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Administrative Services
NLPA DOESN'T ALWAYS NEED TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH COUNSEL - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DON'T REQUIRE AN ATTORNEY APPEARANCE BUT, CAN OFTEN BE CONFUSING IF YOU ATTEMPT THEM ON YOUR OWN. LET NLPA'S TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS HELP YOU OBTAIN THE OUTCOME YOU DESERVE!
There are a number of services offered by NLPA where we can assist a defendant directly without the need of hiring an attorney. These services are referred to as "Administrative Services" and are outlined further below. If you feel you need assistance and are not certain if it is an administrative service or not, please feel free to contact us. We can review your specific situation and determine the type of assistance you need and how NLPA can assist. Institutional Designation - Because federal inmates can be housed in any facility of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) throughout the United States, many defendants need assistance with institutional designation to ensure they are sent to a facility near to their family. NLPA can assist you in being placed in a facility chosen for any term of incarceration. Whether you are camp eligible, appropriate for a minimum security designation, or are incorrectly burdened with a public safety factor, NLPA is experienced to examine these issues. With a request supported by your own personal data and corrections classification we can work with you in gathering all pertinent information as to why you deserve a specific designation. We cannot make miracles happen on where you ultimately are assigned, but we can provide a strong case as to where you should be designated for incarceration. Part of this service is also preparing you for what to expect when you enter the Bureau of Prisons which many federal defendants will attest is nothing like county custody.
Interstate Transfers - If you are a state inmate who desires to be transferred to another state to carry out your prison term, NLPA can assist. First of all, keep in mind that under the Interstate Compacts, while it is possible for an inmate who is a prisoner in one state to be transferred to another state, this can only be accomplished if the receiving state has room in a facility that meets the defendant's security and custody level to accept the prisoner. This is because virtually every state prison system is already significantly overcrowded with the result that very few states are willing to accept a prisoner from another state to be incarcerated within their prison system. However, under the Interstate Compact, it is possible to do this by the exchange of a prisoner from a receiving state to the sending state. In terms of the time frame involved with the processing of the transfer, we can complete the necessary documentation within several weeks after having been retained and receiving your case documents. We will then submit that documentation to both the sending and receiving state for their approval. The question of timing in terms of the ultimate approval of your transfer is one that cannot be answered. In some instances, the receiving state may have an individual like yourself on the waiting list to be able to be transferred to the state where you are incarcerated. Should that be the case, the transfer should proceed very quickly. On the other hand, if there is no prisoner waiting to be transferred from the receiving state to your state, your case will be placed on a waiting list until such time as there is a prisoner who is willing to go to the sending state. Intrastate Transfers - If you are a state inmate wanting to transfer to another facility within the same state, NLPA can assist. Similar to the interstate transfer, NLPA prepares the written transfer request and forwards it to the appropriate Department of Corrections personnel for approval. Because you are already convicted in the same state, this certainly encourages a positive outcome to your request as it does not involve the Department of Corrections and Parole authorities having to send any of your inmate information out of state and communicate with another state to obtain approval. In terms of the time frame involved with the processing of the transfer, we can complete the necessary documentation within several weeks after having been retained and receiving your case documents. Once that request has been approved by you, it can be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for a decision to be made.
Federal Transfers - If you are a federal inmate wanting to be transferred from your current designation to another Bureau of Prisons facility, NLPA can assist. The procedures for obtaining a transfer are quite complex and oftentimes involve significant follow-up, not only at the local level, but also at the Regional and Central Office level of the Bureau of Prisons in Washington. Because there are numerous appeal forms that must be filed if you are denied at the first or any other level, this requires close communication between our office and you during the request process. Once hired, your case manager will brief you on the procedure of making this request to ensure you a clear understanding of what to expect and what will be happening. NLPA has extensive experience in helping inmates and their families with respect to this type of problem, and we would be more than glad to work with you in your efforts to obtain the transfer you desire. Drug Program Application (Federal) - The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) created a Residential Drug Treatment Program after Congress required the BOP to address the drug and alcohol challenges of inmates. Through a well-developed curriculum, qualified inmates attend class sessions for 500 hours. One of the incentives provided for participation is the possibility of receiving up to a one year reduction in sentence. If you want NLPA to assist you in making application for the program or if you have been denied participation in the program, please contact NLPA. NLPA can help qualified inmates seek an early release by means of participation in the RDAP program.
If you have exhausted your administrative remedies with respect to appealing (a) an improper denial of your participation in the program or (b) a refusal of the Bureau of Prisons to give you appropriate credit for your participation in the program and desire to pursue the matter in U.S. District Court, NLPA can assist in that regard as well. However, this would not be considered an "administrative service" at that point and would require counsel to be in place. Medical Treatment Furlough - NLPA can assist in preparing a strong request to the Bureau of Prisons based upon your medical condition(s). Pursuant to Bureau of Prisons Program Statement, the Attorney General of the United States has delegated the authority to grant furloughs under Title 18 United States Code Section 4082(c) to the Director, Bureau of Prisons (28CFR0.96)d. Title 18 USC 4082 applies to inmates whose offenses occurred before November 1, 1987. For inmates whose offenses occurred on or after November 1, 1987 the statutory authority for furloughs is found in Title 18 USC Section 3662 of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act. The authority to approve furloughs in Bureau of Prisons institutions is delegated to the Warden or the Acting Warden. Pursuant to BOP Program Statement 5280.4 the Warden may approve a medical furlough for purposes of obtaining necessary medical, surgical, psychiatric or dental treatment not otherwise available.
Halfway House/House Arrest Placement/Work Release (State & Federal) Federal Inmates - The Federal Bureau of Prisons is in the process of reducing the maximum time available at a community treatment facility. What used to be a relatively simple procedure in terms of being able to serve your last six months of confinement at a halfway house has now become a situation where, if an inmate is going to be able to spend the last six months of his incarceration in some type of community incarceration arrangement, the burden is upon him to aggressively pursue the structuring of a post-release program which enables him to take advantage of every possible alternative available so as to enhance the number of months he can eliminate from his time of incarceration. It is here that NLPA can provide significant assistance. Normally, once we are hired, we become involved in assisting the inmate and his family in structuring a program which combines a placement at a community treatment center with curfew parole (which normally covers the last 60 days of the inmate's confinement) and the new Federal Bureau of Prisons electronic monitoring surveillance program (which can be utilized for up to 120 days). Pursuant to the provisions of Title 18 United States Code Section 3624(c) the Bureau of Prisons is limited by statute to giving an inmate a CTC/House Arrest Placement of 6 months or 10% of his sentence whichever is less. The Bureau of Prisons is currently proposing legislation to Congress to permit the Bureau of Prisons further latitude with regard to this so that they can provide more lengthy halfway house/electronic monitoring placements to inmates who meet the appropriate qualifications. However, those modifications in the law have not yet been passed by Congress.
State - If you are interested in maximizing your time on work release, at a community treatment center or, other forms of alternative community confinement as a means of reducing your term of incarceration such as house arrest, NLPA can assist. Although there are various programs available in your state to help reduce your time, the burden is upon you to aggressively pursue the structuring of a post-release program which would enable you to take advantage of every possible alternative and to eliminate as much time as possible from your term of confinement. This is where NLPA can provide you significant help. Once we are retained we become involved in assisting you in applying through the Department of Corrections (DOC) for all programs for which you may qualify. Pardon/Clemency - Often times an inmate may seek the pursuit of an executive pardon or clemency from his state official. NLPA can assist you in the preparation of an application for executive clemency. As this is an administrative proceeding, it is not a matter that requires that you have licensed counsel to represent you. NLPA can prepare and submit on your behalf, the application for a Pardon.
Parole - To properly prepare for a parole hearing is an extremely difficult, complex matter, and it is for this reason that many inmates like to have National Legal Professional Associates assist them. On the other hand, you can certainly do all the work necessary on your own, and you can generally represent yourself before the State Parole Board without anyone else assisting you. However, if you decide to have NLPA assist you with respect to either (a) the preparation of a pre-hearing memorandum to be submitted to the Parole Board's office and/or (b) appearing with you at the parole hearing, we certainly can assist. If hired, your case manager will work closely with you in preparing this information and will rely much on your input and your inmate records. In addition to assisting administratively in this regard, NLPA can also refer you to representation to attend any parole hearings if you wish to have such. UNICOR Application (Federal) - For many federal inmates, the UNICOR work program may be available. There are currently a number facilities in the UNICOR program that offer jobs to thousands of inmates nationwide. UNICOR is a government corporation established in 1934. UNICOR strives to provide not only employment but proper working skills to federal inmates. If you are interested in applying for the UNICOR program and/or being transferred to a facility that offers UNICOR (if your current facility does not) NLPA can assist.
Statistical Studies - Often times, post-conviction defendants debate over information that may be been useful to them in the beginning stages of their case that they were not aware of at the time. This can include Attorney Records, judgement records for the convicting judge, comparable case outcomes, etc. If you are interested in researching this type of information you obviously know that there is much involved in doing so. However, NLPA can assist you in securing the necessary documentation and can also review it to determine statistical figures that you feel may be beneficial to your future pursuits. This can also include statistical research of administrative matters. Backed by our graphics design department, NLPA can also compile all of the data into professional reports complete with charts, graphs, grids, etc. Either way, it helps to have a dedicated team behind you.
EVEN IF YOU AREN'T SURE WHAT APPROACH IS BEST FOR YOU IN OBTAINING ADMINISTRATIVE RELIEF - CONTACT NLPA TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF OUR STAFF. WE CAN HELP!
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