About Jail Time author, Michael Frantz

After three years of writing my book, “Jail Time—What you need to Know…Before you go to Federal Prison!”, and another year of editing, proofing, and preparing it for publication; it was finally finished.  I was exhausted but extremely happy and proud. This was a labor of love for me. Finally, a book that told the real facts about prison and the entire federal prosecution system was in print. It was a no holds barred book, but it was truthful, honest, and based on fact, not fiction. Jail Time was realistic and told the facts as they really are. It wasn’t flattering to the Bureau of Prisons or the Federal Justice System, but it was accurate, precise, and straightforward.

I knew prison had been challenging but I soon found out that my three years of supervised release would be even more challenging. After three years of preparation in prison and almost one year of preparation after prison, I was ready to help and assist those individuals facing federal incarceration as a Prison Consultant. Jail Time was published and it sold like hot pancakes. The publisher soon ran out of copies and had to print more. I requested permission from my probation officer to be a Prison Consultant and after an examination and interview I was granted permission. Jail Time Consulting started with a boom and continued as I was fielding calls and getting new clients almost daily. Fox News called, ABC’s 20/20 News Program called, and even the Oprah Winfrey television channel called. Then disaster struck. My probation officer was transferred and I was assigned a new probation officer. From day one my new P.O. made it his goal to prevent me from being a prison consultant. I remember to this day his exact quote. He said, “I think criminals need to be punished and they don’t need help. I would never have allowed you to do this and I will do everything in my power to stop you.” This is the type of moronic and diabolical individual who is lucky he has a job as a probation officer because he could certainly not get a job in the “real world”.

Equally moronic and diabolical was the federal district judge who actually shut down Jail Time Consulting, the Jail Time Consulting website, and my book. His bias, prejudice, and slanted views were evident throughout the hearing. He didn’t like what I said in my book and objected to my statements that probation officers do have slanted views against defendants when they write PSI’s and that judges were not always fair, impartial, and non-discriminatory. He also said that AUSA’s were honest and fair and only wanted to get to the truth. As I sat there in court listening to him rattle on and on I thought, “What a crock of _____!”   Needless to say, Jail Time Consulting closed in December 2009 and remained closed until 2011 when I was finally off of supervised release and finally free.

During my hiatus I was forced to shut down the website, find other help for the existing clients, and not accept any new clients. Jail Time was essentially off the market. I was devastated but used this devastation to create a renewed strength and fortitude. I reviewed JTC’s existing programs and made them better. I reviewed the law and created new programs based on the BOP’s own policies and procedures and the law. All this was done in anticipation of starting again in 2011. Jail Time Consulting started with a boom again and the rest is history. Now you can once again get Jail Time, the Book and learn what Probation Officers and U. S. District Judges don’t want you to know. Now you can find out “What you need to know…Before you go to Federal Prison!”

Jail Time, the Book is comprehensive compilation of invaluable information about federal incarceration and how to prepare for it. It informs you of what you and your family can do to deal with the realities of federal incarceration and how to live through it. Jail Time delves into the nitty gritty of prison truths and folklore as it walks you through the Bureau of Prisons’ Admission and Orientation Manual. This is the same Bureau of Prisons’ Admission and Orientation Manual given to you upon your arrival in prison. Your reading of this manual beforehand along with the timely narrative in Jail Time, the Book will allow you to get a jump start on those inmates not privileged to this information. Jail Time explains the Bureau of Prisons’ System and describes the types of facilities that it operates. It takes you down your Journey to Prison starting with your initial investigation all the way through your sentencing. Your self-surrender or your remand into federal custody is discussed. Your Arrival at Prison is fully discussed and informs you of what you can expect in the Federal Inmate Transport System or “Diesel Therapy” as inmates refer to it. Your inmate Prison Life is detailed and documented including “Prisons’ Unwritten Rules” and your daily prison schedule. Every facet of your prison stay and life in federal prison is covered. Finally, Jail Time takes you to Post Prison Life following your stay in a halfway house and then dealing with supervised release and the problems that await you there.

For more information click Jail Time Book Article.

Jail Time also lists many of the services that Jail Time Consulting offers and reviews and explains how they can help you and be a benefit to both you and your family. Besides listing the services that Jail Time Consulting offers and how they can impact your prison life, we also show you how you can take advantage of these services for a sentence reduction. Currently there are only four programs which offer a sentence reduction for inmates. They are very competitive and highly sought after programs. We are experts at positioning our clients for admission and successful completion of these programs. All of these programs require that the applicant is an inmate in prison before he or she can apply for these programs. You cannot apply for any of these programs before you enter prison. But you can position yourself for eligibility for these programs, with our assistance, prior to entering prison—and we highly recommend that you do. These sentence reduction programs include the 500-Hour Residential Drug Abuse Program, the Second Chance Act Programs, the Compassionate Release Program, and the Commutation of Sentence Program.

Jail Time Consulting also offers individual client research on a variety of BOP related topics or on any topics of the clients choosing. The JT Family Support System© is thoroughly reviewed and explained. The JT Family Support System© provides real time answers to your questions and your family’s questions as well as practical solutions to the problems they face while you are incarcerated. The JT Family Support System© is provided free of charge to all of our clients. Finally, Jail Time Consulting affords personal, private, face to face discussions with a Jail Time Consulting staff member for those individuals who require this service. It is not required, but one-on-one meetings are available for those individuals and their families who want them. After all, our consultants have already gone through this arduous process and know what you are facing. Who better to talk face-to-face with! Call 954-522-2254 for details.

Jail Time is an Essential read……

Jail Time is an essential read for individuals and families facing federal incarceration. Legal professionals will also benefit from Jail Time with its emphasis on facility designation, inmate perks and upgrades, the importance of the Pre-Sentencing Investigation Interview and the subsequent Pre-Sentencing Investigation Report, as well as the many BOP programs in which their clients can participate. Jail Time Consulting assists criminal defense attorneys in positioning their clients for and educating their clients in Sentence Reduction Programs.

Jail Time Chapters, knowledge you need to know……

Chapter 1: Admission & Orientation Manual

This chapter is comprised of the complete Bureau of Prisons’ Admission & Orientation Manual. This is the exact manual each inmate will receive within the first few days of arrival at his/her designated institution. It contains the BOP’s Prohibited Acts, sanctions, incident reports, and everything an inmate can and cannot do. But is it accurate and does the BOP really follow these rules? Each section of the Admissions and Orientation Manual is followed by a personal narrative or version of what this section really means or what really occurs based on the author’s personal experiences and those of other inmates in the Bureau of Prison’s system. I think you will be quite surprised.

Chapter 2: The BOP

This chapter provides the reader with important facts and statistics about the Bureau of Prisons’ system. It explains the difference between minimum security and low, medium, and high security. It explains what a Federal Prison Camp, (FPC), is and the difference between it and a low or medium security Federal Correctional Institution, (FCI), or a high security United States Penitentiary, (U.S.P). Inmate and staff demographics are included as well as important definitions, classifications, and security levels of the institutions themselves. Administrative facilities are addressed as well as Correctional Complexes and Satellite Camps and Lows.

Chapter 3: Your Journey to Prison

This chapter actually begins with the inmate’s life before prison and starts with the initial investigation including the negative publicity in newspapers, radio, and television. It continues through the long and arduous criminal prosecution process culminating with sentencing which is the hardest day in the defendant’s life. Jail Time covers the criteria for self-surrender and self-reporting to an institution. It explains the “designation process” and how the defendant can and should be proactive. Do not leave your designation solely up to the Bureau of Prisons. It also explains the process of being remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and what the defendant can expect. Everything the defendant needs to know and do prior to entering prison is explained in detail.

Chapter 4: Arrival at Prison

Chapter Four deals with an inmate’s initial arrival at his designated facility. His first encounter with the Bureau of Prisons’ staff in Receiving and Discharge (R & D) is detailed. It prepares you for your first BOP strip search. It explains the long and demeaning Inmate Intake Screening Process and the 15 “Unwritten Rules of Prison Behavior”. These are the unwritten rules you must abide by from Day One. These are the Do’s and Don’ts the inmate must know upon arrival at prison. The Unit Team and his Unit Team Staff are described as well as the physical layout of a Federal Prison Camp. Cellmates (cellies) and bunkmates (bunkies) are discussed as well as the inmate living quarters, (cubicles or cells). Prison security issues are presented including controlled movement, counts, accountability, and the Central Inmate Monitoring System. All the initial forms and important documents each inmate uses on a daily basis are presented and discussed. Sample forms are available in the Appendix A.

Chapter 5: Prison Life

This chapter focuses on the inmate’s new life in prison. It presents those issues that a new Inmate can expect and some pitfalls to avoid. Important subjects such as mail, visitation, commissary, and black market shopping are discussed. Other topics include inmate dining, discipline, education, entertainment, health services, housing, recreation and fitness, religion, and inmate work assignments. The important subject of rehabilitation is also presented. Rehabilitation is important because under this heading is the 500-Hour Residential Drug Abuse Program, (RDAP). The RDAP program is discussed in detail as to qualifications, program structure, program elements, and recidivism. Jail Time Consulting is an expert in positioning its clients to take advantage of all the programs that the Bureau of Prisons offers including the 500-Hour Residential Drug Abuse Program and the Second Chance Act Program.

Chapter 6: Post Prison Life

This chapter deals with the inmate’s release from prison and his transition back into the community. Both Residential Re-entry Centers (Halfway Houses) and Comprehensive Sanction Centers (CSCs) are addressed. Halfway House life, supervised release, and home detention are covered in detail. Halfway House “home passes” and home furloughs are also explained.

Chapter 7: Finally You’re Out!

The day finally comes! Your incarceration is over, the halfway house is over, and your period of supervised release is over. What do you do now? This chapter offers some helpful advice that should be started on Day One of entering prison and followed throughout your period of incarceration.

APPENDIX A: BOP Forms
APPENDIX B: Glossary of Prison Terms and Inmate Language
APPENDIX C: Q & A, “What You Always Wanted To Know About Prison But Were Afraid to Ask.”
APPENDIX D: Bureau of Prisons’ Regional Offices
APPENDIX E: Bureau of Prisons’ Community Corrections Management Offices