The Justice Advisory Group Blog

Practical guidance when it matters most.

In-depth articles on federal sentence reduction, RDAP qualification, prison preparation, and early release strategy. For defendants, families, and the attorneys who represent them.

All Articles
10 articles
Prison Preparation
Self-Surrender to Federal Prison: A Complete Guide

What self-surrender means, the full timeline from sentencing to surrender day, what to bring, how to prepare your legal and financial affairs, and the most common mistakes defendants make.

Prison Preparation
Federal Prison Designation: How the BOP Decides Which Prison You Attend

The Bureau of Prisons runs a structured scoring process to assign federal facility placement — and defendants have more ability to influence it than most realize. A complete guide to how designation works and what to do about it.

May 3, 2026 · 11 min read
For Attorneys
What Defense Attorneys Should Know About Prison Consulting

Your legal representation ends at sentencing. Your client's challenge doesn't. A practical guide on how prison consulting works, when to refer, and how it strengthens outcomes for clients — and for your relationship with them.

May 1, 2026 · 11 min read
Early Release Strategy
Understanding First Step Act Time Credits

The First Step Act changed how federal inmates earn time credits toward early release. Our early release consultants break down how the calculation works and what evidence-based programs actually count.

Coming soon
Prison Preparation
What to Expect at a Federal Prison Camp

Federal prison camps (FPCs) operate differently than you think. Understanding facility placement, daily life, communication access, and programming is critical — and most families go in unprepared.

April 26, 2026 · 12 min read
Family Guide
How Families Can Prepare When a Loved One Faces Prison

The practical, emotional, and financial steps families need to take between sentencing and surrender — communication setup, finances, power of attorney, visitor applications, and how to support children through the transition.

April 30, 2026 · 12 min read
Prison Preparation
What to Expect Your First Day in Federal Prison

From self-surrender to intake, processing, housing assignment, and the first 24 hours — a practical, hour-by-hour guide to what actually happens on day one in federal prison.

April 29, 2026 · 10 min read
Sentence Mitigation
What Is Sentence Mitigation? A Guide for Families

Sentence mitigation is the process of building a case for the lowest possible sentence before sentencing occurs. Most defendants and families don't know it exists until it's too late.

April 26, 2026
Reentry Planning
Preparing for Life After Prison: The First 90 Days

The transition from prison to community is where most people stumble. Effective reentry planning starts before release — and covers housing, employment, family reunification, and supervised release compliance.

Coming soon
Free Resource
Federal Prison Preparation Checklist
35 action items across 5 categories. Legal documents, finances, TRULINCS setup, family prep, and first 30 days strategy.
Get Free Checklist →

Need personalized guidance for your situation?

Our consultants work with families and defense attorneys to build early release strategies tailored to each case.