Hi, I just had my plea (guilty) last week. I am looking at 12-18 mths in a federal prison camp, probably bryan texas, maybe carswell for embezzlement. Does anyone have any information about these 2 places? I am very scared, and also very clueless.
Also, on a different note, what should i be concerned about during my presentence interview? Does it affect my sentence a lot? What about the background investigation? How does that affect what my sentence will be?
Thank you so much, and thank you for this wonderful informative site...it is incredible!

I sure can't help in that area, sorry.

But pickup an address or two from here and keep us posted on how things go for you. The PTO address is listed in one of the forums, I just forgot which one. :-(

The information that you learn could help someone else later, when it's posted here in one of the forums.

Hi there,

Sorry I can't give you any info. on the Tx. camps, but I'm sure someone here will be able to help you.

As for the presentencing interview, it's alot of paperwork and a pretty thorough background investigation. They run a credit report, criminal records check (FBI and some others) and can verify any information you provide. Meaning they can contact anyone you list as a reference or who provides letters of reference for you. I think a random drug test is pretty common. I would be very honest with them. My husband just had his last month and I went with him. We had to provide copies of tax returns, monthly bills and pay stubs. This is to determine ability to pay any fines imposed or restitution, should that be an option in sentencing.

We got a copy of the report last Friday. It details his plea, what his conviction is for, where it falls in the sentencing zone, along with copies of our financial report and the letters we had people write for him. There was no recommendation from the parole person who wrote the report. I was surprised by that, because I thought that was the purpose, for her to make a recommendation. Keep in mind, though, that because of mandatory federal guidelines, the parole officer cannot make a recommendation that is outside of the guidelines. So if you are looking at 12-18 mos, they cannot say we recommend you only get 6 mos. What you probably have in your favor, though, is that being at 12-18 mos, your "zone" can allow for flexibility in how long you serve IN prison, with some of your time in a half-way house, home detention, etc. This is all up to the judge, of course. As an example, my husband is in Zone D, which means his sentence must be served in prison. He is looking at 33-41 mos. If he were to have a lesser term, it would lower his zone, as well, which gives the other options I listed.

I hope I'm not overwhelming you w/ info here. I just learned all of this through experience. It was very confusing to me at first, but I think I'm finally getting it. Has your lawyer discussed any of this with you?

Feel free to ask any other questions ~ there are alot of very supportive, knowledgable people here.

All the best,
Colleen

I wrote to Stephanie and ask her to send all the papers she was given when she went to Carswell last April. When I get them in I will get them to you, should not be long. They have all the cans and cannots she can do at Carswell. Hope it will help. Steve&kids

That is so nice of you Steve. I really appreciate it. That is the worst, facing the unknown. I have no idea what to expect. Thank you!

Steve, it might be helpful if the Carswell's "can do's & can't do's" are posted in the Texas forum.

This what I know hope it healps.Bryan, TX.

Phone 409-823-1879

Articles Inmate may bring: If married, wedding ring with stone with value less than $100.

Eyeglasses/contact lenses: Not more than $300.

Visitation Schedule: Friday, 5:30pm-8: 30 Pm

Saturday, Sunday and
Federal Holidays, 8:30am-3:00 pm
Subject to change due to overcrowding

Visitor Regulations: No limit on visitors.

Articles Visitors may Bring: Monetary change, normal items, unopened packs of cigarettes if smoker.

Dress Code for Visitors: No see-through clothing or halter-tops.

Visitors: Must have photo I.D.

Digger

I will be reporting to Bryan on August 16th to serve a 20 months sentence. Hopefully only 11 with the good time and last 6months in a half way house or home detention. If you want you can write me after I get there and I will give you the specifics. Do you know what zone youare on? Maybe you wont have to do to time at all.