Release Plans: John Dalaly

JOHN DALALY
Registration Number 55498-510
SPC Hazelton
Release Plan

October 12, 2023

Dear Unit Team:

Before surrendering, I researched the best practices for serving time in federal prison. From that research, I found different websites to help me prepare. As I studied the information, I learned about the role of the Unit Team in the Bureau of Prisons and the importance of developing a release plan.

I pleaded guilty, and I accept responsibility for my mistakes. I am ashamed of my actions that brought me here, but I know that remorse alone cannot make amends for my crime. With my Unit Team’s guidance and the accountability of my loved ones, I will remain committed to making this time productive, reconciling with society, and strengthening relationships with my family.

I developed my release plan as an accountability tool that describes my self-directed pathway to prepare for the best outcomes after my release. I will continue updating and expanding the document as I meet milestones on my journey and set new goals consistent with my commitments.

The plan includes the following information:

Identifying Information

1. Identifying Information	7. Community Support
2. Images	8. Medical Prescriptions
3. Projected Release Planning	9. Financial Obligations
4. Background	10. Risk and Needs Assessment
5. My Crime	11. Personal Plan
6. Making Amends	12. Advisors

I hope the Unit Team finds this plan helpful in guiding me back to my family and community as soon as possible.

Respectfully submitted,
John Dalaly

Identifying Information:

• Name: My name is John Dalaly.
• Date of Birth: I was born on May 14, 1952, and I am 71 years old.
• Today’s Date: I began writing this release plan on October 12, 2023.
• Sentence Length: My judge sentenced me to serve a 28-month term.
• Surrender Date and Location: Authorities informed me that I must surrender to the USP Hazelton on November 30, 2023.
• Registration Number: According to the BOP website, my registration number is: 55498-510.
• Community phone number: xxxx
• My community Email: jdalaly@dgroupintl.com

Images:
To provide my Unit Team with information, the final page of this document includes images from the following identifying documents:

• Driver’s License: My valid driver’s license from the state of Michigan.
• Education:
• Diploma: Southfield Lathrup High School, 1972
• Health Insurance Card: I am fully insured with Medicare and BCBS.
• Social Security Card: I have attached a scanned copy of my Social Security Card.
• Birth Certificate: I have attached a scanned copy of my Birth Certificate.

Projected Release Planning:
My entire career, ever since I graduated high school in 1972, I understood that I would have to learn how to make my way in the world. To advance, I always found that a plan would help me. Any time I didn’t have a plan, things went off track. I’m surrendering to prison because I didn’t have a good plan.

To that end, I began studying the Bureau of Prisons’ website. From reading the website, I learned a great deal about the First Step Act and other BOP policies. It is my understanding that good behavior and program participation can influence an earlier transition to home confinement.

I intend to work productively with my Unit Team. With guidance from my Unit Team, I hope to advance as an excellent candidate for consideration of early transition to home confinement.

Various BOP Program Statements helped me understand how I can earn additional credits toward the 28-month sentence my judge imposed.

I learned that if I avoid disciplinary infractions, my Unit Team will award Good Conduct Time credits that amounts to 15% of the term my judge imposed. On a 28-month sentence, that amounts to credit of 4.2 months. According to my understanding, these credits leave me with a potential adjusted sentence of approximately 23.8 months.

In addition to the Good Conduct Time credits, if I comply with specific requirements, I may also earn “Time Credits,” in accordance with the First Step Act (FSA). Before qualifying for those FSA credits, I have a responsibility to complete a once I get to prison. My responses to questions on that survey will help my Unit Team assess my risk of reoffending with a PATTERN score.

The BOP’s website includes the survey questions for the PATTERN Risk Assessment:

• https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/pattern.jsp

I began working through those questions independently. Based on what I learned, I anticipate that my Unit Team will agree that my PATTERN score will show me as a person with a “minimum” risk of reoffending.

According to a policy statement that I read on the BOP’s website, I understand that my Unit Team will meet with me for an Initial Unit Team meeting within 30 days of my surrender. During that Initial Classification, I anticipate that my Unit Team will agree that I am at a “minimum” risk of reoffending.

I will participate in all programs that my Unit Team recommends.

If I am accurate, I anticipate that during each of my first six months in confinement, I will receive sixty days of Earned Time credit.

The BOP website tells me that after six months, I will have another Unit Team meeting, known as a Program Review. During that Program Review, I anticipate that my Unit Team will conclude that I remain at a minimum risk of reoffending.

After two consecutive team meetings, I anticipate that my Unit Team will conclude that my PATTERN Risk Assessment will continue to show a minimum risk of reoffending. Since I will complete all programs that my Unit Team recommends, I should begin to receive 15 days of Earned Time Credit each month for the remainder of the time that I serve in prison.

Using those parameters, I projected the potential time that I will serve in prison before I become eligible to transition to home confinement.

Sentence my judge imposed: 28 months

• Good Conduct Time: Approximately 4.2 months, for an adjusted sentence of approximately 23.8 months.
• FSA Earned Time Credit: 10.5 months toward earlier release for an adjusted sentence of approximately 13.3 months.
• Adjusted time that I will owe to the Bureau of Prisons: Approximately 13.3 months.
  • I understand that I will serve a portion of that time in a secure facility.
  • I understand that, at the discretion of my Unit Team, I may qualify to serve a portion of my term in a Residential Reentry Center (Halfway House) or on home confinement.
  • I understand that, under the Second Chance Act, I may be eligible for participation in the Elderly Offender Home Detention program, which could allow me early transfer to home confinement.

With this plan, I hope that my Unit Team will learn more about the steps I intend to take to advance my candidacy for early placement on home confinement.

If my projections are accurate, I anticipate owing the Bureau of Prisons between 8 and 9 months after factoring in Earned Time Credits. I am hopeful that the Bureau of Prisons will consider me a candidate for transition to home confinement or a Residential Reentry Center at the earliest possible time.

I seek guidance from my Unit Team to help me understand steps I can take to qualify for maximum placement on home confinement, particularly with regard to my status as an elderly offender. My wife is 67 years old with mobility issues, and as her primary caretaker, I am eager to learn what I may do to return to her as quickly as possible.

Background:
My journey began when, at the age of 7, my family and I moved from Baghdad to Detroit. Raised Catholic, our family was large, with seven children. Adapting to our new home wasn’t always easy, but we had each other. We were raised well and loved each other deeply, remaining close to this day. Our family remained in Michigan for the rest of my upbringing, relocating to Southfield by the time I was in high school.

In Michigan, our dad ran a small supermarket. It was a family operation, with all of us working in the store for many years. This business allowed us to make ends meet but also instilled in me a work ethic. Between this environment, school, and my faith, I was raised to know right from wrong and to, above all else, love my neighbor.

After Southfield Lathrup High School in 1972, my siblings and I continued working at the family store, keeping the business running smoothly. In 1986, my dad made the tough decision to sell the market, and we all moved on to different paths. While my siblings found jobs in various fields, I saw an opportunity to build a business in a way that aligned with my desire to give to my community. I ventured into the world of selling used medical equipment.

My journey took me to places I could have never imagined. I connected with people from India, Dubai, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Bahrain, and Jordan, forming relationships that continue to shape my career. I also began partnering with a university to advance education in osteopathic medicine. In the 1990s, I became one of the first manufacturers of mobile medical units. I partnered with General Motors and exported ambulances to the Middle East, contributing to improved healthcare infrastructure in that region.

During this time, I had two factories and worked with organizations such as WIC to create outreach programs for the American South and the US Navy to provide mobile dental units. I even had the opportunity to consult with the Michigan School of Medicine, helping to bring osteopaths to different countries and contributing to medical education on a global scale. Yet, family has always been my highest priority. I made a point to be home for dinner every night.

In 1976, I married my wife, Vivian, who is a dedicated teacher for disabled children. We have three wonderful daughters: Dina, Janan, and Katrina. Now, we’re blessed with eight grandchildren, and we make sure to FaceTime them every night, staying deeply involved in their lives. Thankfully, all our family members live within 10 miles of each other, making it easier for us to stay close-knit.

I offer the information above to show that although I pleaded guilty to a federal crime, and a judge sentenced me to serve a 28-month sentence, I have a long history of living as a hard-working, contributing citizen.

I regret that I placed myself in the crosshairs of the criminal justice system, and I intend to use my time to make amends for the bad decisions that led me into this predicament.

My Crime:
Years as an industrialist primed me to see opportunities that others may not. In marijuana, I saw the potential to improve the lives of patients while creating jobs and supporting my family. But, as Michigan’s legal cannabis industry burgeoned, I was only one of many people excited by this new market. Medical device and mobile care systems may have been niche when I began. This, however, was shaping up to be enormously competitive.

Cannabis dispensary licensure was the necessary first step to entering the market, but even this proved challenging. I reached out to people I knew in the state to explore strategies for working with the licensing board. I thought I found my edge in a consultant who was connected to the government and leaped at the chance. In providing them compensation without doing my due diligence, my eagerness overcame my good sense.

To my eternal shame, the compensation I provided this consultant was against the law. When I learned that the government had launched an investigation, I agreed to do everything within my power to make things right. I responded to questions, accepted responsibility, and agreed to plead guilty.

Making Amends:
I am deeply disappointed in myself for the way that I behaved in this instance. Up until the day that I learned of the investigation, I considered myself a good citizen. Once I began going through the criminal justice system, I realized how I failed my community, my profession, and my family.

I want to make things right.

Toward that end, I spent a lot of time working to prepare before sentencing. I had never been in trouble with the law before, and I wanted to understand the goals of our judicial system. With time to plan, I studied websites that belong to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Courts. That research led me to learn the purpose of sentencing.

Federal judges impose sentences that should:

1. Deter other people from committing crimes,
2. Punish people for committing crimes,
3. Isolate people while they serve sentences, and
4. Rehabilitate people who commit crimes.

As a defendant, I did not have any way of influencing deterrence, punishment, or isolation. Those goals would serve the interest of justice, but my judge would impose the term that would accomplish such goals.

When it came to rehabilitation, however, I had to think. I had to consider how that fourth goal of sentencing applied to me as a 71-year-old grandfather of eight.

Then, I realized that “rehabilitation” isn’t only about me or restoring financial loss. It’s about the entire system, the entire country. My judge sentenced me to serve 28 months. To reconcile with society, I would have to make the most of that term. Doing so would require me to find ways to live with meaning, relevance, and usefulness.

The charge against me read: United States of America v. John Dalaly. For that reason, I feel a duty to make amends to every citizen in this country. While awaiting my surrender, I devised a plan to reconcile and atone. During my term, I intend to work toward that end, and I will continue living in service upon release.

I pleaded guilty because I understood that what I did was illegal. Ignorance of the law, especially with regard to bribery statutes, is no excuse for violating it. I make no excuses for my conduct–I instead focus on demonstrating accountability to those I love. My family is my everything, and I want my grandchildren to grow up understanding the obligations we hold to those around us.

The other lesson I seek to impart is the importance of service. My faith compels me to ask what I can contribute to the lives of others, and I’m fortunate to have found meaningful activities in my community. Volunteering through my church and in hospitals has allowed me to live my values. I intend to find such opportunities while incarcerated.

If my Unit Team permits, I would be grateful for the chance to help others on their journey through prison. Whether serving in an educational capacity, ministerial, or peer support, I want to find ways that I can help others achieve their goals. I believe that by helping the men with whom I am imprisoned, I can further the BOP’s goal of creating better neighbors.

My journey through the courts and incarceration will allow me to pass the lessons I have learned on to others in my community in Michigan, as well. I plan to share my experiences with those at my church to help them learn, grow, and avoid criminal behavior. Following my release, I aim to help others and return to being an asset to my community.

When I look back on this chapter in my story, I want it to end with reconciliation and peace. I want to be an example of how to learn from mistakes and help others. I want to serve as a role model for handling painful moments with humility and grace. I look forward to sharing my story to help other people avoid my terrible mistakes.

While incarcerated, with approval from my Unit Team, I hope to accomplish the following tasks:

1. Learn more about business law so that I can be a better steward of companies in the future.
2. Volunteer in ways that staff members recommend.
3. Journal about my progress and share those writings with our community.
4. Read books that will help me become more aware of the influences that led me to this problem.
5. Engage in programming to advance my knowledge of finances.
6. Reflect on what I learned from reading, and then I will apply those lessons to volunteer work that I intend to complete upon my release.

I hope my Unit Team will support the personal release plan that I put into place and consider me a good candidate for maximum placement on home confinement for the reasons expressed below.

Community Support:
My close personal friends and colleagues offer the following letters for my unit team to consider. I intend to live at home with my wife once my unit team and the Bureau of Prisons deem it appropriate to do so. The residence we share is located at:

xxxxxxx.
West Bloomfield, MI xxxxx

Spouse: Vivian Ajlouny Dalaly
Volunteer Coordinator: Reverend Deborah R. Damore
Pastor: Reverend Ronald Jozwiak

• Spouse: Vivian Ajlouny Dalaly

Dear Unit Team:

For 49 years, I have had John by my side. Through thick and thin, we have been devoted to one another always. We have traveled the world, raised three amazing daughters, and are enjoying our time as empty nesters to live in each and every moment with our eight grandchildren.

I have witnessed many qualities in my husband that I can’t say other men possess. I can tell you that what he did is totally out of character. He has always been a caregiver at heart and hates to see anyone around him suffer. He cared for his dying mother for years and, most recently, his sister through a failed battle with cancer.

Now, because of a terrible choice, he is facing the consequences of his actions. Not a minute of his day passes without dwelling on his actions. It haunts him and is eating him alive– he has punished himself for his actions and will continue doing so while in prison.

I, as his wife, feel his pain every time I look into his eyes. I will be there for him, patiently trying to stay calm and focused, to do the best I can to keep his hopes and spirits high. This has not been an easy task. But John is a good man. I see his commitment to addressing his mistakes and continuing in his journey to atonement.

He has devoted his time to his faith in Christ and his family life to get him through this rough road. Our family is everything, and he is the glue to it all. While he serves his sentence, we will be there for one another and for him. I have no doubts that he will work hard to return to us as quickly as possible.

As soon as you deem it appropriate, we look forward to welcoming John back home with open arms. Between now and then, please do not hesitate to reach out if there is any information I can provide to aid you in your job. I and the family we have built together will do whatever is necessary to see John return to a law-abiding life.

Thank you kindly, and God Bless,

Vivian Ajlouny Dalaly

• Volunteer Coordinator: Reverend Deborah R. Damore

To Whom It May Concern,

John Dalaly has been a volunteer with the Spiritual Care Department at Corewell Health East William Beaumont University Hospital (CHEWBUH) since April 2022.

Mr. Dalaly sought us out for this opportunity to serve our patients and the hospital community. He faithfully visits patients, bringing them Catholic Holy Communion, and participates in religious services as requested. Mr. Dalaly has exhibited compassion in his visits with patients and their families. One patient told me, “It made me feel less alone when he brought me communion.” Mr. Dalaly has upheld the privacy and dignity of our patients in his role as a volunteer with our department.

Mr. Dalaly demonstrates a strong work ethic, communicating well with our department regarding scheduling and patient needs. He collaborates well with the Spiritual Care team.

We appreciate the time and talent that Mr. Dalaly has chosen to share as part of our Spiritual Care team as he serves our patients, families, and hospital personnel.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require anything further in this regard.

Respectfully,

Reverend Deborah R. Damore, MTS, BCC, ACPE Certified Educator
Director, Spiritual Care and Clinical Pastoral Education
Faculty, Foundational Medical Studies, OUWBSOM
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital

• Pastor: Reverend Ronald Jozwiak

To whom it may concern:

I have known Mr. Dalaly for the last twelve years as his pastor. Mr. Dalaly has been a member of our parish as well as an active member of the community. Over the years, we have talked and discussed many a time about his business, and he has continually commented on the need to be transparent and honest in all situations. Being a man of deep faith, he realizes that the message of the gospel must be taken to heart and lived out daily. In his over forty years of business, it is only in this matter of cannabis licensing that he has done anything that would merit the attention of the authorities.

You are aware of his background and the outcome of his case, but you may not be aware of his charitable work within the community. Being a man of faith, he attends church weekly and participates in each and every Christian Service project initiated by the parish. His generosity is beyond reproach, and his commitment to the faith is to be commended.

Outside the parish, he volunteers as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Community to the hospital on a weekly basis. Of this work, he is extremely proud to be of service to the sick. Through his businesses, John has always included outreach to the community to assist those in need. He has offered free services in health care, schools, and homeless shelters. Recently, in the COVID-19 crisis, he assisted the community with education and access to the vaccine.

Finally, his outreach has extended itself to educational efforts and mental health awareness. Overall, this is a man of action who places the lives of people above profits and his faith above all else. Without a doubt, he has been blessed financially, but more importantly, his blessings are given out to others.

Mr. Dalaly is ashamed of his culpability in this matter and realizes the errors of his ways. As this is the first time that he has been involved in something illegal, I have the utmost trust that this is a blemish on an otherwise upstanding and purposeful life. Throughout his sentence and as he returns to his community, I will be there to support him and his family. Mr. Dalaly is and remains a good man, a decent human being, and a man whom I am grateful to know.

Sincerely Yours,

Rev. Ronald Jozwiak, M. Div., JCL
Pastor, Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church
4300 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48323

xxxxxxx

Medical Prescriptions and Substance Abuse:
I do not suffer from any substance use issues. I do, however, have several medical conditions that are currently managed through the following treatments:

• Toporal (25mg): taken daily for the treatment of hypertension
• Aspirin (81mg): taken daily for the treatment of hypertension
• Atorvastatin (20mg): taken daily for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia
• Omeprazole (20mg): taken daily for the treatment of GERD
• Sertraline (100mg): taken daily for the treatment of depression and anxiety
• Xanax (0.5mg): taken three times daily for the treatment of anxiety

Additionally, I received a coronary stent and have been treated for the following conditions:

• Diverticulosis
• Coronary artery scoliosis
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Hypogonadism

The above is reflected in my PSR and will be confirmed by my primary care physician in the community, Dr. James Golden (Village Medical, 39475 Lewis Drive, Suite 130, Novi, MI, 48377). I intend to comply with any and all directives of my care team while incarcerated in the Bureau of Prisons.

Financial Obligations:
Besides a 28-month sentence, my judge imposed financial penalties totaling approximately $25,000. I recognize the seriousness of these obligations and have paid them in full prior to my surrender.

My wife lives on Social Security payments that will be suspended during my incarceration. I, therefore, do not anticipate receiving a significant amount of financial assistance while serving my sentence. However, I will comply with the Financial Responsibility Program, as directed by my Unit Team.

Once I am released, I intend to pursue work in consulting to supplement my retirement income and satisfy any outstanding financial obligations to the authorities. I also aim to resume my long history of volunteer work to give back to my community as much as my schedule permits.

Risk and Needs Assessment:
From reading the Bureau of Prisons’ website, I learned a great deal about needs and risk assessments. Once I surrender, it’s my understanding that I’ll need to complete SPARC-13 survey that will help staff members measure 13 factors that can influence criminal behavior:

1. Anger/hostility: I do not perceive that I have any anger management issues.
   
2. Antisocial peers: I do not socialize or interact with people who violate the law. Despite my conviction, crime was not a way of life for me.
   
3. Cognitions: I do not have any cognitive or learning impairments and consider myself a good learner.
   
4. Dyslexia: I have never been diagnosed with dyslexia.
   
5. Education: I have a high school diploma and consider myself a lifelong learner.
   
6. Family/parenting: I have excellent relationships with my immediate and extended family.
   
7. Finance/poverty: My family will be financially stable in my absence, although I am eager to return to earning an income that can support my wife.
   
8. Medical: I am committed to managing and improving my health, particularly with regard to my cardiovascular health.
   
9. Mental Health: I have been diagnosed and treated for depression and anxiety. I address these conditions through weekly therapy with Larry Herren, LMSW (Community & Home Supports, 220 Bagley St. #600 Detroit, MI 48226).
   
10. Recreation/Leisure/Fitness: When not spending time with family, I stay physically active and work toward improving my health by walking several miles daily. I also remain active through volunteer work in my church and at local hospitals.
    
11. Substance abuse: I do not have a history of substance use and drink in moderation.
    
12. Trauma: I still mourn the loss of my parents and, more recently, my sister and brother. I visit their graves weekly.
    
13. Work: I have always been a hard worker, and it’s my hope that a solid, self-directed work ethic will allow me to return to gainful employment quickly.

Personal Plan:
While serving my sentence, I will follow the guidance of my Unit Team. To the extent possible, I would like to participate in self-help and personal development courses. They should help me work toward repaying society for the problems I created. I want to volunteer to assist people who advance their education.

To address my needs, I intend to spend time reading to the best of my ability. To the extent possible, I intend to read books on leadership and personal development. After reading each book, I will take the following steps:

• Step 1: Write the title of each book I read.
• Step 2: Write the date I finished reading each book.
• Step 3: Write why I chose to read each book.
• Step 4: Write what I learned from reading each book.
• Step 5: Write how reading each book will contribute to my success upon release.

I have organized my reading list into the sections set forth below. I designed those sections in response to what I’ve read about risk assessments and the SPARC-13.

• Thought – Books on personal growth will help me become a more thoughtful person and a better member of the broader community. Books on thought would address the SPARC13’s emphasis on cognitions.
• Finance – I would like to develop my understanding of how to manage financial affairs properly and efficiently, given the significance of my financial sanction. Books on finance would address the SPARC-13’s emphasis on finance/poverty.
• Healthcare—I’m interested in providing the best possible support for my wife, Vivian. During my imprisonment, I intend to advance my education in allied health in alignment with the SPARC-13’s emphasis on health.
• Service– Given the SPARC-13’s emphasis on personal accountability, I thought it would be helpful to read books that would contribute to the service I want to provide upon release.
• Biography: Given the SPARC-13’s emphasis on mental health, I have selected a series of biographies so that I can learn from people who’ve lived as contributing citizens. This book should address the criminogenic needs of antisocial peers, education, and mental health.

On the Bureau of Prisons’ website, I found Program Statement 5350.27: Inmate Manuscripts. It complies with the Code of Federal Regulations, which holds that:

• “An inmate may prepare a manuscript for private use or for publication while in custody without staff approval.”

The above Program Statement encourages me, as I intend to comply with all rules. But I want to publish the book reports I write. By documenting my journey through prison, I memorialize the various ways that a person can work to build mental health with a deliberate, intentional plan to prepare. Strength comes through transparency and reconciliation, and I plan to build a record showing how I used time in prison to grow stronger.

Before surrendering to serve my sentence, I will order the first two books. While waiting for guidance from my Unit Team, I will carry out the plan by reading. If appropriate, I will teach others how they can engineer a release plan that helps them prepare for success upon release.

By sending my book reports home, I will help my family stay in tune with the progress I’m making and keep our connection strong. We’re working through these challenges together, and I want her to know of the preparations I’m making to grow stronger and persevere while I serve my sentence.

Besides adhering to my own plan, I also will follow guidance from the experts in the BOP.


Advisors:
I have collaborated with my wife and children in developing this release plan. They will be my accountability partners in sticking true to the plan. I will continue to evolve the plan as I receive guidance from my unit team.


Staff Guides: Federal Prison:

Unit Manager Name:
Case Manager Name: Counselor Name:
Work Detail Supervisor:
Halfway house Supervisor:
Probation Officer: