Tracii H.
Time doesn't stand still. Nor should we.
Many justice impacted people find ourselves lost in a bureaucracy we don’t understand, and don’t even know where to start. After spending two plus years on pre-trial probation, I was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison Thanks to a very zealous victim with her own legal team presenting A “victim impact statement” on her behalf, my sentence was above the guidelines I plead to. Reality set in. I reached out to Justin Paperny for advice. Working through my new reality with Justin Paperny and Michael Santos was the best thing I could've ever done. They put me in touch with others who had just come out of my situation. I spoke with Forrest who had some great advice and encouragement. I spoke with Matthew, who was on home confinement at the time, after doing 17 months on a 51 month sentence just like mine. I listened to their stories and absorbed their guidance. Their team took the time to get to know me and my case- never treating me like a boiler plate pre-surrender. They made sure that I understood the nuances and the differences between the BOP & what the court and my lawyer were telling me. I learned what to expect when I hit the prison, so that I would be able to navigate efficiently and at once start receiving FSA credits, After a thorough interview, white collar advice helped me put together a release plan that I was able to use as an accountability guide throughout my journey. Not only did this release plan go to my family and friends, I posted it on my blog. When I met with unit team after surrendering, I shared this with my case manager. She was receptive and suggested that I share the information with the other inmates. I begin teaching classes, and together a large group of us were writing, updating, following our release plans, reading, writing book reports, blogs, journaling, and documenting our journey. Michael sent daily newsletters through prison professors, which helped me to stay focused and informed throughout my time in prison. This helped me immensely when I filed for a sentence reduction after one year of working hard, volunteering, teaching and mentoring, and documenting. The judge saw what I was doing, which speaks in volumes more than words in a petition. Not only was I granted a sentence reduction by the court (the judge specifically recognized the work I had done and documented), I also was able to show my case manager and camp administrator that I was worthy of the full benefits that second chance and first step acts offered. Initially, I had hoped to participate in RDAP, which would allow for up to one year off of my sentence. I was not able to participate in RDAP because of staff shortages and an influx of female prisoners coming from another institution which was shut down in California. Without RDAP, I received an 11 month sentence reduction, one year of RRC (halfway/home confinement), and I continue to receive FSA credits. I am so grateful, and happy to share my story with others, with hope that together we can make some changes.