Early release possibilities for medical, compassionate, juvenile exceptions, first step, second chance, special needs, meritorious achievement, Veteran honor, and other pathways to liberty.
The primary purpose of this writing is to bring awareness – to shout out to all incarcerated criminal defendants and your families that times are changing fast.
First, let’s clear the air a bit about the realities with state DOCs and BOP for fed prisoners. Your disciplinary record matters. It might seem somewhat hypocritical to evaluate your qualification for early release based on a list of determinants, but this is the real world – the beauty contest of early-release programs. In fact, defendants with crime of violence enhancers, violent habitual offenders, certain classes of sex offenders, or institutional violence (sometimes gang security threat identity) climb a steeper hill to attain any form of early release – even when the case facts are glaring in their favor.
Think of a clemency, proportionality, or conviction integrity type of petitions for comparison purposes. In these actions, your prisoner bio matters. Your jacket and NCIC record matters. A good example is parole eligibility; it has the same type of qualifying criteria. Your prison experience for every moment you have served matters. It matters a lot. Still, it’s never too late to rewrite some of the record books to hopefully tilt the odds back to your advantage – so PLEASE don’t stop becoming the better person that you are. We stand with you, your family, your victims, your hometown, society at large…in comprehensive restorative justice. Justice for all.
Second, if you think that simply because you check all the boxes for any of the dozens of early release possibilities, it’s time to pack out and move home…well, remember the beauty contest reality. What this really means is that there are a lot more worthy and fully qualified folks than government mercy to spread around.
So, what’s the solution? First, put your best foot forward. Prove to even the most ardent antagonist that you not only qualify for early release, but YOU deserve it. What does this entail? Do your homework. Do the heavy lifting of A+ presentation. Remember the beauty contest. You are competing with many others who probably present as good as you do. The job? Make yourself look better than anyone else the decision-makers are looking at; make choosing you a no-brainer.
How do you do this? Two ways:
1. Sponsor – think of the best possible AA sponsor – a highly qualified, caring expert joined at your hip. Meaning, a senior partner who is accountable and responsible for YOU to drive your early release success plan. Often “a friend is closer than a brother.” A highly trained, caring friend is priceless. This person(s) will know the ropes. If Q|Nav’s your sponsor, we know the ropes and how to navigate all the incredibly difficult and competitive waters. For example, if you are applying for medical early release, you and your team MUST know all of the protocols the bureaucrats require. Do you qualify for medical early release pursuant to the statutes or reviewing authority’s regimens? Let’s say you do qualify. Next is the process of dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s. Moving the ball forward is an absolute art form – making sure the right case managers are filling out the forms, the warden and custody major are walking you and your captain through the steps, one by one. Cooperative Coordination with Leadership: If there is one key to success it is this. Literally, dozens of humans are involved – from haters to doers to helpers to sympathizers to real decision makers…those who can say YES. If you chose Q|Nav, rest assured we know the ropes; the who, what, when, why…and how to professionally bring it/ them all together just right. That you and your team are coordinating expertly with family, loved ones, doctors, specialists, advocates, and on and on. Starting to get the picture? Getting out of prison before you’re supposed to is a big deal…treat it as such, as a priceless gift, not because you deserve it, but because it’s so incredibly difficult to actually win.
2. The Blend. The entire world of criminal justice and particularly postconviction relief and sentencing remedies mandates an art and science blend of unique expertise, A+ work ethic, and a big dose of good luck. First, you – your captain needs to know WHAT TO DO – who to partner with at the state DOC, BOP, and facility level. Which advocates to push, how to deal with admitted victims, alleged victims, committed prosecutors, parole boards, facility wardens, senior DOC | BOP management, and the staff attorneys who evaluate all petitions for early release. It’s our experience that satisfying the statutory and/or regulatory requirements to the letter is almost always tantamount to advancing to the various review stages. Please remember that there are many more qualified applicants than slots available, regardless of the actual reasons for your petition.
Accelerated programs: With clemency, pardon, and conviction integrity – [disproportionate sentencing and actual innocence GRANTS few and far between, we strongly encourage our prisoner, loved ones, and friends to carefully investigate all of the possible early release options already available through your legislature, DOC, BOP regs, judicial joint ventures, and executive level programs (often partnered with the chief public defenders and even prosecutors on occasion).
Steps: First, try to exhaust all avenues that cost $0 to navigate. You, your family, loved ones, and knowledgeable mentors can do a lot of the heavy lifting to discover what may be available for your early release. Next, do the research. Which plans or programs best fit you? Once you’ve narrowed the field, it’s time to get serious. This is where networking and informal research pays off. Ask anyone and everyone for their views, opinions, and suggestions. If you still qualify, seriously consider hiring an expert – perhaps a lawyer, advocate, consultant – maybe even a jailhouse lawyer who is extremely well-connected on the outside.
Can we help? Maybe. We don’t charge to take a look. We are happy and honored to talk with you, your lawyer, your family, and your friends. If it seems we are a good fit, great. Our goal, our job, is to increase your chances for success. To win. If not, at least you will have a more refined roadmap going forward. We wish you the very best, health, happiness, LIBERTY.