Initial Release Plan
August 18,2023
Dear Unit Team:
I write this release plan to express my sincere remorse for my actions. This is to show how I have used my time and how I will continue to use my time in prison to reshape myself into a better person. I am not proud of what I did, but I am determined to make amends and return to society as a productive, law abiding citizen.
This release plan describes my self-directed journey to becoming a better person. Together with my Unit Team’s guidance and the accountability of those who support me, I will commit to continue making this time productive and strengthening relationships with my family and community. I understand Unit Team has complete discretion, I hope to shed some light on my future plan and path to avoiding recidivism.
This plan is one that I will continue to develop and update so that I sustain a self-directed journey to prepare for the best outcomes after my release. This plan includes the following headings:
I. Identifying Informtation
II. Projected Release Date
III. My Release Plan
IV. Financial Obligations
V. Education
VI. Risk and Needs Assessment
VII. Personal Plan; and
VIII. Community Support
I hope that the Unit Team finds this plan useful in guiding me back to my family and community as soon as possible.
Respectfully,
Jordan Raske
05067-510
Identifying Information:
Name: My name is Jordan Ashley Raske
Today’s Date: Today’s date is August 18th, 2023
Sentence Length: On March 13th, 2023, a federal judge sentenced me to serve 30 months.
Surrender Date and Location: I was arrested June 6th, 2022 and released on pretrial on June 8th, 2022. A federal judge revoked my pretrial, and I was incarcerated July 18th, 2022. I was incarcerated at Core Civics of America in Florence, Arizona from July 18th, 2022 to March 28th, 2023. I arrived at the Federal Prison Camp in Phoenix, Arizona on March 29th, 2023, and have been residing to present day.
Registration Number: My registration number is 05067-510
Projected Release Date:
To prepare my release plan, I have had to develop some level of familiarity with how the Bureau of Prisons operates. Personal research and experience helped me understand that through my release plan, and my behavior incarcerated, I could influence the length of time I serve, and where I serve the time.
During the initial classification meeting with Unit Team, my case manager advised me that I will be transitioning to an RRC, 8 months prior to my statutory release date. I used the following assumptions to project the length of time that must pass before authorities would consider me for transition to a community based setting, either a halfway house or home confinement.
I projected that the Bureau of Prisons would grant me 241 previous days in custody. The Bureau of Prisons has awarded me Earned Time Credit at the rate of ten days per month for the first seven months of my sentence. After seven months, I anticipate receiving two risk assessments, which would translate into earning 15 days of Earned Time Credit each month if I participate in Evidence Based Recidivism Reduction Programs (EBRR) or Productive Activities (PA). I understand that I will serve most of my time in a prison setting, but I could also earn credits while completing the final stages of my sentence in a community based setting.
Based on the above assumptions – which I acknowledge the Unit Team will decide – I make the following predictions:
Imposed Sentence: My judge sentenced me to serve a 30 month sentence.
Good Conduct Time: I anticipate receiving 15% credit for Good Conduct Time, which amount to roughly 4.5 months of Good Conduct Time (GCT). With projected GCT, I anticipate that I will owe a net sentence to the BOP of 25.5 months.
Residential Reentry Center:
With a combination of credits for Good Conduct Time, accumulation of Earned Time Credits, the successful programming of EBRR credits, and eligibility for Second Chance Act, I expect that my Unit Team will deem me a candidate for transition to an RRC eight months prior to my projected release date. As of November 22, 2023, I will have received 70 days of EBRR credits. At this time, I should be releasing to an RRC.
I understand that I would continue to owe a duty and a debt to the Bureau of Prisons, but it is my comprehension that I could serve the final portion of my sentence from a halfway house.
I wrote this release plan to hold myself accountable to stay on track to reduce my risk of recidivism, and prepare for success upon my release, in accordance with what I read in the First Step Act and in various Program Statements.
My Release Plan:
My crimes of transporting illegal aliens and possession of firearms have hurt not only myself but my family and those around me. I acknowledge and take full responsibility for the pain I have caused. Not only do I want to make amends with my victims, but I will spend the rest of my life to prove inmates can change for the better. I can not go back in time to change what I have done, but I can use this time pressing forward to prove there is a better life than crime, hoping to impact others.
I have created this release plan to hold myself accountable, prevent mistakes, and for growth within myself. In this plan, I will describe the steps I will take, the goals I aspire to achieve, and the people holding me accountable and encouraging me to make these changes. I will return to my community a role model, a positive influencer, and a better person in general rather than a danger or menace to society. This plan will be used for stable employment as an active member of my community while influencing others to stay on the right pathway.
I developed my release plan with the hope of earning the maximum credits possible to transition into a halfway house setting, pursuant to the FSA which states in part:
“The Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall develop additional policies to provide appropriate incentives for successful participation and completion of evidence-based recidivism programming.” FSA section 3632(d)(3)(D)
By adhering to the guidance from my Unit Team and this release plan, I want to demonstrate that I am a viable candidate for the transition to a halfway house. I have sustained accountability systems in all aspects of my life including my family, mentor, and the spiritual communities I am active in.
Financial Obligations:
I have complied with the Financial Responsibility Program to pay the full amount of $100 in full.
Education/Course Participation:
Education was always seen as a privilege and necessity to succeed in life. Taking advantage of the opportunities given, I graduated high school a year early to advance in college. I completed my prerequisites at Arizona State University before incarceration. Currently, I am enrolled in Small Business through Paradise Valley Community College.
Also taking advantage of the various opportunities given to me during incarceration, I have completed Square One (PA) and Financial Literacy (EBRR) as FSA classes. The inmate-led classes have also been very beneficial, as I have completed Life Skills I, Small Business, and Life Skills II. I have also participated in Community Bible Study through the facility. I also participate in the Canine Companion program to help train dogs to service the disabled.
In my free time, I do an independent Bible study, and further my knowledge in business studies. As well as, an inmate-led book club for religious self-help.
Risk Assessment:
By understanding the Bureau of Prisons guidelines, I have a good understanding about the risk assessments. I understand that I will need to complete a SPARC-13 “needs assessment”. The guideline identifies 13 factors that can influence criminal behavior:
- Anger/Hostility: I do not perceive that I have issues with anger or hostility.
- Antisocial Peers: I do not associate with antisocial peers.
- Cognitions: I do not perceive any cognition issues and learn easily.
- Dyslexia: I have never been diagnosed with dyslexia.
- Education: I have a high school diploma and commit to further my education in business.
- Family/Parenting: I have excellent relationships with my grandparents and extended family.
- Financial/Poverty: My grandparents will support me financially until I am able to do so independently. I have the skills and motivation to quickly secure stable income for myself.
- Medical: I am in good medical health.
- Mental Health: I do not have any mental health diagnoses.
- Recreation/Leisure/Fitness: I contribute to bettering myself physically and spiritually to contribute to my community upon release.
- Substance Abuse: I intend to further address my substance abuse issues through counseling upon my release, even though I have completed the Drug Education class.
- Trauma: I have completed the Trauma class and intend to participate in the Resolve program. I hope to inspire others to switch from a negative to a positive lifestyle based on my progress with trauma.
- Work: I have always worked and will be able to earn a steady income after my release.
I understand that the Bureau of Prisons will consider the factors above to complete a risk assessment of my recidivism. Based on my understanding of the PATTERN risk assessment for recidivism, I anticipate that the Bureau of Prisons will score me with a minimal risk of recidivity.
- I have a strong support system within my family
- I understand myself and the actions I need to take to live a positive, law-abiding lifestyle
- I have attained skills while incarcerated to obtain a job upon release
I knowingly transported illegal aliens with possession of a firearm for financial benefit. I proceeded to commit this crime, even though I knew it was wrong. I take full responsibility for my crime and comprehend the consequences.
Using this time to evaluate where my criminal behavior stemmed from contributes to creating a plan to make amends for my previous actions. My plan is to write letters to my victims and dedicate my time to my community to be a role model to my peers. I refuse to let money blur my vision to see what is right for myself and others.
Personal Plan:
I knew what I was doing was wrong while I was committing criminal acts. To the best of my ability, I have tried to make up for what I have done while incarcerated. My relationships with my family have been reconciled, I plead guilty to my crime and committed to a plan to contribute to my victims and community.
I have removed myself from communications with people that put me in a negative, criminal environment and opportunities to commit crimes. With the support of my family, I have put myself in a positive, law-abiding lifestyle that will follow me upon release.
Another prominent part of my journey includes a commitment to personal growth. My responsibility to myself, my family, and accountability to my plan and community will prove this growth. My release plan consists of personal growth, community service, and education.
As a part of my routine, I wake up early every morning to study the Bible to make myself spiritually fit and work out for physical fitness. One of my firm beliefs is to stay strong in my faith to mentally better myself while creating self-discipline through a routine. I have also been building my business plan to implement once I am released and financially stable.
I also journal daily and write biographies which will help me give back to society. Through Michael Santos’ advocacy program “Prison Professor Talent”, I am able to write about daily life, progress, and struggles to help others face similar challenges, while proving inmates can advocate for themselves before release.
My aim is to be active in the church and mentor felons struggling with reentering into society. I hope to employ felons once my business launches and use the business to prove ex-criminals can turn their lives around. My business will be a clothing line that supports suicide awareness.
I will use the skills I have attained at my job during incarceration to obtain a job after release. I will strive to become a heavy machine operator or welder for financial stability. I will also apply to Maricopa Community Colleges for Small Business.
On the Bureau of Prisons’ website, there is a 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 for publication while in custody without staff approval”
Besides adhering to my own plan, I also will follow guidance from the experts in the BOP.
