Scoring Points in the BOP

Every individual facing time in America’s prison system shares a common goal: securing the earliest possible release. The key question is whether they know how to prepare effectively to achieve that goal.

We strongly encourage anyone heading to prison, or those with a loved one in custody, to document all the factors that make them an excellent candidate for relief.

When I write "document all the factors," think about the steps you might take when applying for a job. To convince a potential employer that you’re the ideal candidate, you wouldn’t rely on chance—you’d take deliberate steps to prepare. For instance, you might:

1. Earn the necessary educational credentials to demonstrate your value.
2. Obtain relevant licenses or certifications.
3. Craft a compelling resume that highlights your skills and experience.
4. Research the company to speak confidently during the interview.
5. Provide strong references to vouch for your abilities.

Success often comes down to preparation—and the same is true when pursuing opportunities for early release. Strategic planning and thoughtful documentation can make all the difference.

If your goal is to achieve the highest level of freedom as quickly as possible, it’s essential to invest time and energy into crafting your story. That’s why our nonprofit created and maintains Prison Professors Talent—a platform designed to help individuals present compelling reasons to stakeholders for early transition to home confinement.

Prison Professors Talent: Building Your Profile for Success 

We encourage everyone in our community to create a personal profile on Prison Professors Talent—a free service we designed to empower individuals to demonstrate their readiness for a second chance. While many people in prison hope for freedom, true progress comes from those willing to put in the hard work to earn support for their release. Our mission is to guide and inspire individuals to take meaningful steps toward building a brighter future.

I speak from experience. After serving 26 years in federal prison, I know how critical preparation is. Although I didn’t achieve an early release, the work I put in during my sentence allowed me to succeed after my release in 2013. Since then, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others chart a path toward freedom. By creating a profile on PrisonProfessorsTalent.com, individuals can showcase their growth, highlight their efforts, and make a compelling case for why they deserve a second chance.

Building a profile is most effective when started early—even before entering the prison system. The platform is designed with multiple sections to help individuals craft a well-rounded narrative. These include:

Biography 

Share your story and let others see who you truly are. Don’t let the government’s press release define your identity. Use this space to describe your life, highlight how you’re preparing for success, and show how you’re contributing to your community today to build a better tomorrow.

Journal 

Document your journey through a personal journal. Write as often as you like to demonstrate your commitment to growth. Show, through consistent entries, that you’re not just talking about preparing for success—you’re living it.

Book Reports 

Every book you read is an opportunity for growth. Write reports explaining why you chose each book, what you learned, and how those lessons will help you succeed upon release. This is a powerful way to highlight your dedication to self-improvement.

Release Plan 

Create a detailed plan that outlines your intentional approach to success. Show how the activities you’re engaged in today connect to your vision for the future. A well-prepared release plan demonstrates focus and determination.

Testimonials 

Invite others to contribute testimonials to your profile. These endorsements showcase the support you’ve built within the community and provide evidence of your positive impact. Those who write testimonials for you can become your advocates and champions.

By leveraging these tools, individuals can take control of their narrative, demonstrate their growth, and make a strong case for early release. At Prison Professors Talent, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Earning Points and Tribes

We aim to create a transparent and valuable resource that helps more people understand the importance of building pathways to earn freedom. By contributing to Prison Professors Talent, you play a key role in this mission. Every time you update your profile or submit a response, you earn points—1 point for entries under 300 words and 2 points for entries over 300 words. These points will accumulate throughout your journey, and your profile will display your total points. Our leaderboard highlights the individuals putting in the most effort. If you want to rise to the top, keep working hard.

You can also earn additional points by building your tribe. Become an ambassador for our message by teaching others how to create a profile. When someone follows your guidance and opens a profile, they will earn a point—and you will too. The larger your tribe grows, the more points you gain.

We’re building a movement—the Earning Freedom movement—and we want you to be part of it. Your story is what makes the difference.

You Can Help:

If you have access to a computer, and you want to begin building your profile, you can do so through our website. Or better yet, you can help us cut down on costs by sending an email to our team: Roman@PrisonProfessors.org. In the subject line, please insert identifying information. Roman may respond directly with instructions.

But I encourage you to watch the accompanying video to this blog, because we want you to see what excellence looks like when building a profile that will advance your prospects for liberty, at the soonest possible time.

🔍 Self-Directed Questions

1. What is your primary reason for wanting an earlier release, and how are you actively working to show that you’re ready for it?
   
   
2. In what ways have you already started documenting your personal growth or transformation? How could you improve your efforts?
   
   
3. If a case manager or judge reviewed your profile today, what would it reveal about your readiness for a second chance?
   
   
4. What steps have you taken—or could you take—to earn educational credentials, certifications, or other proof of your commitment to success?
   
   
5. How does your biography on Prison Professors Talent reflect your true story and potential, rather than just your past mistakes?
   
   
6. What books have you read that influenced your thinking, and how can you use book reports to show your commitment to growth?
   
   
7. Have you developed a clear release plan? How does that plan align with your daily activities right now?
   
   
8. Who in your life could provide a testimonial about your character and growth? Have you asked them to write something in support of your journey?
   
   
9. What strategies can you use to build your tribe and support others in creating their own profiles on Prison Professors Talent?
   
   
10. Are you consistently earning points by contributing to your profile? What’s stopping you from moving to the top of the leaderboard—and how will you overcome those obstacles?

Consider using the questions above as prompts to build your profile.