Making Things Right

Lesson Summary

This lesson focuses on one of the most important parts of a sentencing narrative: showing what you are doing to make things right. Judges want more than apologies; they want evidence that you are taking responsibility seriously and transforming your life. As Judge Bennett and Judge Bough have emphasized, they want to see the "person behind the case" and understand how you are responding to your past choices.

The lesson begins with a transition from Lessons Learned. Recognizing past failures is important, but it is incomplete without clear action steps. Words without follow-through are meaningless. The "Making Things Right" section demonstrates how you are translating reflection into behavior that proves accountability and growth.

The Four Pillars of Reconciliation

1. Education

A central step is embracing education. Reading philosophy, history, faith texts, and works on leadership or responsibility is more than passing time—it reshapes values. By documenting your study, you show the judge (and later the Bureau of Prisons) that you are investing in self-improvement. This documentation should continue throughout your prison term, building a record of consistent growth.

2. Sobriety

Many people enter custody with a history of alcohol or drug use. Incarceration creates forced sobriety, but reconciliation requires turning that into a conscious commitment. Acknowledging past misuse, admitting its role in poor judgment, and committing to treatment or support programs demonstrates maturity and accountability.

3. Service

Offenses often cause harm to society, even when no one person can be identified as the victim. One way to repair harm is to contribute positively to others. The narrative can outline plans to mentor peers, share lessons through writing or speaking, and help others avoid similar mistakes. Judges respond well when defendants show they are not only focused on themselves but also on preventing harm in the future.

4. Restitution

Financial accountability is also part of reconciliation. Even when resources are limited, demonstrating a plan to repay restitution shows sincerity. This may include commitments to employment, disciplined living, and prioritizing restitution over personal comfort after release.

Forward-Looking Plan

The lesson then emphasizes the need for a forward-looking plan. A three-pillar approach—education and personal growth, sobriety and discipline, and service with restitution—provides a clear framework. Each pillar should be supported with concrete actions, not vague promises.

Connection to Long-Term Mitigation

Finally, the transcript ties reconciliation to the broader mitigation strategy. Judges are not the only audience; this narrative will later influence custody classifications, program eligibility, home confinement decisions, supervised release outcomes, and even clemency petitions. The knowledge base you are building through this process can support all those stages.

By the end of this section, you will be able to draft a powerful statement that not only acknowledges the harm you caused but also proves you are committed to repairing it for the rest of your life.