Personalized Guidance for Individuals and Families Navigating the Federal Prison Process

Federal Sentence Help provides preparation guidance and sentence timeline reviews for individuals and families navigating the federal prison system.

Two Service & Guidance Pathways

Clear pathways to help individuals and families prepare for federal incarceration and understand how sentence timelines actually work. This guidance is based on direct experience navigating the federal criminal justice system. Learn more about the experience behind this work.

Preparation & Guidance Services

Help understanding what federal prison will be like and how to prepare.

Services include:

• Preparation Sessions

• Full Preparation Package

• Family Stabilization

• Extended Transition Advisory

Federal Sentence Timeline Reviews

Services focused on understanding how federal sentences are calculated and how credit systems affect release timelines.

Services include:

• Pre-Surrender Timeline Explanation

• Post-Surrender Computation Review

• Advanced Sentence Calculation Review

BOP Guidance Services

Preparation and Guidance Advisory Services

These guidance services help individuals and their families understand what to expect during federal incarceration and how to prepare for the process ahead.

Preparation and Guidance

Best for individuals preparing to surrender who want structured guidance about what to expect and how to prepare.

Includes:

  • preparation for surrender to a federal prison camp

  • detailed surrender planning checklist

  • communication systems overview (phone, email, messaging, visits)

  • family preparation guidance and expectations

  • details of what the first days and first weeks inside typically look like

  • common mistakes people make before surrender

  • Q&A tailored to the individual situation

  • Limited follow-up text support

One-on-One Guidance & Preparation Session: $650

This session provides education and detailed resources to help individuals prepare with greater understanding of surrender and prison camp life.


Full Preparation Package (Recommended)

Comprehensive preparation for individuals and families facing an upcoming self-surrender to prison camp.

Includes:

  • extended preparation guidance and advisory sessions

  • full sentence computation timeline overview and explanation

  • preparation strategy for surrender and early incarceration

  • family preparation session covering communication and expectations

  • review of BOP systems and common adjustment issues

  • follow-up call for additional questions after initial preparation

  • Expanded follow-up text support during preparation

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Multiple One-on-One Sessions + Family Session: $1850

This package provides deeper planning and multiple sessions to help individuals and families prepare with greater clarity and confidence.


Family Stabilization Session

Designed specifically for families supporting someone who has recently surrendered or been remanded.

Includes:

  • explanation of what the first weeks inside often look like

  • detailed surrender planning checklist

  • overview of federal prison communication systems

  • guidance on phone, messaging, and email systems

  • visitation expectations and common procedures

  • emotional adjustment and support guidance for families

  • opportunity for family Q&A tailored to family situation

  • Limited follow-up text support

Preparation & Stabilization Session: $650

This session helps families understand the early adjustment period and how to navigate communication, visits, and emotional challenges.


Transition Advisory Program

Extended advisory support for individuals or families navigating incarceration or preparing for transition.

Includes:

  • fully customizable to meet individualized needs

  • several advisory calls spanning all phases of journey

  • detailed strategic planning for each phase of journey

  • In depth education including institution terminology

  • comprehensive sentence timeline clarification

  • guidance and support during incarcerative period

  • reentry support and guidance

  • Text support included – priority access for ongoing guidance

Customizable Advisory Program: discussed during Orientation

This program provides ongoing guidance for questions that arise throughout the incarceration process.


Some of the most import details aren’t obvious until well after surrender. Read what I wish I knew before surrender.

Ongoing Support Options

Some individuals and families prefer continued access for questions that arise between calls. Limited text-based guidance options are available for those who want additional support during preparation or incarceration.

Text Support Add-On

Great for individuals or families who want the ability to ask questions as situations arise.

Text support sessions can be scheduled in weekly or monthly increments, as needed.

Includes:

  • direct text access for guidance and clarification

  • help navigating communication systems and procedures

  • support for unexpected questions or situations

  • responses within defined availability windows

Available as an add-on to preparation sessions or advisory programs.

Additional Sessions (À La Carte)

Some individuals begin with a single preparation session and later decide they would like additional guidance as questions arise.

Follow-up sessions can be scheduled individually if additional support is needed.

These sessions may be used for:

  • additional preparation questions before surrender

  • clarification about sentence timelines or BOP processes

  • guidance for families navigating communication

  • visits transition planning or adjustment questions

Follow-up sessions are available for previous clients when needed.


Many individuals find that questions arise at different stages of the process, which is why flexible follow-up support is available when needed.

Sentence Timeline Reviews

Federal Sentence Timeline Review Services

These services focus on understanding how federal sentences are calculated and how different credit systems affect the projected timeline.

Preparation and Guidance

Best for individuals who have been sentenced but have not yet surrendered.

Topics include:

  • how the Bureau of Prisons calculates federal sentences

  • explanation of Good Conduct Time

  • explanation of First Step Act earned time credits

  • overview of RDAP reduction potential

  • overview of halfway house placement under the Second Chance Act

Includes:

  • calculator results PDF

  • sentence calculation overview guide

  • consultation session


Post-Surrender Sentence Computation Review

Designed for individuals or families who have already surrendered and received their BOP computation.

Requires:

  • BOP Sentence Computation Data Sheet

  • FSA Time Credit Assessment

  • Judgment and Commitment Order

Includes:

  • comparison with Federal Sentence Help calculator

  • explanation of BOP calculation methods

  • consultation session


Advanced Sentence Calculation Review

A detailed manual review of the sentence timeline.

Appropriate for:

  • complex custody histories

  • situations where families believe the BOP calculation may be incorrect

Includes:

  • manual calculation verification

  • calculator comparison

  • handwritten timeline chart (if requested)

  • consultation session


Not sure where to start?

If you are unsure which service is appropriate, you can schedule a short orientation call to discuss your situation and determine the most helpful next step.

15 minutes

$25, credited toward a support package if you move forward.

Have a question first?

We’re here to help. Everyone’s path is unique, and we want to ensure you receive the customized guidance you need. Send a message below.