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# Justice Advocacy Group LLC

Justice Advocacy Group LLC

## Posts

- [Federal Bureau of Prisons - Facility Closures / Operational Changes](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/federal-bureau-of-prisons-facility-closures-operational-changes/) - While we welcome infrastructure repairs and the BOP's attempts to fill much needed open positions, this news is unfortunate. These measures negatively impact hundreds of inmates and their families. It will result in overcrowding at dozens of institutions that will remain on mission. This also comes after the Bureau deactivated FCI Terminal Island (a 900-bed
- [BOP is Closing Several FPC and FCI Prison Facilities](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/bop-is-closing-several-fpc-and-fci-prison-facilities/) - The Bureau of Prisons is ‘deactivating’ its Duluth Federal Prison Camp. “The FBOP faces several significant challenges, including a critical staffing shortage, crumbling infrastructure, and limited budgetary resources” (a BOP press release noted). BOP is also closing additional facilities including prison camps and a federal correctional institution due to infrastructure concerns and related inefficiencies. It
- [First Step Act Earned Time Credits in Brief](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/first-step-act-earned-time-credits-in-brief/) - FSA credits sheet (May 2024) - accurate reference regarding the application of FSA credits First Step Act of 2018: Earned Time Credits FSA Time Credits (May 2024): Federal Defenders & Sentencing Resource Council (source)
- [The Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court: BOP Custody / Current Status of BOP / Early Release & Reentry: Washington DC, 2/15/24](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/the-edward-bennett-williams-inn-of-court-bop-custody-current-status-of-bop-early-release-reentry-washington-dc-2-15-24/) - Edward Bennett Williams - storied and stellar in career and remembrance - holding intelligent and prestigious gatherings discussing relevant issues and seeking pathways to improvement (continuing the admirable work of EBW). The Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court holds monthly programs on a range of relevant topics for Inn members, who are both white-collar defense
- [The Latest First Step Act (FSA) Updates Relevant to Note](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/the-latest-first-step-act-fsa-updates-relevant-to-note/) - BOP policy statement/change notice regarding FSA implementations highlighting the applicability now for inmates with outstanding detainers to have eligibility in accruing program credits. BOP Policy Statement 5410.01 CN-2 (3/10/23): 'Change Notice' to First Step Act of 2018 - Time Credits: Procedures for Implementation of 18 U.S.C § 3632(d)(4) DOJ issuing its first executive summary with
- [First Step Act (FSA) Recent Changes/Updates from DOJ-BOP / Updated DOJ-BOP Home Confinement Guidance Memo / Presidential End to Covid Emergency Status in May](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/first-step-act-fsa-recent-changes-updates-from-doj-bop-updated-doj-bop-home/) - Recent changes to the FSA program statement have updated various aspects of time credit application procedures - as seen in DOJ/BOP’s recent notice regarding FSA’s eligibility process [Procedures/Implementation 18 U.S.C. § 3632(d)(4) policy statement change notice 2/6/23]. It effects ‘Risk/Need Assessment’ with prerelease custody’s periodic reassessments; ‘Earning of FTCs’ with regards to final risk assessments
- [Notable Justice Advocacy Group Firm Expertise Highlight](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/notable-justice-advocacy-group-firm-expertise-highlight/) - The success of taking incarceration’s lessons learned and rebuilding a constructive life takes a unique strength, diligence, and perseverance. What Ivy has done has been enormously impactful and beneficial. Society and the community are made better for her efforts and the diverse, tangible help she offers to others. She’s been instrumental to so many and
- [Added Clarification of First Step Act Early Release Eligibility and Time Credit Application](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/added-clarification-of-first-step-act-early-release-eligibility-and-time-credit-application/) - As follow-up to the Department of Justice 1/13/22 release (noted in previous FSA update), the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts’ 1/31/22 supplemental memorandum provides clarification of eligibility for home confinement, pre-release and supervised release, and time credits/number of days available with early release criteria. It also notes added resources being made available to manage the
- [DOJ-BOP Formally Implementing 'First Step Act' Time Credits: Codifying Rules and Procedures for Earning and Application](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/doj-bop-formally-implementing-first-step-act-time-credits-codifying-rules-and-procedures-for-earning-and-application/) - BOP transferring inmates from Federal facilities to pre-release and early supervised release - formalizing how FSA time credits are applied - 10 to 15 days for each 30 day period of satisfactorily completed 'Evidence-Based Recidivism Reduction Programs' and 'Productive Activities' (w/earned credits eligibility applied retroactively to 12/21/18) - please contact Justice Advocacy Group LLC for
- [Bipartisan legislation to reform the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program and Compassionate Release from federal prisons - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/bipartisan-legislation-to-reform-the-elderly-home-detention-pilot-program/) - Amid the COVID-19 public health pandemic, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, authors of the bipartisan First Step Act, introduced bipartisan legislation to reform the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program and compassionate release from federal prisons … Elderly offenders, the fastest-growing portion of the prison population, have
- [Clients Who Have Received Clemency through the Trump Administration](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/clients-who-have-received-clemency-through-the-trump-administration/) - The Justice Advocacy Group notes a number of its clients have received pardons and commutations from the Trump Administration. They are listed below in some detail. Portions of the White House Press Secretary’s releases are included (edited for brevity) - and with direct reference to the Press Secretary’s full announcements regarding the clemencies also below.
- [Recent BOP/DOJ and Congressional Updating Regarding First Step Act [FSA]](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/recent-bopdoj-and-congressional-updating-regarding-first-step-act-fsa/) - Two years after enactment of the First Step Act (12/21/18), the Attorney General recently submitted a progress summary reviewing FSA implementation, the status of recidivism reduction programs/activities, and the still developing ‘Risk & Needs Assessment System’
- [Further FSA Update](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/further-fsa-update/) - Regarding the most recent FSA updates - two issues are initially worth comment: * For earned time credits FSA/BOP note completed ‘days’ of programming and ‘hours’ of programming accumulated, but how many hours constitutes a day remained vague.
- [January 2020 Updates to First Step Act - Earned Credits Programming Still in Development and Not Fully Implemented [Could be Another Year or Two]](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/january-2020-updates-to-first-step-act-earned-credits-programming-still-in-development-and-not-fully-implemented-could-be-another-year-or-two/) - As of January 15th 2020 - all BOP inmates will receive assignment for participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction (EBRR) programs and productive activities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) notes on 1/17/20 that it “continues to make significant progress towards the successful implementation of the First Step Act (FSA)” and “is continuing its work on
- [DOJ Announces Release of Inmates Under First Step Act and Publishes FSA 'Risks and Needs Assessment System'](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/doj-announces-release-of-inmates-under-first-step-act/) - The Department of Justice announced on 7/19/19 with regards to the First Step Act (FSA) that over 3,100 federal inmates are being released, prioritization of resources fully funding FSA have been secured, and the awaited publication of FSA’s ‘Risk and Needs Assessment System’ (RNAS) is completed and now available. Rehabilitative programming and earned time credits
- [Elderly Offender Home Detention / First Step Act / Compassionate Release](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/elderly-offender-home-detention-first-step-act-compassionate-release/) - BOP issued a revised Compassionate Release program statement in January 2019 regarding elderly offender home confinement and recent considerations of the First Step Act. Programs are expanding for both elderly and terminally ill inmates better suited for home confinement - either lower risk level/lower needs - or terminal illness and Compassionate Release Sentence Reduction. Statutory
- [Recent BOP Revisions to RDAP Policies](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/recent-bop-revisions-to-rdap-related-policies/) - The BOP has revised aspects of their Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) as published in the Federal Register and set to become policy on May 26, 2016. Criteria prohibiting early release for specific offenses like firearm possession have unfortunately remained in place, but previous criteria for prior such convictions precluding an individual's eligibility for early
- [Justice Advocacy Group Staff Highlight](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/justice-advocacy-group-staff-highlight/) - The Justice Advocacy Group prides itself on having the right individuals on staff contributing to a project’s goals and ideal end result. Ivy Woolf Turk joining our firm has proven quite valuable, especially to female clients heading into the federal system. Ivy’s breadth of knowledge regarding female federal institutions is thorough and the benefit to
- [Bipartisan Effort to Reduce the Federal Prison Population ](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/bipartisan-effort-to-reduce-the-federal-prison-population/) - Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced they will seek reductions in the number of federal prisoners and the substantial associated costs of incarceration, while additionally seeking to build upon programs designed to ease recidivism. Their proposed legislation compliments other bills recently introduced in Congress intended to reduce the federal prison population via
- [U.S.S.C. Proposes Amendments to Fraud Related Guidelines ](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/u-s-s-c-proposes-amendments-to-fraud-related-guidelines/) - The United States Sentencing Commission recently voted to publish proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines including significant revisions to areas governing fraud. The Commission also proposes an amendment to reflect the Drug Enforcement Agency's rescheduling of hydrocodone. These amendments are preliminary proposals put forward for public comment. Subsequent to that period which runs through
- [Former U.S. Representatives Announce Task Force on Federal Corrections](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/former-u-s-representatives-announce-task-force-on-federal-corrections/) - Former Congressional Representatives J.C. Watts and Alan Mollohan have established the Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections - a nine member blue ribbon panel with a Congressional mandate to review challenges in the federal corrections system and identify practical policy responses. Charles Colson of Watergate era notoriety has been active in building faith-based prison
- [Justice Advocacy Group is Pleased to Announce it has Partnered with MCM Data Consulting  ](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/the-justice-advocacy-group-is-pleased-to-announce-it-has-partnered-with-mcm-data-consulting/) - MCM Data Consulting is the culmination of a decade of experience analyzing federal sentencing data maintained by the United States Sentencing Commission (U.S.S.C.). Utilizing this U.S.S.C. data, MCM Data Consulting prepares analyses for defense attorneys to ensure that an individual’s recommended sentence is in line with sentences imposed on similarly-situated individuals. The U.S.S.C. data contains
- [U.S.S.C. / Drug Sentence Reductions ](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/u-s-s-c-drug-sentence-reductions/) - Press release from the United States Sentencing Commission announcing latest drug sentence reduction amendments to guidelines as retroactive. 46,290 inmates eligible to have cases reviewed by the courts. Average sentence reduction potentially up to two years. Criteria based on public safety factors and general appropriateness. Courts begin hearing individual petitions in November 2014: U.S.S.C. / Unanimously
- [U.S. DOJ / BOP Re-Entry Policy Developments](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/doj-bop-re-entry-policy-developments/) - Expanding opportunities for pre-release and community reintegration as promoted by the DOJ: U.S. DOJ: Attorney General Eric Holder Convenes Inaugural Cabinet-Level Re-Entry Council President Obama and Attorney General Holder’s developing policies and budget commitments regarding alternatives to incarceration and community re-entry: U.S. DOJ: Attorney General Holder Announces President Obama’s Budget - Proposes $173 Million for
- [U.S. Incarceration Rate Highest in the World ](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/u-s-incarceration-rate-highest-in-the-world/) - Department of Justice Correctional Data: Correctional Populations in the United States: DOJ Correctional Statistics Memo PEW Research Study / One in 100 - Behind Bars in America: PEW Research Study: Incarceration Rate in U.S. as Highest in the World
- [Federal Prosecutions](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/federal-prosecutions/) - The experience of this particular client offers pertinent insights into corporate related considerations regarding federal prosecutions: What Every White Collar Executive Needs to Know A sitting Federal Judge comments frankly and insightfully on the nature of many federal prosecutions and their plea bargaining methods: Why Innocent People Plead Guilty

## Pages

- [Home](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/) - Need assistance? Have questions? Please contact the Justice Advocacy Group for any questions you have regarding our sentencing and corrections consultation services.
- [Testimonials](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-experience/testimonials/)
- [In the News/Media](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/in-the-newsmedia/) - - In a recent piece from the Wall Street Journal anticipating the time ahead for Sam Bankman-Fried, Joel Sickler offered perspective on what lay ahead and how security level classification plays a primary role dictating a prison environment where one will be assigned. In different security levels, “the atmospherics, the tension, the type of inmate
- [Noteworthy Cases](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-experience/noteworthy-cases/) - Client Name Court Firm Varsity Blues / College Admissions Scandal Over a dozen defendants including: Felicity Huffman, Jane Buckingham, Elizabeth Holmes, Ramesh Balwani, David Sidoo, Michelle Janavs and Augustin Huneeus DMA Various firms including: Foley Hoag, Boston Law Offices of Martin Weinberg, Boston Chesnoff & Schonfeld, Las Vegas Durie Tangri LLP, Los Angeles Ropes &
- [Presentations & Trainings](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/meet-joel-sickler/presentations-trainings/) - Panelist, Edward Bennett Williams Inn of the Court, presented with Michael Horowitz, DOJ Inspector General, Seth Eichenholtz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Vanessa Rojas, Returning Citizen on Bureau of Prisons needed reforms. Washington, DC, February 15, 2024 Presenter, American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, “Breaking the Glass Ceiling in White Collar Crime and Punishment.” Washington,
- [Meet Joel Sickler](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/meet-joel-sickler/) - Joel Sickler has worked in the field of sentencing and prisoner advocacy for more than 30 years and is the founder of the Justice Advocacy Group LLC in Alexandria, VA.
- [Resources](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/resources/) - Defendants & Families | Latest News | Publications Justice Advocacy Group (JAG) staff is diverse in background and highly qualified in their areas of expertise. JAG lawyers, investigators, writers, researchers and corrections specialists are the best in their fields and proactively combine efforts in a client’s defense. Joel Sickler has worked with his staff for many years developing a
- [Firms](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-experience/firms/)
- [Our Experience](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-experience/) - Testimonials | Noteworthy Cases | Firms The Justice Advocacy Group aids criminal defense lawyers nationally and their clients preparing strategic defense sentencing planning, sentencing guidelines research and presentation of mitigation evidence. The group also works in the areas of federal prisoner classification and facility designation, program application methods and advising on early release reentry pre-release services. Promise and Commitment
- [Contact Us](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/contact-us/) - Justice Advocacy Group, LLC
- [Defendants & Families](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/resources/defendants-families/) - The dedication and experience of the Justice Advocacy Group is uniquely qualified, widely recognized and highly capable as a results oriented advocate. Hiring JAG will be a decision you will not regret. There is a sense of security knowing someone who is the absolute best in the field is working on your behalf as you
- [International Treaty Transfers](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-services/international-treaty-transfers/) - With regards to non-citizens in pre-trial proceedings facing conviction and likely incarceration, the U.S. has treaties in place with many nations offering a non-citizen the opportunity (if eligible) to serve their sentence within their home country. It is an intricate process that requires diligence in terms of paperwork and the bureaucracies involved. JAG is quite
- [Federal Sentencing Assistance](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-services/federal-sentencing-assistance/) - The Justice Advocacy Group LLC has 30 plus years of experience preparing clients for sentencing in U.S. District Court. We work with criminal defense lawyers researching and investigating non-custodial sentencing options, sentencing mitigation and other ways to lessen the impact of incarceration on clients. We are intimately familiar with the United States Sentencing Guidelines and
- [Federal Confinement Advocacy](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-services/federal-confinement-advocacy/) - We have vast experience helping clients cope with federal confinement issues. Based on more than 30 years of experience assisting clients committed to the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), we possess extensive knowledge of the BOP and its stated mission, services, policies, program statements, regulations, and institutions. Mr. Sickler has visited 51 federal prisons and
- [Re-Entry Services](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-services/re-entry-services/) - We are extremely active in helping clients obtain pre-release transfers to BOP contracted Residential Re-Entry Centers (i.e., community confinement centers or halfway houses). We work carefully with the BOP’s Residential Re-Entry Managers in the district of release. We thoroughly prepare the client for the re-entry process. It is vitally important that a client understands what they
- [Publications](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/resources/publications/) - Co-Author, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, “Bureau of Prisons Update: More Beds Less Rehabilitation,” The Champion, March 2005. Contributor, with Steven Vance, of chapter “Sentencing Alternatives in the Federal System,” in Matthew Bender treatise, Federal Sentencing for Business Crimes, by Kirby D. Behre & A. Jeff Ifrah, Washington, D.C., 2002. Editor, The Sentencing Advocate,
- [Memberships](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/meet-joel-sickler/memberships/) - Professional Member, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Washington, D.C. Associate Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Washington, D.C. Member of Corrections Committee. Professional Member, National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists, Washington, D.C. Served on Governing Board June 1997 – June 2001. Elected and served as Vice-President July 1998 – July 2000.
- [Our Services](https://justiceadvocacygroupllc.com/our-services/) - Federal Sentencing Assistance | Federal Confinement Advocacy | Re-Entry Services | International Treaty Transfers Offering assistance to criminal defense lawyers and their clients with the preparation of comprehensive sentencing memoranda and strategic defense sentencing planning. Specialized services include: Sentencing guidelines research and analysis Capital mitigation investigation and presentation of mitigation evidence Preparation of comprehensive sentencing reports and evaluations in major
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