| The Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and the | | | | experienced, and knowledgeable Federal Prison |
| subsequent Pre-Sentence Investigation Report (PSR) | | | | Consultant. A competent Federal Prison Consultant will |
| is without a doubt the most dominant and definitive | | | | prepare the defendant for the all important |
| document used by the Court in determining a | | | | Pre-Sentencing Investigation Interview and even |
| defendant's federal prison sentence. The PSI is the | | | | accompany him if his attorney cannot. It is vitally |
| defendant's "Bible", his life history as seen through | | | | important that the defendant does not go alone to |
| the eyes of the probation officer authoring the | | | | this interview. |
| report in concert with the Assistant United States | | | | The defendant must be knowledgeable, honest, have |
| Attorney, AUSA, prosecuting the case. Besides being | | | | a complete control of the facts, and not leave out |
| instrumental in determining his federal prison | | | | any required information. The Probation Officer will |
| sentence, the PSI is vitally important with respect to | | | | ask for personal information including the defendant's |
| BOP federal prison designation, security level, custody | | | | full name, aliases, social security number, date of |
| level, work assignments, bunk assignments, furlough | | | | birth, current and previous addresses, family history, |
| eligibility, restitution issues, community custody | | | | medical history, educational history, degrees earned, |
| placement, inmate quality of life enhancements, ability | | | | schools attended and educational associations. He will |
| to self-surrender, and admission into the 500-Hour | | | | ask about his professional associations, civic life |
| Residential Drug Abuse Program to name just a few. | | | | history, civic organizations, physical and mental well |
| These are the very issues that each federal | | | | being and substance abuse history detailing drug and |
| defendant must be vitally concerned about. The | | | | alcohol use. He will ask about his current offense and |
| importance of the PSI cannot be overstated. It | | | | will verify everything that he is told. He will |
| follows the defendant throughout his whole period of | | | | investigate any previous criminal history, DUI's, and |
| federal prison incarceration. Anyone who thinks the | | | | even speeding tickets. He will investigate family |
| PSI is impartial, fair, and provides an accurate | | | | relationships by talking to the defendant's sons, |
| unbiased accounting of the defendant is grossly | | | | daughters, spouse, mother, and father. He will review |
| mistaken. | | | | relationships with therapists, clergy, professional and |
| The Pre-Sentence Investigation Report is written by | | | | financial associates, and friends. He will want current |
| a Probation Officer working for the Federal | | | | financial information including all assets, bank and |
| Government. How can a defendant expect to get a | | | | savings accounts, brokerage accounts, property |
| fair and unbiased report? The PSI is often slanted | | | | owned, cars driven, IRA's, 401-K's, business |
| against the defendant in favor of the government | | | | ownership information, and business partners among |
| and the prosecution. It is not only the obligation of | | | | other things. |
| the defendant and his attorney to make sure that | | | | A good Federal Prison Consultant knows the type |
| any mistakes, inaccuracies, and untruths are | | | | and extent of information that the probation officer |
| corrected, it is their duty. All of these corrections | | | | asks and requires in writing the PSR. It is always the |
| must be completed prior to the PSI's final submission | | | | same. Every PSI interview, regardless of the federal |
| to the Court and the Bureau of Prisons. | | | | district in which it is conducted, follows a very similar |
| Unfortunately, many attorneys do not take the time | | | | pattern and direction. The information requested is |
| and provide the scrutiny necessary to fully correct a | | | | always the same. A knowledgeable Federal Prison |
| defendant's PSI. This may have far-reaching | | | | Consultant prepares the client for this all important |
| undesirable effects on the defendant's length of | | | | interview. They know what will be asked and they |
| sentence, program eligibility, facility designation, | | | | prepare their clients for those questions. The |
| security level, eligibility to self-surrender, and so many | | | | information that is given to the U.S. Probation Officer |
| other factors that an inmate faces every day in | | | | must be complete, truthful, and factual. Knowing in |
| federal prison. | | | | advance the questions you will be asked allows you |
| The solution to this dilemma is for the defendant to | | | | to prepare complete, truthful, and factual answers. |
| hire someone who is very knowledgeable in Federal | | | | There are no surprises. |
| Prison issues, programs, policies, procedures, and who | | | | Life in a federal prison is hard enough. There is no |
| has actually experienced life in a federal prison. The | | | | reason to make it harder by allowing an inaccurate, |
| defendant should hire someone who has actually | | | | incomplete, biased, and slanted Pre-Sentence |
| gone through the whole process. This is someone | | | | Investigation Report to be submitted to the |
| who knows the "ins" and "outs" of the federal prison | | | | Sentencing Judge and the Bureau of Prisons. |
| system. The solution is to hire a competent, | | | | |