminates a prison sentence but leaves the underlying conviction intact. A person whose sentence is commuted:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Remains a convicted felon with all associated disabilities&lt;br /&gt;
* Retains the conviction on their criminal record&lt;br /&gt;
* May still owe restitution and fines&lt;br /&gt;
* Must still register as required (e.g., sex offender registry)&lt;br /&gt;
* Benefits only from the reduction in incarceration time&lt;br /&gt;
* Cannot claim they were not convicted&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Commutations are often used when a president believes the sentence was too harsh but does not wish to overturn the conviction itself. They are particularly common in drug cases where mandatory minimum sentences resulted in disproportionate punishment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Reprieves ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A &#039;&#039;&#039;reprieve&#039;&#039;&#039; temporarily postpones the execution of a sentence. This is most commonly used in death penalty cases to allow time for appeals or clemency petitions. Unlike pardons or commutations, a reprieve does not forgive or reduce the sentence—it merely delays its implementation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Amnesty ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Amnesty&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to a pardon extended to a group or class of offenders, typically for political offenses. Notable examples include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Andrew Johnson&#039;s blanket amnesty for former Confederates (1868)&lt;br /&gt;
* Jimmy Carter&#039;s pardon of Vietnam War draft evaders (1977)&lt;br /&gt;
* Joe Biden&#039;s categorical pardon for simple marijuana possession (2022)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Remission of Fines and Forfeitures ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The president can also remit fines and forfeitures imposed as part of federal criminal sentences, either as part of a broader clemency grant or as a standalone action.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== The Clemency Process ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Office of the Pardon Attorney ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The formal clemency process is administered by the Office of the Pardon Attorney within the Department of Justice. The formal application requirements include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Waiting period&#039;&#039;&#039; – Applicants must wait five years after completing their sentence before applying for a pardon (no waiting period for commutations)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Detailed petition&#039;&#039;&#039; – Applicants must submit comprehensive documentation including personal history, crime details, and reasons for seeking clemency&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Character references&#039;&#039;&#039; – Letters from employers, community members, and others attesting to rehabilitation&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Evidence of rehabilitation&#039;&#039;&#039; – Documentation of post-conviction conduct, employment, education, and community involvement&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Pardon Attorney&#039;s office investigates each petition, which can take years. The Pardon Attorney makes a recommendation to the Deputy Attorney General, who forwards it to the President. The President makes the final decision and is not bound by any recommendation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Grant Rates Through the Formal Process ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The formal clemency process has historically had extremely low success rates:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Presidents from William McKinley through Jimmy Carter granted at least 20% of clemency requests&lt;br /&gt;
* Ronald Reagan granted approximately 12% of requests&lt;br /&gt;
* Every subsequent president through Trump granted single-digit percentages&lt;br /&gt;
* The Obama administration&#039;s Clemency Initiative generated over 36,000 applications but resulted in fewer than 2,000 grants&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Direct Presidential Action ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Presidents frequently bypass the formal process entirely, particularly for:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* High-profile cases that receive media attention&lt;br /&gt;
* Cases involving political allies or supporters&lt;br /&gt;
* Cases brought to their attention through personal connections or advocacy&lt;br /&gt;
* End-of-term clemency grants&lt;br /&gt;
* Categorical pardons affecting entire classes of offenders&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Constitution places no procedural requirements on the pardon power, allowing presidents complete discretion in how they exercise it. This has led to significant variation in how different presidents approach clemency.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Historical Context ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Early Republic ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;George Washington&#039;&#039;&#039; established the precedent for presidential clemency when he pardoned participants in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Washington viewed clemency as a tool for national reconciliation, pardoning rebels who had taken up arms against federal tax collectors rather than pursuing harsh punishment that might further divide the young nation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Thomas Jefferson&#039;&#039;&#039; continued this reconciliatory approach, pardoning those convicted under the Alien and Sedition Acts—laws he had vehemently opposed as unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Civil War and Reconstruction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Abraham Lincoln&#039;&#039;&#039; used clemency extensively during the Civil War, pardoning Confederate soldiers and issuing proclamations of amnesty to encourage desertion from the Confederate Army. Lincoln pardoned, commuted, or rescinded convictions for 343 people during his presidency.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Andrew Johnson&#039;&#039;&#039; granted the most sweeping amnesty in American history on Christmas Day 1868, issuing a &amp;quot;full pardon and amnesty&amp;quot; to all former Confederates, including those who had not applied for individual pardons. The decision was controversial—many believed Confederate leaders should face punishment for treason—but Johnson argued it was necessary to reunite the nation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Progressive Era Through World War II ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Theodore Roosevelt&#039;&#039;&#039; granted approximately 981 acts of clemency during his presidency, often using the power to address cases where he believed sentences were unjust.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Woodrow Wilson&#039;&#039;&#039; faced difficult clemency decisions related to World War I, including cases of conscientious objectors and those convicted under the Espionage Act.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Franklin D. Roosevelt&#039;&#039;&#039; holds the record for most pardons by any president in a single administration. During his nearly four terms in office (1933-1945), FDR granted 3,687 pardons—an average of more than one per day. This high volume reflected both the length of his presidency and a more liberal approach to clemency than subsequent presidents would adopt.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Nixon Pardon and Its Aftermath ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Gerald Ford&#039;s&#039;&#039;&#039; pardon of Richard Nixon on September 8, 1974, remains the most consequential and controversial presidential pardon in American history. Ford granted Nixon a &amp;quot;full, free and absolute pardon&amp;quot; for any crimes he may have committed during his presidency—before any charges were filed. This was the first pre-emptive pardon of a former president.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The pardon was deeply unpopular. Ford&#039;s approval ratings plummeted from 71% to 50% within days, and the decision is widely believed to have contributed to his loss in the 1976 election. Critics accused Ford of making a secret deal with Nixon: resignation in exchange for a pardon. Ford denied this, testifying before Congress that his only motivation was to end the &amp;quot;national nightmare&amp;quot; and allow the country to move forward.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Nixon pardon established an important precedent: presidents can pardon individuals who have not been charged, tried, or convicted of any specific crime.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Carter Amnesty ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Jimmy Carter&#039;&#039;&#039; began his presidency on January 21, 1977, by issuing a blanket pardon to approximately 200,000 Vietnam War draft evaders. The decision was controversial—Senator Barry Goldwater called it &amp;quot;the most disgraceful thing that a President has ever done&amp;quot;—but Carter believed it was necessary to heal divisions from the war.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Iran-Contra and the Bush Pardons ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;George H.W. Bush&#039;&#039;&#039; issued pardons on December 24, 1992, to six officials involved in the Iran-Contra affair, including former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who was awaiting trial. Special Counsel Lawrence Walsh, who had been prosecuting the case, called the pardons the completion of a &amp;quot;cover-up&amp;quot; and accused Bush of &amp;quot;misconduct.&amp;quot; Critics noted that Bush himself had been implicated in the affair and the pardons prevented further investigation that might have revealed his involvement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Clinton Controversies ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Bill Clinton&#039;&#039;&#039; issued 140 pardons on his final day in office, January 20, 2001, creating significant controversy. The most criticized was the pardon of Marc Rich, a fugitive financier who had fled to Switzerland after being indicted for evading $48 million in taxes and making illegal deals with Iran during the hostage crisis. Rich&#039;s ex-wife, Denise Rich, had donated over $1 million to Democratic causes and the Clinton Presidential Library. The pardon was investigated by Congress and the Justice Department but no charges were filed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Clinton also pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton for a drug conviction, drawing accusations of nepotism.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Modern Approaches to Clemency ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Barack Obama (2009-2017) ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Obama granted 1,927 acts of clemency (212 pardons and 1,715 commutations), the most by any president at that time since Harry Truman. However, this represented only about 5% of the 36,000+ applications received—among the lowest grant rates in history.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2014, Obama launched the &#039;&#039;&#039;Clemency Initiative&#039;&#039;&#039;, encouraging federal prisoners—particularly those serving lengthy sentences for nonviolent drug offenses—to apply for commutation. The program generated unprecedented demand but was criticized for its slow pace and low success rate. Of the 36,544 petitions filed under the Initiative, only 1,696 were granted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Obama saved most of his clemency grants for his final year in office, including 330 acts of clemency on his second-to-last day (January 19, 2017). He commuted the sentences of 568 people serving life sentences, the most in a single term by any president.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Donald Trump (First Term: 2017-2021) ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Trump&#039;s first-term approach to clemency was characterized by low volume but high-profile grants. He issued only 237 acts of clemency (143 pardons and 94 commutations)—fewer than any president since George H.W. Bush—but many went to political allies, supporters, or cases championed by celebrities.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Trump drew criticism for frequently bypassing the formal Pardon Attorney process in favor of direct grants to individuals with personal or political connections. Notable first-term clemency recipients included Sheriff Joe Arpaio (contempt of court), Dinesh D&#039;Souza (campaign finance fraud), and Alice Marie Johnson (drug conspiracy, championed by Kim Kardashian).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Like his predecessors, Trump saved many grants for the end of his term. On January 19, 2021, his second-to-last day, he issued 116 acts of clemency including pardons for Steve Bannon (fraud), Paul Manafort (tax and bank fraud), and commutations for Kodak Black (firearms) and Lil Wayne (firearms).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Joe Biden (2021-2025) ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Biden fundamentally changed the scale of presidential clemency, granting 4,245 acts of clemency—more than any president in history, including Franklin Roosevelt. This included:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Categorical marijuana pardons&#039;&#039;&#039; – In October 2022 and later expansions, Biden pardoned all federal convictions for simple marijuana possession, affecting thousands of people&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Record single-day clemency&#039;&#039;&#039; – On December 12, 2024, Biden granted clemency to 1,538 people (39 pardons, 1,499 commutations), the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Final acts&#039;&#039;&#039; – Biden granted clemency to nearly 2,500 additional people in his final weeks&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
More than 90% of Biden&#039;s clemency grants came in his final fiscal year in office. His grant rate was significantly higher than his recent predecessors, though the volume was driven largely by categorical pardons affecting marijuana offenses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Controversially, Biden also granted a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, on December 1, 2024, covering all federal crimes Hunter &amp;quot;committed or may have committed&amp;quot; from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024—including gun and tax charges for which Hunter had already been convicted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Donald Trump (Second Term: 2025-Present) ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Trump&#039;s second term has seen continued use of clemency power for high-profile and politically connected individuals. Notable grants include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Rod Blagojevich&#039;&#039;&#039; – Full pardon (February 2025) after previous commutation&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Trevor Milton&#039;&#039;&#039; – Pardon for Nikola EV fraud (March 2025); Milton had donated over $1.8 million to Trump&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Carlos Watson&#039;&#039;&#039; – Commutation for Ozy Media fraud (March 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Changpeng Zhao&#039;&#039;&#039; – Pardon for Bank Secrecy Act violations (October 2025); Binance founder had completed his sentence&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;David Gentile&#039;&#039;&#039; – Commutation for GPB Capital fraud (December 2025); had served only 12 days&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Juan Orlando Hernández&#039;&#039;&#039; – Pardon for former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking (December 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Henry Cuellar&#039;&#039;&#039; – Pre-trial pardon for sitting Democratic congressman indicted on bribery (December 2025)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Notable Clemency Recipients ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The following high-profile offenders profiled on Prisonpedia have received presidential clemency:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Pardons ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable sortable&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
! Recipient !! Crime !! Original Sentence !! President !! Date !! Notes&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Steve Bannon]] || Federal fraud || N/A (pardoned pre-trial) || Trump || January 20, 2021 || &amp;quot;We Build the Wall&amp;quot; fraud; later convicted of state fraud in NY&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Rod Blagojevich]] || Corruption || 14 years || Trump || February 10, 2025 || Previously commuted Feb 2020; full pardon Feb 2025&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Henry Cuellar]] || Bribery, money laundering, FARA || N/A (pardoned pre-trial) || Trump || December 3, 2025 || Sitting Democratic congressman from Texas; charges dismissed&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Dinesh D&#039;Souza]] || Campaign finance fraud || 5 years probation || Trump || May 31, 2018 || Conservative commentator; straw donor scheme&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Juan Orlando Hernandez]] || Drug trafficking conspiracy || 45 years || Trump || December 1, 2025 || Former President of Honduras; served ~18 months&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Paul Manafort]] || Tax fraud, bank fraud || 7.5 years || Trump || December 23, 2020 || Trump campaign chairman; served ~2 years&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Michael Milken]] || Securities fraud || 10 years (served 22 months) || Trump || February 18, 2020 || &amp;quot;Junk bond king&amp;quot; of the 1980s&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Trevor Milton]] || Securities fraud || 4 years || Trump || March 2025 || Nikola EV founder; donated $1.8M+ to Trump&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Changpeng Zhao]] || Bank Secrecy Act violation || 4 months (served) || Trump || October 23, 2025 || Binance founder; pardoned after completing sentence&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Commutations ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable sortable&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
! Recipient !! Crime !! Original Sentence !! President !! Date !! Notes&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kodak Black]] || Firearms false statement || 46 months || Trump || January 20, 2021 || Rapper; released after ~1 year served&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Rod Blagojevich]] || Corruption || 14 years || Trump || February 18, 2020 || Served ~8 years; later received full pardon&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[David Gentile]] || Securities fraud, wire fraud || 7 years || Trump || December 1, 2025 || GPB Capital Ponzi scheme; served only 12 days&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alice Marie Johnson]] || Drug conspiracy || Life without parole || Trump || June 6, 2018 || Served 21+ years; later received full pardon Aug 2020&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Carlos Watson]] || Securities fraud, wire fraud || 116 months || Trump || March 28, 2025 || Ozy Media founder; commuted before surrender&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Controversy and Criticism ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Quid Pro Quo Concerns ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Critics have raised concerns about clemency being granted to individuals who:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Made significant political donations (Trevor Milton donated $1.8M+ to Trump; Marc Rich&#039;s ex-wife donated heavily to Clinton)&lt;br /&gt;
* Had personal or political connections to the president&lt;br /&gt;
* Received clemency shortly before or after providing political support&lt;br /&gt;
* Were pardoned by family members (Clinton pardoning his brother; Biden pardoning his son)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the pardon power is constitutionally absolute, some scholars argue that pardons granted for corrupt purposes could constitute impeachable offenses or even bribery. No president has ever been successfully impeached or prosecuted for abuse of the pardon power.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Self-Pardons and Family Pardons ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The question of whether a president can pardon himself has never been definitively resolved. No president has attempted a self-pardon, though Trump reportedly considered it. Most legal scholars believe a self-pardon would be unconstitutional under the principle that no one should be a judge in their own case.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Presidential pardons of family members, while legal, have drawn criticism. Clinton&#039;s pardon of his half-brother and Biden&#039;s pardon of his son Hunter raised questions about whether family relationships should disqualify individuals from clemency consideration.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Timing and Transparency ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The concentration of clemency grants in a president&#039;s final days has been criticized for several reasons:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;No political accountability&#039;&#039;&#039; – Presidents leaving office face no electoral consequences for controversial pardons&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Limited review&#039;&#039;&#039; – Last-minute pardons often bypass normal vetting processes&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Appearance of impropriety&#039;&#039;&#039; – Pardons issued while &amp;quot;walking out the door&amp;quot; invite suspicion&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
However, it&#039;s worth noting that some last-minute clemency grants have been widely praised, including commutations for nonviolent drug offenders serving disproportionate sentences.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Inconsistency and Access ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The clemency system has been criticized for treating well-connected individuals differently than ordinary applicants:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Cases with celebrity advocates (Kim Kardashian for Alice Marie Johnson) are far more likely to succeed&lt;br /&gt;
* Wealthy defendants can hire pardon attorneys and lobbyists&lt;br /&gt;
* Politically connected individuals often bypass the formal process entirely&lt;br /&gt;
* Ordinary applicants through the Pardon Attorney process face years-long waits and single-digit success rates&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Clemency&#039;&#039;&#039;: A general term encompassing all forms of executive mercy, including pardons, commutations, reprieves, and amnesty.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Pardon&#039;&#039;&#039;: Complete forgiveness of a crime that eliminates the conviction but does not expunge the record.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Commutation&#039;&#039;&#039;: Reduction or elimination of a sentence, leaving the conviction intact.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Reprieve&#039;&#039;&#039;: Temporary postponement of sentence execution.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Amnesty&#039;&#039;&#039;: A pardon extended to a group or class of offenders, typically for political offenses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Expungement&#039;&#039;&#039;: The sealing or destruction of criminal records—distinct from and not accomplished by a pardon. See [[Expungement]] for more information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Expungement]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Rod Blagojevich]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Paul Manafort]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Steve Bannon]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Trevor Milton]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Changpeng Zhao]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Juan Orlando Hernandez]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Henry Cuellar]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Alice Marie Johnson]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[David Gentile]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Carlos Watson]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Compassionate Release Policies]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is the difference between a pardon and a commutation?|answer=A pardon is complete forgiveness that eliminates the conviction and restores civil rights. A commutation only reduces or eliminates the prison sentence but leaves the conviction on record. A pardoned person is no longer considered convicted; a person with a commuted sentence remains a convicted felon.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Does a presidential pardon expunge your criminal record?|answer=No. A presidential pardon does NOT expunge or erase your criminal record. Both the original conviction and the pardon will appear on federal background checks, including FBI fingerprint checks. You must still disclose the conviction on forms requiring such information. For information about clearing records, see [[Expungement]].}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can a president pardon someone before they are convicted?|answer=Yes, the president can issue a pardon before conviction and even before charges are filed. Gerald Ford&#039;s pardon of Richard Nixon and Trump&#039;s pardons of Steve Bannon and Henry Cuellar are examples. However, acceptance of a pardon is traditionally considered an admission of guilt.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can a president pardon state crimes?|answer=No, the president can only pardon federal crimes. State governors have the power to grant clemency for state crimes. This is why some individuals face state prosecution even after receiving federal pardons.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Does a presidential pardon restore gun rights?|answer=A full and unconditional presidential pardon generally restores federal firearm rights. However, state laws may still impose restrictions. Some states do not recognize a federal pardon as sufficient to restore firearm rights within their jurisdiction. A presidential pardon is currently the only practical path to restoring federal firearm rights for federal felons, as Congress has not funded ATF&#039;s relief program since 1992.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Does a pardon eliminate restitution obligations?|answer=Generally yes, a pardon eliminates restitution and fines imposed as part of the criminal sentence. However, civil judgments and obligations unrelated to the criminal conviction remain in effect.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How do you apply for a presidential pardon?|answer=The formal process involves applying through the Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice. Applicants must wait five years after completing their sentence. However, presidents often grant pardons outside this formal process, particularly for high-profile cases or those brought to their attention through personal connections.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can a president pardon themselves?|answer=This question has never been definitively resolved by courts. No president has attempted a self-pardon. Most legal scholars believe a self-pardon would be unconstitutional under the principle that no one should be a judge in their own case. The Justice Department&#039;s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion in 1974 stating a president cannot pardon himself, but this is not binding law.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How long does the presidential pardon process take?|answer=Through the formal Office of the Pardon Attorney process, applications typically take 2-5 years to process. The Pardon Attorney investigates each petition, makes a recommendation to the Deputy Attorney General, who forwards it to the President. However, presidents can bypass this process entirely and grant pardons immediately for cases brought to their attention through other channels.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can a presidential pardon be revoked?|answer=Once accepted, a presidential pardon generally cannot be revoked. The pardon becomes final upon acceptance by the recipient. However, a pardon obtained through fraud or bribery could potentially be challenged. Courts have held that acceptance of a pardon creates a binding contract between the government and the recipient.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is the success rate for pardon applications?|answer=The formal pardon application process has extremely low success rates. Presidents from McKinley through Carter granted at least 20% of requests. Ronald Reagan granted about 12%. Every president since has granted single-digit percentages through the formal process. Most successful pardons now come through direct presidential action bypassing the Pardon Attorney.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Does a pardon make you innocent?|answer=No. A pardon is forgiveness, not exoneration. The Supreme Court stated in Burdick v. United States (1915) that accepting a pardon carries an imputation of guilt and acceptance is a confession of it. The underlying conviction remains on record alongside the pardon. For actual innocence claims, the proper remedy is vacating the conviction through the courts, not a pardon.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can family members of the president receive pardons?|answer=Yes, there is no legal prohibition against presidents pardoning family members. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, and Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden in 2024. While legal, such pardons are controversial and raise concerns about abuse of the pardon power. Critics argue family relationships should ethically disqualify individuals from consideration.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/presidential-pardons-trumps-america |title=Trump&#039;s Wild West Wing Pardons: Inside the Absolutions of Todd Chrisley, Carlos Watson, Sidney Powell, and Other Boldface Pardonees |author=Willem Marx |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/pardon Office of the Pardon Attorney - U.S. Department of Justice]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/pardon/clemency-statistics Department of Justice Clemency Statistics]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.justice.gov/pardon/frequently-asked-questions Office of the Pardon Attorney FAQ]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-2/ U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 2]&lt;br /&gt;
* Burdick v. United States, 236 U.S. 79 (1915)&lt;br /&gt;
* United States v. Corkern, 5th Cir. (December 23, 2024)&lt;br /&gt;
* Federalist No. 74 (Alexander Hamilton)&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/02/07/biden-granted-more-acts-of-clemency-than-any-prior-president/ Pew Research: Biden granted more acts of clemency than any prior president]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-history-of-the-pardon-power White House Historical Association: The History of the Pardon Power]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://ccresourcecenter.org/state-restoration-profiles/federalrestoration-of-rights-pardon-expungement-sealing/ Collateral Consequences Resource Center: Federal Restoration of Rights]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Post-Conviction Legal Processes]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Clemency]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Constitutional Law]]&lt;br /&gt;
{{#seo:&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=append&lt;br /&gt;
|title_separator= - Prisonpedia&lt;br /&gt;
|description=Guide to presidential clemency, pardons, and commutations. Learn about the clemency process, requirements, and notable recipients.&lt;br /&gt;
|keywords=clemency, pardon, commutation, presidential power, forgiveness&lt;br /&gt;
|type=article&lt;br /&gt;
|site_name=Prisonpedia&lt;br /&gt;
|locale=en_US&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Todd_Chrisley&amp;diff=5523</id>
		<title>Todd Chrisley</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Todd_Chrisley&amp;diff=5523"/>
		<updated>2026-03-04T16:47:11Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: reference strengthening&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
| name = Todd Chrisley&lt;br /&gt;
| image =&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_date = April 6, 1969&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_place = Georgia, United States&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, Bank fraud, Tax fraud conspiracy&lt;br /&gt;
| sentence = 12 years in federal prison (reduced to 10 years for good behavior); Pardoned May 2025&lt;br /&gt;
| facility = Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola&lt;br /&gt;
| status = Released (May 28, 2025) - Presidential Pardon&lt;br /&gt;
|conviction_date = June 7, 2022&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Michael Todd Chrisley&#039;&#039;&#039; is an American real estate developer and reality television personality best known for starring in the USA Network series &#039;&#039;Chrisley Knows Best&#039;&#039;, which chronicled his family&#039;s affluent lifestyle in Georgia and Tennessee.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-did-trump-pardon-todd-julie-chrisley-fraud-tax-conviction-cbs-news-explains/ |title=Who are Todd and Julie Chrisley? What to know about Trump&#039;s pardon of couple convicted of fraud |publisher=CBS News |date=May 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; In 2022, Chrisley and his wife Julie were convicted of federal charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and tax evasion. He was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison but received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in May 2025.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/28/nx-s1-5414091/todd-julie-chrisley-pardon-trump |title=Trump pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality TV couple convicted of fraud |publisher=NPR |date=May 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Todd Chrisley was born on April 6, 1969, in Georgia. He built his career in real estate development, accumulating significant wealth through various business ventures in Atlanta and Nashville. Despite projecting an image of extreme affluence, Chrisley filed for bankruptcy in 2012, claiming nearly $50 million in debt and only $4.2 million in assets.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2025/05/28/trump-pardon-chrisley-knows-best-tax-evasion-defraud-banks-30-million/ |title=Trump to pardon &#039;Chrisley Knows Best&#039; stars convicted in 2022 of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud banks of over $30 million |publisher=Fortune |date=May 28, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2014, Chrisley and his family began starring in &#039;&#039;Chrisley Knows Best&#039;&#039;, a reality television series on the USA Network. The show featured Todd, his wife Julie, and their children living a lavish lifestyle, with Todd portrayed as a strict but loving patriarch obsessed with perfection and appearances. The series ran for nine seasons through 2023 and spawned the spinoff &#039;&#039;Growing Up Chrisley&#039;&#039;.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Criminal Case ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Federal Investigation ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In August 2019, a federal grand jury in Atlanta indicted Todd and Julie Chrisley on 12 counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax evasion.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/television-personalities-sentenced-years-federal-prison-fraud-and-tax-evasion |title=Television personalities sentenced to years in federal prison for fraud and tax evasion |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=November 21, 2022}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The investigation revealed that the Chrisleys had engaged in an extensive scheme to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Fraud Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to prosecutors, the Chrisleys submitted false documents to banks, including fabricated bank statements and audit reports, to obtain loans. They allegedly used these loans to fund their lavish lifestyle—including expensive cars, designer clothes, real estate, and travel—while their reality show was portraying this lifestyle as the product of legitimate business success.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/27/politics/trump-pardon-chrisley-knows-best |title=Trump pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley convicted of bank fraud and tax crimes |publisher=CNN |date=May 27, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The scheme operated from approximately 2007 to 2012. Prosecutors presented evidence that the couple:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Created fake documents, including fabricated bank statements showing inflated account balances&lt;br /&gt;
* Submitted fraudulent financial statements and profit-and-loss reports to lenders&lt;br /&gt;
* Used a company employee to create false audit letters&lt;br /&gt;
* Obtained more than $30 million in loans from community banks through these fraudulent representations&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Tax Evasion ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Chrisleys were also charged with hiding income earned from their reality television show to avoid paying taxes. While showcasing their extravagant lifestyle on television, they failed to file tax returns from 2013 through 2016 and concealed nearly $500,000 in income from the IRS. They allegedly used a company controlled by Julie&#039;s family to hide the reality show income.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Trial and Conviction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trial began in May 2022 in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. On June 7, 2022, a federal jury found both Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty on all counts. The jury convicted them of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax evasion. Julie Chrisley was also convicted of obstruction of justice for providing false documents to investigators.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On November 21, 2022, U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross sentenced Todd Chrisley to 12 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Julie Chrisley received a sentence of seven years in prison, also followed by three years of supervised release. The couple was ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Judge Ross noted during sentencing that the Chrisleys had shown no remorse for their crimes and had continued to deny their guilt despite overwhelming evidence presented at trial.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;eonline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1418153/todd-chrisley-has-no-remorse-after-tax-fraud-conviction |title=Todd Chrisley Reveals Why He Has No Remorse After Tax Fraud Conviction |publisher=E! News |date=2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Incarceration ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Todd Chrisley reported to Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, a minimum-security facility in Florida, in January 2023. Julie Chrisley was initially assigned to Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky but was later transferred to another facility.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In September 2023, both sentences were reduced for good behavior—Todd&#039;s by two years (to 10 years) and Julie&#039;s by 14 months.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Throughout his incarceration, Chrisley maintained his innocence, claiming he was the victim of a vindictive former employee who had provided false information to investigators. He stated publicly that he had &amp;quot;no remorse&amp;quot; because he believed he did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;eonline&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Appeals ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Chrisleys pursued multiple appeals during their incarceration:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In June 2024, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Julie Chrisley&#039;s seven-year sentence, ruling that the trial judge had miscalculated her sentence due to insufficient evidence that she was involved in the bank fraud scheme from its inception in 2006. However, the appeals court upheld her convictions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;resentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julie-chrisleys-sentence-bank-fraud-tax-evasion-case-thrown-out-judge-orders-resentencing/ |title=Julie Chrisley&#039;s sentence in bank fraud and tax evasion case thrown out as judge orders resentencing |publisher=CBS News |date=June 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Julie Chrisley was resentenced on September 25, 2024. Despite her attorneys&#039; request for a reduced sentence of no more than five years, federal Judge Eleanor Ross reimposed the original seven-year sentence, stating that Julie was a &amp;quot;core part&amp;quot; of the fraudulent scheme and had shown no remorse or admitted wrongdoing.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;today&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/julie-chrisley-resentencing-verdict-rcna172674 |title=Julie Chrisley was just resentenced. Inside the judge&#039;s verdict |publisher=Today |date=September 25, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Chrisleys also filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review their convictions, but their legal battles were ultimately rendered moot by presidential intervention.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2024/04/19/todd-julie-chrisley-appeal-bank-fraud-tax-evasion-convictions/ |title=The Chrisleys want to appeal their bank fraud and tax evasion convictions |publisher=Fortune |date=April 19, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Presidential Pardon ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On May 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced he would pardon both Todd and Julie Chrisley. The announcement came after an extensive campaign by their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, who had become the primary caretaker for her younger siblings following her parents&#039; imprisonment.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/27/trump-pardons-todd-julie-chrisley-reality-tv.html |title=Trump to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted of fraud and tax evasion |publisher=CNBC |date=May 27, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Savannah Chrisley had spoken at the 2024 Republican National Convention, publicly thanking President Trump for &amp;quot;standing up against political prosecutions and fighting for families like hers.&amp;quot; She had also hired a law firm with political connections to pursue clemency.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The White House stated that &amp;quot;The President is always pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Both Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from federal custody on May 28, 2025.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release, Todd Chrisley continued to maintain his innocence. In his first public statement after being pardoned, he declared: &amp;quot;I was convicted of something I did not do.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/todd-chrisley-speaks-1st-time-trumps-pardon/story?id=122347882 |title=Todd Chrisley speaks out for 1st time since Trump&#039;s pardon |publisher=ABC News |date=May 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The family has indicated plans to resume their media careers and has discussed potential new television projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Impact on Family ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Chrisleys&#039; conviction and imprisonment had significant effects on their family. Their daughter Savannah assumed guardianship of her younger brother Grayson and her niece Chloe while her parents were incarcerated. The family&#039;s various television shows were canceled, and their carefully cultivated public image of wealth and success was severely damaged by revelations about the fraud scheme that had funded their lifestyle.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The case highlighted the disconnect between reality television portrayals of wealth and the actual financial situations of some reality stars, raising questions about the authenticity of such programming.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Julie Chrisley]]&lt;br /&gt;
* High-Profile Federal Offenders&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Todd Chrisley convicted of?|answer=Todd Chrisley, star of reality TV show &#039;&#039;Chrisley Knows Best,&#039;&#039; was convicted in June 2022 of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Prosecutors proved that Todd and his wife Julie submitted false documents to banks—including fabricated bank statements and audit reports—to obtain more than $30 million in loans. They also concealed nearly $500,000 in income from their reality TV show to avoid paying taxes.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How long was Todd Chrisley&#039;s sentence?|answer=Todd Chrisley was originally sentenced to 12 years in federal prison in November 2022, which was later reduced to 10 years for good behavior. However, he received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump on May 27, 2025, and was released from federal custody on May 28, 2025. He had served approximately two years of his sentence at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Was Todd Chrisley pardoned?|answer=Yes, President Donald Trump granted Todd and Julie Chrisley full pardons on May 27, 2025. Both were released from federal custody the following day, on May 28, 2025. The pardons came after an extensive campaign by their daughter Savannah Chrisley, who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention and hired a law firm with political connections to pursue clemency.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What did Todd Chrisley do?|answer=Todd Chrisley and his wife Julie engaged in an extensive scheme to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans from approximately 2007 to 2012. They created fake documents, including fabricated bank statements showing inflated account balances and fraudulent financial statements. They used the loan money to fund their lavish lifestyle while their reality show portrayed this lifestyle as the product of legitimate business success. They also hid nearly $500,000 in reality TV income from the IRS.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where was Todd Chrisley imprisoned?|answer=Todd Chrisley served his sentence at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, a minimum-security facility in Florida. He reported to the facility in January 2023 and was released on May 28, 2025, following President Trump&#039;s pardon. His wife Julie was held at a separate facility.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Did Todd Chrisley show remorse?|answer=No. Throughout his incarceration, Todd Chrisley maintained his innocence and publicly stated he had &amp;quot;no remorse&amp;quot; because he believed he did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted. He claimed he was the victim of a vindictive former employee who provided false information to investigators. Judge Eleanor Ross noted at sentencing that the Chrisleys showed no remorse for their crimes.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/presidential-pardons-trumps-america |title=Trump&#039;s Wild West Wing Pardons: Inside the Absolutions of Todd Chrisley, Carlos Watson, Sidney Powell, and Other Boldface Pardonees |author=Willem Marx |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Sentence_Reduction_Mechanisms&amp;diff=5522</id>
		<title>Sentence Reduction Mechanisms</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Sentence_Reduction_Mechanisms&amp;diff=5522"/>
		<updated>2026-03-04T16:46:34Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: reference strengthening&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Sentence Reduction Mechanisms&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Sentence Reduction Mechanisms&#039;&#039;&#039; in the federal criminal justice system are statutory and rule-based procedures that permit a lawfully imposed sentence to be shortened after it has become final. These mechanisms operate outside the direct appeal or collateral attack process and include compassionate release, retroactive application of guideline amendments, First Step Act § 404 relief for pre-2010 crack cocaine sentences, substantial-assistance reductions, and limited other statutory pathways. They do not vacate or erase the conviction; they only reduce the period of incarceration or supervised release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of November 2025, more than 48,000 individuals have obtained sentence reductions under these authorities since 2019, removing over 310,000 years of imprisonment in the aggregate.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=First Step Act Annual Report (2025) &amp;amp; Amendment 821 Summary |url=https://www.justice.gov/dag/page/file/1711566/download |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |date=April 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Primary Reduction Mechanisms==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Compassionate Release (18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A))===&lt;br /&gt;
A sentencing court may reduce a term of imprisonment upon a finding of “extraordinary and compelling reasons.” Since the First Step Act of 2018 removed the Bureau of Prisons as the exclusive gatekeeper, defendants may file directly after exhausting administrative remedies (request to warden followed by 30-day lapse or denial). Common grounds include terminal illness, debilitating medical conditions, age-related decline, and certain family circumstances.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Compassionate Release Data Dashboard |url=https://www.ussc.gov/topic/compassionate-release |publisher=United States Sentencing Commission |date=November 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; From 2019 to 2025, federal courts granted approximately 18,500 compassionate-release motions.&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Retroactive Sentencing Guideline Amendments (18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2))===&lt;br /&gt;
When the U.S. Sentencing Commission designates an amendment as retroactive (listed in USSG §1B1.10(d)), defendants sentenced under the prior guideline may move for reduction to the amended range. The largest recent examples are:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Amendment 821 (Parts A &amp;amp; B, effective November 2023, retroactive February 2024) – eliminated status points for certain offenders and created a new two-level reduction for zero-point offenders. By October 2025, courts had granted reductions to over 23,000 individuals, with an average reduction of 17 months.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Amendment 821 Retroactivity Report – October 2025 |url=https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/amendment-process/reader-friendly-amendments/2025-amendment-821-report.pdf |publisher=United States Sentencing Commission |date=October 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
* Amendment 782 (“drugs minus two,” 2014) – reduced most drug guideline levels by two levels, ultimately producing more than 31,000 reductions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===First Step Act § 404 – Fair Sentencing Act Retroactivity===&lt;br /&gt;
Defendants sentenced for covered crack-cocaine offenses committed before August 3, 2010 may move for imposition of the reduced statutory penalties enacted by the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. Courts have plenary discretion to grant or deny relief. By mid-2025, more than 12,300 individuals had received reductions averaging 71 months.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=First Step Act § 404 Relief Tracker |url=https://www.justice.gov/dag/page/file/1560001/download |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |date=June 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Substantial Assistance After Sentencing (Fed. R. Crim. P. 35(b))===&lt;br /&gt;
Upon motion by the government, the court may reduce a sentence to reflect substantial assistance provided after sentencing. Reductions are uncapped and frequently range from 30% to 90% of the remaining term.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Other Statutory Mechanisms===&lt;br /&gt;
* 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(B) – reduction to conform with subsequent statutory changes (rarely used).&lt;br /&gt;
* Safety-valve retroactivity under § 401 of the First Step Act (elimination of mandatory life for certain third drug convictions).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Eligibility and Access==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Eligibility varies by mechanism but is generally broad. Compassionate release and § 3582(c)(2) motions may be filed by the defendant (or appointed counsel). Rule 35(b) motions require a government motion. First Step Act § 404 motions have no filing deadline and may be brought pro se or with counsel.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal courts are required to appoint counsel for indigent defendants seeking relief under retroactive amendments such as Amendment 821. Federal Defender organizations and Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys handle the majority of defendant-initiated motions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Process==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Compassionate release&#039;&#039;&#039;: Submit request to warden → wait 30 days or receive denial → file § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion in sentencing court.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Retroactive amendments &amp;amp; § 404&#039;&#039;&#039;: File motion directly in sentencing court (no exhaustion required).&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Rule 35(b)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Government files sealed or unsealed motion; court rules without hearing in most cases.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Impact and Statistics==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From 2019 through November 2025, federal courts granted sentence reductions to approximately 48,500 individuals, removing more than 310,000 prison years in total. Three-year recidivism for persons released via these mechanisms is 11.8%, substantially below the overall Bureau of Prisons rate of 39%.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=First Step Act Annual Report 2025 |url=https://www.justice.gov/dag/page/file/1711566/download |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |date=April 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Criticisms and Challenges==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grant rates vary widely by district (4%–75% for compassionate release). Some courts continue to treat the Sentencing Commission’s policy statement as binding despite &#039;&#039;Concepcion v. United States&#039;&#039; (2022). Delays in counsel appointment and inconsistent application of “extraordinary and compelling” standards remain frequent points of criticism.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Historical Background==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Until 1984, federal sentences were generally immutable after imposition. The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 created limited modification authority under § 3582(c). Subsequent legislation (Fair Sentencing Act 2010, First Step Act 2018) and periodic retroactive guideline amendments have transformed federal sentencing from rigid to partially dynamic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==See also==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Compassionate Release]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal_Sentencing_Guidelines_and_Offense_Enhancements|United States Sentencing Guidelines]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[18 U.S.C. § 3582]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==External links==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.ussc.gov/guidelines/amendments/retroactive-amendments List of Retroactive Guideline Amendments – U.S. Sentencing Commission]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/docs/compassionate_release_guide_2025.pdf Bureau of Prisons Compassionate Release/Reduction in Sentence Procedures]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/presidential-pardons-trumps-america |title=Trump&#039;s Wild West Wing Pardons: Inside the Absolutions of Todd Chrisley, Carlos Watson, Sidney Powell, and Other Boldface Pardonees |author=Willem Marx |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Sidney_Powell&amp;diff=5521</id>
		<title>Sidney Powell</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Sidney_Powell&amp;diff=5521"/>
		<updated>2026-03-04T16:46:34Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: reference strengthening&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Sidney Katherine Powell&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = May 1, 1955&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = Durham, North Carolina&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Conspiring to interfere with election duties (6 misdemeanor counts)&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 6 years probation, $6,000 fine&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Pardoned (federal), Guilty plea (Georgia state)&lt;br /&gt;
|conviction_date = October 19, 2023&lt;br /&gt;
|release_date = November 9, 2025 (pardoned)&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Sidney Katherine Powell&#039;&#039;&#039; (born May 1, 1955) is an American attorney and former federal prosecutor who gained national prominence for representing Michael Flynn and later for spreading baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election, famously vowing to &amp;quot;release the Kraken&amp;quot; with evidence of fraud. On October 19, 2023, Powell pleaded guilty in Georgia to six misdemeanor counts of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties. She was sentenced to six years of probation, ordered to pay $6,000 in fines and $2,700 in restitution, and agreed to testify against her co-defendants in the Georgia election case. President Trump granted Powell a &amp;quot;full, complete, and unconditional&amp;quot; [[Presidential Clemency and Pardons|pardon]] on November 9, 2025, as part of a batch of 77 pardons to allies connected to 2020 election efforts. However, the pardon applies only to federal crimes and does not affect her Georgia conviction.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-pardon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts,&amp;quot; November 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/11/10/nx-s1-5604174/trump-pardons-2020-election&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sidney Powell&#039;s journey from respected federal prosecutor to convicted election conspirator represents one of the more dramatic falls in recent legal history. She was once the youngest federal prosecutor in the country, made her name prosecuting drug smugglers along the Texas-Mexico border, and later defended executives in the Enron scandal. Her 2014 book &amp;quot;Licensed to Lie&amp;quot; argued that prosecutorial misconduct was rampant in the Department of Justice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell first gained national attention as the attorney for Michael Flynn, Trump&#039;s former National Security Advisor. She advised Flynn to withdraw his guilty plea to lying to federal investigators, arguing the prosecution was corrupt. Trump eventually pardoned Flynn in December 2020.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After the 2020 election, Powell became one of the most prominent figures pushing conspiracy theories about election fraud. At news conferences with Rudy Giuliani, she claimed without evidence that the election had been rigged by Venezuela, Cuba, the Clinton Foundation, George Soros, and antifa. She famously vowed to &amp;quot;release the Kraken&amp;quot;—a reference to a mythical sea monster—with devastating evidence of fraud that never materialized.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Her legal work during this period led to her downfall. In Georgia, she was indicted for her alleged role in an unauthorized breach of election equipment in Coffee County. Rather than face trial, she pleaded guilty just days before jury selection was to begin and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== What Happened to Sidney Powell (2023-2025) ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sidney Powell&#039;s legal and professional situation changed dramatically between 2023 and 2025:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;October 2023: Guilty Plea&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
On October 19, 2023—one day before jury selection was to begin—Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiring to intentionally interfere with election duties in Georgia. She received six years probation, a $6,000 fine, and agreed to testify against co-defendants including former President Trump.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;2023-2024: Cooperation and Probation&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
Powell spent this period on probation in Georgia while fulfilling her cooperation agreement with prosecutors. She was required to testify truthfully at future proceedings and wrote an apology letter to Georgia residents.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;November 2024: Georgia Case Dismissed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
After the new special prosecutor took over the Georgia election interference case, he requested that it be dropped, citing time and resources. The case against Trump and remaining co-defendants was dismissed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;November 9, 2025: Presidential Pardon&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
President Trump granted Powell a &amp;quot;full, complete, and unconditional&amp;quot; pardon as part of 77 pardons for 2020 election allies. However, since Powell was never charged with federal crimes—only state crimes in Georgia—the pardon is largely symbolic and does not affect her state conviction or probation.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Present Status (December 2025)&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
As of December 2025, Sidney Powell remains under Georgia state probation but has been pardoned of any potential federal charges. She has largely retreated from public view since her guilty plea. Her law license remains at risk due to disciplinary proceedings in multiple states, though the Georgia case dismissal may affect those proceedings. She is no longer involved in election-related litigation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life and Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sidney Katherine Powell was born on May 1, 1955, in Durham, North Carolina, and was raised in Raleigh. By her own account, she decided to become a lawyer at age 5 after watching &amp;quot;Perry Mason&amp;quot; on television.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;aba&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABA Journal, &amp;quot;Meet Sidney Powell, the conspiracy-minded lawyer who vowed to &#039;release the kraken&#039; in election suits,&amp;quot; https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/meet-sidney-powell-the-conspiracy-minded-lawyer-who-vowed-to-release-the-kraken-in-election-suits&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell completed her bachelor&#039;s degree at the University of North Carolina in just 21 months and was accepted to UNC&#039;s law school at age 19 in 1974. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Career as Federal Prosecutor ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At age 23, Powell became an assistant U.S. attorney in San Antonio, making her what she has said was the youngest federal prosecutor in the country at the time. She formed an appellate section for the office.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ajc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Atlanta Journal-Constitution, &amp;quot;Sidney Powell&#039;s journey: From prosecutor to prosecuted,&amp;quot; https://www.ajc.com/politics/sidney-powells-journey-from-prosecutor-to-prosecuted/4TOGCMJBRVCI3FBUEXIAJOSLF4/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell worked in the Western District of Texas for nearly a decade, prosecuting cases along the border. She was best known for prosecuting high-profile drug smuggler Jimmy Chagra.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Private Practice ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After leaving the U.S. Attorney&#039;s office, Powell moved to the law firm Strasburger &amp;amp; Price in Dallas. In 1993, she established her own law firm, specializing in federal appellate litigation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Enron Case ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell gained prominence defending Merrill Lynch executives in proceedings related to the Enron scandal. The experience convinced her that prosecutorial misconduct was a widespread problem in the Department of Justice. In 2014, she published &amp;quot;Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the DOJ,&amp;quot; which became a bestseller.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wikipedia, &amp;quot;Sidney Powell,&amp;quot; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Powell&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Michael Flynn Case ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2019, Michael Flynn, Trump&#039;s former National Security Advisor, hired Powell to represent him after he had already pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about his contacts with Russian officials during the presidential transition.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell argued that Flynn was the victim of prosecutorial overreach and a corrupt intelligence community seeking to remove Trump from office. She advised Flynn to stop cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and to withdraw his guilty plea.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Justice Department eventually moved to drop the case against Flynn, and Trump pardoned him in December 2020.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== 2020 Election Claims ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== &amp;quot;Release the Kraken&amp;quot; ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After the 2020 presidential election, Powell became one of the most visible attorneys promoting claims of widespread election fraud. At a memorable November 2020 news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters alongside Rudy Giuliani, Powell vowed to &amp;quot;release the Kraken&amp;quot;—a reference to a line from the movie &amp;quot;Clash of the Titans&amp;quot;—with evidence of election fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-guilty&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell pleads guilty in Georgia election interference case,&amp;quot; October 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/10/19/1207076719/sidney-powell-georgia-guilty-plea&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell claimed without evidence that the election had been rigged through a vast conspiracy involving:&lt;br /&gt;
* Venezuela&lt;br /&gt;
* Cuba&lt;br /&gt;
* The Clinton Foundation&lt;br /&gt;
* Billionaire investor George Soros&lt;br /&gt;
* Antifa&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Distancing by Trump Campaign ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The claims became so outlandish that the Trump campaign publicly distanced itself from Powell, stating she was &amp;quot;not a member of the Trump Legal Team.&amp;quot; Despite this, Powell continued filing lawsuits challenging the election results, all of which were rejected by courts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Bar Disciplinary Actions ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell&#039;s conduct led to disciplinary actions by multiple bar associations. Courts found that her election lawsuits were frivolous and filed in bad faith.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Georgia Indictment ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Indictment ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On August 14, 2023, a Fulton County, Georgia, grand jury indicted Powell alongside 18 others, including former President Trump, under state racketeering laws. The indictment alleged that Powell participated in a scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pbs&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PBS NewsHour, &amp;quot;What you need to know about Sidney Powell&#039;s 2020 election charges,&amp;quot; August 2023, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-you-need-to-know-about-sidney-powells-2020-election-charges&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Coffee County Breach ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Central to the charges against Powell was her alleged role in an unauthorized breach of election equipment in Coffee County, Georgia. Prosecutors said Powell had advised others that it was legal to access the election machines to gather evidence for lawsuits challenging the election results.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Guilty Plea ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On October 19, 2023—just one day before jury selection in her trial was set to begin—Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties in Fulton County Superior Court.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNN, &amp;quot;Sidney Powell: Former Trump attorney pleads guilty in Georgia election subversion case,&amp;quot; October 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/19/politics/sidney-powell-fulton-county-georgia-2020-election-subversion/index.html&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Terms of Plea Deal ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Under the plea agreement, Powell received:&lt;br /&gt;
* Six years of probation&lt;br /&gt;
* A $6,000 fine&lt;br /&gt;
* $2,700 in restitution to cover the cost of replacing the breached election equipment&lt;br /&gt;
* Requirement to write an apology letter to Georgia and its residents&lt;br /&gt;
* Agreement to testify truthfully at future hearings and trials against co-defendants&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As a first-time offender, Powell did not face jail time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Significance ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Powell was the second of 19 co-defendants in the case to plead guilty, following bail bondsman Scott Hall. Her agreement to cooperate and testify against co-defendants was seen as a significant development in the case against Trump and other defendants.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Presidential Pardon ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On November 9, 2025, President Trump granted Sidney Powell a &amp;quot;full, complete, and unconditional&amp;quot; pardon as part of a batch of 77 pardons issued to allies connected to 2020 election efforts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Limited Effect ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The pardon is largely symbolic because:&lt;br /&gt;
* Presidential pardons apply only to federal offenses&lt;br /&gt;
* Powell was never charged with federal crimes related to the 2020 election&lt;br /&gt;
* She had already pleaded guilty to state charges in Georgia&lt;br /&gt;
* Her state conviction and probation remain in effect&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Georgia Case Dismissed ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In November 2025, the Fulton County election interference case was dismissed after the prosecutor who took over the case requested that it be dropped, citing the time and resources required to continue.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ABC News, &amp;quot;Georgia prosecutor drops election interference case against Trump, others,&amp;quot; November 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/US/georgia-prosecutor-drops-election-interference-case-trump/story?id=127898245&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What happened to Sidney Powell?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Sidney Powell pleaded guilty in October 2023 to six misdemeanor counts of election interference in Georgia, receiving six years probation, a $6,000 fine, and agreeing to testify against co-defendants. President Trump pardoned her on November 9, 2025, though the pardon only applies to federal crimes—she was never charged federally. Her Georgia state conviction remains intact. The Georgia election case against Trump and remaining co-defendants was later dismissed in November 2025. As of December 2025, Powell is on probation, has largely retreated from public life, and faces ongoing bar disciplinary proceedings in multiple states.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;abc&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What did Sidney Powell do?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties in Georgia. She was involved in an unauthorized breach of election equipment in Coffee County to search for evidence of fraud. She was also known for spreading baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election being rigged.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Was Sidney Powell pardoned?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Yes, President Trump granted Powell a &amp;quot;full, complete, and unconditional&amp;quot; [[Presidential Clemency and Pardons|pardon]] on November 9, 2025, as part of 77 pardons for 2020 election allies. However, she had already pleaded guilty in Georgia state court in October 2023 and was serving six years of probation. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, so her Georgia conviction remains.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-pardon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What was Sidney Powell&#039;s sentence?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Powell was sentenced to six years of probation, a $6,000 fine, and $2,700 in restitution to cover the cost of replacing breached election equipment. She was required to write an apology letter to Georgia and its residents. As a first-time offender, she did not face jail time. She also agreed to testify against co-defendants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-guilty&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Who is Sidney Powell?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Powell is an attorney who became famous for representing Michael Flynn and for spreading conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. She was once the youngest federal prosecutor in the country at age 23 and later defended executives in the Enron case. She vowed to &amp;quot;release the Kraken&amp;quot; with evidence of election fraud that never materialized.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ajc&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What was the &amp;quot;release the Kraken&amp;quot; claim?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Powell used &amp;quot;release the Kraken&amp;quot; to promise overwhelming evidence of election fraud involving Venezuela, Cuba, George Soros, and others. The phrase referenced &amp;quot;Clash of the Titans.&amp;quot; Her promised evidence never materialized, and courts rejected her legal challenges. Multiple bar associations took disciplinary action against her.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;aba&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Presidential Clemency and Pardons]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Mark Meadows]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/presidential-pardons-trumps-america |title=Trump&#039;s Wild West Wing Pardons: Inside the Absolutions of Todd Chrisley, Carlos Watson, Sidney Powell, and Other Boldface Pardonees |author=Willem Marx |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Pardoned]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Politicians]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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{{MetaDescription|What happened to Sidney Powell? Trump election lawyer known for &#039;release the kraken&#039; pleaded guilty to election interference in Georgia and was pardoned by Trump in November 2025.}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Carlos_Watson&amp;diff=5520</id>
		<title>Carlos Watson</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Carlos_Watson&amp;diff=5520"/>
		<updated>2026-03-04T16:46:33Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: reference strengthening&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Carlos Watson&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = 1969&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = Miami, Florida&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Conspiracy to commit securities fraud, Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Aggravated identity theft&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 116 months (commuted)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = N/A&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Sentence commuted&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Carlos Watson&#039;&#039;&#039; (born 1969) is an American media entrepreneur, television host, and convicted fraudster who was sentenced to 116 months (nearly ten years) in federal prison for orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme through his digital media company Ozy Media Inc., only to have his [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|sentence commuted]] by President Donald Trump hours before he was scheduled to surrender to prison in March 2025.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs-commute&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CBS News, &amp;quot;Trump commutes sentence of Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson convicted of fraud,&amp;quot; March 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-commutes-sentence-ozy-media-founder-carlos-watson-fraud-conviction/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Watson, who had built a reputation as a rising media figure through appearances on CNN and MSNBC before founding Ozy Media in 2013, was convicted in October 2024 following an eight-week trial that exposed how he and his co-conspirators deceived investors out of more than $60 million through fraudulent misrepresentations about the company&#039;s financial performance, fabricated contracts, and even an incident where a co-founder impersonated a YouTube executive during a call with Goldman Sachs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-conviction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Carlos Watson, Founder and Former CEO of Ozy Media Inc., Convicted of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme,&amp;quot; October 2024, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/carlos-watson-founder-and-former-ceo-ozy-media-inc-convicted-multi-million-dollar.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Carlos Watson&#039;s rise and fall represents one of the most dramatic implosions in the digital media landscape of the 2020s. A Harvard Law School graduate and former Goldman Sachs banker who had reinvented himself as a television personality and media entrepreneur, Watson launched Ozy Media with the ambitious goal of creating a next-generation media company targeting curious, open-minded audiences. At its peak, Ozy claimed tens of millions of monthly readers and attracted investment from prominent venture capital firms and media companies, with Watson frequently appearing on cable news and speaking at conferences as a thought leader on media and technology.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cjr-sentencing&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Columbia Journalism Review, &amp;quot;The Sentencing of Carlos Watson,&amp;quot; December 2024, https://www.cjr.org/analysis/carlos-watson-sentencing-ozy-media.php.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The reality behind Ozy&#039;s impressive facade was far darker. Federal prosecutors established that between 2018 and 2021, Watson and his co-conspirators systematically deceived investors through a web of lies about the company&#039;s audience metrics, financial performance, and business relationships. The fraud included fabricating contracts with forged signatures, lying about acquisition offers that didn&#039;t exist, and misrepresenting who else was investing in the company. Most notoriously, Ozy&#039;s co-founder and COO Samir Rao impersonated a YouTube executive named Alex Piper during a due diligence call with Goldman Sachs—a deception that unraveled when Goldman contacted the real Piper to follow up.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-conviction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Watson&#039;s conviction and sentence seemed to represent accountability for one of the most brazen media frauds in recent memory. However, the case took a final unexpected turn when President Trump [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|commuted]] Watson&#039;s sentence just hours before he was to surrender to prison, also eliminating his obligation to pay approximately $96 million in restitution and forfeiture. The commutation sparked outrage among those who had followed the case and renewed debates about presidential clemency powers.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;deadline-commute&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Deadline, &amp;quot;Hours Before His Surrender, Ozy Media&#039;s Carlos Watson Has His Sentence Commuted By President Trump,&amp;quot; March 2025, https://deadline.com/2025/03/ozy-media-carlos-watson-sentence-commuted-trump-1236353725/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Early Life and Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Carlos Watson was born in 1969 in Miami, Florida. He demonstrated academic excellence from an early age, eventually attending Harvard University for his undergraduate education. Watson continued at Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His educational credentials positioned him for a career in the upper echelons of American business and media.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NPR, &amp;quot;Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case about failed startup Ozy Media,&amp;quot; December 17, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5232172/carlos-watson-prison-ozy-media.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After law school, Watson worked at Goldman Sachs and McKinsey &amp;amp; Company, gaining experience in finance and consulting before transitioning to media. He became a political analyst and television host, appearing regularly on CNN, MSNBC, and other networks. His telegenic presence and ability to discuss complex topics made him a sought-after commentator on politics and culture.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cjr-sentencing&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Founding Ozy Media ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2013, Watson co-founded Ozy Media with Samir Rao, a former colleague from Goldman Sachs. The company was positioned as a digital media startup targeting millennial and Generation Z audiences with content focused on &amp;quot;the new and the next&amp;quot;—stories about emerging trends, diverse voices, and forward-thinking ideas. The name &amp;quot;Ozy&amp;quot; was derived from Percy Bysshe Shelley&#039;s poem &amp;quot;Ozymandias,&amp;quot; though the irony of choosing a name from a poem about the hubris and inevitable fall of powerful rulers would later become apparent.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cjr-sentencing&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ozy launched with significant ambition, producing written content, video series, podcasts, and live events. Watson served as CEO and became the company&#039;s public face, appearing at conferences, hosting interview programs, and promoting Ozy as a new kind of media company for a new generation. The company attracted investment from prominent venture capital firms, celebrities, and corporate partners, eventually raising tens of millions of dollars from investors who believed in Watson&#039;s vision.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Fraud Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal prosecutors established that between 2018 and 2021, Watson and his co-conspirators orchestrated a systematic fraud to deceive investors about virtually every aspect of Ozy Media&#039;s business. The scheme involved multiple categories of misrepresentation:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Inflated Metrics&#039;&#039;&#039;: Watson and his team lied to investors about Ozy&#039;s audience size, engagement metrics, and financial performance. The company claimed tens of millions of monthly unique visitors when actual numbers were far lower. Financial projections presented to investors bore little relationship to the company&#039;s actual business performance.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-conviction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Fabricated Contracts&#039;&#039;&#039;: Ozy employees, at Watson&#039;s direction, created fake contracts with forged signatures to make the company appear more successful than it was. These documents were presented to investors as evidence of Ozy&#039;s business relationships and revenue potential.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Carlos Watson, Founder and Former CEO of Ozy Media Inc., Sentenced to 116 Months in Prison for Leading Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme,&amp;quot; December 2024, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/carlos-watson-founder-and-former-ceo-ozy-media-inc-sentenced-116-months-prison-leading.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;False Acquisition Offers&#039;&#039;&#039;: Watson told investors that major companies had made acquisition offers for Ozy, suggesting the company&#039;s value was validated by outside interest. These offers either didn&#039;t exist or were grossly misrepresented.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-conviction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Impersonation Incident&#039;&#039;&#039;: In the most infamous episode of the fraud, Ozy co-founder Samir Rao impersonated Alex Piper, a YouTube executive, during a due diligence call with Goldman Sachs in early 2021. Rao, pretending to be Piper, provided false information about YouTube&#039;s relationship with Ozy to make the company appear more attractive to potential investors. The scheme unraveled when Goldman Sachs contacted the real Alex Piper to follow up on the conversation, and Piper had no knowledge of the call. This incident ultimately triggered the investigations that would expose the full scope of Ozy&#039;s fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pbs-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PBS News, &amp;quot;Former Ozy Media TV host Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case,&amp;quot; December 2024, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/former-ozy-media-tv-host-carlos-watson-gets-nearly-10-years-in-prison-in-case.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Investigation and Collapse ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Goldman Sachs impersonation incident in February 2021 set off a chain of events that would destroy Ozy Media. Goldman reported the incident to Ozy&#039;s board, leading to an internal investigation. In September 2021, The New York Times published an exposé detailing the impersonation and raising broader questions about Ozy&#039;s business practices. Within days, major partners including A+E Networks severed ties with the company, advertisers fled, and Ozy&#039;s board initiated a review that ultimately led to the company&#039;s shutdown.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cjr-sentencing&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York opened a criminal investigation into Watson and his associates. The investigation revealed that the impersonation incident was not an isolated lapse but part of a pattern of fraud that had characterized Ozy&#039;s operations for years.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-conviction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Trial and Conviction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Carlos Watson was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. His trial began in the fall of 2024 before United States District Judge Eric R. Komitee in Brooklyn. The proceedings lasted approximately eight weeks, during which prosecutors presented extensive evidence of the fraud scheme, including testimony from former Ozy employees and documentary evidence of the misrepresentations made to investors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-conviction&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On October 22, 2024, the jury convicted Watson on all counts. The conviction represented a comprehensive rejection of Watson&#039;s defense, which had attempted to shift blame to subordinates and characterize the problems at Ozy as mistakes rather than intentional fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;deadline-conviction&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Deadline, &amp;quot;Ozy Media Founder Carlos Watson Gets Hefty Prison Term For Fraud Conviction,&amp;quot; December 2024, https://deadline.com/2024/12/ozy-media-founder-carlos-watson-found-guilty-fraud-1236011961/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On December 17, 2024, Judge Komitee sentenced Watson to 116 months in federal prison—nearly ten years. While substantial, the sentence was below the 17 years that prosecutors had requested. The court also ordered Watson to pay approximately $96 million in restitution and forfeiture, reflecting the tens of millions of dollars investors had lost due to his fraud.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At sentencing, prosecutors emphasized the scale and deliberateness of Watson&#039;s fraud. &amp;quot;Watson&#039;s scheme caused actual investor losses in excess of $60 million and intended to deprive potential investors of hundreds of millions more on the basis of his and his co-conspirators&#039; lies and misrepresentations,&amp;quot; the government stated.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;courthouse-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Courthouse News Service, &amp;quot;Ozy Media CEO Carlos Watson sentenced to over 9 years in prison for fraud scheme,&amp;quot; December 2024, https://www.courthousenews.com/ozy-media-ceo-carlos-watson-sentenced-to-over-9-years-in-prison-for-fraud-scheme/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Watson was ordered to surrender to begin his prison sentence on March 28, 2025.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Presidential Commutation ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Trump&#039;s Intervention ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|commuted]] Carlos Watson&#039;s sentence just hours before Watson was scheduled to surrender to federal prison on March 28, 2025. The commutation eliminated Watson&#039;s prison sentence entirely and also relieved him of his obligation to pay the approximately $96 million in restitution and forfeiture that had been ordered by the court.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cbs-commute&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The commutation was announced with minimal explanation from the White House, and Watson&#039;s name appeared on a list of clemency recipients that included individuals convicted of various offenses.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;deadline-commute&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Reaction ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The commutation sparked immediate criticism. Legal observers noted that Watson had been convicted after a full trial, not a guilty plea, meaning a jury of his peers had found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the charged offenses. Critics argued that the commutation undermined the jury&#039;s verdict and sent a troubling message about accountability for white-collar crime.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cjr-sentencing&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The elimination of Watson&#039;s restitution obligation was particularly controversial, as it meant that the investors who had been defrauded out of tens of millions of dollars would receive nothing from Watson personally. While some recovery might be possible through civil litigation or other means, the commutation removed the criminal justice system&#039;s primary mechanism for victim compensation.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;deadline-commute&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements and Positions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Throughout his prosecution, Watson maintained his innocence and portrayed himself as a victim of overzealous prosecution. At trial, his defense argued that problems at Ozy resulted from mistakes and miscommunication rather than intentional fraud, and that Watson had genuinely believed in his company&#039;s potential.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After his conviction, Watson characterized the prosecution in racially charged terms. &amp;quot;This was a modern lynching,&amp;quot; Watson stated, arguing that he had been subjected to selective prosecution as a Black entrepreneur. He acknowledged making mistakes but maintained that he did not believe his treatment was fair: &amp;quot;I made mistakes. I&#039;m very, very sorry that people are hurt, myself included. But I don&#039;t think it&#039;s fair.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Watson&#039;s claims of racial bias in his prosecution were rejected by prosecutors and many observers, who noted that the evidence against him was extensive and that the jury&#039;s verdict reflected the strength of the government&#039;s case rather than racial animus. However, the commutation of his sentence meant that Watson avoided prison entirely, rendering the debate over his culpability somewhat moot from a practical standpoint.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cjr-sentencing&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Securities Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: The crime of deceiving investors or manipulating financial markets, including making false statements to induce investment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Wire Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: A federal crime involving the use of electronic communications to execute a scheme to defraud.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Aggravated Identity Theft&#039;&#039;&#039;: The crime of using another person&#039;s identity in connection with certain felony offenses, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Commutation&#039;&#039;&#039;: A reduction of a criminal sentence by executive action, distinct from a pardon in that it does not erase the conviction itself.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Restitution&#039;&#039;&#039;: Court-ordered payment from the offender to victims to compensate for financial losses caused by the crime.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Elizabeth_Holmes|Elizabeth Holmes]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Category:White_Collar_Crime|White Collar Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Carlos Watson convicted of?|answer=Carlos Watson was convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft for deceiving Ozy Media investors out of more than $60 million.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What happened to Ozy Media?|answer=Ozy Media collapsed in October 2021 after The New York Times reported that a company executive had impersonated a YouTube executive on a call with Goldman Sachs investors. The company shut down shortly after.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Was Carlos Watson&#039;s sentence commuted?|answer=Yes, President Trump commuted Watson&#039;s 116-month sentence in March 2025, hours before he was scheduled to surrender to prison. The commutation also eliminated his $96 million restitution obligation.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How much money did Ozy Media raise from investors?|answer=Watson and Ozy Media defrauded investors of over $60 million through false representations about the company&#039;s viewership, revenue, and business relationships.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was the YouTube impersonation incident?|answer=In 2021, Ozy co-founder Samir Rao impersonated YouTube executive Alex Piper during a due diligence call with Goldman Sachs. The scheme unraveled when Goldman contacted the real Piper, triggering the investigation.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/presidential-pardons-trumps-america |title=Trump&#039;s Wild West Wing Pardons: Inside the Absolutions of Todd Chrisley, Carlos Watson, Sidney Powell, and Other Boldface Pardonees |author=Willem Marx |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Sam_Mangel&amp;diff=5519</id>
		<title>Sam Mangel</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Sam_Mangel&amp;diff=5519"/>
		<updated>2026-03-04T16:46:33Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: reference strengthening&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Samuel Mangel&lt;br /&gt;
|image = sam-mangel.png&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = February 25, 1963&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = Pennsylvania&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Wire fraud, Insurance fraud&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 60 months (served 20 months)&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = [[FCI_Miami_(minimum-security_camp)|FCI Miami]]&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Released&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Samuel Mangel&#039;&#039;&#039; (born February 25, 1963) is an American former insurance executive and current [[Prison_Consultants|federal prison consultant]] who served 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in connection with an insurance fraud scheme.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;calbiz-mangel&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://calbizjournal.com/sam-mangel-federal-prison-fixer/ &amp;quot;Sam Mangel: The Federal Prison Fixer&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;California Business Journal&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel, who spent decades in the insurance industry before his conviction, operated a life settlement brokerage in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania that facilitated the sale of existing life insurance policies. Federal prosecutors alleged that Mangel falsified life insurance policy disclosure documents, leading to his indictment in 2016. Although sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, Mangel was able to reduce his time served through federal sentence reduction programs, ultimately serving approximately 20 months at [[FCI_Miami_(low-security)|Federal Correctional Institution Miami]] before his release in 2020.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fpc-about&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://sam-mangel.com/about-us/ &amp;quot;About Us&amp;quot;], Sam Mangel Federal Prison Consultant.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Since his release, Mangel has founded a federal prison consulting practice and has become one of the most frequently quoted experts on federal incarceration in major media, appearing regularly on CNN, NPR, and Court TV, and quoted in &#039;&#039;The New York Times&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;The New Yorker&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Bloomberg&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;The Economist&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Vanity Fair&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Fortune&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;Politico&#039;&#039;, and numerous other outlets.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyt-navarro&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/us/politics/peter-navarro-prison.html &amp;quot;Peter Navarro Begins 4-Month Prison Sentence for Contempt of Congress&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The New York Times&#039;&#039;, March 19, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;semafor&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.semafor.com/article/05/21/2024/prison-consultant-sam-mangel-helps-ex-trump-adviser-peter-navarro-navigate-life-behind-bars &amp;quot;Prison consultant Sam Mangel helps ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro navigate life behind bars&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Semafor&#039;&#039;, May 21, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel&#039;s fraud scheme involved the life settlement industry, a legal market where policyholders sell their existing life insurance policies for more than the cash surrender value but less than the death benefit. The industry depends on accurate documentation of policy terms, health information, and other material facts. Mangel&#039;s crime involved falsifying these documents to facilitate transactions that might not otherwise have occurred. The scheme came to the attention of federal authorities through regulatory channels, leading to his 2016 indictment and subsequent guilty plea.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-mangel&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Mangel &amp;quot;Sam Mangel&amp;quot;], Wikipedia.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The substantial gap between Mangel&#039;s 60-month sentence and his 20 months actually served illustrates how federal sentence reduction programs can dramatically affect time incarcerated. These programs include good conduct time, the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), and various other incentive programs that the Bureau of Prisons administers. Mangel&#039;s subsequent career as a prison consultant is built partly on his understanding of how these programs work and how inmates can maximize their benefit from them.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sfexaminer&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.sfexaminer.com/marketplace/sam-mangel-prison-consultant-illuminates-the-path-for-the-justice-impacted/article_b769dc3c-dfcd-11ee-b7c9-db9715f4dc87.html &amp;quot;Sam Mangel, Prison Consultant, Illuminates the Path for the Justice-Impacted&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;SF Examiner&#039;&#039;, March 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Career in Insurance ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sam Mangel built a career spanning decades in the insurance industry. He developed expertise in life insurance products and the secondary market for life insurance policies. His background included positions that gave him deep knowledge of how insurance transactions are structured and documented, knowledge he would later use both in his fraudulent scheme and in his legitimate business activities before his conviction.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-mangel&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel eventually operated a life settlement brokerage in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. The firm facilitated transactions between individuals who wanted to sell their life insurance policies and life settlement providers who purchased these policies as investments. This business occupied a legitimate niche in the financial services industry, helping policyholders realize value from policies they no longer wanted or needed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Life Settlement Industry ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The life settlement industry serves as a secondary market for life insurance policies. Policyholders who no longer want or need their coverage can sell their policies for more than the cash surrender value offered by the insurance company, while investors who purchase the policies collect the death benefit when the original policyholder dies. The industry requires accurate information about policy terms, premiums, and the health status of the insured to function properly.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fpc-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel&#039;s position in this market gave him access to sensitive documentation and the ability to alter or falsify records. The trust that counterparties placed in the accuracy of documentation became the vulnerability that Mangel exploited.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Fraud Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal prosecutors alleged that Mangel engaged in a scheme to falsify life insurance policy disclosure documents. These documents are critical in life settlement transactions because buyers rely on them to evaluate policies and determine pricing. By altering these documents, Mangel allegedly misrepresented material facts about the policies being sold, enabling transactions that would not have occurred or would have been priced differently if accurate information had been provided.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-mangel&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The scheme was discovered through regulatory scrutiny. The insurance industry is heavily regulated, and the falsification of policy documents attracted the attention of state insurance regulators and federal authorities.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Arrest ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On April 12, 2016, at approximately 7:00 AM, federal agents arrived at Mangel&#039;s home in Florida to execute an arrest warrant. About eight individuals wearing FBI windbreakers knocked on his door, identified themselves, placed him against a wall, handcuffed him, and searched his residence. This experience—the shock of federal arrest—would later become central to his consulting practice, as he helps clients understand and prepare for what they will experience.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fpc-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Guilty Plea and Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel was indicted in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on charges of wire fraud and insurance fraud. Rather than go to trial, he pleaded guilty to the charges, accepting responsibility for his conduct. His guilty plea allowed him to receive credit for acceptance of responsibility under federal sentencing guidelines.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-mangel&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel was sentenced to 60 months—five years—in federal prison. This sentence reflected the seriousness with which federal courts treat fraud offenses, particularly those involving falsified documents in regulated industries.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel was designated to [[FCI_Miami_(minimum-security_camp)|Federal Correctional Institution Miami, a minimum-security facility in Florida]], where he surrendered in April 2020 to begin his sentence. His arrival coincided with the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a circumstance that would affect prison conditions and his ability to participate in programming.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sfexaminer&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During his incarceration, Mangel learned about and successfully leveraged the various programs and procedures that can affect an inmate&#039;s sentence including &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Federal_Good_Time_Credit_Policies|Good Conduct Time]]&#039;&#039;&#039;, &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Residential_Drug_Abuse_Program_(RDAP)|Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)]]&#039;&#039;&#039;, and &#039;&#039;&#039;[[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act Credits]]&#039;&#039;&#039;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel navigated these programs to reduce his time in custody from 60 months to approximately 20 months, a reduction of more than two-thirds. This experience became the foundation of his subsequent consulting career.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fpc-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Career ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Federal Prison Consulting ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release in 2020, Mangel founded a federal prison consulting practice based in Florida. His firm helps individuals facing federal charges and incarceration navigate the criminal justice system.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel&#039;s core services include pre-sentencing consulting, prison preparation, and assistance with sentence mitigation strategies,&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fpc-about&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; services he has offered to several high-profile offenders including British businessman David Price, Binance CEO [[Changpeng_Zhao|Changpeng Zhao]],&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-cz&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://archive.is/bAx9Z &amp;quot;Binance Founder CZ Reports to Low-Security California Prison&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Bloomberg&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; [[Sam_Bankman-Fried|Sam Bankman-Fried]],&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-sbf&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://fortune.com/crypto/2025/03/12/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-prison-tucker-carlson-bop-sanctions/ &amp;quot;Sam Bankman-Fried Prison Conditions and Media Access&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Fortune&#039;&#039;, March 12, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; [[Steve_Bannon|Steve Bannon]],&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-bannon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpYuXn0iMck &amp;quot;Preparing Bannon and Navarro for Federal Prison&amp;quot;], CNN, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; and [[Peter_Navarro|Peter Navarro]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyt-navarro&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In part due to his work for offenders in Trump&#039;s inner circle, Mangel has become the leading federal prison consultant on the subject of [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|securing a presidential pardon and clemency]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;politico-pardons&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/11/trump-pardons-white-collar-defendant-interest-00219801 &amp;quot;Trump Pardons and White Collar Defendants&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Politico&#039;&#039;, March 11, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;law360&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.law360.com/articles/1817623 &amp;quot;Pardon Me? Why Offers To Secure Clemency Might Be A Scam&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Law360&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of 2025, Mangel employs a staff of four prison consultants, paralegals, and specialists.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Media Commentary ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel has become one of the most frequently quoted experts on federal incarceration in American media, providing commentary to major outlets on high-profile cases involving defendants such as [[Sean_Combs|Sean &amp;quot;Diddy&amp;quot; Combs]], [[Luigi_Mangione|Luigi Mangione]], [[Ghislaine_Maxwell|Ghislaine Maxwell]], Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, and [[Bryan_Kohberger|Bryan Kohberger]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-maduro&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/07/us/nicolas-maduro-wife-treatment-jail-mdc &amp;quot;How Nicolás Maduro and Wife Can Expect to Be Treated at Brooklyn&#039;s MDC&amp;quot;], CNN, January 7, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;courttv-kohberger&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q5P8RLo8oI &amp;quot;Bryan Kohberger Daily Life in Prison&amp;quot;], Court TV, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Television ====&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel is a regular contributor on:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;CNN&#039;&#039;&#039; — Providing live analysis on high-profile surrenders and detention conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-bannon&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnn-maduro&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Court TV&#039;&#039;&#039; — Expert commentary with hosts including Vinnie Politan and Ted Rowlands&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;courttv-kohberger&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;courttv-diddy&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1R36TJa5EQ &amp;quot;Sean &#039;Diddy&#039; Combs Sentencing Analysis&amp;quot;], Court TV, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Inside Edition&#039;&#039;&#039; — Analysis of high-profile inmates including Ghislaine Maxwell&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inside-edition&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaPDqLr9Nnc &amp;quot;Is Ghislaine Maxwell Receiving Special Treatment in Federal Prison?&amp;quot;], Inside Edition, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Print &amp;amp; Online (Major) ====&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel has been quoted or featured in:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;The New York Times&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Coverage of Peter Navarro&#039;s prison surrender&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nyt-navarro&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;The New Yorker&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Peter Navarro profile providing expert commentary on federal detention&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;newyorker&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/29/peter-navarro-profile &amp;quot;Peter Navarro Profile&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The New Yorker&#039;&#039;, December 29, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Bloomberg&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Analysis on Binance founder CZ and SBF pardon prospects&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-cz&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bloomberg-sbf&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://archive.is/bAx9Z &amp;quot;SBF Parents Exploring Trump Pardon for Son&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Bloomberg&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;The Economist&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Commentary on the clemency landscape in Trump&#039;s second term&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;economist&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;In Washington, Everything Appears to Be for Sale,&amp;quot; &#039;&#039;The Economist&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Vanity Fair&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Analysis of Maduro&#039;s first 48 hours in detention&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vanityfair&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/nicolas-maduro-manhattan-arraignment &amp;quot;The First 48 Hours of Nicolás Maduro&#039;s Detention in New York&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Vanity Fair&#039;&#039;, 2026.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Fortune&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Coverage of Sam Bankman-Fried&#039;s prison conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fortune-sbf&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Politico&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Analysis of Trump pardons and white-collar defendants&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;politico-pardons&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Semafor&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — In-depth feature by Gina Chon on Navarro case&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;semafor&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;The Sunday Times (UK)&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Feature profile: &amp;quot;The fixer who can get white-collar criminals a quieter cell or cushy job&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;sundaytimes&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/the-fixer-who-can-get-white-collar-criminals-a-quieter-cell-or-cushy-job-w7s37bdc7 &amp;quot;The fixer who can get white-collar criminals a quieter cell or cushy job&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The Sunday Times&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Forbes Israel&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Feature profile on international client assistance&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;forbes-israel&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Sam Mangel is the Ally You Need if You&#039;re in American Legal Trouble,&amp;quot; &#039;&#039;Forbes Israel&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;The Jerusalem Post&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Expert perspective on clemency landscape&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;jpost&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-807892 &amp;quot;The Rise of Federal Clemency and Second Chances in the U.S. Justice System&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The Jerusalem Post&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Entertainment &amp;amp; Celebrity Press ====&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;People&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Exclusive analysis on Luigi Mangione&#039;s MDC Brooklyn conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;people-mangione&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://people.com/luigi-mangione-wants-laptop-jail-review-evidence-exclusive-11706340 &amp;quot;Luigi Mangione Wants a Laptop in Jail So He Can Review Evidence&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;People&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;people-christmas&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://people.com/luigi-mangione-behind-bars-federal-jail-christmas-exclusive-8766050 &amp;quot;Luigi Mangione Behind Bars at Federal Jail&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;People&#039;&#039;, December 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;TMZ&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Commentary on Diddy&#039;s prison conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;tmz&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.tmz.com/2025/10/02/diddy-future-prison-wont-be-as-bad-as-mdc-brooklyn/ &amp;quot;Diddy&#039;s Future Prison Won&#039;t Be as Bad as MDC Brooklyn&amp;quot;], TMZ, October 2, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Us Weekly&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Exclusive analysis on Sean Combs&#039; MDC Brooklyn conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usweekly&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/inside-diddys-new-life-behind-bars-pure-hell-horrible-jail/ &amp;quot;Inside Diddy&#039;s New Life Behind Bars: &#039;Pure Hell,&#039; &#039;Horrible&#039; Jail&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Us Weekly&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Newsweek&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Commentary on visitation policies&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;newsweek&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/will-diddy-able-see-7-kids-while-jail-1958768 &amp;quot;Will Diddy Be Able to See His 7 Kids While in Jail?&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Newsweek&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Business Insider&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — First-person feature on journey from inmate to consultant&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;business-insider&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://archive.is/UOvxs &amp;quot;I&#039;m a federal prison consultant. Here&#039;s how I went from prison to becoming consultant&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Business Insider&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Radio &amp;amp; Podcasts ====&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;NPR&#039;&#039;&#039; — Analysis of Ghislaine Maxwell&#039;s prison conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;npr&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.npr.org/2025/09/03/nx-s1-5519224/ghislaine-maxwell-prison-texas-epstein &amp;quot;What life is like at the prison where Ghislaine Maxwell is held&amp;quot;], NPR, September 3, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;The Daily Beast Podcast&#039;&#039;&#039; — Podcast interview revealing alleged BOP transfer orders regarding Maxwell&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;dailybeast&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.thedailybeast.com/prison-is-helping-massive-ghislaine-maxwell-coverup-for-trump-insider/ &amp;quot;Prison Is Helping Massive Ghislaine Maxwell Coverup for Trump&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;The Daily Beast&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Bad Crypto Podcast&#039;&#039;&#039; — In-depth discussion on what prison would be like for SBF&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;badcrypto&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://badcryptopodcast.com/2024/04/03/what-will-prison-be-like-for-sbf/ &amp;quot;What Will Prison Be Like for SBF?&amp;quot;], Bad Crypto Podcast, April 3, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;BlockHash Podcast&#039;&#039;&#039; — Episode 391: Deep dive on SBF&#039;s prison conditions&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;blockhash&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://medium.com/@blockhashpodcast/ep-391-sam-mangel-inside-the-cell-of-sam-bankman-fried-a69e84a7af68 &amp;quot;Inside the Cell of Sam Bankman-Fried&amp;quot;], BlockHash Podcast, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Cryptocurrency &amp;amp; Financial Press ====&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Decrypt&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Advice for Caroline Ellison heading to prison&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;decrypt&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://decrypt.co/283537/sbf-prison-advisor-advice-caroline-ellison &amp;quot;&#039;Keep Your Head Down&#039;: SBF&#039;s Prison Advisor Offers Advice for Caroline Ellison&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Decrypt&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;The Block&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — Analysis on CZ&#039;s prison sentence&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;theblock&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Binance Founder CZ Begins Four-Month Prison Sentence,&amp;quot; &#039;&#039;The Block&#039;&#039;, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Cointelegraph&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — SBF family clemency efforts&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cointelegraph&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;SBF&#039;s Parents Seek Pardon from President Trump,&amp;quot; &#039;&#039;Cointelegraph&#039;&#039;, 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Op-Eds &amp;amp; Commentary ====&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel has published op-eds and commentary in:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Daily Caller&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — &amp;quot;Sam Mangel to Peter Navarro: Call Me&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;dailycaller&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://dailycaller.com/2024/03/13/sam-mangel-to-peter-navarro-call-me/ &amp;quot;Sam Mangel to Peter Navarro: Call Me&amp;quot;], &#039;&#039;Daily Caller&#039;&#039;, March 13, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;Hackernoon&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039;&#039; — &amp;quot;Sam Mangel to Sam Bankman-Fried: Acceptance Is the Path Forward&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;hackernoon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://hackernoon.com/sam-mangel-to-sam-bankman-fried-acceptance-is-the-path-forward &amp;quot;Sam Mangel to Sam Bankman-Fried: Acceptance Is the Path Forward&amp;quot;], Hackernoon, 2024.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Public Statements and Positions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mangel has been candid about his criminal conduct and its consequences. His public statements emphasize the practical realities of federal prosecution and incarceration. Mangel discusses the shock of arrest, the stress of the legal process, the challenges of prison, and the difficulties of rebuilding after conviction. These discussions serve both his consulting business and a broader educational purpose.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In his media appearances, Mangel has characterized [[MDC_Brooklyn|MDC Brooklyn]] as &amp;quot;the worst federal detention facility in the country&amp;quot; and has warned that conditions there are &amp;quot;pure hell&amp;quot; for high-profile defendants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usweekly&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; He has also spoken publicly about alleged Bureau of Prisons manipulation of high-profile inmate transfers for political purposes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;dailybeast&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Life Settlement&#039;&#039;&#039;: The sale of an existing life insurance policy to a third party for more than its cash surrender value but less than its death benefit.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Wire Fraud&#039;&#039;&#039;: A federal crime involving the use of electronic communications to execute a scheme to defraud.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Good Conduct Time&#039;&#039;&#039;: Credit toward early release that federal inmates can earn through good behavior.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;RDAP&#039;&#039;&#039;: Residential Drug Abuse Program, a Bureau of Prisons program that can provide sentence reductions for eligible participants.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/p/surviving-adapting-and-the-jingle-of-keys-sam-mangel-federal-prison-consultant/ Sam&#039;s Interview on the Nightmare Success Podcast]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Mark_Varacchi|Mark Varacchi]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Larry_Levine|Larry Levine]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[MDC_Brooklyn|MDC Brooklyn]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|Presidential Clemency and Pardons]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Who is Sam Mangel?|answer=Sam Mangel is a federal prison consultant and regular CNN, NPR, and Court TV contributor who helps defendants prepare for federal incarceration and navigate the Bureau of Prisons system.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What services does Sam Mangel provide?|answer=Mangel provides prison consulting services including facility recommendations, preparation for surrender, guidance on prison policies and procedures, and assistance with sentence reduction programs like RDAP and First Step Act credits.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Did Sam Mangel serve time in prison?|answer=Yes. Mangel served approximately 20 months at Federal Prison Camp Miami after being sentenced to 60 months for wire fraud. He reduced his sentence from 5 years to under 2 years through federal sentence reduction programs.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What high-profile clients has Sam Mangel worked with?|answer=Mangel has worked with Peter Navarro, Steve Bannon, Changpeng Zhao (Binance CEO), Sam Bankman-Fried, and numerous other high-profile federal defendants.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Why is Sam Mangel quoted so often in the media?|answer=Mangel combines firsthand experience as a federal inmate with expertise in the Bureau of Prisons system, making him a unique source for journalists covering high-profile federal cases. He has been quoted in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, The Economist, Vanity Fair, Fortune, Politico, and dozens of other major outlets.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/presidential-pardons-trumps-america |title=Trump&#039;s Wild West Wing Pardons: Inside the Absolutions of Todd Chrisley, Carlos Watson, Sidney Powell, and Other Boldface Pardonees |author=Willem Marx |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Prison_Consultants]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/what-first-week-in-federal-prison-feels-like/ What the First Week in Federal Prison Feels Like] — First-person accounts of intake and the habits that matter most in the first seven days.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-federal-sentencing-works-step-by-step/ How Federal Sentencing Actually Works] — Practical breakdown from investigation through sentencing, grounded in real guest stories.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
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	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Brent_Cassity&amp;diff=5518</id>
		<title>Brent Cassity</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Brent_Cassity&amp;diff=5518"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:24Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (5 relevant guides)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Person&lt;br /&gt;
|name = Brent Douglas Cassity&lt;br /&gt;
|image = brent-cassity.png&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_date = 1970&lt;br /&gt;
|birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri&lt;br /&gt;
|charges = Mail fraud, Wire fraud, Money laundering, Permitting a felon to engage in insurance business&lt;br /&gt;
|conviction_date = July 3, 2013&lt;br /&gt;
|sentence = 5 years&lt;br /&gt;
|facility = USP Leavenworth&lt;br /&gt;
|status = Released&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Brent Douglas Cassity&#039;&#039;&#039; (born circa 1970) is an American former business executive and convicted fraudster who served five years in federal prison for his role in the National Prearranged Services (NPS) scandal that defrauded over 97,000 victims of approximately $435 million.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Department of Justice, &amp;quot;Six Defendants Sentenced To Total Of 36 Years In Prison In National Prearranged Services Case,&amp;quot; November 14, 2013, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/six-defendants-sentenced-total-36-years-prison-national-prearranged-services-case.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Cassity, who served as an officer of NPS alongside his father James &amp;quot;Doug&amp;quot; Cassity, pleaded guilty in 2013 to mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and willfully permitting a felon to engage in the insurance business. The scheme, which operated from 1992 to 2008, sold prearranged funeral contracts to customers across multiple states while systematically misappropriating funds that were supposed to be held in trust or insurance policies.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fbi-guilty&amp;quot;&amp;gt;FBI Archives, &amp;quot;Former Employee of National Prearranged Services Inc. and Lincoln Memorial Life Insurance Company Brent Cassity Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering Charges,&amp;quot; 2013, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/stlouis/press-releases/2013/former-employee-of-national-prearranged-services-inc.-and-lincoln-memorial-life-insurance-company-brent-cassity-pleads-guilty-to-fraud-and-money-laundering-charges.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Following his release, Cassity authored a memoir and launched the Nightmare Success podcast.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The National Prearranged Services fraud was one of the largest consumer protection failures in the American funeral industry. For nearly two decades, the Cassity family and their associates sold prearranged funeral contracts to families seeking to plan and pay for funerals in advance, representing that funds would be held in trust or insurance policies as required by state law. Instead, the NPS enterprise operated as a Ponzi-like scheme, using incoming customer payments to fund unauthorized purposes, including personal enrichment of company officers, rather than safeguarding the money for its intended purpose.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The fraud affected over 97,000 victims—including individual customers who had paid in advance for their funerals, funeral homes that had contracted with NPS, insurance companies, and financial institutions. When NPS collapsed in 2008, thousands of families discovered that the funeral arrangements they had paid for years earlier could not be honored. Many were required to pay again for funerals they had already purchased.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox2-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;FOX 2 St. Louis, &amp;quot;Prearranged funeral scammers sentenced to a total of 36 years,&amp;quot; November 2013, https://fox2now.com/news/fox-files/prearranged-funeral-scammers-sentenced-to-a-total-of-36-years/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Brent Cassity&#039;s role in the scheme was subordinate to that of his father Doug Cassity, who masterminded the operation. As an officer of NPS and its affiliated insurance companies, Brent Cassity participated in the fraud and benefited from the misappropriated funds. His five-year sentence reflected his level of involvement, shorter than his father&#039;s nine-year-and-seven-month term.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stltoday-sentence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;St. Louis Post-Dispatch, &amp;quot;Funeral scam figures get prison sentences in St. Louis federal court,&amp;quot; November 2013, https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/funeral-scam-figures-get-prison-sentences-in-st-louis-federal/article_68f2e563-bd91-55a4-a2e7-d202ac157df8.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Background ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Family Business Origins ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Cassity family&#039;s involvement in the funeral industry began when James &amp;quot;Doug&amp;quot; Cassity purchased National Prearranged Services Inc. in 1979. Based in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, NPS initially appeared to be a legitimate business offering prearranged funeral contracts—agreements that allowed customers to plan and pay for funeral services in advance, locking in prices and sparing their families the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stltoday-guilty&amp;quot;&amp;gt;St. Louis Post-Dispatch, &amp;quot;Father, son plead guilty in St. Louis prepaid funeral scam case,&amp;quot; 2013, https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/father-son-plead-guilty-in-st-louis-prepaid-funeral-scam-case/article_64cc95bc-a953-5881-a5b5-fe55c3741b65.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Brent Cassity grew up in the family business and eventually became an officer of NPS and its affiliated companies, including Lincoln Memorial Life Insurance Company. The family&#039;s business model expanded over the years, with NPS selling prearranged funeral contracts in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and other states, while affiliated insurance companies issued life insurance policies tied to those contracts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fbi-guilty&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Business Model ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Under state laws governing prearranged funeral contracts, companies like NPS were required to hold customer funds in trust or purchase insurance policies to guarantee that the money would be available to pay for funerals when customers died. These consumer protection requirements existed precisely because of the unique vulnerability of prearranged funeral customers—typically elderly individuals who might not live to see whether their contracts were honored.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
NPS represented to customers, funeral homes, and state regulators that it was complying with these requirements. In reality, the company was systematically violating them, diverting customer funds for unauthorized purposes while maintaining the appearance of legitimacy through fraudulent financial statements and regulatory filings.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fbi-guilty&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== The Fraud Scheme ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal prosecutors established that beginning as early as 1992 and continuing until NPS&#039;s collapse in 2008, the company operated as a fraudulent Ponzi-like scheme. Customer funds that were supposed to be held securely in trust or insurance policies were instead used for unauthorized purposes, including:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Personal enrichment of NPS officers and the Cassity family&lt;br /&gt;
* Funding operating expenses and commissions that should have been paid from legitimate business revenue&lt;br /&gt;
* Making payments to earlier customers whose policies came due—the classic hallmark of a Ponzi scheme&lt;br /&gt;
* Investments and expenditures unrelated to the company&#039;s funeral business obligations&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The scheme required constant deception of multiple parties. Individual customers were told their funds were secure. Funeral homes that partnered with NPS believed the company would honor its contracts. State insurance regulators received fraudulent financial statements suggesting the company was solvent. And insurance companies affiliated with NPS, including Lincoln Memorial Life Insurance Company, were used as vehicles to facilitate the fraud rather than provide genuine protection for customer funds.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fbi-guilty&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Collapse and Investigation ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The fraud unraveled in 2008 when NPS could no longer sustain its Ponzi-like operations. As with all such schemes, the company eventually ran out of new money to pay old obligations. The collapse triggered investigations by state insurance regulators and ultimately by federal authorities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stltoday-civil&amp;quot;&amp;gt;St. Louis Post-Dispatch, &amp;quot;Civil trial starts in suit over $500 million fraud by prepaid funeral company in Clayton,&amp;quot; https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/civil-trial-starts-in-suit-over-500-million-fraud-by-prepaid-funeral-company-in-clayton/article_ab87bd8d-345c-5e40-aeb8-ad22aa8ec2e4.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The investigation revealed the full scope of the fraud: more than 97,000 victims, approximately $435 million in losses, and a scheme that had operated for nearly two decades while evading regulatory detection.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fox2-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Guilty Pleas ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2013, Brent Cassity pleaded guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and willfully permitting a felon to engage in the insurance business. The last charge related to the involvement of individuals with prior felony convictions in NPS&#039;s insurance operations. His father, James &amp;quot;Doug&amp;quot; Cassity, then 67, pleaded guilty to similar charges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stltoday-guilty&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The guilty pleas came as part of a broader prosecution that ultimately resulted in six defendants being sentenced to a combined total of 36 years in federal prison. Besides Brent and Doug Cassity, other defendants included NPS executives and associates who had participated in various aspects of the scheme.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Sentencing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On November 14, 2013, Brent Cassity was sentenced in federal court in St. Louis to 60 months (five years) in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution as part of the overall $435 million restitution judgment against the NPS defendants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
His father, Doug Cassity, received a significantly longer sentence of nine years and seven months, reflecting his role as the mastermind of the scheme.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stltoday-sentence&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Prison Experience ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Brent Cassity served his sentence at United States Penitentiary Leavenworth, a medium-security federal prison in Kansas. The facility, one of the oldest federal prisons in the country, houses approximately 1,500 male inmates. He completed his sentence and was released after serving the full term of his imprisonment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Activities ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== &amp;quot;Nightmare Success&amp;quot; Memoir ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Following his release, Brent Cassity authored a memoir titled &amp;quot;Nightmare Success&amp;quot; in which he presented his account of the NPS scandal and his experience in the federal prison system.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Nightmare Success Podcast ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Cassity hosts the Nightmare Success podcast, which has become one of the largest and longest-running prison-focused podcasts. The show has featured more than 200 guests who share their experiences of overcoming personal and professional setbacks, including former inmates, entrepreneurs, and others who have rebuilt their lives after adversity.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nightmare-podcast&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Nightmare Success Podcast, https://nightmaresuccess.com/.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Impact on the Funeral Industry ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The NPS scandal prompted increased scrutiny of the prearranged funeral industry and the regulatory frameworks designed to protect consumers. The case highlighted vulnerabilities in state-level oversight of funeral trusts and preneed insurance products, as NPS had managed to evade detection for nearly two decades despite operating in multiple states with different regulatory regimes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;connecting-directors&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Connecting Directors, &amp;quot;National Prearranged Services Crooks Finally Get Prison Sentence,&amp;quot; 2013, https://connectingdirectors.com/42973-national-prearranged-services-crooks-finally-get-prison-sentence.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Consumer advocates used the NPS case to push for stronger protections for preneed funeral purchasers, including more rigorous auditing requirements for funeral trusts and better coordination among state regulators to detect multi-state schemes. The case also served as a cautionary tale for consumers considering prearranged funeral purchases, highlighting the importance of researching companies&#039; financial stability and regulatory compliance before entrusting them with funds.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;cnbc-greed&amp;quot;&amp;gt;CNBC, &amp;quot;Greed Report: Preying on the Dead: Protect Yourself from These Most Evil Scams,&amp;quot; July 25, 2016, https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/25/the-greed-report-preying-on-the-dead-protect-yourself-from-these-most-evil-scams.html.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Prearranged Funeral Contract&#039;&#039;&#039;: An agreement to plan and pay for funeral services in advance of death, typically offered by funeral homes or specialized companies.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Preneed Insurance&#039;&#039;&#039;: A life insurance policy purchased specifically to fund future funeral expenses, with the funeral provider named as beneficiary.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Funeral Trust&#039;&#039;&#039;: A trust account established to hold funds paid in advance for funeral services, with the money held securely until the funeral is performed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Ponzi Scheme&#039;&#039;&#039;: A fraudulent investment operation where returns to earlier investors are paid using capital from newer investors rather than from legitimate profits.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Nightmare Success&lt;br /&gt;
* White Collar Crime&lt;br /&gt;
* Prison Consultants&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was Brent Cassity convicted of?|answer=Brent Cassity was convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and permitting a felon to engage in insurance business for his role in the National Prearranged Services fraud that defrauded over 97,000 victims of $435 million.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How long was Brent Cassity&#039;s sentence?|answer=Cassity was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison on November 14, 2013. His father Doug Cassity received nine years and seven months.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What was the Cassity family fraud scheme?|answer=The Cassity family operated National Prearranged Services, which sold pre-need funeral contracts from 1992 to 2008 while misappropriating customer funds meant to be held in trust.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Where did Brent Cassity serve his sentence?|answer=Cassity served his federal sentence at USP Leavenworth in Kansas. He has since been released.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How much money was involved in the Cassity fraud?|answer=The National Prearranged Services fraud involved approximately $435 million in misappropriated funds and affected over 97,000 victims.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-federal-sentencing-works-step-by-step/ How Federal Sentencing Actually Works] — Practical breakdown from investigation through sentencing, grounded in real guest stories.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/what-first-week-in-federal-prison-feels-like/ What the First Week in Federal Prison Feels Like] — First-person accounts of intake and the habits that matter most in the first seven days.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-rebuild-career-and-reputation-after-release/ How to Rebuild Career and Reputation After Release] — A staged reentry strategy for rebuilding trust, employment credibility, and digital reputation.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/white-collar-cases-common-triggers-and-early-mistakes/ White-Collar Cases: Common Triggers and Early Mistakes] — Common escalation patterns and the early-stage discipline that limits damage.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Nightmare_Success&amp;diff=5517</id>
		<title>Nightmare Success</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Nightmare_Success&amp;diff=5517"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:23Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (8 relevant guides)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Nightmare Success&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Nightmare Success&#039;&#039;&#039; is a podcast hosted by Brent Cassity that gives voice to people whose lives were altered by incarceration—and whose stories became remarkable comebacks. Cassity, a former CEO who served a federal sentence himself, brings lived experience and empathy to the conversations. Each week he meets with someone who has walked through the worst of the criminal-justice system and emerged with purpose, resilience and action.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;PodcastInfo&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Apple Podcasts. “Nightmare Success In and Out – Podcast (Brent Cassity).” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nightmare-success-in-and-out/id1588287560&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;PodcastWebsite&amp;quot;&amp;gt;NightmareSuccess.com. “Nightmare Success – The Podcast.” https://nightmaresuccess.com/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== History ==&lt;br /&gt;
The podcast launched in 2021, at a time when stories of justice-involved individuals were gaining broader attention. From its inception, it focused on bringing depth and authenticity to the conversation: life before prison, life inside, and life after release. By late 2025 the show had produced over 200 episodes and entered its fifth season.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;PodcastStats&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rephonic. “Nightmare Success In and Out – Audience &amp;amp; Stats.” https://rephonic.com/podcasts/nightmare-success-in-and-out&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Over those years it grew from a niche-justice audience into one of the most trusted platforms for understanding incarceration, redemption and second chances.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Popular episodes == &lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/p/behind-the-ftx-collapse-a-fathers-story-of-survival-sbf-ftx-dad-joe-bankman/ Episode: “Behind the FTX Collapse: A Father’s Story of Survival – Joe Bankman”] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Host ==&lt;br /&gt;
Host: [[Brent_Cassity|Brent Cassity]]  &lt;br /&gt;
Brent Cassity is a former national-company CEO, author and podcast host. He built his career leading a family-owned business in the funeral, cemetery and preneed-insurance sector that expanded across more than 20 states.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CassityBio&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Brent Cassity. “Meet Brent.” https://brentcassity.com/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; His business achievements earned national recognition in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and TIME magazine; an HBO documentary titled &#039;&#039;The Young and the Dead&#039;&#039; featured the company’s story.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;MarkGraban&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Mark Graban. “CEO Brent Cassity Trusted His Dad and Ended Up in Prison for Fraud and Conspiracy.” December 8, 2021. https://www.markgraban.com/ceo-brent-cassity-trusted-his-dad-and-ended-up-in-prison-for-fraud-and-conspiracy/&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Then Cassity faced a federal prosecution and served a five-year federal sentence.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;DOJsent&amp;quot;&amp;gt;U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri. “Six Defendants Sentenced To Total Of 36 Years In Prison In National Prearranged Services Case.” November 14, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/six-defendants-sentenced-total-36-years-prison-national-prearranged-services-case&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-federal-sentencing-works-step-by-step/ How Federal Sentencing Actually Works] — Practical breakdown from investigation through sentencing, grounded in real guest stories.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/what-first-week-in-federal-prison-feels-like/ What the First Week in Federal Prison Feels Like] — First-person accounts of intake and the habits that matter most in the first seven days.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-rebuild-career-and-reputation-after-release/ How to Rebuild Career and Reputation After Release] — A staged reentry strategy for rebuilding trust, employment credibility, and digital reputation.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/white-collar-cases-common-triggers-and-early-mistakes/ White-Collar Cases: Common Triggers and Early Mistakes] — Common escalation patterns and the early-stage discipline that limits damage.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-support-a-loved-one-during-incarceration/ How to Support a Loved One During Incarceration] — A grounded support framework for families balancing care, boundaries, and long-term stability.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-families-can-prepare-before-surrender/ How Families Can Prepare Before Surrender] — A preparation playbook for families managing logistics, finances, and communication before surrender.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/addiction-recovery-and-reentry-after-incarceration/ Addiction, Recovery, and Reentry After Incarceration] — How to align sobriety planning with reentry realities and reduce relapse risk after release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Media]]&lt;br /&gt;
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}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Home_Confinement_and_Monitoring_Programs&amp;diff=5516</id>
		<title>Home Confinement and Monitoring Programs</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Home_Confinement_and_Monitoring_Programs&amp;diff=5516"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:22Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (2 relevant guides)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Home confinement&#039;&#039;&#039;, also known as &#039;&#039;&#039;home detention&#039;&#039;&#039; or &#039;&#039;&#039;house arrest&#039;&#039;&#039;, is a form of supervised release that allows individuals to serve a portion of their sentence or await trial in their residence rather than in a correctional facility. In the federal system, home confinement is administered by the [[Index_of_Federal_Prison_Facilities|Bureau of Prisons]] and supervised by [[United States Probation and Pretrial Services]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Home confinement serves as an intermediate sanction between incarceration and traditional [[Supervised Release|supervised release]]. It provides a cost-effective alternative to imprisonment while maintaining public safety through electronic monitoring and regular check-ins with supervising officers.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Bureau of Prisons may place eligible inmates in home confinement for the lesser of 10 percent of their sentence or six months. However, the [[First Step Act: Overview and Implementation|First Step Act]] of 2018 expanded home confinement eligibility, allowing certain inmates to serve more of their sentence in home detention.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Types of Home Confinement ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Curfew ===&lt;br /&gt;
The least restrictive form requires the individual to be at their residence during specified hours, typically overnight. Employment and approved activities are permitted during other hours.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Home Detention ===&lt;br /&gt;
More restrictive than curfew, home detention requires the individual to remain at their residence at all times except for pre-approved activities such as:&lt;br /&gt;
* Employment&lt;br /&gt;
* Education&lt;br /&gt;
* Medical appointments&lt;br /&gt;
* Religious services&lt;br /&gt;
* Attorney meetings&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Home Incarceration ===&lt;br /&gt;
The most restrictive level confines the individual to their residence 24 hours a day, with only limited exceptions for medical emergencies or court appearances.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Electronic Monitoring ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Most home confinement programs include electronic monitoring using:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== GPS Ankle Monitors ===&lt;br /&gt;
Global Positioning System devices track the wearer&#039;s location continuously. These devices:&lt;br /&gt;
* Record movement patterns&lt;br /&gt;
* Alert authorities if the wearer leaves approved areas&lt;br /&gt;
* Maintain a detailed log of locations visited&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Radio Frequency Monitors ===&lt;br /&gt;
These devices use a transmitter worn on the ankle and a receiver unit installed in the residence. They verify the wearer&#039;s presence at home but do not track location outside the residence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Remote Alcohol Monitoring ===&lt;br /&gt;
For individuals with alcohol-related offenses, devices like SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) may be required. These devices test perspiration for alcohol content.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Eligibility Criteria ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Eligibility for federal home confinement typically requires:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Low security risk classification&lt;br /&gt;
* Stable residence with telephone service&lt;br /&gt;
* Consent of other household members&lt;br /&gt;
* Employment or demonstrated means of support&lt;br /&gt;
* No history of violence or escape&lt;br /&gt;
* Medical stability&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Certain offenses may preclude eligibility, including:&lt;br /&gt;
* Sex offenses&lt;br /&gt;
* Crimes involving victims in the household&lt;br /&gt;
* Firearms offenses&lt;br /&gt;
* History of violence&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Conditions and Requirements ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Individuals on home confinement must typically:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Remain at the approved residence except for authorized absences&lt;br /&gt;
* Submit to electronic monitoring&lt;br /&gt;
* Allow home visits by supervising officers without prior notice&lt;br /&gt;
* Maintain employment or participate in approved programming&lt;br /&gt;
* Submit to drug testing&lt;br /&gt;
* Pay program fees (if financially able)&lt;br /&gt;
* Avoid alcohol and controlled substances&lt;br /&gt;
* Not possess firearms or weapons&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Violations ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Violations of home confinement conditions may result in:&lt;br /&gt;
* Increased restrictions&lt;br /&gt;
* Return to incarceration&lt;br /&gt;
* Additional criminal charges&lt;br /&gt;
* Extension of supervision period&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Common violations include:&lt;br /&gt;
* Tampering with monitoring equipment&lt;br /&gt;
* Leaving the residence without authorization&lt;br /&gt;
* Positive drug or alcohol tests&lt;br /&gt;
* Failure to maintain employment&lt;br /&gt;
* Contact with prohibited persons&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== COVID-19 Expansion ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Prisons significantly expanded the use of home confinement under the CARES Act. Thousands of federal inmates were transferred to home confinement to reduce prison populations and limit virus spread. Many of these transfers have since been made permanent following legal challenges and policy revisions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Costs and Fees ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Participants in home confinement programs may be required to pay:&lt;br /&gt;
* Daily supervision fees&lt;br /&gt;
* Electronic monitoring equipment costs&lt;br /&gt;
* Drug testing fees&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Fee waivers or reductions are available for those who demonstrate financial hardship.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Transition to Community ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Home confinement often serves as a transition from incarceration to full community release. It may be combined with placement in a [[Residential Reentry Centers (Halfway Houses)|Residential Reentry Center]] or followed by a period of [[Supervised Release]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Supervised Release]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Residential Reentry Centers (Halfway Houses)]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Overview of Reentry Processes]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[First Step Act: Overview and Implementation]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Earned Time Credits Under the First Step Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/home_confinement.jsp Bureau of Prisons - Home Confinement]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/probation-and-pretrial-services U.S. Courts - Probation and Pretrial Services]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Reentry]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-rebuild-career-and-reputation-after-release/ How to Rebuild Career and Reputation After Release] — A staged reentry strategy for rebuilding trust, employment credibility, and digital reputation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Supervised_Release]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Compassionate_Release_Policies&amp;diff=5515</id>
		<title>Compassionate Release Policies</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Compassionate_Release_Policies&amp;diff=5515"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:21Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Infobox Legal Process&lt;br /&gt;
| name = Compassionate Release&lt;br /&gt;
| statute = 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)&lt;br /&gt;
| authority = Bureau of Prisons / Federal Courts&lt;br /&gt;
| also_known_as = Reduction in Sentence, Elderly Offender Release&lt;br /&gt;
| reformed_by = First Step Act of 2018&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Compassionate release&#039;&#039;&#039; (formally known as &#039;&#039;&#039;reduction in sentence&#039;&#039;&#039;) is a legal mechanism under &#039;&#039;&#039;18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)&#039;&#039;&#039; that allows federal inmates to petition for early release from prison based on &#039;&#039;&#039;extraordinary and compelling reasons&#039;&#039;&#039;. Originally, only the [[Bureau of Prisons]] (BOP) could file compassionate release motions. The &#039;&#039;&#039;[[First Step Act: Overview and Implementation|First Step Act]] of 2018&#039;&#039;&#039; fundamentally changed the process by allowing inmates to file motions directly in court after exhausting administrative remedies or waiting 30 days after submitting a request to the warden, whichever occurs first.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;first-step&amp;quot;&amp;gt;First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-391, § 603(b).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Legal Framework ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Statutory Basis ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A), a court may reduce a term of imprisonment if it finds that:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
# &#039;&#039;&#039;Extraordinary and compelling reasons&#039;&#039;&#039; warrant the reduction; or&lt;br /&gt;
# The defendant is at least &#039;&#039;&#039;70 years old&#039;&#039;&#039;, has served at least &#039;&#039;&#039;30 years&#039;&#039;&#039; in prison, and the BOP Director has determined the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any other person or the community&lt;br /&gt;
# The reduction is consistent with applicable &#039;&#039;&#039;Sentencing Commission policy statements&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
# The &#039;&#039;&#039;§ 3553(a) factors&#039;&#039;&#039; (nature of the offense, criminal history, need for deterrence, etc.) support a reduction&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;statute&amp;quot;&amp;gt;18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Pre-First Step Act: BOP Gatekeeping ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Before December 2018, only the BOP Director could file compassionate release motions. This meant:&lt;br /&gt;
* Inmates had no independent right to petition the court&lt;br /&gt;
* The BOP approved very few requests (an average of 24 per year from 2013-2017)&lt;br /&gt;
* Denials were essentially unreviewable&lt;br /&gt;
* Many inmates died waiting for BOP action&lt;br /&gt;
* Family members and advocates had limited recourse&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Post-First Step Act: Direct Filing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The First Step Act transformed compassionate release by allowing inmates to file motions directly after:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Exhausting administrative remedies&#039;&#039;&#039; - Filing a request with the warden and receiving a denial; OR&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;30-day lapse&#039;&#039;&#039; - Waiting 30 days from the date of filing the request with the warden, regardless of whether the warden responds&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This change produced a dramatic increase in compassionate release filings and grants, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ussc-data&amp;quot;&amp;gt;United States Sentencing Commission, &amp;quot;Compassionate Release Data Report,&amp;quot; 2023.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Extraordinary and Compelling Reasons ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== USSG §1B1.13: Policy Statement ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Sentencing Commission&#039;s policy statement identifies categories of extraordinary and compelling reasons:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Medical Circumstances ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Terminal illness:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Diagnosis of a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 18 months or less&lt;br /&gt;
* No requirement for specific prognosis methodology&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Debilitating condition:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Serious physical or medical condition&lt;br /&gt;
* Serious functional or cognitive decline&lt;br /&gt;
* Deteriorating physical or mental health due to aging&lt;br /&gt;
* Condition that substantially diminishes the ability to provide self-care within the correctional facility&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;COVID-19 and infectious disease:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* During the pandemic, courts recognized COVID-19 vulnerability as an extraordinary and compelling reason, particularly for inmates with underlying health conditions&lt;br /&gt;
* This expanded interpretation remains influential for future infectious disease situations&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Age-Related Factors ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Defendant is at least 65 years old&lt;br /&gt;
* Experiencing serious deterioration in physical or mental health because of the aging process&lt;br /&gt;
* Has served at least 10 years or 75% of the term of imprisonment, whichever is less&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Family Circumstances ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Caregiver need:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Death or incapacitation of the caregiver of the defendant&#039;s minor child or children&lt;br /&gt;
* Incapacitation of the defendant&#039;s spouse or registered partner when the defendant would be the only available caregiver&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Updated grounds (2023 amendment):&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Death or incapacitation of the caregiver of the defendant&#039;s minor child, the defendant&#039;s child who is 18 years of age or older and incapable of self-care, or the defendant&#039;s spouse or registered partner&lt;br /&gt;
* The defendant would be the only available caregiver for such individual&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Victim of Abuse ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* The defendant, while in custody, was the victim of sexual abuse or physical abuse resulting in serious bodily injury&lt;br /&gt;
* The abuse was committed by a correctional officer, employee, or contractor of the BOP&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Unusually Long Sentences ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The 2023 amendment added a new ground:&lt;br /&gt;
* Changes in law (other than amendments to the Guidelines Manual) would produce a gross disparity between the sentence being served and the sentence likely to be imposed at the time the motion is filed&lt;br /&gt;
* This addresses defendants serving decades-long sentences under now-repealed mandatory minimums&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==== Other Reasons ====&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Courts retain discretion to find extraordinary and compelling reasons beyond those specifically enumerated, allowing consideration of unique circumstances.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== The Application Process ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Step 1: Request to the Warden ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Filing requirements:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Submit a written request to the warden of the facility where incarcerated&lt;br /&gt;
* Clearly state the extraordinary and compelling reasons for release&lt;br /&gt;
* Include supporting documentation (medical records, family circumstances, etc.)&lt;br /&gt;
* Keep a copy of the request with proof of submission date&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Warden response:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* The warden should respond within 30 days&lt;br /&gt;
* If the warden denies the request or does not respond within 30 days, the inmate may file directly with the court&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Step 2: Filing a Motion in Court ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Required elements:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Motion filed in the original sentencing court&lt;br /&gt;
* Statement of extraordinary and compelling reasons&lt;br /&gt;
* Discussion of § 3553(a) factors&lt;br /&gt;
* Proposed release plan (housing, employment, supervision)&lt;br /&gt;
* Supporting documentation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Legal representation:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Inmates may file pro se (without an attorney)&lt;br /&gt;
* Federal Public Defender offices handle many compassionate release cases&lt;br /&gt;
* Pro bono attorneys and legal clinics also assist&lt;br /&gt;
* Quality of legal representation significantly affects outcomes&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Step 3: Court Review ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Judicial consideration:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Court evaluates extraordinary and compelling reasons&lt;br /&gt;
* Weighs § 3553(a) sentencing factors&lt;br /&gt;
* Considers danger to the community&lt;br /&gt;
* Reviews proposed release plan&lt;br /&gt;
* May hold an evidentiary hearing&lt;br /&gt;
* Government has opportunity to respond&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Step 4: Decision and Appeal ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Possible outcomes:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Grant: Sentence reduced, often to time served with supervised release&lt;br /&gt;
* Deny: Motion denied with or without prejudice&lt;br /&gt;
* Either party may appeal to the circuit court of appeals&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== COVID-19 and Compassionate Release ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Pandemic Impact ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The COVID-19 pandemic produced an unprecedented surge in compassionate release activity:&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Pre-pandemic (2019)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Approximately 145 grants&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Pandemic peak (2020)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Over 3,100 motions filed in a single year&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Grant rates&#039;&#039;&#039;: Varied significantly by district and judge&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Factors courts considered:&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Age and underlying health conditions&lt;br /&gt;
* COVID-19 conditions at the specific facility&lt;br /&gt;
* Vaccination status (after vaccines became available)&lt;br /&gt;
* BOP&#039;s ability to manage outbreaks&lt;br /&gt;
* Remaining sentence length&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Lasting Impact ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The pandemic permanently expanded compassionate release jurisprudence:&lt;br /&gt;
* Courts developed extensive case law on medical vulnerability&lt;br /&gt;
* Established precedent for considering facility conditions&lt;br /&gt;
* Demonstrated the system&#039;s capacity to handle large volumes&lt;br /&gt;
* Influenced the 2023 Sentencing Commission amendments&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Statistics and Outcomes ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Filing and Grant Rates ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Recent trends (2023 Sentencing Commission data):&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Approximately 3,500-4,000 motions filed annually post-pandemic&lt;br /&gt;
* Grant rates vary by circuit: ranging from approximately 10% to 30%&lt;br /&gt;
* Median sentence reduction: approximately 60 months&lt;br /&gt;
* Most grants involve medical conditions or age-related factors&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Demographic Patterns ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Average age of successful petitioners: approximately 55 years&lt;br /&gt;
* Medical conditions most frequently cited: cancer, heart disease, respiratory conditions&lt;br /&gt;
* Gender: Women granted at slightly higher rates than men&lt;br /&gt;
* Race: Disparities exist in grant rates by race, with ongoing research&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Geographic Variations ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Significant circuit-by-circuit variations:&lt;br /&gt;
* Some circuits interpret &amp;quot;extraordinary and compelling&amp;quot; broadly&lt;br /&gt;
* Others maintain restrictive interpretations&lt;br /&gt;
* District-level variations within circuits also significant&lt;br /&gt;
* Calls for more uniform application across jurisdictions&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Criticisms and Debates ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Arguments for Expanded Use ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Federal prisons are overcrowded (currently approximately 25% over capacity)&lt;br /&gt;
* Many inmates serving sentences under now-reformed sentencing laws&lt;br /&gt;
* Aging prison population creates enormous healthcare costs&lt;br /&gt;
* Compassionate release provides necessary safety valve&lt;br /&gt;
* Research shows elderly inmates have very low recidivism rates&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Arguments Against Expanded Use ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Victims&#039; interests must be considered&lt;br /&gt;
* Public safety concerns with releasing violent offenders&lt;br /&gt;
* Sentences imposed by judges should be respected&lt;br /&gt;
* Potential for abuse of the system&lt;br /&gt;
* Inconsistent application creates unfairness&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Ongoing Policy Questions ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Should the BOP administrative exhaustion requirement be eliminated entirely?&lt;br /&gt;
* How should courts handle &amp;quot;stacking&amp;quot; of multiple non-extraordinary factors?&lt;br /&gt;
* What role should rehabilitation and programming play in decisions?&lt;br /&gt;
* How to address geographic disparities in grant rates?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Practical Tips ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== For Inmates ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Start early&#039;&#039;&#039; - File your request to the warden as soon as grounds exist&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Document everything&#039;&#039;&#039; - Medical records, family circumstances, rehabilitation&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Develop a release plan&#039;&#039;&#039; - Housing, employment, medical care, community support&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Seek legal assistance&#039;&#039;&#039; - Contact the Federal Public Defender or legal aid organizations&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Maintain clear conduct&#039;&#039;&#039; - Disciplinary issues significantly hurt your case&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== For Families ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Write support letters&#039;&#039;&#039; - Detail your willingness and ability to support the inmate&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Document caregiver needs&#039;&#039;&#039; - If applicable, provide medical documentation&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Coordinate housing&#039;&#039;&#039; - Have a confirmed address for the release plan&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Contact advocacy organizations&#039;&#039;&#039; - FAMM, the Sentencing Project, and others can help&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== For Attorneys ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;File promptly after exhaustion&#039;&#039;&#039; - Don&#039;t delay once the 30-day period lapses&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Address § 3553(a) thoroughly&#039;&#039;&#039; - Courts weigh these factors heavily&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Include a detailed release plan&#039;&#039;&#039; - Shows the court the defendant has viable post-release support&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Cite recent circuit precedent&#039;&#039;&#039; - Compassionate release law is evolving rapidly&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Consider amicus support&#039;&#039;&#039; - Organizations may file supporting briefs&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[First Step Act: Overview and Implementation]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Administrative Remedy Process (BP-8 to BP-11)]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal Sentencing Guidelines]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Elderly Offender Home Detention Program]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Supervised Release]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Bureau of Prisons Classification Methods]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External Links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.ussc.gov/research/compassionate-release-data USSC Compassionate Release Data]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/overview.jsp BOP First Step Act Overview]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://famm.org/our-work/compassionate-release/ FAMM Compassionate Release Resources]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Legal Processes]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:First Step Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Inmate Rights]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Bureau of Prisons Policies]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Postsecondary_Education_Opportunities&amp;diff=5514</id>
		<title>Postsecondary Education Opportunities</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Postsecondary_Education_Opportunities&amp;diff=5514"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:20Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Postsecondary Education Opportunities&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Postsecondary education&#039;&#039;&#039; for individuals incarcerated in the &#039;&#039;&#039;Federal Bureau of Prisons&#039;&#039;&#039; (BOP) consists primarily of self-funded correspondence coursework obtained through accredited colleges and universities. Unlike the publicly funded literacy and GED programs offered directly by the Bureau, college-level education is not provided as a standard institutional service. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal inmates seeking to pursue associate, bachelor&#039;s, or graduate degrees must generally arrange enrollment through external correspondence programs and bear the full financial responsibility themselves or through family support.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop-education&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Education |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/education.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The BOP&#039;s official policy states that the agency &amp;quot;facilitates post-secondary education in vocational and occupationally oriented areas&amp;quot; and that &amp;quot;some traditional college courses are available, but inmates are responsible for funding this coursework.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop-education&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Correspondence programs ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Several regionally accredited institutions offer print-based correspondence programs designed to accommodate incarcerated students. These programs allow students to complete coursework entirely through the mail, with examinations proctored by authorized facility staff.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Adams State University Prison Education Program&#039;&#039;&#039; (Alamosa, Colorado) is widely regarded as the leading provider of correspondence education for incarcerated students in the United States.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;zoukis-federal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Federal Prison Education Programs |url=https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/prison-life/prison-education-programs/ |publisher=Zoukis Consulting Group |date=May 16, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the program offers certificates, associate degrees, bachelor&#039;s degrees, and a Master of Business Administration through print-based delivery.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;asu-pep&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Prison Education Program (PEP) |url=https://www.adams.edu/academics/pep/print-based/ |publisher=Adams State University |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Tuition rates are below average compared to similar programs, and students are given extended completion windows of up to twelve months per course. The program has served thousands of incarcerated students nationwide.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;asu-pep&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Ohio University Correctional Education&#039;&#039;&#039; has offered correspondence education to incarcerated students since 1974. The program provides associate and bachelor&#039;s degree options through print-based courses. As of December 2024, Ohio University announced a partnership with Adams State University to expand educational opportunities for its correctional education students, referring new enrollments to Adams State&#039;s Prison Education Program.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ohio-print&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Print-Based Degrees and Programs |url=https://www.ohio.edu/online/programs/print/programs |publisher=Ohio University |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Other institutions offering correspondence programs include Colorado State University, Upper Iowa University, Louisiana State University (individual courses and certificates), and several California community colleges including Coastline College and Lassen College, which enroll students from facilities nationwide.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;zoukis-correspondence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Prison College Programs |url=https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/correspondence-programs/undergraduate-degree/ |publisher=Zoukis Consulting Group |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Tuition for correspondence courses typically ranges from $165 to $350 per credit hour depending on the institution, with individual courses costing between $500 and $1,000.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;zoukis-correspondence&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Funding and financial assistance ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Self-funding requirements ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For facilities without an approved Prison Education Program, incarcerated individuals remain responsible for all educational costs. Federal student loans are not available to incarcerated students regardless of program type.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ed-dcl&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Eligibility of Confined or Incarcerated Individuals to Receive Pell Grants |url=https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/dear-colleague-letters/2023-03-29/eligibility-confined-or-incarcerated-individuals-receive-pell-grants-updated-sept-30-2024 |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Payment arrangements vary by institution; some programs permit course-by-course payment rather than requiring full program costs upfront.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;asu-faq&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Prison Education Program (PEP) FAQs |url=https://www.adams.edu/academics/pep/faqs/ |publisher=Adams State University |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Family members frequently assist with tuition payments on behalf of incarcerated relatives.&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Nonprofit organizations and scholarships ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Several nonprofit organizations provide scholarships and financial assistance to incarcerated students pursuing postsecondary education.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;The Prison Scholar Fund&#039;&#039;&#039; (Western Washington) provides scholarships for postsecondary distance education along with mentoring and advising services. The organization focuses on helping incarcerated individuals access educational opportunities that can facilitate successful reentry.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;psf&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Prison Scholar Fund |url=https://www.prisonscholars.org/ |publisher=Prison Scholar Fund |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Prison Education Foundation&#039;&#039;&#039; is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides scholarships to incarcerated men and women pursuing higher education. The foundation uses a performance-based scholarship model, typically awarding initial grants for a limited number of credit hours and expanding support based on academic performance. Funding comes primarily from private foundations and corporate donations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pef&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Prison Education Foundation |url=https://www.prisonedu.org/ |publisher=Prison Education Foundation |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Education Justice Project&#039;&#039;&#039; at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides academic scholarships to individuals impacted by incarceration and operates a comprehensive college-in-prison program. The organization is a founding member of the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ejp&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Scholarships for Incarcerated |url=https://educationjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Resources@EJP_Scholarship-Opportunities.pdf |publisher=Education Justice Project |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Major philanthropic foundations have also invested in prison higher education. The [[Andrew W. Mellon Foundation]] has awarded over $5 million in grants to organizations advancing higher education in prisons, including support for the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison and various university-based programs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mellon&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Mellon Announces Over $5M in Funding for Higher Education in Prisons |url=https://www.mellon.org/news/grants-to-increase-higher-education-opportunities-in-prisons |publisher=Andrew W. Mellon Foundation |date=June 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The Ascendium Education Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on postsecondary access for underserved populations, has funded technical assistance initiatives and research on prison education programs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;air&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Identifying and Scaling Higher Education in Prison Programmatic Resources |url=https://www.air.org/project/identifying-and-scaling-higher-education-prison-programmatic-resources |publisher=American Institutes for Research |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The Laughing Gull Foundation has announced over $2 million in grants specifically for higher education in prison programs, with a focus on the Southern United States.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;laughing-gull&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Higher Education in Prison |url=https://laughinggull.org/higher-education-in-prison/ |publisher=Laughing Gull Foundation |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== National organizations ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The &#039;&#039;&#039;Alliance for Higher Education in Prison&#039;&#039;&#039; is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit network that supports practitioners, produces research, and advocates for expanding quality higher education in prison settings. Founded through a strategic planning process that began in 2015, the Alliance hosts the annual National Conference on Higher Education in Prison and maintains resources for colleges, correctional agencies, and students.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;alliance-faq&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=FAQ and Policies |url=https://www.higheredinprison.org/frequently-asked-questions |publisher=Alliance for Higher Education in Prison |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; According to a 2022 Alliance survey, approximately 600 of the nearly 5,000 state and federal prisons and local jails in the United States have higher education programs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;mellon&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Vera Institute of Justice]]&#039;&#039;&#039; has played a significant role in supporting prison education since the inception of Second Chance Pell, providing technical assistance to participating colleges and corrections departments. Vera publishes research on program outcomes and advocates for policies that expand educational access for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vera-six-years&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Second Chance Pell: Six Years of Expanding Higher Education Programs in Prisons, 2016–2022 |url=https://www.vera.org/publications/second-chance-pell-six-years-of-expanding-access-to-education-in-prison |publisher=Vera Institute of Justice |date=June 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Historical context ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Pell Grant eligibility and the 1994 Crime Bill ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From 1965 until 1994, incarcerated individuals were eligible to receive federal Pell Grants under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. This funding supported a substantial expansion of prison education programs nationwide. By the early 1990s, an estimated 772 college-in-prison programs operated across approximately 1,287 correctional facilities in the United States, with roughly 27,000 incarcerated students receiving Pell Grants during the 1993–94 academic year.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;aei-history&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=The Second Chance Pell Pilot Program: A Historical Overview |url=https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/the-second-chance-pell-pilot-program-a-historical-overview/ |publisher=American Enterprise Institute |author=Gerard Robinson and Elizabeth English |date=September 2017 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The [[Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act|Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994]], commonly known as the &amp;quot;Crime Bill,&amp;quot; eliminated Pell Grant eligibility for all individuals incarcerated in state and federal prisons. Despite the fact that grants to incarcerated students constituted less than one percent of total Pell disbursements—approximately $35 million out of a $6 billion program—the provision was enacted amid broader &amp;quot;tough on crime&amp;quot; political sentiments of the era.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ppi-crime-bill&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Since You Asked: How did the 1994 crime bill affect prison college programs? |url=https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2019/08/22/college-in-prison/ |publisher=Prison Policy Initiative |date=August 22, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; A Government Accountability Office report from that period found that grants to incarcerated students did not affect grants awarded to other eligible applicants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;gao-1994&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Pell Grant Program: Incarcerated Student Participation |url=https://www.gao.gov |publisher=U.S. Government Accountability Office |date=1994 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The consequences of the ban were immediate and severe. By 1997, the number of college-in-prison programs in the United States had collapsed from over 770 to an estimated eight programs nationwide.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;aei-history&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; State legislatures followed the federal lead by rescinding state-level tuition assistance programs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ppi-crime-bill&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; The remaining programs that survived depended entirely on private philanthropy, volunteer instruction, and out-of-pocket payments from incarcerated individuals and their families.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Second Chance Pell and subsequent restoration ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2015, the Obama administration announced the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative, a pilot program that temporarily restored Pell Grant access to a limited number of approved colleges operating programs within correctional facilities. The initiative began with 67 participating institutions in 2016 and eventually expanded to include more than 160 colleges across 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vera-six-years&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; Between 2016 and 2022, more than 40,000 incarcerated students enrolled in postsecondary education through the Second Chance Pell program, earning approximately 12,000 credentials including associate degrees, bachelor&#039;s degrees, and certificates.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vera-six-years&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Full restoration of Pell Grant eligibility came through the [[FAFSA Simplification Act]], signed into law in December 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The law took effect on July 1, 2023, ending the nearly 30-year prohibition on federal financial aid for incarcerated students.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vera-pell-restoration&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=How Pell Grant Restoration Impacts Jails |url=https://www.vera.org/publications/how-pell-grant-restoration-impacts-jails |publisher=Vera Institute of Justice |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Under the restored eligibility, students must enroll in a Department of Education-approved Prison Education Program (PEP) offered by a public or nonprofit institution to access Pell funds.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ed-dcl&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; The Vera Institute of Justice estimates that approximately 760,000 incarcerated individuals are now potentially eligible for Pell Grants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vera-first-pep&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=After 30 Years, the First Program to Offer Pell Grants to Incarcerated Students Has Launched |url=https://www.vera.org/news/after-30-years-the-first-program-to-offer-pell-grants-to-incarcerated-students-has-launched |publisher=Vera Institute of Justice |date=March 26, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Current status of federal postsecondary programming ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Despite the restoration of Pell eligibility, the development of approved Prison Education Programs within the Federal Bureau of Prisons has proceeded gradually. As of September 2024, Illinois Central College became the first institution to receive Department of Education approval for a PEP at a federal facility, specifically at FCI Pekin in Illinois.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop-first-pep&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Illinois Central College Approved for First Prison Education Program Inside Federal Bureau of Prisons |url=https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/20240913-first-prison-education-program-approved.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The BOP continues to work with colleges and universities to establish additional Pell-eligible programs, building on its Second Chance Pell partnerships that operated at 14 facilities and awarded 265 associate degrees, 16 bachelor&#039;s degrees, and 18 certificates.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop-first-pep&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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For the majority of federal inmates, postsecondary education remains accessible only through self-funded correspondence courses. Enrollment in such programs requires authorization from the facility&#039;s Education Department, typically through the College Coordinator.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;zoukis-federal&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; Students or their families must pay all tuition, fees, and textbook costs directly to the educational institution. Internet-based instruction is generally prohibited due to security restrictions, limiting options to print-based correspondence formats that rely on postal mail for all communication between students and instructors.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;zoukis-federal&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Research on effectiveness ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 2013 meta-analysis conducted by the [[RAND Corporation]], funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, examined the effectiveness of correctional education programs. The study found that inmates who participated in educational programs had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than those who did not, translating to a reduction in the risk of returning to prison of 13 percentage points. Employment rates after release were 13 percent higher among participants in academic or vocational programs, with vocational training specifically associated with a 28 percent increase in the likelihood of post-release employment.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;rand-2013&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education: A Meta-Analysis of Programs That Provide Education to Incarcerated Adults |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html |publisher=RAND Corporation |author=Lois M. Davis, Robert Bozick, Jennifer L. Steele, Jessica Saunders, and Jeremy N.V. Miles |date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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The RAND study also concluded that correctional education is cost-effective. Researchers estimated that for every dollar invested in prison education programs, incarceration costs are reduced by four to five dollars during the first three years following release.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;rand-2013&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; These findings were cited by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education in support of the Second Chance Pell initiative and have informed subsequent policy discussions around restoring educational access for incarcerated populations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;doj-announce&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Justice and Education Departments Announce New Research Showing Prison Education Reduces Recidivism, Saves Money, Improves Employment |url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-and-education-departments-announce-new-research-showing-prison-education-reduces |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Separate research published by the Vera Institute found that people who participate in college-in-prison programs are 48 percent less likely to recidivate than those who do not, and that correctional facilities with college programs report reduced incidents of violence.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;vera-snapshot&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Second Chance Pell: A Snapshot of the First Three Years |url=https://www.vera.org/publications/second-chance-pell-snapshot |publisher=Vera Institute of Justice |date=June 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Limitations and challenges ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Several barriers continue to limit postsecondary educational opportunities for federal inmates. Security restrictions prohibit internet access at most facilities, eliminating the possibility of online coursework that has expanded access for students outside the correctional system.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;crimesolutions&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Practice Profile: Postsecondary Correctional Education (PSCE) |url=https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/ratedpractices/postsecondary-correctional-education-psce |publisher=National Institute of Justice |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The administrative process for approving Prison Education Programs under the restored Pell eligibility involves multiple approval steps from accrediting agencies, oversight entities, and the Department of Education, which has slowed the rollout of new Pell-eligible programs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;stateline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=&#039;Transformative&#039;: More college programs are slowly coming into prisons |url=https://stateline.org/2024/04/29/transformative-more-college-programs-are-slowly-coming-into-prisons/ |publisher=Stateline |date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
|title_mode=replace&lt;br /&gt;
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Geographic disparities also affect access. Facilities in remote locations may have fewer partnership opportunities with nearby colleges, and correspondence remains the only practical option for many students. The cost of correspondence education, while lower than traditional campus tuition, remains prohibitive for many incarcerated individuals who earn minimal wages through prison work assignments.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pef&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; Some states continue to maintain additional restrictions on state-level tuition assistance programs for incarcerated students even after federal Pell restoration.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;capital-b&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=The Rise and Fall of Prison Education |url=https://capitalbnews.org/pell-grants-prison-education/ |publisher=Capital B |date=January 31, 2022 |access-date=November 24, 2024}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;/html&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Workforce_Development_and_Training_Programs&amp;diff=5513</id>
		<title>Workforce Development and Training Programs</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Workforce_Development_and_Training_Programs&amp;diff=5513"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:18Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (2 relevant guides)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Workforce Development and Training Programs&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Workforce development and training programs&#039;&#039;&#039; provide education, skills training, and employment support to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. These programs are critical to successful reentry, as stable employment significantly reduces recidivism.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Employment is consistently identified as one of the most important factors in successful reentry. However, individuals with criminal records face significant barriers to employment, including:&lt;br /&gt;
* Employer reluctance to hire people with records&lt;br /&gt;
* Gaps in work history during incarceration&lt;br /&gt;
* Outdated or insufficient job skills&lt;br /&gt;
* Limited education credentials&lt;br /&gt;
* Licensing and occupational restrictions&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Workforce development programs address these barriers through training, education, job placement assistance, and employer engagement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Federal Programs ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The primary federal workforce development legislation provides funding for:&lt;br /&gt;
* Job training programs&lt;br /&gt;
* Career counseling&lt;br /&gt;
* Adult education and literacy&lt;br /&gt;
* Supportive services&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Justice-involved individuals are identified as a priority population for WIOA services.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Second Chance Act Programs ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The [[Second Chance Act Overview|Second Chance Act]] funds comprehensive reentry programs that include:&lt;br /&gt;
* Vocational training&lt;br /&gt;
* Job readiness preparation&lt;br /&gt;
* Employment placement&lt;br /&gt;
* Retention support&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Federal Bonding Program ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This Department of Labor program provides fidelity bonds that:&lt;br /&gt;
* Guarantee employees&#039; honesty to employers&lt;br /&gt;
* Cover the first six months of employment&lt;br /&gt;
* Are provided at no cost to employers or job seekers&lt;br /&gt;
* Help overcome employer reluctance to hire&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Employers who hire individuals with felony convictions may receive:&lt;br /&gt;
* Tax credits up to $2,400 per employee&lt;br /&gt;
* Credits for hiring within one year of conviction or release&lt;br /&gt;
* Additional incentive for employer participation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== In-Prison Training Programs ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries) ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[UNICOR: Federal Prison Industries|UNICOR]] provides:&lt;br /&gt;
* Work experience in manufacturing, services, and technology&lt;br /&gt;
* Marketable job skills&lt;br /&gt;
* Work habits and professional behavior training&lt;br /&gt;
* Modest wages for participants&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Vocational Training ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal and state prisons offer vocational programs in:&lt;br /&gt;
* Construction trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrical)&lt;br /&gt;
* Automotive repair&lt;br /&gt;
* Welding&lt;br /&gt;
* HVAC&lt;br /&gt;
* Culinary arts&lt;br /&gt;
* Computer technology&lt;br /&gt;
* Healthcare support&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Apprenticeship Programs ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Some correctional facilities offer registered apprenticeship programs that:&lt;br /&gt;
* Provide industry-recognized credentials&lt;br /&gt;
* Count toward journey-level certification&lt;br /&gt;
* Transfer to community employment&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Post-Release Programs ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== One-Stop Career Centers ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
American Job Centers (formerly One-Stop Career Centers) provide:&lt;br /&gt;
* Job search assistance&lt;br /&gt;
* Resume preparation&lt;br /&gt;
* Interview coaching&lt;br /&gt;
* Skills assessments&lt;br /&gt;
* Referrals to training programs&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Transitional Jobs Programs ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These programs provide:&lt;br /&gt;
* Temporary, subsidized employment&lt;br /&gt;
* Work experience for those with limited history&lt;br /&gt;
* Soft skills development&lt;br /&gt;
* Pathway to permanent employment&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Social Enterprise Employment ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Organizations that specifically hire returning citizens include:&lt;br /&gt;
* Greyston Bakery (open hiring)&lt;br /&gt;
* Homeboy Industries&lt;br /&gt;
* Center for Employment Opportunities&lt;br /&gt;
* Checkr (formerly Checkr&#039;s Give a Job program)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Education and Training Credentials ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== GED and High School Equivalency ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[General Educational Development (GED) Programs|GED programs]] are available in most correctional facilities and provide the foundation for further education and employment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Postsecondary Education ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Postsecondary Education Opportunities|College programs]] in prison have been shown to significantly reduce recidivism. Pell Grant eligibility has been restored for incarcerated students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Industry Certifications ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Valuable certifications for returning citizens include:&lt;br /&gt;
* OSHA safety certifications&lt;br /&gt;
* ServSafe food handler certification&lt;br /&gt;
* CDL (Commercial Driver&#039;s License) - where permitted&lt;br /&gt;
* CompTIA IT certifications&lt;br /&gt;
* Forklift operator certification&lt;br /&gt;
* Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - where permitted&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Addressing Employment Barriers ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Ban the Box ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Many jurisdictions have enacted &amp;quot;ban the box&amp;quot; laws that:&lt;br /&gt;
* Remove criminal history questions from initial job applications&lt;br /&gt;
* Delay background checks until later in the hiring process&lt;br /&gt;
* Give applicants the opportunity to demonstrate qualifications first&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Fair Chance Hiring ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The federal government and many employers have adopted fair chance policies that:&lt;br /&gt;
* Conduct individualized assessments of candidates&lt;br /&gt;
* Consider the nature and age of offenses&lt;br /&gt;
* Evaluate evidence of rehabilitation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Expungement and Record Clearing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Expungement]] and other record-clearing mechanisms can:&lt;br /&gt;
* Remove barriers to employment&lt;br /&gt;
* Restore eligibility for certain licenses&lt;br /&gt;
* Allow truthful answers on applications&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Occupational Licensing Restrictions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Many occupations require licenses that may be denied based on criminal history:&lt;br /&gt;
* Healthcare professions&lt;br /&gt;
* Financial services&lt;br /&gt;
* Real estate&lt;br /&gt;
* Education&lt;br /&gt;
* Legal professions&lt;br /&gt;
* Cosmetology and barbering&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Reform efforts are underway in many states to:&lt;br /&gt;
* Limit blanket bans on licensing&lt;br /&gt;
* Require individualized assessment&lt;br /&gt;
* Reduce lookback periods for old convictions&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Employer Engagement ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Benefits for Employers ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Employers who hire returning citizens may benefit from:&lt;br /&gt;
* Tax credits (WOTC)&lt;br /&gt;
* Federal bonding at no cost&lt;br /&gt;
* Access to motivated, loyal employees&lt;br /&gt;
* Reduced turnover in high-turnover industries&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Corporate Second Chance Initiatives ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Major employers with second chance hiring programs include:&lt;br /&gt;
* JPMorgan Chase&lt;br /&gt;
* Walmart&lt;br /&gt;
* Target&lt;br /&gt;
* Starbucks&lt;br /&gt;
* Koch Industries&lt;br /&gt;
* Dave&#039;s Killer Bread&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Employment and Second-Chance Hiring]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Overview of Reentry Processes]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[UNICOR: Federal Prison Industries]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[General Educational Development (GED) Programs]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Postsecondary Education Opportunities]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Second Chance Act Overview]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Expungement]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry Department of Labor - Reentry Employment]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wotc Work Opportunity Tax Credit]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://bonds4jobs.com/ Federal Bonding Program]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://niccc.nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/ National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Reentry]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-rebuild-career-and-reputation-after-release/ How to Rebuild Career and Reputation After Release] — A staged reentry strategy for rebuilding trust, employment credibility, and digital reputation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Employment]]&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Residential_Reentry_Centers_(Halfway_Houses)&amp;diff=5512</id>
		<title>Residential Reentry Centers (Halfway Houses)</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Residential_Reentry_Centers_(Halfway_Houses)&amp;diff=5512"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (2 relevant guides)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs)&#039;&#039;&#039;, commonly known as &#039;&#039;&#039;halfway houses&#039;&#039;&#039;, are community-based residential facilities where federal inmates serve the final portion of their Bureau of Prisons (BOP) sentence while transitioning to community life. RRCs provide a structured bridge between the controlled environment of prison and the relative freedom of supervised release, allowing individuals to seek employment, reconnect with family, and establish the foundation for successful reintegration.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Understanding the RRC system is essential for anyone approaching the end of a federal sentence. This article provides comprehensive information about what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of this transitional phase.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Residential Reentry Centers are contract facilities where BOP inmates serve the final 6-12 months of their sentence while transitioning to community life. The First Step Act of 2018 expanded consideration for RRC placement, directing BOP to place inmates as close as possible to their release residence.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fsa2018&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ391/PLAW-115publ391.pdf First Step Act of 2018], Pub. L. No. 115-391, 132 Stat. 5194 (2018).&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; RRCs are operated through public-private partnerships, with private contractors running most facilities under BOP oversight.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;boprrc&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.bop.gov/about/facilities/residential_reentry_management_centers.jsp Bureau of Prisons, Residential Reentry Management Centers], accessed December 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Residents must comply with strict accountability requirements including sign-in/out procedures, curfews, and regular drug testing. Employment is typically mandatory, and residents pay subsistence (a portion of earnings) toward their housing costs. Quality varies significantly across facilities. Importantly, RRCs house individuals from all security levels—those transitioning from camps may encounter residents from medium or higher security facilities, and vice versa. Success in the RRC phase requires understanding the rules, maintaining employment, and using this time to build the foundation for independent living.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== What is a Residential Reentry Center? ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Official BOP Terminology vs. Common Name ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Bureau of Prisons officially refers to these facilities as &#039;&#039;&#039;Residential Reentry Centers&#039;&#039;&#039; or &#039;&#039;&#039;RRCs&#039;&#039;&#039;. In common usage, they are called &#039;&#039;&#039;halfway houses&#039;&#039;&#039;—a term reflecting their position &amp;quot;halfway&amp;quot; between prison and full freedom.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Other terms sometimes used include:&lt;br /&gt;
* Community Corrections Centers (older BOP terminology)&lt;br /&gt;
* Community Confinement Centers&lt;br /&gt;
* Transitional facilities&lt;br /&gt;
* Reentry centers&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regardless of terminology, these facilities serve the same function: housing federal inmates during the final portion of their sentence while they transition to community living.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Purpose in the Federal System ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RRCs serve several important purposes:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Graduated release&#039;&#039;&#039;: Rather than releasing individuals directly from secure institutions to complete independence, RRCs provide an intermediate step with structure and support.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Employment preparation&#039;&#039;&#039;: Residents must seek and maintain employment, building work history and savings before release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Community reintegration&#039;&#039;&#039;: RRCs allow individuals to reconnect with family, establish housing arrangements, and build community ties while still under supervision.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Accountability&#039;&#039;&#039;: The structured environment allows BOP to monitor compliance and address issues before full release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Resource connection&#039;&#039;&#039;: Residents can access treatment programs, educational opportunities, and community resources.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Legal Authority ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The BOP&#039;s authority to place inmates in RRCs derives from 18 U.S.C. § 3624(c), which directs the Bureau to ensure that prisoners are placed in conditions that will afford them &amp;quot;a reasonable opportunity to adjust to and prepare for the reentry into the community.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usc3624&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3624 18 U.S.C. § 3624], Release of a prisoner, Cornell Legal Information Institute.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The statute specifies that prerelease custody may not exceed 12 months.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The First Step Act of 2018 amended this provision to:&lt;br /&gt;
* Increase consideration for community placement&lt;br /&gt;
* Direct BOP to place prisoners as close as possible to their release residence&lt;br /&gt;
* Expand eligibility for those who have earned time credits&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fsa2018&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Additionally, BOP&#039;s placement decisions are guided by the five factors enumerated in 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b): the resources of the facility, the nature and circumstances of the offense, the history and characteristics of the prisoner, any statement by the sentencing court, and any pertinent Sentencing Commission policy statement.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usc3621&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3621 18 U.S.C. § 3621], Imprisonment of a convicted person, Cornell Legal Information Institute.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Where RRCs Fit in the Criminal Justice Journey ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Typically Final 6-12 Months of BOP Custody ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Most RRC placements occur during the final months of the BOP sentence. While the specific timeframe varies, typical placements range from 4-12 months.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;uscourts2020&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.uscourts.gov/file/28164/download U.S. Courts, Residential Reentry Centers Reference Guide], March 2020.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;First Step Act impact&#039;&#039;&#039;: The First Step Act directs BOP to consider placement of up to 12 months for inmates who have earned time credits through participation in recidivism reduction programs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usc3624&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; This represents an expansion from previous, more limited placement periods.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The actual placement length depends on:&lt;br /&gt;
* Individual risk and needs assessment&lt;br /&gt;
* Available bed space at appropriate facilities&lt;br /&gt;
* Release planning requirements&lt;br /&gt;
* Institutional recommendations&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== How Placement Is Determined ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RRC placement decisions involve multiple factors:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Unit team recommendation&#039;&#039;&#039;: The inmate&#039;s case manager, counselor, and unit manager make initial recommendations based on their knowledge of the individual&#039;s needs and progress.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Risk and needs assessment&#039;&#039;&#039;: BOP uses standardized assessment tools to evaluate risk level and identify needs that should be addressed during transition.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop7310&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/7310_004.pdf Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 7310.04], Community Corrections Center Utilization and Transfer Procedure.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Release residence&#039;&#039;&#039;: BOP attempts to place individuals at RRCs near their intended release residence to facilitate employment searches and family connections.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fsa2018&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Available space&#039;&#039;&#039;: Bed space at RRCs is limited. High-demand areas may have waiting lists, potentially affecting placement timing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Offense and history&#039;&#039;&#039;: Certain offenses or histories may affect RRC eligibility or placement options.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== First Step Act&#039;s Impact on Eligibility ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The First Step Act significantly expanded RRC placement opportunities:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Inmates who earn time credits through participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs and productive activities may use those credits toward earlier placement in RRCs or home confinement&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fsa2018&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* BOP is directed to transfer eligible prisoners to home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted&lt;br /&gt;
* Placement closer to release residence is emphasized&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For detailed information, see [[Earned Time Credits Under the First Step Act]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== The Public-Private Partnership Model ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== BOP Contracts with Private Operators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Bureau of Prisons does not directly operate most RRCs. Instead, BOP contracts with private companies and nonprofit organizations to provide these services.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;boprrc&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; Contractors are paid per diem rates for each resident housed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This model creates a system where:&lt;br /&gt;
* Private entities own or lease the physical facilities&lt;br /&gt;
* Staff are employees of the contractor, not federal employees&lt;br /&gt;
* BOP provides oversight and monitors contract compliance&lt;br /&gt;
* Standards and requirements are set by BOP but implemented by contractors&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Major RRC contract operators include GEO Reentry, Inc., which operates facilities in multiple states including California, Florida, Kansas, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bopcontracts&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.bop.gov/business/rrc_contracting.jsp Bureau of Prisons, RRC Acquisitions and Contracting], accessed December 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Why Quality Varies Dramatically by Location ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The contract model means that RRC quality varies significantly:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Contractor differences&#039;&#039;&#039;: Different companies have different philosophies, staffing levels, and quality standards.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Facility conditions&#039;&#039;&#039;: Some RRCs occupy modern, purpose-built facilities; others use older buildings that may be less well-maintained.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Staffing quality&#039;&#039;&#039;: Pay rates, training standards, and turnover vary by contractor.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Local resources&#039;&#039;&#039;: RRCs in areas with strong employment markets and community services may offer better opportunities than those in economically challenged areas.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Oversight intensity&#039;&#039;&#039;: BOP monitoring and contract enforcement varies. A 2016 Department of Justice Office of Inspector General audit found that &amp;quot;the BOP did not have performance measures that evaluated the efficacy of its RRC and home confinement programming, or procedures that adequately assessed the quality of services provided by RRC contractors.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;oig2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2016/a1701.pdf Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons&#039; Management of Inmate Reentry], January 2017.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== State and Regional Differences ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RRC experiences can differ substantially based on location:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Urban vs. rural&#039;&#039;&#039;: Urban RRCs typically offer better employment opportunities but may be more crowded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Regional economies&#039;&#039;&#039;: Areas with strong job markets make the employment requirement easier to meet.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;State regulations&#039;&#039;&#039;: Some states have additional regulations affecting RRC operations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Community attitudes&#039;&#039;&#039;: Local community support (or opposition) to RRCs affects the environment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Oversight Challenges ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The contract model presents oversight challenges:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* BOP must monitor many facilities across the country&lt;br /&gt;
* Contract enforcement depends on available BOP resources&lt;br /&gt;
* Resident complaints may not always result in action&lt;br /&gt;
* Contractors may prioritize cost management over quality&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The 2016 DOJ OIG audit found that &amp;quot;contrary to BOP policy, guidance, and relevant research, BOP&#039;s RRC and home confinement placement decisions are not based on inmates&#039; security classification and risk for recidivism,&amp;quot; and that &amp;quot;the BOP is placing the great majority of eligible inmates into RRCs regardless of these considerations.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;oig2016&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Residents who experience serious problems should document issues and work through proper channels, including the Administrative Remedy Process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== What to Expect ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Physical Environment ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RRC physical environments vary considerably:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Shared living&#039;&#039;&#039;: Most residents share rooms with one or more other individuals. Private rooms are rare.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Common areas&#039;&#039;&#039;: Facilities typically include shared dining areas, television rooms, and computer rooms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Limited storage&#039;&#039;&#039;: Personal belongings space is restricted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Security features&#039;&#039;&#039;: While not as restrictive as prisons, RRCs have security measures including sign-in/out procedures, searches, and controlled access.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Residential neighborhoods&#039;&#039;&#039;: Many RRCs are located in residential areas, and residents are expected to maintain a low profile in the community.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Daily Schedule and Accountability ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RRC life involves substantial structure:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Sign-in/out&#039;&#039;&#039;: Residents must sign in and out whenever leaving or returning to the facility. Detailed logs of whereabouts are maintained.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Counts&#039;&#039;&#039;: Regular counts verify resident presence, similar to (though less frequent than) prison counts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Curfews&#039;&#039;&#039;: Evening curfews restrict when residents must return to the facility. Curfew times vary by facility and may be adjusted based on employment schedules.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Room inspections&#039;&#039;&#039;: Staff conduct regular inspections of living areas.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Accountability for time&#039;&#039;&#039;: Residents must account for their time outside the facility. Unaccounted time or unauthorized locations can result in disciplinary action.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Employment Requirements ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Employment is central to the RRC experience:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Job search requirement&#039;&#039;&#039;: Residents without employment must actively seek work, documenting job search activities.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Full-time employment expectation&#039;&#039;&#039;: Once employed, residents are expected to maintain full-time work (typically 30+ hours per week).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Employment approval&#039;&#039;&#039;: Job offers must be approved by RRC staff before starting work. This involves verifying the employer and ensuring the position meets requirements.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Subsistence payments&#039;&#039;&#039;: Employed residents pay a portion of their earnings (typically 25%) to the facility as &amp;quot;subsistence&amp;quot; for housing costs.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;subsistence&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://oig.justice.gov/reports/BOP/a9608/au9608p1.htm Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Audit Report 96-08], Bureau of Prisons Community Corrections Centers.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; This 25% of gross weekly income requirement is established by BOP policy to promote personal financial responsibility and defray program costs, though individual collections may not exceed the weekly contract per diem rate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop7320&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/7320_001_CN-1.pdf Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 7320.01 CN-1], Home Confinement.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Programming Available ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RRCs offer or facilitate access to various programs:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Employment readiness and job search assistance&lt;br /&gt;
* Substance abuse treatment (including access to outpatient programs)&lt;br /&gt;
* Educational programs&lt;br /&gt;
* Life skills training&lt;br /&gt;
* Financial literacy&lt;br /&gt;
* Anger management and other cognitive programming&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Program availability and quality vary by facility.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Important Considerations Before Arrival ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Security Level Mixing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
One of the most important things to understand about RRCs is that &#039;&#039;&#039;they house individuals from all security levels&#039;&#039;&#039;. Unlike prisons that separate inmates by classification, halfway houses bring together:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Individuals from minimum security camps&lt;br /&gt;
* Individuals from low security facilities&lt;br /&gt;
* Individuals from medium security facilities&lt;br /&gt;
* Occasionally, individuals from higher security classifications&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This mixing has significant implications:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you&#039;re coming from a camp or low security facility&#039;&#039;&#039;: You may be housed with individuals who served time in medium or higher security facilities. The institutional cultures differ, and navigating these differences requires awareness.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you&#039;re coming from a medium or higher security facility&#039;&#039;&#039;: You may encounter &amp;quot;campers&amp;quot; (minimum security individuals) who have different expectations and experiences. Your institutional knowledge may be different from theirs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Navigating Different Institutional Cultures ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
People who served time at different security levels often have different approaches to:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Interpersonal interactions&lt;br /&gt;
* Privacy expectations&lt;br /&gt;
* Conflict resolution&lt;br /&gt;
* Relationships with staff&lt;br /&gt;
* Daily routines&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The RRC environment requires adapting to a diverse population. Focus on your own goals, avoid conflicts, and recognize that everyone is navigating this transition.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Maintaining Your Routine and Focus ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The shift from a secure facility to an RRC can be disorienting:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Less structure&#039;&#039;&#039;: While RRCs have rules, there is substantially more freedom than prison. Some individuals struggle with this transition.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;More responsibility&#039;&#039;&#039;: Employment, finances, and daily life management become your responsibility.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;External temptations&#039;&#039;&#039;: Access to the community brings exposure to situations and temptations not present in prison.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Staying focused&#039;&#039;&#039;: The RRC phase is critical for establishing the foundation for supervised release. Maintain focus on employment, savings, and compliance rather than testing boundaries.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Rules and Restrictions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Sign-In/Sign-Out Procedures ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Accountability is paramount:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Sign out before leaving for any purpose (work, approved errands, passes)&lt;br /&gt;
* Record destination, purpose, and expected return time&lt;br /&gt;
* Sign in immediately upon return&lt;br /&gt;
* Notify staff of any changes to schedule or location&lt;br /&gt;
* Maintain accurate records—discrepancies trigger scrutiny&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Drug Testing ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drug testing is regular and often random:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Expect testing at intake and throughout your stay&lt;br /&gt;
* Random testing means you may be tested at any time&lt;br /&gt;
* Positive tests result in disciplinary action, potentially including return to secure custody&lt;br /&gt;
* Alcohol testing may also occur&lt;br /&gt;
* Some facilities prohibit alcohol use entirely&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Room Inspections ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Staff conduct regular inspections:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Keep living area clean and organized&lt;br /&gt;
* Do not possess prohibited items&lt;br /&gt;
* Contraband includes weapons, drugs, alcohol, unauthorized electronics, and other prohibited items&lt;br /&gt;
* Inspections may occur when you are present or absent&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Phone and Visitor Policies ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Communication policies vary by facility:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Phone use typically permitted but may be monitored or restricted&lt;br /&gt;
* Cell phones may or may not be allowed (varies by facility)&lt;br /&gt;
* Visitors must be approved in advance&lt;br /&gt;
* Visiting hours and locations are specified&lt;br /&gt;
* Contact with co-defendants or victims may be prohibited&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Curfews ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Curfew requirements include:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Standard evening curfew (often 9-10 PM on weeknights)&lt;br /&gt;
* Curfews may be adjusted for work schedules&lt;br /&gt;
* Weekend curfews may differ from weekday curfews&lt;br /&gt;
* Passes may allow extended time outside the facility for specific purposes&lt;br /&gt;
* Curfew violations are taken seriously&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Employment While at an RRC ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Job Search Requirements ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Unemployed residents must demonstrate active job searching:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Maintain job search logs documenting applications, interviews, and contacts&lt;br /&gt;
* Attend job readiness programs offered by the facility&lt;br /&gt;
* Accept reasonable job offers&lt;br /&gt;
* Participate in employment assistance programming&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Staff monitor job search activities and may impose consequences for insufficient effort.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Employment Approval Process ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Before starting any job:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
# Receive a job offer&lt;br /&gt;
# Report the offer to RRC staff&lt;br /&gt;
# Staff verify the employer and position&lt;br /&gt;
# Staff approve or deny the employment&lt;br /&gt;
# Begin work only after approval&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Working without approval is a violation. Never start a job before receiving clearance.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Subsistence Payments ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Employed residents pay &amp;quot;subsistence&amp;quot;—a portion of their earnings toward housing costs:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Typically 25% of gross earnings&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;subsistence&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* Collected by the facility&lt;br /&gt;
* Cannot exceed actual cost of housing (weekly contract per diem rate)&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop7320&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* Demonstrates responsibility and contributes to transition costs&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Note: In August 2016, BOP eliminated subsistence fee requirements for individuals placed in home confinement, though the requirement remains for RRC residents.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bophc2016&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/20160803_policy_change.jsp Bureau of Prisons, Subsistence for Home Confinement Discontinued], August 3, 2016.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Saving for Transition ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Despite subsistence payments, employment allows saving for the future:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Open a bank account (if possible—see [[Access to Banking After Incarceration]]) and begin saving&lt;br /&gt;
* Budget carefully, prioritizing savings&lt;br /&gt;
* Anticipate expenses for housing, transportation, and other needs after release&lt;br /&gt;
* Use this time to establish financial habits&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Transitioning Out ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Home Confinement Eligibility ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Some residents transition from RRC to home confinement before supervised release begins:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Eligibility depends on risk assessment, compliance, and available time&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;usc3624&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* Home confinement is still BOP custody—not supervised release&lt;br /&gt;
* GPS monitoring and strict requirements apply&lt;br /&gt;
* Home confinement provides additional transition time in a home environment&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For detailed information, see [[Overview of Reentry Processes]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Direct Release Scenarios ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Some residents complete their BOP sentence while at the RRC and transition directly to supervised release without a home confinement phase. This occurs when:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Insufficient time remains for home confinement placement&lt;br /&gt;
* Risk assessment does not support home confinement&lt;br /&gt;
* Other factors make direct transition appropriate&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Planning for Supervised Release ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Use RRC time to prepare for supervised release:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Understand your supervised release conditions&lt;br /&gt;
* Identify your probation officer and reporting requirements&lt;br /&gt;
* Secure approved housing&lt;br /&gt;
* Establish stable employment&lt;br /&gt;
* Address any required treatment or programming&lt;br /&gt;
* Build support networks&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The groundwork laid during RRC time determines how smoothly the transition to supervised release proceeds.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Residential Reentry Center (RRC)&#039;&#039;&#039;: Official BOP term for community-based residential facilities where inmates serve the final portion of their sentence while transitioning to the community.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Halfway House&#039;&#039;&#039;: Common term for RRC, reflecting its position &amp;quot;halfway&amp;quot; between prison and freedom.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Subsistence&#039;&#039;&#039;: The portion of earnings (typically 25%) that employed RRC residents pay toward housing costs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Pass&#039;&#039;&#039;: Authorized absence from the RRC for a specific purpose and timeframe.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Furlough&#039;&#039;&#039;: Extended authorized absence, typically for family visits or other significant purposes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Community Corrections&#039;&#039;&#039;: Broader term for supervision and programs in the community, including RRCs, home confinement, and supervised release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Contractor&#039;&#039;&#039;: Private company or nonprofit organization that operates an RRC under contract with BOP.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Unit Team&#039;&#039;&#039;: BOP staff responsible for an inmate&#039;s case management and release planning.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Overview of Reentry Processes]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Supervised Release]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Earned Time Credits Under the First Step Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[First Step Act: Overview and Implementation]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Employment and Second-Chance Hiring]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-rebuild-career-and-reputation-after-release/ How to Rebuild Career and Reputation After Release] — A staged reentry strategy for rebuilding trust, employment credibility, and digital reputation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Reentry and Community]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{MetaDescription|Complete guide to federal Residential Reentry Centers (halfway houses). Learn what to expect, rules and requirements, employment obligations, and how to prepare for successful transition through the RRC phase.}}&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs), commonly known as halfway houses, are community-based residential facilities where federal inmates serve the final portion of their Bureau of Prisons sentence while transitioning to community life. RRCs provide a structured bridge between the controlled environment of prison and the relative freedom of supervised release, allowing individuals to seek employment, reconnect with family, and establish the foundation for successful reintegration. Most RRCs are operated by private contractors under BOP oversight.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Most RRC placements occur during the final 6-12 months of the BOP sentence, with typical placements ranging from 4-12 months. The First Step Act directs BOP to consider placement of up to 12 months for inmates who have earned time credits through participation in recidivism reduction programs. The actual placement length depends on individual risk and needs assessment, available bed space at appropriate facilities, release planning requirements, and institutional recommendations.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes, employment is central to the RRC experience. Residents without employment must actively seek work and document job search activities. Once employed, residents are expected to maintain full-time work, typically 30 or more hours per week. Job offers must be approved by RRC staff before starting work, which involves verifying the employer and ensuring the position meets requirements. Employed residents pay a portion of their earnings, typically 25%, to the facility as subsistence for housing costs.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;RRC residents must comply with strict accountability requirements including sign-in/out procedures whenever leaving or returning to the facility, regular counts to verify presence, evening curfews that may be adjusted based on employment schedules, room inspections, and regular drug testing. Residents must account for their time outside the facility, and unaccounted time or unauthorized locations can result in disciplinary action. The structured environment allows BOP to monitor compliance before full release.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;RRC placement decisions involve multiple factors: the unit team (case manager, counselor, and unit manager) makes initial recommendations; BOP uses standardized risk and needs assessment tools; BOP attempts to place individuals at RRCs near their intended release residence; and available bed space is considered since high-demand areas may have waiting lists. The First Step Act directs BOP to place prisoners as close as possible to their release residence and to consider expanded placement for those who have earned time credits.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;@type&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Answer&amp;quot;,&lt;br /&gt;
        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;The Bureau of Prisons does not directly operate most RRCs. Instead, BOP contracts with private companies and nonprofit organizations to provide these services. Contractors are paid per diem rates for each resident housed. Private entities own or lease the physical facilities, staff are employees of the contractor rather than federal employees, BOP provides oversight and monitors contract compliance, and standards are set by BOP but implemented by contractors. This model means quality varies significantly between facilities.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Violations of RRC rules can result in disciplinary action ranging from warnings to removal from the facility and return to a secure BOP institution. Serious violations such as positive drug tests, unauthorized absences, or failure to maintain employment can result in incident reports that affect your record and potentially extend your time in custody. Residents who experience problems should document issues and work through proper channels, including the Administrative Remedy Process.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;The First Step Act of 2018 significantly expanded RRC placement opportunities. It amended 18 U.S.C. § 3624(c) to increase consideration for community placement, direct BOP to place prisoners as close as possible to their release residence, and expand eligibility for those who have earned time credits. Inmates who earn time credits through participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs may use those credits toward earlier placement in RRCs or home confinement.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What is a halfway house?|answer=A Residential Reentry Center (RRC) or halfway house is a transitional facility where inmates spend the final months of their sentence preparing for release into the community.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How long do inmates stay in halfway houses?|answer=Typically 6-12 months, though the First Step Act allows for up to 12 months of RRC placement or home confinement.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What can you do at a halfway house?|answer=Residents can work, attend programming, reconnect with family, and gradually reintegrate into society while still under BOP supervision.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Second_Chance_Act_Overview&amp;diff=5511</id>
		<title>Second Chance Act Overview</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Second_Chance_Act_Overview&amp;diff=5511"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:16Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Second Chance Act Overview&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Second Chance Act Overview&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to the suite of federal legislation and programs stemming from the &#039;&#039;Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention&#039;&#039;, a bipartisan law enacted to improve reentry outcomes for individuals returning from federal and state prisons and local jails. Signed into law on April 9, 2008, as Public Law 110-199, the Act authorized the United States Department of Justice to award grants to government and nonprofit agencies for reentry demonstration projects, offender treatment, mentoring, and related services. Within the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Act expanded pre-release planning, established reentry coordinators at each institution, and funded partnerships for employment, housing, and substance-abuse treatment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although the original authorization expired in 2012, Congress has repeatedly reauthorized and expanded funding through subsequent bills, most recently the &#039;&#039;Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2018&#039;&#039; (Public Law 115-391, Title V), which was incorporated into the broader First Step Act. The programs continue to operate under annual appropriations and BOP policy.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-110publ199/pdf/PLAW-110publ199.pdf Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-199)&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ391/PLAW-115publ391.pdf First Step Act (Public Law 115-391), Title V – Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2018&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Second Chance Act (SCA) provides the statutory foundation for most modern federal reentry programming. It authorized more than sixty grant programs administered primarily by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Key BOP-specific mandates include the appointment of reentry affairs coordinators, expansion of skills-training and drug-treatment programs, elderly offender pilot programs, and partnerships with community providers.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inside federal prisons, SCA-funded initiatives include:&lt;br /&gt;
* Expansion of [[Residential_Drug_Abuse_Program_(RDAP)|Residential Drug Abuse Program]] ([[Residential_Drug_Abuse_Program_(RDAP)|RDAP]]) capacity&lt;br /&gt;
* Creation of the Federal Prisoner Reentry Initiative (FPRI)&lt;br /&gt;
* Establishment of reentry employment centers and job fairs&lt;br /&gt;
* Mentoring grants for faith-based and community organizations&lt;br /&gt;
* Funding for halfway house (Residential Reentry Center) placements beyond the former 12-month statutory cap&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The 2018 reauthorization extended funding through fiscal year 2023 and permanently authorized the mature-copilot and compassionate-release provisions for elderly and terminally ill offenders originally piloted under the 2007 Act. As of 2025, Second Chance Act grant programs continue under annual Department of Justice appropriations, with total funding exceeding $100 million in most recent fiscal years.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;https://bja.ojp.gov/program/second-chance-act/overview Second Chance Act Overview – Bureau of Justice Assistance (accessed November 20, 2025)&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== History ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The original Second Chance Act was introduced in the 109th Congress by Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Chris Cannon (R-UT) and Senators Joe Biden (D-DE), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and others. After failing in 2005–2006, an amended version passed both chambers overwhelmingly and was signed by President George W. Bush on April 9, 2008.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Initial authorization totaled $360 million over two years, though actual appropriations were lower. The Act created more than twenty new grant categories, including technology-career training, family-based substance-abuse treatment, and reentry courts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2018 was incorporated as Title V of the First Step Act (Public Law 115-391), signed by President Donald Trump on December 21, 2018. The 2018 reauthorization:&lt;br /&gt;
* Permanently authorized the elderly offender pilot (now codified at 34 U.S.C. § 60541)&lt;br /&gt;
* Expanded compassionate-release eligibility&lt;br /&gt;
* Increased funding ceilings&lt;br /&gt;
* Required performance metrics and recidivism studies&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Subsequent appropriations acts have continued funding at $85–115 million annually.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Key Programs and Provisions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Reentry Demonstration Projects ===&lt;br /&gt;
Competitive grants to state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofits for comprehensive reentry services.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Expansion ===&lt;br /&gt;
Increased funding for in-prison and aftercare drug treatment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Mentoring Grants ===&lt;br /&gt;
Support for one-on-one and group mentoring by faith-based and community organizations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Technology Careers and Training ===&lt;br /&gt;
Grants for vocational training in high-demand fields such as welding, coding, and commercial driving.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Elderly and Family Reunification Pilot ===&lt;br /&gt;
Originally a demonstration program allowing early release to home confinement for qualifying offenders over age 60; made permanent and expanded under the 2018 reauthorization.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== BOP Institutional Reforms ===&lt;br /&gt;
Mandated appointment of a Reentry Affairs Coordinator (RAC) at every federal prison, 18-month pre-release planning, and expanded use of Residential Reentry Centers (halfway houses).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Impact Within Federal Prisons ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The BOP implemented SCA requirements through Program Statement 5325.14 (Reentry Programs) and related policies. Every institution now has a designated Reentry Affairs Coordinator who oversees release preparation, mock job fairs, and community resource coordination beginning 30 months prior to release.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Act funded significant expansion of [[Residential_Drug_Abuse_Program_(RDAP)|RDAP]] and non-residential drug treatment, both of which qualify for sentence reductions. It also supported creation of the Female Offender Reentry Program and veterans treatment initiatives.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;SCA&#039;&#039;&#039; – Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-199)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;SCRA 2018&#039;&#039;&#039; – Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Title V of the First Step Act)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;RRC&#039;&#039;&#039; – Residential Reentry Center (commonly called halfway house)&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;[[Residential_Drug_Abuse_Program_(RDAP)|RDAP]]&#039;&#039;&#039; – Residential Drug Abuse Program; nine-month intensive treatment qualifying for up to 12-month sentence reduction&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Reentry Affairs Coordinator (RAC)&#039;&#039;&#039; – BOP staff member responsible for institutional reentry planning&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Elderly Offender Pilot&#039;&#039;&#039; – Program (now permanent) allowing early home confinement for qualifying offenders aged 60+ with specific criteria&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;BJA&#039;&#039;&#039; – Bureau of Justice Assistance; primary administrator of SCA grants&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== External Links ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://bja.ojp.gov/program/second-chance-act/overview Bureau of Justice Assistance – Second Chance Act]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-110publ199/pdf/PLAW-110publ199.pdf Full Text – Second Chance Act of 2007 (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5682/text First Step Act (includes Second Chance Reauthorization) – Congress.gov]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/reentry.jsp BOP Reentry Programs Overview]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/second-chance-playbook-30-practical-actions/ Second Chance Playbook: 30 Practical Actions] — Thirty tactical steps for stabilizing life, rebuilding trust, and creating momentum after crisis.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Prison Programming]]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;/html&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Postal_Mail_Regulations&amp;diff=5510</id>
		<title>Postal Mail Regulations</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Postal_Mail_Regulations&amp;diff=5510"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Postal Mail Regulations&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Postal mail regulations&#039;&#039;&#039; in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) govern all incoming and outgoing correspondence for inmates housed in federal correctional institutions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Bureau of Prisons, &amp;quot;Program Statement 5265.14: Correspondence,&amp;quot; April 5, 2011, https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_014.pdf.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; These rules are codified in 28 CFR Part 540, Subpart B (Correspondence) and Program Statement 5265.14 and are designed to facilitate communication between inmates and the outside community while preventing the introduction of contraband, escape planning, criminal activity, or threats to institution security.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, &amp;quot;28 CFR Part 540, Subpart B – Correspondence,&amp;quot; current as of November 2025, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-V/part-540/subpart-B.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; All non-legal mail is subject to inspection by staff; legal mail (properly marked &amp;quot;Special Mail&amp;quot;) receives heightened procedural protections and is opened only in the inmate&#039;s presence.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The BOP processes millions of pieces of mail annually.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Inmates may send and receive unlimited general correspondence unless restricted by individual sanctions or facility-specific rules.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Mail must be sent through the United States Postal Service; packages from commercial carriers such as UPS or FedEx are generally rejected unless approved in advance under the institutional package program.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Summary ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Incoming general correspondence may be read by staff, censored, or rejected if it contains contraband, coded messages, plans for criminal activity, sexually explicit material that threatens security, or information that could facilitate blackmail or harassment.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Photographs, greeting cards, and publications are permitted within defined limits.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; All incoming mail must include the inmate&#039;s full committed name, register number, and the complete return address of the sender; otherwise it is returned unopened.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Outgoing mail is sealed by the inmate and deposited in institution mailboxes.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Staff may inspect outgoing general correspondence on a random or targeted basis.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Inmates indigent for postage are provided limited free postage each month for general correspondence and unlimited free postage for legal mail.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Legal and privileged correspondence (marked &amp;quot;Special Mail – Open only in the presence of the inmate&amp;quot;) is opened and inspected for physical contraband in the inmate&#039;s presence but is not read unless there is documented reason to believe it contains prohibited material.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Publishers-only publications (books, magazines, newspapers) must be received directly from the retailer or publisher; no third-party forwarding is allowed.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Electronic messaging through TRULINCS (Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System) is treated separately from postal mail and is governed by different regulations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Violations of mail rules may result in disciplinary action, mail restrictions, or placement on restricted correspondence lists.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== History ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal prison mail regulations have existed in some form since the creation of the Bureau of Prisons in 1930, but the modern framework originated with the 1979 revision of 28 CFR Part 540 following litigation and changing First Amendment standards.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The landmark Supreme Court decision &#039;&#039;Procunier v. Martinez&#039;&#039; (1974) struck down broad censorship practices and required that restrictions be no greater than necessary for security and order.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In response, the BOP implemented the publishers-only rule for softcover books and magazines in 1979, later extended to hardcover books.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fed-register&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Federal Register, &amp;quot;70 FR 52192 – Incoming Publications in Prisons,&amp;quot; September 2, 2005, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/09/02/05-17402/incoming-publications-in-prisons.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The rule was upheld in &#039;&#039;Bell v. Wolfish&#039;&#039; (1979) and subsequent cases.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fed-register&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After the September 11 attacks and increased concern about terrorism, the BOP enacted interim rules in 2002–2005 authorizing expanded reading of incoming and outgoing mail from inmates with suspected terrorist ties.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fed-register&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; These provisions were codified in 2005 and remain in effect.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fed-register&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2010–2011, Program Statement 5265.14 was issued to consolidate all correspondence policy.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Minor revisions occurred in 2015 to address sexually explicit material and again in 2022–2023 to clarify procedures for photographs and greeting cards.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The introduction of the TRULINCS email system in 2005 and its expansion in subsequent years reduced reliance on postal mail but did not alter postal regulations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of 2025, the core 2011 policy and 28 CFR Part 540 remain the governing authorities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== General Correspondence ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inmates may send and receive unlimited volumes of general correspondence unless placed on restriction for abuse of mail privileges.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; All non-privileged incoming mail is opened and inspected in the mail room.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Staff may read mail when there is reasonable belief it poses a threat or contains contraband.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prohibited content includes:&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Plans to commit illegal acts or escape&lt;br /&gt;
* Sexually explicit material that, by its nature, threatens security (e.g., bestiality, involving minors, or non-consensual acts)&lt;br /&gt;
* Information that could be used for blackmail, extortion, or harassment&lt;br /&gt;
* Coded messages&lt;br /&gt;
* Stickers, glitter, perfume, lipstick, or unknown substances&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Polaroid photographs are banned nationwide; standard printed photos are limited to five per envelope at most facilities.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Greeting cards are permitted if they are commercially produced and no larger than 6×8 inches.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Special Mail (Legal and Privileged Correspondence) ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Correspondence marked &amp;quot;Special Mail – Open only in the presence of the inmate&amp;quot; and sent from identified attorneys, courts, Congress, the Department of Justice, or other authorized officials receives special handling.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The envelope must bear the sender&#039;s official letterhead or title.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Staff open it in the inmate&#039;s presence and inspect only for physical contraband; the contents are not read unless a specific security concern is documented by the Warden.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Publications ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inmates may subscribe to or receive newspapers, magazines, and softcover books only if mailed directly from the publisher, a bookstore, or an established retailer such as Amazon.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; No used books, third-party forwarding, or packages from individuals are accepted.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Hardbound books are generally prohibited unless received directly from the publisher or retailer and approved by the Warden.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Publications may be rejected if they contain sexually explicit material, advocate violence or insurrection, or pose a threat to security.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Rejected publications trigger administrative due process under 28 CFR 540.71.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Packages ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Most BOP facilities prohibit unsolicited packages.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Limited exceptions exist for release clothing, certain medical devices, or religious items approved in advance by the Warden.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Quarterly or holiday package programs operate at some low- and minimum-security institutions under local supplements.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Indigent Inmates ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inmates with less than $6.00 in their commissary account for 30 days are considered indigent and receive five first-class stamps per month for general correspondence plus unlimited free postage for legal mail.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Terminology ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This section defines key terms used in federal prison mail regulations.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;General Correspondence&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to all non-privileged postal mail sent to or from an inmate that is not marked as special or legal mail.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Special Mail&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to properly marked legal or official correspondence that is opened only in the inmate&#039;s presence and inspected for contraband but not read.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ecfr-540&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Publishers-Only Rule&#039;&#039;&#039; is the requirement that books, magazines, and newspapers be received directly from a commercial publisher, bookstore, or retailer rather than from individuals.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;TRULINCS (Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System)&#039;&#039;&#039; is the BOP&#039;s electronic messaging system that allows inmates to send and receive emails, which is governed by separate regulations from postal mail.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Restricted Correspondence List&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to an approved or disapproved sender list imposed on an inmate as a disciplinary sanction or security measure, limiting who may correspond with the inmate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Indigent Status&#039;&#039;&#039; is designated for inmates with less than $6.00 in their commissary account for 30 consecutive days, entitling them to limited free postage.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Contraband&#039;&#039;&#039; refers to any item prohibited by BOP regulations, including drugs, weapons, currency, or materials that threaten security.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps-5265&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See also ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_014.pdf BOP Program Statement 5265.14 – Correspondence (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp Inmate Communications – Official BOP Page]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-V/part-540/subpart-B 28 CFR Part 540, Subpart B – Correspondence (eCFR)]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/locations/search.jsp BOP Facility Locator (for local mail address format)]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-support-a-loved-one-during-incarceration/ How to Support a Loved One During Incarceration] — A grounded support framework for families balancing care, boundaries, and long-term stability.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Life Inside Prison]]&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
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	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Legal_Mail_Policies&amp;diff=5509</id>
		<title>Legal Mail Policies</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Legal_Mail_Policies&amp;diff=5509"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:13Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Complete guide to legal mail policies in federal prison. Learn about attorney-client privilege, special mail procedures, and how the BOP handles confidential legal correspondence.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Legal Mail Policies&#039;&#039;&#039; govern how the [[Index_of_Federal_Prison_Facilities|Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)]] handles confidential communications between incarcerated individuals and their legal representatives. These policies balance the constitutional right to access courts and counsel against institutional security needs, establishing specific procedures for identifying, opening, and inspecting privileged correspondence. Understanding these policies is essential for anyone navigating the federal criminal justice system, from defendants awaiting trial to those pursuing [[Federal_Habeas_Corpus:_Section_2255|post-conviction remedies]] or [[Compassionate_Release_Policies|compassionate release petitions]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The distinction between &amp;quot;special mail&amp;quot; and general correspondence is critical. While [[Postal_Mail_Regulations|regular mail]] may be opened and read by staff, legal mail receives heightened protections under 28 C.F.R. § 540.18 and BOP Program Statement 5265.13. These regulations ensure that inmates can communicate freely with attorneys without fear of institutional surveillance—a protection rooted in the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and the Fifth Amendment right to due process.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=28 C.F.R. § 540.18 - Special mail |url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-540/subpart-B/section-540.18 |publisher=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations |access-date=December 1, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Understanding Special Mail Designation==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The BOP designates certain correspondence as &amp;quot;special mail,&amp;quot; affording it protections beyond those given to ordinary letters. This classification applies to communications with specific privileged parties whose correspondence receives confidentiality protection.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Who Qualifies as a Special Mail Sender===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Special mail status applies to correspondence from:&lt;br /&gt;
* Licensed attorneys representing the inmate&lt;br /&gt;
* Legal aid organizations and law school clinics&lt;br /&gt;
* Courts, including judges, clerks, and court-appointed personnel&lt;br /&gt;
* The President and Vice President of the United States&lt;br /&gt;
* Members of Congress&lt;br /&gt;
* The Department of Justice, including U.S. Attorneys&lt;br /&gt;
* BOP Central Office and Regional Directors&lt;br /&gt;
* State attorneys general&lt;br /&gt;
* Governors and state legislators&lt;br /&gt;
* Foreign consular officials (for foreign nationals)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The sender must clearly identify themselves by name, title, and organizational affiliation on the envelope. Mail that does not include this information may be processed as general correspondence, losing its special mail protections.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=BOP Program Statement 5265.13 - Correspondence |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_013.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=2023 |access-date=December 1, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Marking Requirements===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For incoming mail to receive special mail treatment, the envelope must:&lt;br /&gt;
* Be clearly marked as &amp;quot;Legal Mail&amp;quot; or &amp;quot;Special Mail&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* Include the sender&#039;s name and professional title&lt;br /&gt;
* Display the sender&#039;s business address&lt;br /&gt;
* Indicate the sender&#039;s bar registration number (for attorneys)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Outgoing legal mail from inmates must similarly be addressed to qualified recipients and clearly marked. Staff provide special envelopes for legal correspondence at some facilities.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Opening and Inspection Procedures==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The core protection of legal mail policy is that such correspondence may only be opened in the inmate&#039;s presence. This procedural safeguard preserves attorney-client privilege while still allowing security screening.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===The Inspection Process===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When legal mail arrives:&lt;br /&gt;
# Staff verify the envelope meets special mail marking requirements&lt;br /&gt;
# The inmate is called to the mail room or housing unit&lt;br /&gt;
# In the inmate&#039;s presence, staff open the envelope&lt;br /&gt;
# Staff visually inspect contents for physical contraband (drugs, weapons, escape materials)&lt;br /&gt;
# Staff do NOT read the substance of the correspondence&lt;br /&gt;
# If contents appear legitimate, mail is given to the inmate&lt;br /&gt;
# The inspection is documented in appropriate logs&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Staff typically wear gloves during inspection to prevent tampering accusations. The entire process should take only a few minutes per piece of mail.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===What Staff Cannot Do===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
BOP regulations strictly prohibit staff from:&lt;br /&gt;
* Reading the contents of legal correspondence&lt;br /&gt;
* Copying or photographing legal documents&lt;br /&gt;
* Censoring or redacting portions of legal mail&lt;br /&gt;
* Delaying delivery without documented justification&lt;br /&gt;
* Sharing information about an inmate&#039;s legal correspondence with prosecutors&lt;br /&gt;
* Opening legal mail outside the inmate&#039;s presence (except in exigent circumstances)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Violations of these prohibitions can result in staff discipline and may provide grounds for legal challenges by inmates, including [[Federal_Habeas_Corpus:_Section_2255|habeas corpus petitions]] or civil rights lawsuits.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Procunier v. Martinez, 416 U.S. 396 (1974) |url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/416/396/ |publisher=Justia |access-date=December 1, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Exceptions and Limitations===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Staff may refuse special mail treatment or take additional steps when:&lt;br /&gt;
* The envelope lacks required markings or identification&lt;br /&gt;
* There is specific, articulable evidence the mail is not genuinely legal in nature&lt;br /&gt;
* The correspondence contains plans for violence, escape, or criminal activity&lt;br /&gt;
* Security intelligence indicates the attorney designation is fraudulent&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Any refusal or additional inspection must be documented and reviewed by a supervisor. Inmates may challenge such decisions through the [[Administrative_Remedy_Process_(BP-8_to_BP-11)|Administrative Remedy Program]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Attorney-Client Privilege in the Prison Context==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The legal doctrine of attorney-client privilege protects confidential communications made for the purpose of seeking or providing legal advice. In corrections, this privilege is what legal mail policies are designed to preserve.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Why Privilege Matters===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Without confidential communication, inmates cannot:&lt;br /&gt;
* Candidly discuss case facts with counsel&lt;br /&gt;
* Develop effective defense strategies&lt;br /&gt;
* Report concerns about conditions of confinement&lt;br /&gt;
* Pursue civil rights claims against the institution&lt;br /&gt;
* Seek [[Sentence_Reduction_Mechanisms|sentence reductions]] or other relief&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The opening of legal mail in the inmate&#039;s presence is a procedural safeguard designed to protect this privilege while acknowledging legitimate security concerns.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Waiver and Limitations===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Attorney-client privilege can be waived if:&lt;br /&gt;
* The inmate shares privileged information with third parties&lt;br /&gt;
* Communications are made in furtherance of a crime or fraud&lt;br /&gt;
* The inmate consents to disclosure&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Importantly, the privilege belongs to the client (the inmate), not the attorney. Only the inmate can waive the privilege.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Discovery Materials and Litigation Documents==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inmates involved in litigation—whether criminal appeals, [[Federal_Habeas_Corpus:_Section_2255|habeas corpus proceedings]], or civil rights cases—often receive substantial volumes of legal documents including police reports, transcripts, evidence, and court filings.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Storage Allowances===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
BOP policy generally permits inmates to possess more legal material than other personal property:&lt;br /&gt;
* Legal documents are typically exempt from standard property limits&lt;br /&gt;
* Inmates may store materials in their assigned living area&lt;br /&gt;
* Excess materials may be stored in designated areas with staff approval&lt;br /&gt;
* Facilities must provide reasonable accommodation for voluminous discovery&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These allowances recognize that complex litigation may involve thousands of pages. [[Selection_and_Role_of_Defense_Counsel|Defense counsel]] should communicate with facility staff about anticipated document volumes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Outgoing Legal Mail===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For inmates filing motions, appeals, or other legal documents:&lt;br /&gt;
* Legal mail may be sent at institutional expense for indigent inmates granted &#039;&#039;in forma pauperis&#039;&#039; status&lt;br /&gt;
* Staff must process outgoing legal mail promptly to meet court deadlines&lt;br /&gt;
* Certified mail and return receipt services are available&lt;br /&gt;
* Facilities maintain logs of outgoing legal mail&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Delays in processing outgoing legal mail that cause missed court deadlines may be grounds for relief or institutional complaints.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Pro Se Litigants==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Many inmates represent themselves (&#039;&#039;pro se&#039;&#039;) in legal proceedings without attorney assistance. Legal mail policies accommodate these self-represented litigants.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Court Correspondence===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For pro se litigants, correspondence with courts receives special mail treatment:&lt;br /&gt;
* Mail from clerks of court, judges, and court personnel&lt;br /&gt;
* Case-related documents from opposing parties&lt;br /&gt;
* Orders, rulings, and scheduling notices&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This ensures pro se litigants can effectively participate in their cases despite lacking counsel.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Access to Legal Resources===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
BOP facilities must provide pro se litigants with:&lt;br /&gt;
* Access to law library materials or legal research databases&lt;br /&gt;
* Basic legal supplies (paper, envelopes, writing implements)&lt;br /&gt;
* Assistance from inmate legal aides where available&lt;br /&gt;
* Reasonable accommodation for legal work&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The [[Administrative_Remedy_Process_(BP-8_to_BP-11)|administrative remedy process]] is available for inmates who believe they are being denied adequate legal resources.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Filing Complaints About Legal Mail Issues==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inmates who believe their legal mail rights have been violated have several options:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Internal Remedies===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
# **Informal Resolution (BP-8)**: Discuss the issue with staff or counselor&lt;br /&gt;
# **Formal Grievance (BP-9)**: File with the Warden within 20 days&lt;br /&gt;
# **Regional Appeal (BP-10)**: Appeal to Regional Director within 20 days of BP-9 response&lt;br /&gt;
# **Central Office Appeal (BP-11)**: Final administrative appeal to BOP General Counsel&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Exhausting administrative remedies is typically required before filing federal lawsuits.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Legal Challenges===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After exhausting administrative remedies, inmates may:&lt;br /&gt;
* File civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (state facilities) or &#039;&#039;Bivens&#039;&#039; (federal facilities)&lt;br /&gt;
* Seek injunctive relief to stop ongoing violations&lt;br /&gt;
* Request damages for proven harm&lt;br /&gt;
* Challenge criminal proceedings if improper mail handling affected their defense&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Common Issues and Best Practices==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===For Inmates===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Ensure incoming legal mail is properly marked with sender credentials&lt;br /&gt;
* Keep copies of important legal documents&lt;br /&gt;
* Report mail delays or improper handling promptly&lt;br /&gt;
* Document any instances of mail being opened outside your presence&lt;br /&gt;
* Use the administrative remedy process to create a paper trail&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===For Attorneys===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Clearly mark all correspondence as &amp;quot;Legal Mail - Confidential&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
* Include bar number and business address on envelopes&lt;br /&gt;
* Avoid including non-legal materials (photos, gifts) in legal mail&lt;br /&gt;
* Communicate with facility staff about voluminous mailings&lt;br /&gt;
* Follow up with clients about receipt of time-sensitive documents&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===For Families===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Legal mail policies do not extend to family correspondence. Letters from family members are processed as [[Postal_Mail_Regulations|general correspondence]] and may be read by staff. Families should not attempt to send legal-related materials, as this may delay delivery and raise security concerns.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Historical Development==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Legal mail protections evolved through landmark court decisions recognizing inmates&#039; constitutional rights:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* **&#039;&#039;Procunier v. Martinez&#039;&#039; (1974)**: Supreme Court held that prison mail censorship must be justified by substantial governmental interest&lt;br /&gt;
* **&#039;&#039;Bounds v. Smith&#039;&#039; (1977)**: Established inmates&#039; constitutional right to meaningful access to courts&lt;br /&gt;
* **&#039;&#039;Turner v. Safley&#039;&#039; (1987)**: Established reasonableness standard for prison regulations affecting constitutional rights&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These decisions shaped current BOP regulations requiring protection of legal correspondence while permitting necessary security measures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==See Also==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Postal_Mail_Regulations|Postal Mail Regulations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Administrative_Remedy_Process_(BP-8_to_BP-11)|Administrative Remedy Process (BP-8 to BP-11)]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Selection_and_Role_of_Defense_Counsel|Selection and Role of Defense Counsel]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Overview_of_Incarcerated_Persons&#039;_Rights|Overview of Incarcerated Persons&#039; Rights]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal_Habeas_Corpus:_Section_2255|Federal Habeas Corpus: Section 2255]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Federal_Habeas_Corpus:_Section_2241|Federal Habeas Corpus: Section 2241]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Direct_Appeal_Procedures|Direct Appeal Procedures]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones,_Email,_and_Tablets|Telecommunication Systems: Phones, Email, and Tablets]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==External Links==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-540/subpart-B/section-540.18 28 C.F.R. § 540.18 - Special Mail]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-540/subpart-B/section-540.19 28 C.F.R. § 540.19 - General Correspondence]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_013.pdf BOP Program Statement 5265.13 - Correspondence]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/criminal_justice/publications/criminal_justice_section_archive/crimjust_standards_treatmentprisoners/ ABA Standards on Treatment of Prisoners]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Frequently Asked Questions==&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can prison staff read my legal mail?|answer=No. Federal regulations prohibit BOP staff from reading the contents of legal mail. Staff may only open legal mail in your presence to inspect for physical contraband such as drugs, weapons, or escape materials. They cannot read, copy, or censor the correspondence itself.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How should legal mail be marked?|answer=Incoming legal mail should be clearly marked &amp;quot;Legal Mail&amp;quot; or &amp;quot;Special Mail&amp;quot; on the envelope. The sender must include their name, professional title (such as &amp;quot;Attorney at Law&amp;quot;), bar registration number, and business address. Mail lacking proper markings may be processed as general correspondence.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=What if my legal mail was opened without me present?|answer=If staff opened your legal mail outside your presence, document the incident immediately and file an informal complaint (BP-8) with your counselor. If unresolved, file a formal grievance (BP-9) with the Warden. This creates a record that may be important for any legal challenges.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Can I send legal mail for free?|answer=Indigent inmates who have been granted &#039;&#039;in forma pauperis&#039;&#039; status by a court may send legal mail at institutional expense. Otherwise, inmates must pay postage costs from their commissary account. Check with your unit team about procedures for indigent legal mail.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=How much legal material can I keep in my cell?|answer=BOP policy generally exempts legal materials from standard personal property limits. You may keep documents needed for active litigation in your living area, with excess materials stored in designated areas with staff approval. Facilities must reasonably accommodate voluminous legal materials.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ|question=Does legal mail apply to correspondence with family about my case?|answer=No. Legal mail protections only apply to correspondence with qualified parties such as attorneys, courts, and certain government officials. Letters to family members discussing your case are processed as general correspondence and may be read by staff.}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Life Inside Prison]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-support-a-loved-one-during-incarceration/ How to Support a Loved One During Incarceration] — A grounded support framework for families balancing care, boundaries, and long-term stability.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Legal Rights]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones,_Email,_and_Tablets&amp;diff=5508</id>
		<title>Telecommunication Systems: Phones, Email, and Tablets</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones,_Email,_and_Tablets&amp;diff=5508"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:12Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Guide to communication in federal prison. Learn about TRULINCS email, phone calls, tablets, cell phones, internet access, and staying connected.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Telecommunication Systems: Phones, Email, and Tablets&#039;&#039;&#039; in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provide controlled access to voice calls, electronic messaging, and digital content for incarcerated individuals, balancing security, rehabilitation, and family connections. These systems, governed by BOP Program Statements 5264.08 (Inmate Telephone Regulations) and 5265.13 (Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System, or TRULINCS), use monitored platforms like ViaPath (formerly Global Tel Link) for phones and video, CorrLinks for email, and limited tablets for media and education.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ps5264&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Program Statement 5264.08, Inmate Telephone Regulations |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5264_008.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=N/A |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;trulincs&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_013.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=N/A |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; All communications are recorded and screened, except attorney calls, with access tied to good conduct and program participation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of November 2025, these systems serve over 158,000 individuals across 122 BOP facilities, with monthly phone minutes capped at 300 (plus 100 in November/December) and email limited to 30 approved contacts.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ifrp&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Financial Responsibility Program: Procedures |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/17/2024-29692/inmate-financial-responsibility-program-procedures |publisher=Federal Register |date=December 17, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Effective January 1, 2025, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rate reductions lowered domestic audio calls to $0.06 per minute and video to $0.16, while First Step Act (FSA) incentives provide 300 free phone minutes monthly for program participants.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;forbes-phone&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Bureau Of Prisons Starts New Year With Changes To Phone System |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2024/12/31/bureau-of-prisons-starts-new-year-with-changes-to-phone-system/ |publisher=Forbes |date=December 31, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Tablets remain limited, focusing on education and entertainment without full internet access, amid ongoing contraband concerns.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These systems support recidivism reduction—studies show family contact lowers reoffense rates by up to 24%—but high costs and monitoring raise equity issues for low-income families.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-its&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Telephone System |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inmate_telephone_system |publisher=Wikimedia Foundation |date=October 17, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Telephone System==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The BOP&#039;s telephone system, operated by ViaPath, enables outbound collect or direct-dial calls from approved lists of up to 30 numbers, with 15-minute duration limits to prevent abuse.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;efb-phone&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Telephone Regulations – BOP Program Statement 5264.08 |url=https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/federal-bureau-prisons/federal-bureau-prisons-policies/inmate-telephone-regulations-5264-08/ |publisher=Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. |date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Calls are automated, monitored, and announced as recorded; three-way or unauthorized transfers result in discipline. Access occurs via unit phones or kiosks, with PIN verification.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Under 2025 updates, non-FSA participants pay full rates, while program earners receive 300 free minutes monthly (up to 30/day), potentially expanding to 510 total with paid add-ons.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pprsus&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=January 1, 2025, the BOP will resume its Pre-Pandemic Phone SERVICE CHARGES |url=https://pprsus.com/january-1-2025-the-bop-will-resume-its-pre-pandemic-phone-service/ |publisher=Physician Prison Consultants |date=January 12, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; International calls follow FCC tiers; blocked numbers include high-risk lines (e.g., gambling). Pretrial detainees receive limited access per Program Statement 7331.05.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Video Visitation===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Video calls, also via ViaPath, connect to approved visitors at $0.16/minute, scheduled remotely or onsite, supporting family ties without physical travel.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;bop-phone&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=BOP: FBOP Updates to Phone Call Policies and Time Credit System |url=https://www.bop.gov/news/20241004-fbop-updates-to-phone-call-policies-and-time-credit-system.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=October 4, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Sessions last 25-30 minutes, with real-time monitoring; free for FSA earners under incentives.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Email System (TRULINCS/CorrLinks)==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
TRULINCS, implemented since 2009, allows electronic messaging via dedicated housing unit computers, with no internet access.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;wiki-internet&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Internet in Prisons |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_in_prisons |publisher=Wikimedia Foundation |date=October 31, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Inmates send messages to up to 30 pre-approved external contacts; recipients register on CorrLinks.com and pay $0.30 per response (up from $0.25 in 2024).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;corrlinks&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=CorrLinks Guide 2025: How to Email Inmates (Official Steps &amp;amp; Fees) |url=https://corrlinks.xyz/ |publisher=CorrLinks |date=June 12, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Messages are screened for content, with delays up to 24 hours; attachments limited to photos ($0.30 each).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Usage incurs $0.05/minute from commissary funds, with warnings on each login. Abuse (e.g., mass messaging) led to 2025 caps on recipients per email to protect high-risk inmates.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pln-blast&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=BOP Ends &amp;quot;Blast&amp;quot; Messages on TRULINCS |url=https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2024/nov/15/bop-ends-blast-messages-trulincs/ |publisher=Prison Legal News |date=November 15, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; All facilities offer TRULINCS; contract sites do not.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Tablet System==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
BOP-issued tablets, piloted via vendors like Securus/JPay, provide access to e-books, music, games, education apps, and limited email/video, but no open internet or cameras.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;pln-tablets&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Pay-for-Play Tablets: The Costly New Prison Paradigm |url=https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2025/mar/1/pay-play-tablets-costly-new-prison-paradigm/ |publisher=Prison Legal News |date=March 1, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Devices are loaned free but charge per use: $0.05/minute for media, $0.25-$0.50 per e-message. FSA incentives may subsidize educational content.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of 2025, rollout focuses on low-security sites; high-security limits tablets due to contraband risks (e.g., 8,700+ seized phones in 2024).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;forbes-contraband&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Contraband Cell Phones Are Costing The Bureau Of Prisons Millions |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2025/05/21/contraband-cell-phones-are-costing-the-bureau-of-prisons-millions/ |publisher=Forbes |date=May 22, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Jamming tech is prohibited federally; instead, managed access systems detect illicit signals.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Cell Phones and Contraband==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Personal cell phones are strictly prohibited in all federal prisons. Possession of a cell phone is a disciplinary offense that can result in loss of good time credits, placement in the Special Housing Unit (SHU), and criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1791 (providing or possessing contraband in prison).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Despite prohibition, contraband cell phones remain a significant problem. In 2024, the BOP reported seizing over 8,700 illicit cell phones across its facilities. Phones are smuggled in through visitors, staff, drones, and packages. The BOP has invested millions in detection technology, including body scanners, signal detection systems, and K-9 units trained to detect electronics.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The consequences for cell phone possession include:&lt;br /&gt;
* 30-90 days in SHU&lt;br /&gt;
* Loss of up to 41 days good conduct time&lt;br /&gt;
* Transfer to higher security facility&lt;br /&gt;
* Additional criminal charges (up to 1 year added to sentence)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Internet Access==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Federal inmates do not have access to the open internet. All electronic communication occurs through controlled, monitored systems:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;TRULINCS/CorrLinks&#039;&#039;&#039; - Closed email system with no web browsing&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Educational tablets&#039;&#039;&#039; - Pre-loaded content only, no live internet&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Law library computers&#039;&#039;&#039; - Legal research databases only (Westlaw, LexisNexis), no general internet&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This restriction exists for security reasons, including preventing criminal activity coordination, witness intimidation, victim contact, and unauthorized business operations. Some federal facilities offer limited educational internet access through monitored programs, but general web browsing is universally prohibited.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Eligibility Requirements==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All sentenced BOP individuals qualify for telecommunication access upon arrival, subject to security classification. Phones and TRULINCS require approved contact lists (submitted within 10 days); tablets limited to general population.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;fpt-email&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=How Does Email Work In Federal Prison? |url=https://federalprisontips.com/how-does-email-work-in-federal-prison/ |publisher=Federal Prison Tips |date=October 16, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Disciplinary sanctions suspend privileges (e.g., 30-90 days for misuse). FSA participation unlocks free minutes; indigents receive limited aid via commissary credits. Pretrial/holdover access per local supplements.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Key Processes and Procedures==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Access begins with orientation: submit contact lists for verification (7-10 days). For phones: dial from kiosk, enter PIN, select number; calls auto-disconnect at 15 minutes. Email: log into TRULINCS terminal, compose/send (up to 13,000 characters), pay fee. Tablets: charge via kiosk, select app, pay per use; content downloads offline.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Monitoring: All non-legal communications reviewed; rejections notified. Appeals via administrative remedies (BP-9). Family setup: register on CorrLinks/ViaPath, fund account.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Accessing Services==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Inmates request via unit team; families use vendor portals (CorrLinks.com for email, ViaPath.com for phones/video). No direct BOP support line; issues to vendor helpdesks. Pro se filings for disputes under 28 U.S.C. § 2241.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Impact and Statistics==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 2024, BOP processed 12 million+ phone minutes monthly, with 70% FSA-subsidized post-2025.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;inmateaid&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Bureau of Prisons Implements New Phone System Policies for 2025 |url=https://www.inmateaid.com/information/bureau-of-prisons-implements-new-phone-system-policies-for-2025 |publisher=Inmate Aid |date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; TRULINCS handled 5 million messages annually; tablets reached 40% of population, boosting education completion by 15%.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;prism&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Prison Telecom Providers Shift Strategy by Exploiting Tablet Services |url=https://prismreports.org/2024/12/09/prison-telcom-providers-exploit-tablet-services/ |publisher=Prism Reports |date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Family contact correlates with 24% lower recidivism.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Criticisms and Challenges==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
High fees burden families ($0.06/minute still unaffordable for long calls); monitoring raises privacy concerns, with 2025 &amp;quot;blast&amp;quot; email bans limiting advocacy.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;gg-bath&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=How BOP Policies Are Silencing Federal Prison Newsletters |url=https://www.guestandgray.com/out-with-the-bathwater-bop-uses-a-watchdog-report-to-cripple-newsletters/ |publisher=Guest and Gray |date=April 29, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Tablet glitches and vendor monopolies (Securus/ViaPath 80% market) exacerbate disparities; contraband phones (25% access estimate) highlight enforcement gaps.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;context&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=US Prisons Use New Tech to Dial Down Illegal Cellphones |url=https://www.context.news/digital-rights/us-prisons-use-new-tech-to-dial-down-illegal-cellphones |publisher=Context by TRF |date=January 28, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Advocates push for free calls, citing equity.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Background==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
BOP telecom evolved from 1930s payphones to digitized systems post-2000, with TRULINCS piloted 2005 for secure messaging.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;juris99&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=TRULINCS |url=https://www.juris99.com/TRULINCS.htm |publisher=Juris99 |date=N/A |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; FCC caps since 2015 reduced interstate rates; FSA (2018) tied incentives to programming.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Legislative History===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Communications Act amendments (1996) enabled FCC oversight; Prison Rape Elimination Act (2003) emphasized family ties. 2024 FCC rules cut rates further, effective 2025, amid lawsuits like Bailey v. BOP on blocks.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;lisa-legal&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=1st Amendment Bites BOP – Update for April 17, 2025 |url=https://lisa-legalinfo.com/2025/04/17/1st-amendment-bites-bop-update-for-april-17-2025/ |publisher=Legal Information Services Associates LLC |date=April 17, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Recent Developments===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
January 2025 ended free pandemic minutes, introducing FSA incentives; FCC delayed some caps to October 2025.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;ppi&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=FCC Postpones Its Groundbreaking 2024 Rules |url=https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/07/02/fcc-reversal/ |publisher=Prison Policy Initiative |date=July 2, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Tablet pilots expanded, with Securus/JPay testing subscriptions ($5/month).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Can federal inmates have cell phones?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = No. Personal cell phones are strictly prohibited in all federal prisons. Possession of a cell phone is a serious disciplinary offense that can result in loss of good time credits (up to 41 days), placement in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) for 30-90 days, transfer to a higher security facility, and additional criminal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1791 that can add up to one year to a sentence. In 2024, the BOP seized over 8,700 contraband cell phones despite these penalties. Federal inmates must use approved BOP communication systems (monitored phones, TRULINCS email, video visits) for all contact with the outside world.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Can federal inmates use the internet?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = No. Federal inmates do not have access to the open internet. All electronic communication occurs through controlled, monitored systems. TRULINCS/CorrLinks provides closed email with no web browsing. Educational tablets contain pre-loaded content only with no live internet connection. Law library computers offer legal research databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis) but no general web access. This restriction exists for security reasons including preventing criminal coordination, witness intimidation, and unauthorized business operations.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How do you call someone in federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = You cannot call INTO a federal prison - inmates must call you. To receive calls: (1) The inmate adds your phone number to their approved contact list (up to 30 numbers). (2) Your number is verified by the BOP (7-10 days). (3) The inmate calls collect or direct-dial from unit phones/kiosks. (4) Calls are limited to 15 minutes and cost $0.06/minute as of 2025. All calls are monitored and recorded except attorney calls. You can also set up video visits through ViaPath at $0.16/minute.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How do you email someone in federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Federal inmates use TRULINCS/CorrLinks for email. To send emails: (1) Register at CorrLinks.com with your information. (2) The inmate must add you to their approved contact list. (3) Once approved, you can exchange messages at $0.05/minute for inmates and $0.30 per message for outside contacts. Messages are screened and may be delayed up to 24 hours. Photos can be sent for $0.30 each. No attachments, links, or web content are permitted.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How much do phone calls cost from federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = As of January 2025, domestic phone calls from federal prison cost $0.06 per minute for audio and $0.16 per minute for video calls. First Step Act program participants receive 300 free minutes monthly (up to 30 minutes per day). Non-participants pay full rates. International calls follow FCC rate tiers and cost more. Calls automatically disconnect at 15 minutes. Family members can fund accounts through ViaPath.com to pay for calls.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==See also==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Index_of_Federal_Prison_Facilities|Federal Bureau of Prisons]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Visiting_Policies_and_Procedures|Visiting Policies and Procedures]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==External links==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/telephones.jsp BOP Inmate Phones and Communications]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.corrlinks.com/ CorrLinks (TRULINCS Email Portal)]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Federal inmates use TRULINCS/CorrLinks for email. Register at CorrLinks.com, the inmate adds you to their approved contact list, then you can exchange messages at $0.05/minute for inmates and $0.30 per message for outside contacts. Messages are screened and may be delayed up to 24 hours. No attachments, links, or web content are permitted.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-support-a-loved-one-during-incarceration/ How to Support a Loved One During Incarceration] — A grounded support framework for families balancing care, boundaries, and long-term stability.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Life Inside Prison]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones&amp;diff=5507</id>
		<title>Telecommunication Systems: Phones</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones&amp;diff=5507"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:11Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (1 relevant guide)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{MetaDescription|Learn about Telecommunication Systems -  Phones&#039;s federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== See Also ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Postal_Mail_Regulations|Mail Regulations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Legal_Mail_Policies|Legal Mail]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Visiting_Policies_and_Procedures|Visiting Policies]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-support-a-loved-one-during-incarceration/ How to Support a Loved One During Incarceration] — A grounded support framework for families balancing care, boundaries, and long-term stability.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Visiting_Policies_and_Procedures&amp;diff=5506</id>
		<title>Visiting Policies and Procedures</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://prisonpedia.com/index.php?title=Visiting_Policies_and_Procedures&amp;diff=5506"/>
		<updated>2026-03-02T19:51:10Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Orderly: Add Nightmare Success guide links (2 relevant guides)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Visiting Policies and Procedures&#039;&#039;&#039; in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) system establish structured guidelines for non-contact and contact visits between incarcerated individuals and approved family, friends, or community members, promoting morale and reintegration while prioritizing institutional security. Governed by 28 C.F.R. Part 540, Subpart D, and BOP Program Statement 5267.09 (updated August 1, 2023), these policies require wardens to enforce local procedures ensuring at least four hours of visiting time per month, typically on weekends and holidays.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=28 CFR Part 540 Subpart D -- Visiting Regulations |url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-540/subpart-D |publisher=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations |date=September 30, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Program Statement 5267.09, Visiting Regulations |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5267_09.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Visits occur in designated rooms with supervision to prevent contraband passage, and no conjugal visits are permitted federally.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As of November 2025, BOP facilities host millions of visits annually across 122 institutions, with contact visits standard except in high-security or disciplinary cases where non-contact (glass partitions) applies.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Visitation |url=https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/prison-life/contact-federal-inmate/inmate-visitation/ |publisher=Zoukis Consulting Group |date=May 16, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The system balances access—up to 10 approved non-family visitors per inmate—with background checks and dress codes to mitigate risks. Recent updates emphasize attorney visit efficiency, effective February 7, 2024, streamlining legal access without altering general procedures.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Legal Activities: Visits by Attorneys |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/07/2024-02470/inmate-legal-activities-visits-by-attorneys |publisher=Federal Register |date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; These policies support recidivism reduction by fostering family ties, though transportation barriers and restrictions limit participation for many.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Visitor Approval Process==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Prospective visitors must be approved before entering, with immediate family (spouses, children, parents, siblings) automatically eligible pending verification. Non-family visitors (up to 10 per inmate) require submission of Form BP-A0629 (Visitor Information Form), including personal details, relationship to the inmate, and consent for background checks.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=BP-A0629 VISITOR INFORMATION FORM |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/forms/BP_A0629.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=April 10 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Inmates submit the form via unit team staff, who conduct criminal history reviews through NCIC/III databases; approvals typically process in 30–60 days.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Children under 16 need only parental consent and ID; minors over 16 follow adult procedures. Ministers of record or attorneys submit credentials (e.g., bar card) for expedited approval without full checks. Denials occur for felony convictions (unless waived) or security risks, with appeal rights via administrative remedies. Approved lists are maintained in SENTRY, with updates requiring 30 days&#039; notice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Background Check Criteria===&lt;br /&gt;
Checks assess criminal history, with automatic bars for recent violent felonies or sex offenses against minors. Wardens may approve despite history if no threat exists, balancing rehabilitation goals.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Scheduling Visits==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Visits are scheduled through facility-specific systems, often first-come, first-served via phone, email, or online portals. Most institutions operate weekends (8 a.m.–3 p.m.) and holidays, with weekdays for attorneys or special cases; minimum four hours monthly, extendable to full days if space allows.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=How to visit a federal inmate |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmates/visiting.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=N/A |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Inmates receive 30 visiting points monthly (one per hour), redeemable flexibly, though overcrowding may limit groups to four visitors.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Call ahead to confirm hours and restrictions; no-shows or late arrivals forfeit slots. Video visitation supplements in-person where available, at $0.16/minute via ViaPath. Special visits (e.g., for dying relatives) require warden approval beyond standard hours.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==On-Site Procedures==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Upon arrival, visitors present valid ID (driver&#039;s license, passport) and complete Form BP-A0224 (Notification to Visitor), consenting to searches of persons, vehicles, and belongings.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=BP-A0224 NOTIFICATION TO VISITOR |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/forms/BP_A0224.pdf |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=N/A |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Pat-downs, metal detectors, and ion scans for drugs are standard; random vehicle inspections apply. Prohibited items (weapons, drugs, cameras) result in denial; medications must be declared and stored.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dress code prohibits revealing clothing (e.g., shorts above knee, low-cut tops, gang attire); consult local supplements. Contact visits allow embraces at start/end, but prolonged touching prompts intervention. Supervision ensures order; violations lead to termination and potential bans.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Types of Visits==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Contact Visits&#039;&#039;&#039;: Standard in low/medium facilities; physical interaction in open rooms.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Non-Contact Visits&#039;&#039;&#039;: Glass partitions for high-security or disciplined inmates; no touch.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Attorney Visits&#039;&#039;&#039;: Private, contact allowed; scheduled weekdays, with 2024 rules easing scheduling.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Special Visits&#039;&#039;&#039;: For clergy, media, or emergencies; limited duration, non-contact.&lt;br /&gt;
* &#039;&#039;&#039;Group/Family Visits&#039;&#039;&#039;: Extended time for larger groups where facilities permit.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No overnight or conjugal visits; minors supervised by adults.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Restrictions and Discipline==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Temporary suspensions occur for reasonable suspicion of threats, limited to investigation duration. Permanent bars follow repeated violations or criminal acts. Inmates lose points for no-shows; staff document incidents for hearings. COVID-era remote options phased out by 2023, but health screenings persist.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Impact and Statistics==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Visits correlate with 24% lower recidivism, per BOP data, with 2024 seeing 2.5 million in-person sessions across facilities.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Visitation |url=https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/prison-life/contact-federal-inmate/inmate-visitation/ |publisher=Zoukis Consulting Group |date=May 16, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Average visit: 4–6 hours; 70% involve family. Challenges include rural locations (average 200 miles from home) and denials (5–10% of applications).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Criticisms and Challenges==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Critics cite overly restrictive dress codes and searches as invasive, disproportionately affecting low-income/minority families; transportation costs average $500/visit.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=How to visit a federal inmate |url=https://www.bop.gov/inmates/visiting.jsp |publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons |date=N/A |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; 2024 attorney rule changes addressed access delays, but general procedures lag behind state reforms (e.g., free transport). Overcrowding limits hours, exacerbating mental health impacts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Background==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Visiting policies originated in 1930 BOP establishment, emphasizing family ties for reform. 28 C.F.R. Part 540 formalized rules in 1980, with Program Statement 5267.09 issued 2015.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Legislative History===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sentencing Reform Act (1984) influenced security focus; First Step Act (2018) indirectly boosted visits via proximity placements. No major 2024–2025 overhauls, but 2024 attorney amendments streamlined legal access.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |title=Inmate Legal Activities: Visits by Attorneys |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/07/2024-02470/inmate-legal-activities-visits-by-attorneys |publisher=Federal Register |date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2025}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Recent Developments===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
August 2023 Change Notice (CN-1) to PS 5267.09 clarified supervision and exceptions; 2025 institutional supplements incorporate video options amid staffing shortages.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Frequently Asked Questions ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/Start}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Do federal prisons allow conjugal visits?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = No. The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not allow conjugal visits at any of its 122 facilities, regardless of security level. This policy applies to all minimum-security prison camps, low-security FCIs, medium-security facilities, high-security USPs, and administrative facilities. Federal inmates have no access to conjugal, extended family, or overnight visits anywhere in the BOP system. Only four U.S. states (California, Connecticut, New York, and Washington) permit conjugal visits, but these apply only to state prisoners, not federal inmates. Contact visits in federal prison allow a brief embrace at the beginning and end of the visit, but prolonged physical contact is prohibited and will result in staff intervention.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How do I get approved to visit someone in federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, siblings) are automatically eligible pending identity verification. Non-family visitors (up to 10 per inmate) must submit Form BP-A0629 (Visitor Information Form), which includes personal details, relationship to the inmate, and consent for background checks. The inmate submits this form through their unit team, who conducts criminal history reviews through NCIC/III databases. Approvals typically take 30-60 days. Children under 16 need only parental consent and ID. Visitors with felony convictions may be denied unless the warden grants a waiver, particularly for non-violent offenses without security concerns.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What are federal prison visiting hours?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Most BOP facilities operate visiting hours on weekends (typically 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM) and federal holidays. Weekdays are generally reserved for attorney visits or special circumstances. Federal regulations require wardens to provide at least four hours of visiting time per month, though many facilities offer more. Inmates receive 30 visiting points monthly (one point per hour), which can be used flexibly. Hours vary by institution, so visitors should call ahead or check the facility&#039;s institutional supplement to confirm specific schedules. Video visitation supplements in-person visits at approximately $0.16 per minute via ViaPath.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = What should I wear to visit federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Federal prison dress codes prohibit revealing clothing including shorts above the knee, low-cut tops, sleeveless shirts, see-through fabrics, and any gang-affiliated attire. Clothing should be modest and conservative. Some facilities prohibit certain colors (like khaki or orange that resemble inmate uniforms). Metal-free clothing is recommended to avoid delays at metal detectors. Underwire bras may set off detectors; consider wearing sports bras. Each facility has specific requirements in its institutional supplement, so contact the facility beforehand. Dress code violations will result in denial of entry with no opportunity to change.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Can I be denied visitation to federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Yes. Visitation can be denied for several reasons: (1) Failing the background check due to felony convictions, especially recent violent felonies or sex offenses against minors; (2) Dress code violations at the entrance; (3) Arriving late past the check-in deadline; (4) Bringing prohibited items (weapons, drugs, cameras, cell phones); (5) Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (6) Prior visiting violations or institutional concerns. Temporary suspensions occur for reasonable suspicion of security threats. Permanent bars follow repeated violations or criminal acts during visits. Denied visitors may appeal through administrative remedies.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = How can I visit an inmate in federal prison if I have a criminal record?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from visiting. Wardens have discretion to approve visitors despite criminal history if no security threat exists. Recent violent felonies or sex offenses against minors typically result in automatic denial. For other convictions, explain your situation in the visitor application (Form BP-A0629) and include any documentation of rehabilitation. The inmate can also advocate through their unit counselor. Appeals are possible through the administrative remedy process if initially denied. Some facilities are more lenient than others, so the specific institution&#039;s policy matters.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQ&lt;br /&gt;
|question = Can children visit inmates in federal prison?&lt;br /&gt;
|answer = Yes. Children under 16 need only parental consent and valid identification (school ID or birth certificate). Minors 16 and older follow adult visitor approval procedures. All children must be supervised by an approved adult visitor at all times. Many facilities have specific guidelines for child visits, including age-appropriate seating areas. Children benefit from contact visits where hugging is permitted at the start and end of the visit. The BOP recognizes that maintaining family connections, especially with children, significantly reduces recidivism—visits correlate with a 24% reduction in re-offense rates.&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{FAQSection/End}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==See also==&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Index_of_Federal_Prison_Facilities|Federal Bureau of Prisons]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones,_Email,_and_Tablets|TRULINCS]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Telecommunication_Systems:_Phones,_Email,_and_Tablets|Video Visitation]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==External links==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/inmates/visiting.jsp BOP Visiting an Inmate]&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5267_09.pdf Program Statement 5267.09: Visiting Regulations (PDF)]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Immediate family (spouses, children, parents, siblings) are automatically eligible pending verification. Non-family visitors (up to 10 per inmate) must submit Form BP-A0629 (Visitor Information Form), including personal details, relationship to the inmate, and consent for background checks. Inmates submit the form via unit team staff, who conduct criminal history reviews through NCIC/III databases. Approvals typically process in 30-60 days. Children under 16 need only parental consent and ID.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Most BOP institutions operate visiting hours on weekends (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and holidays, with weekdays reserved for attorneys or special cases. Federal regulations require wardens to provide at least four hours of visiting time per month. Hours may be extended to full days if space allows. Inmates receive 30 visiting points monthly (one per hour), redeemable flexibly. Call ahead to confirm specific facility hours and any restrictions.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Dress code prohibits revealing clothing including shorts above the knee, low-cut tops, and gang-related attire. Clothing should be modest and conservative. Consult local institutional supplements for specific requirements as they may vary. Violations of dress code can result in being denied entry. Plan to dress appropriately to avoid issues at the security checkpoint.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Visitors must present valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver&#039;s license or passport upon arrival. You will complete Form BP-A0224 (Notification to Visitor), consenting to searches of persons, vehicles, and belongings. All visitors go through pat-downs, metal detectors, and ion scans for drugs. Prohibited items including weapons, drugs, and cameras will result in denial of the visit.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;No. Federal prisons do not permit conjugal visits or overnight visits. Contact visits in low and medium security facilities allow embraces at the start and end of visits, but prolonged touching prompts staff intervention. Non-contact visits through glass partitions are used for high-security inmates or those with disciplinary issues. All visits occur in supervised rooms.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes. Denials occur for felony convictions (unless waived by the warden), security risks, or failure to pass background checks. Recent violent felonies or sex offenses against minors result in automatic bars. Visitors can also be denied for dress code violations, arriving late, bringing prohibited items, or violating visitation rules. Temporary suspensions occur for reasonable suspicion of threats. Appeal rights are available via administrative remedies.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Inmates may have up to 10 approved non-family visitors in addition to immediate family members. Overcrowding may limit visiting groups to four visitors at a time. Approved visitor lists are maintained in the SENTRY system, with updates requiring 30 days notice. Immediate family members are automatically eligible for the visitor list pending verification.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Video visitation supplements in-person visits where available, at approximately $0.16 per minute via ViaPath. This option is particularly useful for families who face transportation barriers, as the average federal inmate is housed 200 miles from home. COVID-era remote options were largely phased out by 2023, but video visitation continues as a standard supplement to in-person visits.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes. According to BOP data, visits correlate with 24% lower recidivism rates. In 2024, there were approximately 2.5 million in-person visiting sessions across federal facilities. The average visit lasts 4-6 hours, and approximately 70% involve family members. Maintaining family ties through visits is recognized as an important factor in successful reintegration after release.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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        &amp;quot;text&amp;quot;: &amp;quot;Yes. Attorney visits are private with contact allowed, and are typically scheduled on weekdays. Attorneys submit credentials such as bar cards for expedited approval without full background checks. A February 2024 rule change streamlined legal access and scheduling for attorney visits without altering general visiting procedures. Attorney visits receive special protections for confidential legal communications.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
== Nightmare Success Guides ==&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-to-support-a-loved-one-during-incarceration/ How to Support a Loved One During Incarceration] — A grounded support framework for families balancing care, boundaries, and long-term stability.&lt;br /&gt;
* [https://nightmaresuccess.com/guides/how-families-can-prepare-before-surrender/ How Families Can Prepare Before Surrender] — A preparation playbook for families managing logistics, finances, and communication before surrender.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Orderly</name></author>
	</entry>
</feed>