Documenting Growth Through Book Reports in Federal Prison
Release Date: 11/06/2023
Prosecutors’ Hypocrisy
White Collar Advice
After 16 years in this space, patterns repeat. Justin describes a former U.S. Attorney—now a defense lawyer—calling a false-statements case “ridiculous.” The irony? He once brought the same kind of case as a prosecutor. Not because it was justice, but because he could. False-statement cases are easy to charge and hard to undo. DOJ data shows they’re often stacked to increase leverage, not clarity. Assuming a case will “get dropped” is how people misjudge risk and lose control. Understand incentives, not excuses. Prepare accordingly. Join our every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM...
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Federal Prison Isn’t The Lesson—The People Inside Are
White Collar Advice
Walking the track at a minimum-security camp isn’t what defines your future. What comes after release does. People who assume prison is the finish line usually struggle most when the structure disappears. Literature matters in prison because it puts suffering in context. Reading about people who endured war, poverty, or decades of confinement—and still rebuilt—changes how you see your own situation. Justin’s example is blunt: compared to people with no family support or education, many white-collar defendants start with advantages they ignore. Prison doesn’t have to define you. What...
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How Celebrities Should Adjust in Federal Prison — My Fox News Breakdown
White Collar Advice
Small choices carry consequences inside federal prison. Gambling tied to recreational sports leads to injuries, debts, and disciplinary shots. Gossip and constant complaining create enemies fast. One common mistake is venting about a short sentence—off-putting when bunkmates may be serving ten years or more. Time alone matters. It reduces exposure to conflict and bad decisions. Keep distance from staff. They aren’t confidants, and casual comments can become reports. In federal prisons, many incident reports start with unnecessary conversation, not violence. Keep your head down. Control...
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He Thought the Call Was From a Friend. It Was the Beginning of New Charges.
White Collar Advice
When people panic, they talk. They explain inconsistencies, justify decisions, and try to “clear things up.” That usually backfires. In one real case, a defendant already under indictment took a call from a former colleague—unaware that the caller was cooperating with the government. The cooperator was coached to call, ask questions, and even lie if needed. The defendant opened up. Weeks later, prosecutors filed a superseding indictment. That single call made his situation worse. Assume everyone has an agenda. Silence protects you. Join our every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern....
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Fox News Interview: Prison Expert Explains How Federal Prison Camps Really Work
White Collar Advice
Most White Collar Advice clients serve time in minimum-security camps, often with sentences under five years. That matters. You’re entering a place where others have lived for decades. The smart move is humility—lay low, don’t manipulate, and drop the TV-driven myths about prison life. Real problems often start at night in TV rooms—gambling, noise, and tension. One practical fix: remove yourself. Waking up before the dorm creates a quiet two-to-three-hour window for thinking, planning, and staying out of trouble. Join our every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern. Justin Paperny
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5 Federal Prison Camp Myths
White Collar Advice
After a talk in Los Angeles last week, I realized how much people still misunderstand about prison. The questions I got weren’t academic—they were based on assumptions that can actually hurt someone once they’re inside. That’s why I recorded this episode. I walk through five prison myths I hear all the time. One is that minimum-security prison is just boring. Boredom is real, but that’s also the danger. Idle time is where people waste years. If you use it right, prison can be a reset, not a holding pattern. Another myth is thinking you “have time.” With good time, earned time...
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The FBI Agent Was Right
White Collar Advice
This episode comes from a rough week—the kind where you know exactly what to do and still don’t do it. I record this after getting a call no one wants. Months earlier, someone in the community said he was cooperating and his lawyer told him that was enough. Probation. No prison. I pushed back and pointed him to an interview with Paul Bertrand, the FBI agent who arrested me. Bertrand said something that stuck: in his entire career, only one person avoided prison because of cooperation alone. I urged this person to prepare anyway. Build a record. Make amends. Don’t treat cooperation...
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Federal Judge Wasn’t A Buyer
White Collar Advice
This episode starts mid-run, right after I get a text that simply says, “You were right.” I explain what led up to it. Two weeks earlier, a member of the community read his sentencing statement out loud during a webinar. I had already reviewed the letter I planned to give the judge and told him plainly: if you want less time, you need to rewrite this. The judge he was facing wouldn’t give credit for paying restitution, even if the amount was large. Paying taxes and making victims whole is expected, not rewarded. I warned him to remove that argument. He didn’t. At sentencing, the judge...
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Feds Want 3 Years In Federal Prison
White Collar Advice
This episode was recorded on the way into sentencing, after a long night and with real life still moving in the background. The government is asking for three years in prison. There’s no dramatic speech here and no last-minute plea for mercy. I talk through what actually matters at this stage. Not promises. Not saying you’ll never do it again. Judges hear that every day. What stands out is a record. I reflect on someone in the community who didn’t ask for forgiveness. I just did the work. Daily meetings. Volunteering hundreds of hours and documenting it. Working, saving, and paying money...
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Tai Lopez Faces $112M Fraud Allegations
White Collar Advice
In today’s episode, I share some personal thoughts on the news that Tai Lopez has been charged by the SEC with running a $112 million Ponzi scheme through his company, Retail Ecommerce Ventures. I’ve followed Tai’s work over the years—not as an investor in his 67 Steps or any of his programs, but as a marketer interested in how he built an empire around books, Lamborghinis, and lifestyle branding. Millions admired him, millions hated him, but nobody ignored him. Now he’s facing something I know all too well: an SEC case that could be referred to the DOJ and turn criminal. My own case...
info_outlineI want to emphasize the value of incorporating book reports into your release plan in today's podcast. You might encounter some who scoff at this idea, questioning if it's something meant for a younger audience. But let me be clear: the opinions of others, especially in prison, should be the least of your concerns. It's crucial to create your path and define success on your terms.
In our view, success involves reshaping your story. This transformation is only possible through documenting and demonstrating your growth throughout a government investigation.
The earlier you start, the better.
When it comes to your book reports, I suggest including specific details:
- State the title and author of the book.
- Explain why you chose to read this particular book.
- Note the date you completed the book.
- Reflect on what you learned from the book.
- Discuss how the insights gained from the book will aid your success after your release from prison.
In this time of prison reform, documenting your journey is more important than ever. This is vital for understanding how prison administrators assess the quality of a release plan.
Those who have accessed our subject-matter expert page might have seen interviews with professionals who have built careers in law enforcement. Every expert we've spoken to has stressed the significance of a well-considered release plan. They're looking for tangible proof of ongoing, positive efforts towards change. This shows a person's dedication to preparing for a successful reintegration into society. They want to see that individuals actively consider their risk factors or triggers that could lead to recidivism.
By sharing your learnings through book reports, you provide concrete evidence of your preparation to face the challenges that all individuals with a felony record will encounter.
Thank you,
Justin Paperny