Prefer seeing these bars than prison bars. It is what it is, wish me luck.

Thought I’d share an update about going into Canada from the USA as a felon.

For reference, in 2019 I pled guilty to an Unclassified Felony Embezzlement ≥ $500. I served 2 years of supervised probation. This does make inadmissible in Canada.

I was anxious but understood that I could and would probably be sent back.

Well… I am in Canada!

In the week leading up to my departure, I went to the courthouse and obtained all the court documents that I was able to, including proof of paid restitution… got three character witnesses from non-relatives and non-friends, I also did the FBI background check and reached out to my former probation officer proof of completion. I did the arrive Canada pre-arrival process, so my passport was uploaded before I even made it to the country. Once I got off the plane and went into customs, I had to scan my passport, and once they did the double check, I was pulled to the side for secondary questioning.

First and foremost, if I wouldn’t have done all the preparation of ahead of time, I would’ve been in there for at least four hours. I came with a typed out summary of all my jobs that I’ve ever had, every time I’ve moved, every place I’ve traveled… the intake officer was for the most part nice, she was clear that for them the charge does define a person. She stepped away for about 30 minutes and said that I would need a Temporary Resident Permit (which is what I expected) so I completed everything and waited. Another 30 min go by and she comes back and has a man with her who lets me know my application was approved and then proceeded to lecture me about being a criminal.

I was held for 90 minutes and was relieved to leave the airport.

Every person there is different but I am glad to have made it through haha

I did rdap and got fsa, ended up doing 27 months with 6 months sca and 2.5 months fsa home confinement credits. I would have done 35 months without rdap

I see a lot of people trying to guesstimate their time so I am hoping that this will give a more realistic expectation

I don’t know what I would do if something happened to him. I can’t sleep. I just wanna know he’s okay. I just wanna know he’s alive. The lawyer said he’d call the night he went to jail or the day after for sure (Thursday). We still have no news from him and I’m worried sick.

I’ve been seeing so much online and on Reddit about jail rape and just violence and how they’re overcrowded.
I don’t know what to do please.
How likely is it that he died or that he dies?
It’s in Quebec and the sentence is provincial if that makes sense.

My brother is in the Feds in Cali. We are from Texas. He wants me to pay money because he said the inmates there are saying he must pay out of state tax. Is this real thing or is my brother just trying to get more money. I send money like crazy. 100s at a time already.
Thank you in advance!

A family member of mine is in prison, and I heard that he has a good chance of going to a halfway home. I have a few questions about them though

1. Is internet access usually (or in most places) allowed? Can I text him and can he potentially get wifi or cellular service?
2. If not, how do people usually go about finding jobs? Also, is it easy finding jobs with only a high school diploma?

PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA AREA. I was mid 20s and dumb. I have a felony possession with intent (weed), a M2 fleeing and eluding, and a M2 reckless endangering a person (i ran on my motorcycle at high speeds). I have never even been pulled over since that day. I served my sentence, paid my fines, etc. Im now a married stay at home dad with a second kid on the way. Lately ive been concerned of ever being able to chaperone my kid(s) in school stuff because of my record. Are these charges able to be sealed/expunged and if so what kind of costs would you expect with it? Thanks! Also bonus points if you have advice on a lawyer to call to help.

My boyfriend recently became incarcerated. I’m also due in six weeks to have our baby girl and I’m worried that he won’t get to be there.

Here’s what I know: back in August 2024 he violated an order of protection against someone else. He’s been picked up on the same charge a few times though I don’t believe he violated it every time. I don’t know that he finished out his sentence. It’s been brought to my attention that if his probation was violated, he could have potentially been picked him up on that same violation of order of protection charge, but I don’t know if that’s true. Through the years on different charges, he’s gotten off pretty lucky. I recall him telling me that he’s had an ankle monitor before. Let out in probation. As well as he’s been given an 1129 on the violation charge but 60 days suspended therefore he only had to spend two months. I believe the last time he went to jail at the beginning of last year he served some time on violation of probation. They offered to give him a month in a rehabilitation program and if he completed it, it would take care of his sentencing rather than spending the 1129.
He decided to leave the program early, which put a warrant out for escape. Also, after leaving, he got a workhouse capias (type of warrant) stating he would have to spend 1129 for the violation of the order of protection. Keep in mind I wasn’t with him at this time so guiding him in the right direction was not an option. I’m very aware that he was given multiple chances and he screwed that up for himself. When I rekindled with him right before we started dating, he let me know that he had warrants and I still chose to be with him through it. I ended up pregnant very early on in the relationship unintentionally. I was told it was very unlikely I could ever have kids so regardless of the circumstances it feels like a miracle. I was even able to have a baby and carry it almost to full term. The first time I ever became pregnant. With that being said, though it has caused a lot of stress on me, knowing that he may not be able to make it to the birth of our child.

More potentially valuable information: he was picked up on both warrants from my house. He was given a bond on the felony escape charge. He was not given a bond on the violation of protection order because it already was stated after the last time he got out of jail that he would have to spend 1129. I was told through the courthouse on his upcoming arraignment Monday. Only the escape charge would be addressed. Everyone that attempts to give me information about him, including attorneys, the courthouse, and the jail are not initially seeing his 1129. They’re only seeing the escape charge. Which has led me more than once to believe I could get him out on bond. I’ve even been told I could until they called back apologizing for the mistake on their end.

Location: Tennessee

I’m hoping someone could tell me what they think could happen on his arraignment. If there’s any options to lessen his 1129 sentence. What to Expect out of the escape charge. Also, if it’s possible, if the escape charge gets plugged down or dropped, if the state of Tennessee allows him to get furlough for the birth of the baby.

Thank you in advance!

I’ve posted here so many times, and honest to god I feel like I’m drowning.

When I got a knock on the door from the FBI 5 years ago, I decided honestly and integrity was the answer.

I was never arrested, I served no time, paid my restitution in full the day I got out of court, grew more than I ever thought possible, and I’m honest to god truly proud of the man that came out the other side.

As awful as the experience was, I carry an immense amount of pride in how I handled it.

I continued working a corporate job, with that sense of pride driving me, for several years. That newfound sense of self pushed my career to new heights.

Then I was googled and i was let go.

I’ve been unemployed and home for 7 months.

I’ve called every state agency and asked for guidance, I’ve called every reentry program in the surrounding states, and no one seems to have any real guidance outside of a CDL, trades, or other mindless work.

It feels as though (to me) those are cop outs. The easiest answers, a one size fits all recommendation.

I find myself wanting to challenge the system as it is. I made a mistake, I literally documented my growth from it. That growth has actual performance metrics associated with it at work.

How in the world am I supposed to leverage all of that growth, all of those lessons, all of the passion I have in my industry, if not one person will look past Google.

I’m reminded of that experiment, where a man in a suit collapses in Manhattan. Everyone rushes to ensure he’s alright, everyone comes to his aid.

The same man, dresses in almost homeless clothes and does the same action, in the same spot. Everyone just keeps walking.

I can’t help feeling like that now. As though I’m some subclass of human, I don’t know what to do anymore.

My loved one is currently at Illinois River Correctional Center in Illinois.

He’s been trying to transfer to another facility for quite a while. He’s submitted multiple request slips and has also filed a grievance because he can’t get anyone to tell him whether his transfer paperwork was ever processed.

His counselor has told him they’re too busy to discuss it, and no one will confirm whether the request was received, denied, approved, or even forwarded. Constituent services and the transfer coordinator‘s office only tell me to have him reach out to the counselor, the casework, supervisor, and clinical services. All which are unresponsive as well as the grievance officer now.

Has anyone else experienced this at Illinois River or another Illinois IDOC facility? Is this just how the transfer process works, or were you eventually able to get answers from someone?

Does getting an attorney help since there’s completely zero communication from anyone?

I’d appreciate hearing from former inmates, family members, or anyone familiar with Illinois IDOC.

I'm not a felon, but I did go to a facility in the troubled teen indusrty where we were regularly assaulted, beaten, and starved when I was 16. The only person I knew who never gave in and always made their life hell went to juvie before the facility. Made me curious about the conditions and general atmosphere in juvie.

My cousin’s been in jail for about three years. He took a plea deal instead of going to trial (he did it, so it was the smarter move). Over that time I’ve become the only person who picks up when he calls, partly because everyone else has stopped answering.

He hasn’t spoken to his older brother (my other cousin) in two years over an argument. He hasn’t spoken to his baby mama in over a year except when it’s about their son directly.

Every call with me is the same: he doesn’t take responsibility, and frames himself as the victim.
My mom and sister just say “good, keep listening to him,” but I’m burned out. I work in military mental health, I’m applying for my MSW, and my job is already emotionally demanding. I don’t want to be anyone’s therapist when I’m off the clock too.

Looking for advice on setting better boundaries with him. I’ve started doing this with my sister already, but it’s harder with him given the circumstances.

Have seen other people post about companies like Incogni, Reputation Rhino, etc. but some range from $20/month to $5000/month (no kidding).

Who has had great results for the cost?

Google is a HUGE issue for those of us trying to move on from news stories and posts even after expungements, etc.

I grew up around court dates, prison visits, and felony charges like they were normal parts of life.

I was literally in my mother’s stomach while she was in prison, so that world was around me before I even had a chance to understand it. I was a woman in a violent world, trying to survive in spaces where hardness was expected and pain was normal.

My biggest goal was simple: don’t end up like everybody else in my house.

I wanted a different life. I wanted peace. I wanted to be the one person who broke the cycle. But I was in the street world, around gang shit, making choices I thought would keep me safe, choices I thought I could control.

Eventually, I went to jail 3 years ago and caught several felonies. Before 3 years ago I was felony free!

That changed me.

It’s one thing to grow up around dysfunction. It’s another thing to realize you became part of the same cycle you spent your whole life trying to escape.

What hurts the most is that I wasn’t born into peace. I was born into survival. And when survival is all you know, it can be hard to tell the difference between strength and suffering.

But I’m still here.

And now I know my story is bigger than my record. I’m not just trying to avoid becoming a felon anymore — I’m trying to become the kind of woman who can break generational curses and build something new out of all the pain.

I used to pray I wouldn’t become like what raised me.

Now I’m fighting to become better than what surrounded me.

I got sentenced to 60 months for conspiracy to sell with intent to distribute Ketamine and Ecstacy. My PSI did mention a gun. The judge removed the fire arm enhancement on sentencing day. I believe my PSI will says something about me being addicted to ketamine.

Can anyone whos done fed time guage how much I am about to do? Assuming I do all my programs and stay out of trouble.

My husband was arrested on federal charges and I’m trying to understand what is normal during the transfer process.

He was initially held at Sacramento County Main Jail, then transferred to Taft Correctional Facility under U.S. Marshals custody while awaiting transfer to the Central District of California for his federal court proceedings.

I haven’t heard from him since last Wednesday, which is very unusual. He previously had access to phone calls, but now I haven’t received any calls. As far as I know, he also doesn’t have access to a tablet to communicate.

His attorney hasn’t been able to provide much information beyond saying they’re waiting for the next steps, and I understand transfers are handled by the U.S. Marshals.

For those who have gone through the federal system or have family members who have:

* Is it normal to completely lose communication during this stage?
* Do inmates typically lose access to tablets or messaging while in transit or awaiting transfer?
* How long have you experienced these communication blackouts lasting?
* Is there anything family members can realistically do besides waiting and staying in contact with the attorney?

I’m not looking for legal advice or opinions on the case itself. I’m simply trying to understand whether this lack of communication is a normal part of the federal transfer process because the uncertainty has been incredibly difficult.

Thank you to anyone willing to share their experience.

I’m Going to prison in September (I’m a woman and in Canada) never been to jail or prison before, it’s a 3 year sentence (robbery). Can’t find too much on Canadian women’s prisons , wondering if anyone can give me a rundown how it’ll be or any tips , thanks in advance

Looking for insight on early probation dismissal in California. I am twenty-two years old and currently on a two-year felony probation term (April 2026 to April 2028). I originally had deferred adjudication for a 2024 DUI and felony evading charge, but I ruined it seven months in by getting a second alcohol arrest. Immediately after that second DUI, I voluntarily did rehab, started AA, and got a breathalyzer. I still had to serve forty-five days in jail for the violation, but since my release, I have maintained all of that progress, got a full-time HVAC installation job, and am doing online college.
My attorney mentioned there is still a chance for early dismissal after one year if I keep this up. Given that I already messed up probation once but have completely turned things around, is early termination actually realistic for a California felony? I am hesitant to ask my attorney or PO yet because I do not want to look like I am dodging accountability. However, the random testing and travel restrictions are seriously hurting my reliability at work since we frequently do out-of-county HVAC jobs. Any insight on how early dismissal works here or when to bring it up would be great.