When you are facing criminal charges, there are many potential outcomes of the case. If you are convicted of a federal charge, you might be facing time in the federal prison system. You should prepare for possible time in prison if you have been convicted and are awaiting your sentencing hearing.
There are many things that you might need to prepare for if you are going to be incarcerated. You should think about these points even if there is only a small chance that you will have to go to prison.
Get your finances in order
Going to prison is more expensive than some people realize. You need to plan to have money put into your account at the prison. There are limits to how much can be put on the books, so find this out so you don’t try to overdo it. There may also be a maximum amount you can spend on each order. On top of this, you also need to plan for money to be put into the account that enables you to make phone calls home.
Find out about the security level
Some of the preparation you need to make depends on the security level of the prison where you are likely going to find yourself. Lower security levels mean that you aren’t likely going to be housed around violent inmates, so you might not need to worry about your safety. Higher security levels mean you may want to take a self defense course or get yourself into the best shape possible.
Handle any medical issues
Even though you can get basic medical care in prison, this isn’t going to be anything like what you can get at home. You might find that it takes much longer to get the care you need if you are locked up. By addressing any known issues with your health, including dental or vision needs, you can go into prison with a clear plan for what needs to happen.
Plan your time
You will have a lot of time to do things in prison. Before you go in, decide what you want to do. By looking into the prisons you may be sent you, it is possible to see what will be available. You might want to read a book or write one. Sometimes, taking educational courses is possible. You are less likely to get into trouble in prison if you have something to focus on when there is downtime.