A 4-Credit PA Continuing Legal Education Class (Philadelphia, December 9, 2015)

Attorneys Comprehensive Guide to Prepare Clients for Federal Prison

When defendants are facing federal prison, there are a number of actions that both they and
their attorneys could take to make the incarceration a better experience. Learn what these
actions are from a decorated, former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Case Manager who combines all
of his 23 years of knowledge into a 4-credit CLE class. Topics include:
!

Security classification and prison security levels

Successful Pre-Sentence Interview Strategies - Dos and Donts

Preparation - Its much more than just knowing about prison life

Designation - Knowing how its done can give client more influence on outcome

RDAP - Understanding the program, its rewards (time off) and its pitfalls

Medical Care and Patient Rights in Prison for clients with special needs

Getting an un-monitored legal call

Minimizing prison time by maximizing halfway house

Judicial recommendations at sentencing - What is meaningful and what is not

This unique, entertaining and informative CLE presentation provides insights into the federal
corrections system (Bureau of Prisons) so that attorneys can achieve better results for their
clients who face prison. This live 4-credit CLE course will give attorneys confidence to speak
with clients on strategies for Presentence Investigation (PSI), prison designation, mitigation,
preparation and prison life. Understanding each of these will assure a better relationship with,
and a better outcome for clients. The information for the class was developed from professional
experience and extensive research from lawyers, defendants, inmates, mitigation specialists
and those from federal agencies.
The class will feature Jack Donson, who spent over 23 years working with the Bureau of Prisons
(retired 2011), where he received national recognition for his service. He is considered one of
the foremost experts on federal prison policies and is frequently cited in major media outlets on
federal prison issues. Most recently, he was involved in the production of CNBCs documentary
White Collar Convicts and testified on prison reform before the Charles Colson Task Force on
Federal Corrections on Capitol Hill. The moderator for the class will be Walt Pavlo who is a
nationally recognized speaker and contributor to Forbes.com on white collar crime. He is also
the co-author of Stolen Without A Gun, which he co-wrote with Bloomberg Reporter Neil
Weinberg. There will also be a special guest, Jay Berger, who was a member of the
Pennsylvania Bar (1977-2009) and is the author of The Fall of the Firmest Pillar, a memoir
about his journey as a defendant and inmate through the federal criminal justice system.
Cost: $129.00 (payable by check or Visa / MasterCard credit card)
When: December 9, 2015 (12:30pm - 5:00 pm) ... Sign-In Starts At 12:00 Noon
Where: Temple University - Center City, 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Register: Email us at Info@Prisonology.com. (We will invoice via email)
We look forward to seeing you there!

Attorneys Comprehensive Guide to Preparing Clients for Federal Prison

Course Overview:
There are 122 federal prisons located throughout the United States. Once a defendant enters a
guilty plea or is convicted at trial in the federal criminal justice system, a sequence of events
begins. Each one requires action that is critical to helping a defendant navigate his or her path
before, during, and after prison. Measures taken between the plea/conviction and sentencing
can have a dramatic impact on the amount of prison time served, where the time is served,
programs available, and prison life
.
This Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course will provide attorneys with a proactive strategy to
help their clients obtain the best outcome when prison becomes a reality. It will educate
attorneys on the nuances of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and on how to prepare their clients to
better manage the entire federal prison experience.
The course will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM (registration
begins at 12:00 Noon), at Temple University-Center City, 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
19102. Attorneys will earn (4) PaCLE substantive credits. The registration fee is $129.00.
Course Details:
The course is divided into several sections as outlined below. A Question and Answer period will
follow the presentation of each section.
- Presentence Report and Investigation
- Investigation Preparation
- Criminal Background Checks
- Gathering Information
- Probation Interviews With Family and Friends
Course Details (continued):
- Prison Designation
- Unraveling Grand Prairie
- Judicial Recommendations
- Prison Locations
- Security Classifications
- Other Factors Affecting Designation
- Prison Preparation For Clients
- Surrender dates
- Physical/Medical
- Financial
- Family issues
- Power of Attorney or Designees

- Self-Surrender and First Days In Prison

- What to anticipate
- What you are allowed to bring
- Procedures for intake
- Actions to take once inside
- Prison Life
- Communication with outside
- Commissary
- Healthcare
- General living conditions
- Vocational and Educational Programs
- Activities
- Female Inmate Issues
- Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
- About the program
- Eligibility rules and Qualifications
- Benefits / Drawbacks
- Residential Re-entry Center (aka Halfway House)
- What it is
- Strategies for maximizing halfway house time
- Tips for residing in a halfway house

Course Materials:
This is a live presentation that will utilize PowerPoint, interactive video, Internet, and handouts
to present the best practices and resources available for attorneys to guide clients facing
incarceration.

Instructors:
Jack Donson retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) after a 23 year career, during
which he received national recognition in various case management capacities. Prior to his
position at the BOP, he was a probation and parole officer in Pennsylvania at both the county
and state levels. He currently serves as a Director for FedCURE, a national non-profit advocacy
group for prison reform. He also founded and operates a prison consulting firm in New York City.
He is on the Corrections Committee for both the American Bar Association and the National
Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He co-developed Prisonology, an on-line educational
tool for attorneys to help them prepare their clients for prison.
Walt Pavlo founded and co-developed Prisonology. Pavlo has an MBA from Mercer University
and is the co-author of the book, Stolen Without A Gun which he co-wrote with Neil Weinberg,
a senior reporter at Bloomberg. Pavlo is a contributor to Forbes.com on legal cases associated
with white-collar crime and is an on-air and documentary contributor to CNBC on federal prison
and white collar crime issues. He is a nationally recognized speaker, lecturing at business
schools, law schools, federal law enforcement agencies and corporations.
Jay Berger was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar from 1977-2009 and was self-employed in
the Philadelphia area. He is a graduate of Penn State University and Case Western Reserve
University School of Law. He participated in the making of Prisonology and is currently active in
the business development of the program. He has also authored and published a book entitled
The Fall of the Firmest Pillar which is a memoir about his journey, as a defendant and inmate,
through the federal criminal justice system.