The Bureau of Prisons Sentence Computation Description

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A 60-90 Minute Presentation On Sentence Computation

Sentence Computation, Primary Jurisdiction, Designations, and Early Release Eligibility based
on successful completion of the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP) are
complex and fraught with exceptions. In this class we bring experienced, retired Bureau of
Prisons personnel to present and answer questions or developing strategies as to how to get
the questions answered.

Following is an overview of our presentation:

Title:     “The Bureau of Prisons and Sentence Computations”

Description: This class presents information to help attorneys, paralegals and investigators
better understand Bureau of Prison’s policies on Sentence Computation. Based on Bureau of
Prisons policies, this presentation gives insights into how sentence computations factors that
can cause untimely releases. The presentation provides proactive measures that attorneys can
take to better assist their clients in advance of sentencing.

Objectives:
1) Understand how the Bureau of Prisons calculates sentences
2) Understand how the Designation and Sentence Computation Center operates
3) Understand how to define Primary Custody
4) Understand how BOP determines Community Confinement
5) Understand factors that cause untimely releases
6) Understand Compassionate Release and the factors considered

Presentation Outline:
• Overview of the Bureau of Prisons Designation Process
• Organization of the Designation and Sentence Computation Center
• Bureau of Prisons’ Responsibility In Sentence Computation
• Defining Commencement of Sentence
• Prior Custody Credits
• Nunc Pro Tunc Decisions
• Calculation of Good Conduct Time
• Multiple Sentences (Concurrent vs Consecutive)
• Determining Primary Custody
• Community Confinement Programs
• Causes of Untimely Releases
• Johnson v United States Computations Post Sentence
• Compassionate Release
• Q&A

Contact: Walt Pavlo Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 858-5008 1


Course Materials:
This is a live presentation that will utilize PowerPoint, interactive video, Internet, and handouts
to present the best practices and resources available for attorneys to guide clients facing
incarceration.

Presenters:
Jack Donson is the co-founder of Prisonology. Jack (CV Attached) retired from the Federal
Bureau of Prisons (BOP) after a 23 year career, during which he received national recognition in
various case management capacities. Prior to his position at the BOP, he was a probation and
parole officer in Pennsylvania at both the county and state levels. He currently serves as a
Director for FedCURE, a national non-profit advocacy group for prison reform. He also founded
and operates a prison consulting firm in New York City. He is on the Corrections Committee for
both the American Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
He co-developed Prisonology, an on-line educational tool for attorneys to help them prepare
their clients for prison.

Pete Dedes retired from the Bureau of Prisons in August 2017 after 30 years of meritorious
service. As part of his duties, he acted as Inmate Systems Manager until the position changed
to Supervisory Correctional Systems Specialist due to the BOP mission change of sentence
computations being moved to the Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC),
Grand Prairie, TX.

Pete has extensive training in all sentencing matters, including Complex Sentences
(Concurrent/Consecutive), Old-Law, SRA, VCCLEA, PLRA, D.C. Sentences, Military sentences,
and jail credit issues. He received Legal Technician Training, Sentence Computation Training,
Advanced Sentence Computation Training, Inmate Systems Supervisor’s Training, Inmate
Systems Manager’s Training and NCIC Instructor.

Contact: Walt Pavlo Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 858-5008 2


Curriculum Vitae

Jack Thomas Donson


44 Wall Street
New York, NY 10009
Email:[email protected]
Telephone (212) 461-2252

Employment History

September 2014-Current: Prisonology (VP- Operations & CLE Development)


www.Prisonology.site

April 2013-Current: Executive Director of Out4Good, LTD , 44 Wall Street, 13th Floor, New
York, NY 10005 (212) 461 -2335 www.out4good.org

June 2011-Current: President of My Federal Prison Consultant, LLC, 44 Wall Street, 12th
Floor, New York, NY 10005 (212) 461-2252 www.mfpcllc.com

July 2011-Current: Director of Program and Case Management Services, Fed CURE,
Plantation, Florida (Prison & legislation reform advocacy-nonprofit) www.fedcure.org

January 2013-Current, Lecturer-Marywood University, Scranton, PA- Criminal Justice


Professor-Currently teaching courses entitled “Community Corrections and Shadow and
Service”.

April 2015-current: Board of Directors-Choosing Integrity, Greentown, PA


www.choosingintegrity.org

1988-2011: Federal Bureau of Prisons, Correctional Treatment Specialist- Retired


• Case Management related positions responsible for the counseling, classification and
preparation of inmates for re-entry. I coordinated several institution programs and trained
staff in Correctional Programs related areas.
• Special expertise with high profile Organized crime figures, the Witness Protection
(WITSEC) program & White Collar Crime offenders
• Alternate Case Management Coordinator 1991 to 2011

Contact: Walt Pavlo Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 858-5008 3


• Assignments in the Regional Office, Philadelphia, PA. (CIM Coordinator/Correctional
programs), New York City Community Corrections Office (processing designations and
halfway house referrals) & several National (DC) policy writing work groups
• Annual Training Instructor in the areas of security designation and classification, Central
Inmate Monitoring (CIM,), FOIA/Privacy Act & Victim Witness program.
• Member of Hostage Negotiations Team in the capacity of Lead Negotiator.
• Received National Awards for Excellence in Administration & Detention Procedures &
National Correctional Treatment Specialist of the Year.
• Taught Institution familiarization orientation to new staff & was assigned as a Mentor and
trainer for college interns and newly appointed case managers and counselors
• Held assignments as Camp Administrator, Case Management Coordinator, Unit Manager
and held the position of Assistant Case Management Coordinator.
• Worked in minimum, low, medium, administrative (including high security) & Witness
Security (WITSEC) units-

1988-1989: Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer, FBOP

• Responsible for working various corrections posts throughout the prison including
inmate housing units, compound and perimeter patrol. (Medium facility-FCI)

1986-1988: Probation and Parole Officer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania


• Supervised a caseload of 100 offenders. Appeared in court on a weekly basis, prepared
Pre-sentence reports (PSR), submitted parole recommendations to the court and provided
community supervision of offenders and managed the work release program.

1986-1995: Army National Guard, SGT, Easton, PA

• Military Police (MP-95 Bravo), Ft. McClellan, AL


• Stinger Missile Gunner (16 Sierra), Ft. Gordon, Ga.

Education
Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice 1997 (Concentration in Public Administration)

East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania


• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology 1985

Awards
• 1998 National Community Corrections Award
• 1990 National Correctional Treatment Specialist of the Year
• 1991 National Excellence In Annual Training Award
• Received dozens of other monetary personal achievement awards

Contact: Walt Pavlo Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 858-5008 4


Other Activities/memberships
• Testified on Capitol Hill to the Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections
• Appointment to the NACDL Corrections Committee 2011
• Appointment to the ABA Corrections Committee 2012
• Authored articles published in the “News & Views” (AO) and “The Debt Beat”
• Member of the Prison Reform, Sentencing Reform & Re-entry Work Groups (PRWG)
• Associate member of the ABA & NACDL
• Member of the PA Prison Society
• Board member-Choosing Integrity (501 C3)
• Overall offender advocacy & general Federal prison & legislative reform efforts
• Guest presenter for the Course entitled “Engaging Incarcerated Parents”, PA Child
Welfare Training Program, University of Pittsburgh

In-Court Testimony and Training


• November 8 - Training at Federal Defenders Office San Diego, CA
• November 7 - Training Federal Judges San Francisco, CJA Training San Francisco
• June 14, 2017 - Training Session for U.S. Probation Office and U.S. District Court Judges,
District of CT
• May 18, 2017 - Thrills and Skills Training for Office of Public Defender Eastern Washington
and Idaho
• March 16, 2017 - Training Session on BOP Issues Regarding Sentencing in Bridgeport
Federal Courthouse (District of Connecticut at invitation of U.S. District Judge Stefan
Underhill and Judge Victor Bolden)
• March 13, 2017 - Southern District of New York, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff (Reference
Case: 16-cr-246003 (JSR))
• February 27, 2017 - District of New Jersey, U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan (Reference
Case: 3:16-cr-00430-PGS)
• February 8, 2017 - District of New Jersey CJA Annual Training
• November 15, 2016, Eastern District of Washington, U.S. District Judge Edward F. Shea
(Reference Case: 2:11-cr-00195-EFS)
• May 11, 2016, District of Maryland, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander (Reference Case:
1:13-cr-00151-ELH-34)
• January 29, 2016 - Eastern District of Tennessee, U.S. District Judge Harry Mattice
(Reference Case: 1:15-cr-18 )
• January 29, 2016 - Eastern District of Tennessee, U.S. District Judge Harry Mattice
(Reference Case: 4:14-cr-29)

Contact: Walt Pavlo Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 858-5008 5

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