Release and Reentry Plan
for
Jason Penney
Registration #: 16006-5111
Dear Case Management Team,
Prior to surrendering to federal prison, I researched the best ways to utilize my incarceration time. I have accepted responsibility for the actions that have led me here and I’m committed to making amends. Making amends means using my incarceration as an opportunity for personal growth and giving back to others during my time. I understand that the BOP is focused on reducing recidivism risk, ensuring I never commit another crime. I fully intend to actively participate in programming that helps in that mission. With these things in mind, I created this Release and Reentry Plan to serve as a road map and an accountability tool. Much like businesses rely on business plans to identify goals, develop strategies and ensure accountability, my plan serves the same role for me personally.
Prior to this pivotal point in my life, I thought I had life figured out. I thought I knew it all, successful in my own eyes, 3 amazing children, and a beautiful wife of 22 years. Everything changed when the FBI showed up at our door that day. Life changed in an instant. Since then, my values have shifted and my perspective on life has changed dramatically. The word “success” carries a much different meaning for me today than it once did.
As I went through the criminal justice process, I was painfully aware of my shortcomings. I made a deliberate effort to take and successfully complete programs that would address several of my needs, as I believed them to be. Prior to surrendering to prison I completed the following certificate programs:
- Fundamentals of Credit Control
- Basics of Finance and Accounting
- Understanding Mental Health
- Money Laundering and Customer Verification
- Fraud Detection and Prevention
- Fundamentals of Credit Management
While I now carry the life-long label of felon, there is much more to me than that word or my actions that led to it. Like all men in here, I wear the uniform and am identified by my 8-digit number. While we all share many similarities, our differences are much less noticeable. In sharing this, I hope you will gain a better sense of the kind of man I am and my plans during and after prison.
Background
I am from Cleveland, OH, and grew up in the inner city, living with my grandparents until I was 8 years old. We were poor in today’s terms, but as kids, we didn’t realize that we did not have much. My father showed up one day and said, “You’re moving in with me.” Sadly, he had no idea how to raise two boys, and his drinking problem did not help the situation by any means. My birth mother believed she had bigger and better plans, as she was not around at all for the most part.
By the time I was 15, I’d had enough, it was time to leave that toxic home environment and step out into the real world. I can’t say things were peachy right away, trying to figure out where I was going to sleep, but it was surely better than living with my father.
The week I turned 18, I applied for a sales job and landed it! I was working 6 days a week and too many hours to count. I did well and started to make real money. I was able to get my own place, buy food, and pay my bills. Earning money was like a drug; the harder I worked, the more I made, and to me, that was freedom. I lived by that mentality for many years.
I started by selling cars and made my way up to GM by the time I was 24. I handled everything from credit to financing to running the dealerships daily operations. I have been in the financial and credit industry since the beginning of my career.
When I married my wife, Melanie, we moved to Florida looking for a better life. We got into the merchant services industry, and a big part of that was leasing the credit card terminals to business owners. In that industry, I was routinely asked if I could provide working capital through business loans. As a result, I developed business relationships from which I garnered knowledge, experience and resources to help other business owners. I fostered relationships that created professional opportunities. One thing led to another, and suddenly, I learned about a product known as REBATE LOANS!
Crime- Reflection
In short, Rebate Loans are loans where a business owner can lease a piece of equipment or a computer server and get back 50% of that lease in working capital to help pay bills, purchase products, and pursue business expansion. It seemed interesting, so I started working with them and was successful. In my mind, I was helping business owners get the working capital they needed, and I was able to make good money while doing it. As the demand grew from business owners, I told myself, “Hey, start doing this on your own. Just use the computer server as the asset, hire some brokers around you, and push this product as hard as you can!” I convinced myself that I was killing two birds with one stone, helping business owners get needed working capital, while also making money and providing for my family!
When done correctly, there is nothing wrong with these types of loans, but the illegality occurred when I inflated the cost of the server. The financial lending industry is a billion-dollar industry filled with financial institutions who are quick to lend without always evaluating and verifying. Admittedly, I benefited from that. There were moments when my walking a fine line led to me absolutely crossing the line. Regardless of the inadequate systems of the institutions, I had a responsibility to follow the law, and I didn’t.
As I sit here today, I am 50 years old and never thought this is where my life would be. Writing this just days before I head to federal prison to begin serving a 54-month sentence is surreal! Not a single dollar was worth the pain I’ve put my family through. The irony is that while I was committing the crime I believed I was doing it for my family. Ultimately, my actions have crushed my family. Truthfully, I’m not sure how my wife does it. She has been the rock throughout this justice process, the one person who has stood by my side every step, moment, breathe, and is still fighting for our family! I take full accountability for my part in this and will come out a better man, undoubtedly.
While Incarcerated:
I plan to journal and document my actions, mindset, setbacks, successes and growth from day one. I will complete all the programming that is recommended for me. I will follow all the rules and keep up with everything that is expected of me! I will avoid drama and gossip. I will be steadfast in making myself useful. I hope to earn an opportunity to teach, mentor and give back to those needing help with personal and/or business issues. In sharing where I went wrong, I hope I can help others prevent making some of the same mistakes I have made. With my background in business and finance, I have knowledge and experience I can offer others. Whether it’s learning how personal credit works or understanding business, I would love to give back! I will check in with myself every day, asking the tough questions such as: How am I feeling? What have a learned? How can I continue making things right? It’s important that I stay focused on the goals I set for myself.
I plan to read more and ensure I’m engaging with people who are healthy for me, people who have found success and are striving in life. I will prove that I can and will hold myself accountable! I plan to continue learning by utilizing available library resources. I start my day early and get up no later than 5 am. I will exercise daily! I will maintain the highest transparency and accountability with prison officials, my family, and society. I will stay in contact with my support group and comply with recommended programs that will help ensure my lifelong goal of sobriety.
I’ve set the following goals for myself:
- Be a better husband and father:
- Take steps to heal my family and be the husband and father my family deserves. Be ready for when it’s time to go home! Have my plan in place.
- Read: Start with one book a month and do a book review after reading the book.
- Manage my Time: Be mindful and deliberate in how I use my time.
- Keep a Journal of how my time is being spent to ensure accountability.
- Self-Educate: Continue to educate myself in all things (Consulting) (Parenting) (Financial) (Mental Health) and document the progress.
- Give Back: Whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or educating financial institutions on fraud and how it works.
- Find Mentors: Work on adding one person a month who can help mentor me, open up to others outside myself. Success-driven Mentors! Hold me accountable.
- Be Honest with Jason: Being honest with myself each day is critical to self-improvement. It includes the good, the bad, the ugly! I will write about this daily.
Plan when I get released:
After my release from federal prison, my primary focus will be to rebuild my life with integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to making amends. I recognize the harm caused by my actions, and this plan outlines how I will work to pay restitution, rebuild trust with my family, reintegrate into society, and give back meaningfully to the community.
Immediate Priorities (First 30 to 90 Days)
My first step will be to comply fully with the terms of my supervised release. I will report to my probation officer as required and ensure I understand every condition placed upon me. I’ll also work with them to set up a structured payment plan for my restitution, showing that I take financial responsibility seriously, even if I can only start with small, consistent payments.
Financial Recovery & Restitution
Restitution is a non-negotiable priority. I will budget monthly to ensure that I can consistently contribute to my restitution, no matter the amount. I will meet with a financial counselor or reentry support worker to help me build a sustainable budget that covers basic needs while honoring my financial obligations to the court and my victims.
Family Restoration
Rebuilding family trust is one of my highest priorities. I will make a sincere effort to reconnect with my loved ones, listen to how they have been affected, and take responsibility for any pain I caused. I’m willing to attend family therapy or relationship-building programs if it will help in their healing and our rebuilding of trust.
I will set aside quality time to reconnect with my children or spouse. This might include regular phone calls, family dinners, or outings—whatever builds consistency and shows that I’m committed to being present and supportive.
Employment & Career Goals
I know finding a job with a felony conviction is difficult, but I’m committed to working hard and starting wherever I can. While working, I will also invest time in developing a long-term career. I will target areas like consulting, credit, finance, technology, marketing, or sales. I’ll identify short-term certification programs, online courses, or apprenticeships that will be helpful or necessary. If self-employment becomes an option down the road, I will pursue that transparently and legally, perhaps offering services in consulting, writing, or peer mentorship.
Giving Back Through Mentoring
One way I plan to make amends is by mentoring others, especially young people or individuals at risk of going down a similar path. I want to share my experience honestly, not to glorify it, but to warn others about the real consequences of fraud and deception.
I will reach out to local community centers, schools, or reentry organizations to offer workshops, talks, or one-on-one mentoring. If there are programs where formerly incarcerated individuals can speak to at-risk youth or volunteer in rehabilitation settings, I will make myself available.
Volunteering & Community Engagement
I believe in giving back without expecting anything in return. As part of that, I plan to volunteer for a few hours each month. Whether it’s helping at a food bank, cleaning up a neighborhood, or working with nonprofits, I want to be a contributor to something positive in my community.
Additionally, if there are opportunities to work with organizations focused on fraud prevention or victim support (and if allowed), I’d like to use my experience to help others avoid similar harm.
Accountability & Long-Term Vision
To stay on track, I’ll surround myself with people who support my growth. This includes mentors, counselors, or others who have successfully reintegrated after prison. I will create 30-, 90-, and 180-day goals across key areas of life—employment, finances, family, and community service—and review my progress regularly.
Ultimately, this journey is about becoming someone better than I was before. Not just for myself, but for my family, the people I hurt, and the community I want to serve.
Mental and Emotional Wellness
Reentry can be emotionally taxing, so I will prioritize my mental health. I plan to attend regular support groups or therapy sessions, especially during the first year. I will stay active in a church or faith-based recovery group.
Journaling, meditation, and reflection will be daily habits to keep my mind focused and grounded. These routines will help me stay aware of my progress and identify any negative patterns before they become problems.
Conclusion
While this has shaken me and my family to the core, I will not allow this to define me! I am and will continue to put in the hard work, while it will not be all roses and there will be moments where I want to quit, that will never be an option! I will continue to be steadfast in my recovery, I will continue to educate myself, and I will continue to keep putting in the hard work! This will live with me for the rest of my life, and when I get to the point where I see that what has happened to me is now helping others through mentoring, consulting, or just letting them know, here is my story from the beginning to the end, and here I am today. (PRICELESS) To my family, Melanie, thank you for being my rock, the one person that went through all the shit (HELL) you did and never wavered a bit. Better days are coming, and I will make this wrong (right).
