Release Plan for Patrick Haydel

Prepared by: Patrick Haydel
BOP Registration Number: 27475-510
Surrender Date: February 5, 2025
Intended Facility: FCI Oakdale II

Introduction

I am grateful for the chance to present this release plan from within custody. Though I no longer have the freedom to act on many of my intentions, I remain wholly responsible for what brought me here. Writing this plan is my way of showing that I continue to reflect, repent, and prepare—not only for eventual release, but for the kind of man I need to become in the time I have left.

This document is not theoretical. It arises from the weight of consequence. I surrendered with shame in my heart and regret in my bones, knowing I had let down my family, my community, and the medical profession that shaped me. I was raised by people who believed in duty, reverence, and accountability. When I lost sight of those things, I fell.

From prison, I have no illusions about comfort or control. But I do have clarity. I see how selfish decisions, especially when cloaked in convenience or justified by financial strain, can destroy reputations, damage institutions, and hurt people I will never know. The time I spend here must have meaning, or I will have wasted even more than I already have.

This release plan reflects my ongoing commitment to restitution, repentance, and preparation. It is shaped by:

Long periods of reflection on the choices that led to this conviction, the warnings I ignored, and the values I abandoned.
A steady return to the faith practices that have grounded my family for generations—Catholic devotions, morning prayer, and spiritual reading—alongside conversations with chaplains and mentors here who remind me to stay humble.
A desire to support others around me, including those incarcerated alongside me who lack family, education, or support, and who respond to kindness with extraordinary grace.

I do not see my time in custody as a redirection or opportunity. I see it as a responsibility. A season that requires silence, service, and moral repair. My hope is that, with time, I can earn back the trust I lost and rejoin my community with fewer words and more evidence of change.

This plan lays out my priorities: to live modestly, to remain teachable, to take part in programs that will benefit others as well as myself, and to return home someday not simply having done time—but having made use of it.

With respect and sincerity,
Patrick Haydel

Key Objectives

Follow any guidance from my Unit Team.
Comply fully with institutional policies and demonstrate exemplary behavior.
Learn about every opportunity to reduce my sentence through Good Conduct Time (GCT) and First Step Act (FSA) credits.
Participate in programs that foster personal growth, remove areas of vulnerability, and make the best use of my time to rebuild and prepare for higher levels of success after I return to society.
Share the knowledge I’ve gained with others in the prison, either by teaching or participating in classes that administrators approve.
Show others what I’ve learned about building release plans and building a record that will accelerate pathways to success after release.
Maintain the highest transparency and accountability with prison officials, my family, and society.
Prepare for reintegration by creating systems for long-term compliance with laws and professional ethics.

Timeline

April 14, 2024

Unless instructed otherwise, I will faithfully surrender to the Federal Correctional Institution Schuylkill on April 14, 2025.

30-Day Initial Classification Period

Complete all assignments, as directed by the Unit Team.
Complete the risk and needs assessment under the PATTERN system, where I anticipate being classified as minimum-risk of recidivism, based on lessons I learned about the PATTERN system by studying the Bureau of Prisons’ website.
Participate in assigned programs, workshops, and classes based on priorities identified by the Unit Team.

Ongoing During Sentence

Maintain exemplary behavior to reduce my sentence through Good Conduct Time by up to 15% (approximately 3 months).
Actively participate in educational programs and self-improvement workshops to earn additional time off through Earned Time Credits (ETC) under the FSA.
Adhere to any guidance from my Unit Team, or other staff members in the camp.
If authorized, teach various courses to others, with hopes of inspiring them to prepare for success upon release. Potential courses include:
- Faith-centered wellness and mindset development.
- Somatic healing practices and mindfulness activities.
- Foundations in entrepreneurship.
- Practical tools for rebuilding trust within family and community.
- Strategies for preparing spiritually, emotionally .

Projected Release: Based on what I learned about Good Conduct Time and Earned Time Credits, and community confinement, I hope my Unit Team will find me a suitable candidate for transition to community confinement at the soonest possible time. It’s my understanding that the Unit Team has discretion, and that to qualify for the earliest possible transition to home confinement, I must abide by all rules and participate in all programs that my Unit Team recommends. Based on what I learned from studying policy statements on the BOP website, I used the following calculations to get a best-possible scenario:
1. Sentence length: 36 months
  1. Potential Reductions:
    1. Good Conduct Time: 5.4 months
    2. ETC First six months, at ten days per month: 2 months
    3. ETC Second six months, at 15 days per month: 3 month
      1. Total deduction after 12 months: 10.4 months
    4. Anticipated remaining available ETC: 3.8 months

Owe to BOP: 36-month sentence, less potential cumulative total of 8.8 months of GCT and ETC results in 21.8 months owed to BOP.
Placement in halfway house/home confinement, approximately three months
1. Potentially spend nine months in the Federal Prison Camp.
2. Potentially spend three months in a community confinement setting.
I certainly realize that the Unit Team will make the decision. I simply used these projections as a guideline to prepare my release plan in the most effective way possible. I want to work toward the best possible outcomes.
Post-Release:
1. It’s my understanding that if my Unit Team authorizes me to transition from prison to a halfway house, I will remain under the authority of the Bureau of Prisons. I will need to comply with instructions from a case manager at the halfway house.
2. After I complete my obligation to the Bureau of Prisons, I will transition to Supervised Release, and must comply with the requirements that a federal probation officer will impose.
3. This preliminary release plan, together with the updates I intend to write while I work through the sentence, will prepare me for that post-release transition.
  1. I intend to keep my Unit Team updated with the progress I make while I serve my sentence, building a record that will apprise administrators in the halfway house, and my probation officer, with the commitment I’ve made to resume my life as a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen. The record I build will be methodical, memorializing all that I am doing to prepare for the journey ahead.

Understanding My Background and Goals

Since pleading guilty to federal charges related to healthcare fraud, I have spent considerable time reflecting on the choices and circumstances that brought me here. Recognizing the seriousness of my situation has been a humbling experience. As I read the charging instruments that stated, “United States of America vs. Patrick Haydel,” I confronted the reality of my decisions and their impacts on my family, my practice, and my community.

I am deeply remorseful for my actions and the position in which I’ve placed myself and those I care about. As such, I dedicated myself to understanding what is expected from individuals entering prison. From the federal court’s website, I learned a great deal about four critical concepts:

Punishment

I now fully understand and accept that punishment serves as society’s clear response to my wrongdoing, underscoring the seriousness of my actions. The reality of being sentenced to imprisonment has been a challenging truth to face, but it remains essential for accountability and justice. While my attorneys manage the legal procedures, my own responsibility lies in recognizing the gravity of my offense and adapting myself constructively to the consequences I must endure.

Deterrence

Through careful reflection, I’ve learned that deterrence is vital in discouraging not only me but also others from engaging in similar offenses. Specific deterrence directly addresses my own behavior, ensuring that I will not repeat these mistakes, while general deterrence stands as a broader societal lesson about the severe implications of such actions. I deeply appreciate my responsibility to demonstrate genuine change and serve as a clear example of accountability and rehabilitation.

Incapacitation

Understanding incapacitation has provided clarity about the purpose of my imprisonment—to protect society by limiting my capacity for further wrongdoing. Accepting society’s decision to separate me temporarily from my family, community, and practice has been profoundly difficult. However, I fully acknowledge that this is a necessary component of the justice system. I commit myself wholeheartedly to using this time meaningfully, pursuing deep reflection, personal growth, and making lasting positive changes.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is the concept for which I bear full responsibility. While the Court alone determines the measures necessary for punishment, deterrence, and incapacitation, rehabilitation relies entirely on my proactive commitment. Recognizing this has inspired me to deeply examine the factors that led to my current circumstances and motivated me to actively pursue the best possible future. I pledge to utilize this period constructively, demonstrating my unwavering dedication to becoming a better, law-abiding citizen.

The concept of rehabilitation resonated most deeply with me because it directly places responsibility for change on my shoulders. While I have no influence over punishment, deterrence, or incapacitation decisions, rehabilitation is an area within my control. I am determined to use my incarceration as an opportunity to reflect honestly on my past choices, to understand the influences that led me here, and to diligently prepare myself for a productive, law-abiding future.

Following all that I learned from the Federal Court’s website, I continued my research, learning about “reentry initiatives” that the Bureau of Prisons emphasized. The BOP’s website even featured a story about Reentry Success, profiling other people who’d gone through the federal prison system, and how they used their time inside to overcome the many challenges that complicate life for people who have a felony conviction.

I reached out to a nonprofit profiled on the website and volunteered to contribute, and learn more. Through that proactive initiative, I learned about the importance of:

Defining Success as the Best Possible Outcome

I no longer define success by business growth, accolades, or professional standing. Those measures deceived me. In truth, they fed the pride that blinded me to what was right. Today, from this place, I understand that success means something far quieter and far more difficult: it means staying honest, accepting correction, and living in a way that honors the trust I once betrayed. Success now means honoring my wife Lauren and our sons, Jackson and Parker, with consistency and integrity. It means aligning my actions with God’s word, not with shortcuts or self-interest. And it means approaching each day in prison not with bitterness, but with purpose. I will not waste this time. I want the record to show that, however late, I did learn what matters most.

Creating a Plan to Guide My Decisions and Keep Me on Track

When I lost my freedom, I resolved not to lose my direction. Each week, I write out my intentions, not as grand resolutions, but as a framework for steady improvement—spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. I focus on what I can control: how I respond, how I serve others, and how I prepare for a return to society that reflects true repentance.

My plan centers on daily structure. I follow a strict schedule for reading, physical fitness, and correspondence with my family. I’ve begun preparing outlines for community programming I hope to offer once I am released, while still working to help others in my prison community. I’ve studied the Bureau of Prisons course list and intend to enroll in every rehabilitative or business ethics program offered. Whatever is asked of me by my Unit Team, I will do without hesitation or complaint.

Putting Priorities in Place

The order of my life was broken long before I was indicted. I let ambition crowd out prayer, and busyness replace discernment. That is no longer the case.

My top priority is spiritual repair—daily Scripture study, prayer, and reflection. I also write weekly letters to my sons, not to instruct, but to admit where I fell short as a man and father. I update Lauren on my schedule and progress, so she can hold me accountable. I take seriously every assignment given by my case manager and use those tasks as anchors.

This is a painful season, but it is not a wasted one. I have learned to number my days. And I intend to spend each of them faithfully.

Developing Tools, Tactics, and Resources to Influence the Journey Ahead

Motivation fades; systems last. I rely on structured tools to track my reading, monitor my behavior, and maintain momentum. I keep a journal that records my daily conduct, study topics, and reflections on character and humility. That record is shared monthly with Lauren, so she can see—not hear, not guess, but see—that I am doing the work. I’ve also begun developing content that may be helpful to young professionals in medicine who feel tempted to “cut corners” in billing or referral relationships. If permitted by prison regulations, I hope to expand this into ethics-based reentry materials that draw from my mistakes. This will never undo the harm I caused, but I pray it can prevent someone else from causing the same.

Creating Personal Accountability Logs to Show Daily Progress

Every day in custody counts. I maintain detailed logs of how I spend my time. These logs include the Scriptures I’ve read, the concepts I’ve studied in business ethics and compliance, and reflections on how I failed in my duty to the Medicare program. They also contain personal letters—most never sent—in which I wrestle with how I got to this point and how I intend to change. Lauren has agreed to retain these logs and forward relevant portions to the halfway house when the time comes. I hope these records will show that I am not waiting for mercy—I am working to prove I am worthy of it.

Preparing to Make Adjustments as I Learned More

I came into prison with a structure—but I’ve already had to adjust that structure to meet the realities of life inside. I’ve learned to listen more than speak, to observe before acting, and to accept when my assumptions fall short. This time has made clear how much I still have to learn—not only about the justice system, but about myself. Every setback has been a mirror. And every correction—whether from staff, peers, or from Scripture—has forced me to face my blind spots. I will continue adjusting my habits, goals, and expectations as I receive feedback from my Unit Team, chaplain, or others. I don’t ask for special treatment. I only ask for the opportunity to keep growing in a direction that reflects responsibility, not pride.

Volunteering:

While incarcerated, I began volunteering with Prison Professors Charitable Corporation, contributing educational materials for use in other institutions. I recorded a course on entrepreneurship, but more importantly, I shared my failure—how my choices harmed Medicare and betrayed my professional oath. I emphasized legal compliance, integrity, and the human cost of short-sighted decisions. I did not speak to impress, rather to warn.

This opportunity to serve—even in a small way—rekindled my sense of moral duty. I am no longer the person who rationalized unlawful payments. That man lacked discernment. That man failed to honor the trust placed in him.

Now several months into my sentence, I continue to volunteer where I can. I get something out of helping people learn tennis or participate in tournaments, yes, but I am trying to give what I have to my community, wherever I find it. That service has also taken the form of offering spiritual guidance and volunteering to cook without pay.

Going forward, I plan to continue volunteering in ways that align with my experience and the needs of others. If permitted, I will assist with peer mentorship, especially for younger men struggling to navigate incarceration with integrity. I will also continue developing written materials that speak directly to healthcare professionals, warning them of how easily one can cross the line.

I am especially committed to causes that address elder care and emotional well-being, which I now see through a much clearer lens. After witnessing the hardship my mother endured with Alzheimer’s and remembering the patients who relied on my practice, I carry a deeper obligation to use my skills ethically, if ever given that opportunity again.

Above all, I seek to prove—not with words but with sustained effort—that I can be useful, not just remorseful. I cannot undo the harm I caused, but I can choose every day to walk humbly, act rightly, and serve wherever I’m needed.

Personal Development and Growth Plan

My incarceration is a consequence of my wrongdoing, and I accept it as a just and necessary reckoning. I also recognize that time in custody is not idle—it is a responsibility. I intend to use this time wisely, both to improve myself and to repair what I can of the harm I caused.

1. Rehabilitation Through Structured Programs

Though I am limited to the offerings and conditions of the Bureau of Prisons, I remain committed to using every available resource to grow in knowledge, discipline, and moral clarity. I am particularly focused on three areas:

 Financial and Regulatory Ethics: I plan to pursue any available programming that deepens my understanding of Medicare compliance, anti-kickback statutes, and proper recordkeeping standards. I want to ensure that, should I return to the healthcare field in any role, I never again misunderstand or violate legal boundaries.

 Writing and Communication: I aim to improve my writing and presentation skills. I hope to document what I’ve learned—especially my failures—in ways that can warn others in healthcare against the kinds of shortcuts and rationalizations that led me astray.

 Cognitive and Emotional Development: I intend to participate in cognitive behavioral programs to improve my decision-making, deepen self-awareness, and better manage regret and emotional strain. If courses in critical thinking, values clarification, or moral reasoning are available, I will enroll.

2. Contribution

Even in confinement, I want to be of use to others. Before surrendering, I volunteered with the Prison Professors Charitable Corporation to help develop educational content for incarcerated people. That coursework now includes a small business course in which I openly described my story and the ethical failings that led to it. If permitted, I would like to continue contributing through similar means—either by assisting peers with their reentry plans or by mentoring others on the importance of legal compliance and humility. I hope my mistakes can serve as a cautionary tale.

3. Accountability and Measurement of Progress

To ensure I remain aligned to these goals, I have adopted simple tools to measure my progress.

 Book Reflections: For each book I read—especially those related to business ethics, history, or faith—I plan to write a short summary of what I learned and why it matters to me now.

 Routine Self-Assessment: Each week, I will set and review personal goals. I will track progress privately through journaling and share meaningful developments with my wife, Lauren, and our two sons during regular communication.

 External Feedback: My wife and sons remain my moral compass. With their help, I will maintain accountability through honest updates and mutual review of how I’m spending my time and energy. These efforts will serve as documentation for both my conscience and future supervision.

I do not seek a shortcut out of my sentence. I seek to become a man worthy of the trust I once violated. This plan is my attempt to do so—through learning, reflection, and service.

Reentry Plan

1. Family and Community Support

My wife Lauren and our two sons, Jackson and Parker, remain the center of my life. Their steadfast love gives me strength and reminds me every day of what truly matters. Although my physical absence is painful, I do everything I can to stay present in their lives. I write letters, I place calls, and I pray with them. I am determined to emerge from this experience a man they can be proud of—not because I never failed, but because I faced my failure and changed.

My community has not turned away from me. Neighbors, friends, fellow parishioners at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, and past patients have written, visited, and extended compassion I did not expect but deeply cherish. I know I have broken their trust, and I want to earn it back, one honest step at a time.

2. Professional Reintegration

I voluntarily surrendered my chiropractic license in 2023. That decision was not made lightly, but it was necessary. I knew I had violated the trust that came with my title, and I believed that any return to practice must begin with accountability, not entitlement. I am now working with the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners and other relevant authorities to ensure that any potential reinstatement proceeds lawfully and appropriately.

As part of my sentence, I understand I must complete 100 hours of pro bono medical service upon release. I accept this obligation with humility. I view it not as a punishment, but as a small chance to give something back to the community I harmed. I want those hours to be meaningful—to serve elderly patients, uninsured individuals, or others in need, under proper supervision and with all compliance protocols observed. That is only possible if I regain my license, and I am prepared to meet every requirement necessary to do so, including continuing education, ethical retraining, and structured oversight.

In the meantime, I am using my time in custody to prepare. I have studied entrepreneurship and compliance, volunteered to teach incarcerated peers, and contributed to a rehabilitative curriculum through Prison Professors Charitable Corporation. I’ve written and recorded a course in small business ethics and operations, using my own failures as a cautionary example.

I am not waiting until I am free to start changing. I know that professional reintegration begins now—with honesty, with patience, and with a renewed commitment to serve lawfully.

3. Community Contribution

Even in prison, I can contribute. I have volunteered my time helping others draft letters, file forms, and understand the financial basics of entrepreneurship. I have volunteered by teaching people to play tennis or to grow in their relationship with God. I intend to continue this work after release. I am especially committed to preventing healthcare fraud by educating small providers on compliance. I know firsthand how easy it is to go astray—and how catastrophic the consequences can be.

My wife and I also remain engaged with the same service efforts that defined our family life before this case. From holiday food drives to church-based elder meal programs, I will rejoin these projects in whatever humble capacity is allowed. And if my story can serve as a warning to others—professionals, marketers, caregivers—I will tell it as many times as needed.

Needs Assessment

I reviewed the Bureau of Prisons’ risk and needs assessment and understand the importance of addressing all 13 SPARC categories to support my rehabilitation. Here is my plan:

Anger/Hostility: I do not have anger management issues and will continue utilizing constructive methods to manage stress.
Antisocial Peers: I have always surrounded myself with positive influences and will continue to actively seek supportive relationships.
Antisocial Cognition: I take complete responsibility for my decisions related to financial oversight and am committed to ethical, transparent decision-making moving forward.
Dyslexia/Learning Disabilities: I do not have any learning disabilities.
Education: I highly value lifelong learning and will use my time in prison to expand my knowledge and skills.
Family/Parenting: My family is my utmost priority, and I will maintain strong and consistent communication and support them in every way possible.
Finance/Poverty: I have already strengthened financial controls within my business and remain committed to diligent financial responsibility.
Medical: Although currently healthy, I will follow all medical guidance from the BOP to maintain my health effectively.
Mental Health: I possess a resilient mindset and will actively engage in personal development to further enhance my emotional and psychological strength.
Recreation/Fitness: Physical activity has always been essential to my well-being, and I will maintain a disciplined fitness routine.
Substance Abuse: I have no history of substance abuse and will continue a lifestyle free of such concerns.
Trauma: Having faced significant challenges, I use past hardships as sources of strength and motivation to foster personal growth.
Work Ethic: I pride myself on a strong work ethic and will remain productive, engaging constructively throughout my incarceration.

Transparency and Commitment

I recognize that the success of this release plan depends on full and earnest participation in the outlined initiatives. Prison officials, the courts, and my family can count on my ongoing transparency and diligence in every aspect of this process.

Final Thoughts

While this chapter of my life presents immense challenges, it also represents a crucial opportunity for growth, reflection, and contribution. My goal is to learn everything possible from this experience, and return home with more skills, a strong mindset, and a renewed commitment to live as a law-abiding, contributing citizen. I will contribute meaningfully during my time in custody by sharing my knowledge and helping others develop their own strategies for success.

Thank you for considering my plan. I look forward to working in full cooperation with your direction and expertise during this process.

Respectfully,
Patrick Haydel

Patrick Haydel

Release Plan