Planning Ahead at Morgantown

On September 11, 2025, I had the privilege of visiting the Federal Prison Camp at Morgantown. Warden Joshua Bolar and his team welcomed me, and I was grateful for the chance to present in the camp auditorium. The campus itself is scenic and serene, with lakes and rolling hills—it looks more like a small college than a prison.

A Different Environment

Morgantown is a minimum-security camp, and the people there face different challenges than those in higher-security institutions. Still, regardless of where we are confined, we must all live as if we are the CEO of our lives. That means understanding our environment, setting goals, and making plans to advance to the next stage.

Visualize Success

During my presentation, I encouraged the men at Morgantown to think ahead. Many of them are nearing release, and they are focused on the next steps:

• Transitioning to the halfway house or home confinement.
• Adjusting to Supervised Release.
• Working toward early termination of supervision.

I explained that each of these stages comes with its own set of challenges. To the extent that they memorialize their preparations and release plans, they can improve their prospects for success.

Documenting the Journey

By writing biographies, journaling their reflections, drafting release plans, and filing book reports, they create a record of accountability. That record demonstrates that they are preparing for success—not just in words, but in documented action.

These efforts also help us at Prison Professors. The more people who build profiles on our website, the stronger our case becomes when we advocate for reforms that incentivize merit. When stakeholders see documented proof that people in custody are striving to succeed, it becomes harder to deny the value of creating new pathways to freedom.

Gratitude

I left Morgantown encouraged. The men were attentive, engaged, and eager to think about their future beyond confinement. I am grateful to Warden Bolar and his team for making the event possible, and I remain committed to spreading this message: regardless of our past, we can all prepare for a stronger future by living as if we are the CEO of our lives.

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