Richard Walker Iterative Release Plan
The iterative process is a method of creating a list of steps that will allow for reaching the goal or desired achievement. During the iterative process it’s important to continuously improve the process with alterations as unexpected factors or undesired progress occurs. By constantly adjusting the steps within the process an optimized result will be obtained.
Reflecting back on my time from indictment until my release I had created an iterative process for an early release. There is no universal process that fits everyone’s needs, rather the list below is what optimally worked for me.
- The first step for me was to accept the responsibility of my actions and what my current situation had become. Without this acceptance, I would have an internal fight within myself over feelings and thoughts such as this isn’t fair and why me.
- What did I want to accomplish? I knew I didn’t want to serve 65 months, so I set an open ended goal of doing whatever I could to serve less than 65 months.
- I realized that to obtain my goal, I needed to take the initiative myself, and nobody else was responsible for my goal.
- I needed knowledge. I committed to researching and understanding policies, regulations, opportunities, laws – anything that could assist me with the knowledge and understanding to reduce my sentence.
- In any iterative process you want to have some form of measurable progress. The methodology for evaluating my success was to see my release date of May 7, 2026 change to an earlier date on my sentence computation sheet.
- Just doing the work wasn’t going to translate to an earlier release. I knew I needed some form of a team for this process. For me it was as basic as having 2-3 other inmates that were seeking any and all productive activities that were available. I needed my progress documented, my Education Counselor understood my goal and committed to overseeing and entering my programs to track my progress.
- It was important to understand I was working along with the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, and the Federal Government on guidelines and implementation. At all times I needed to know how policies may be changing or methods for implementing credits may occur. During my time I saw several changes from no policy on credits, to 8 hours of programming equalling 1 day, to just having a job or being in a class counting as programming. Understand that there will be external factors and allow flexibility for addressing these issues.
- I frequently updated my progress with my “team.” Without frequently documenting the most up to date situation I risked external factors causing complications. For instance, allowing a few months to go by without having my Education Counselor input my programming, I risked that staff member unexpectedly leaving or encountering a situation where I didn’t receive credit.
- I needed the proper mindset to remain steadfast at all times. I understood that this is a process and there will be outliers and unexpected issues. I need to stay focused on the ultimate goal, understand that challenges are to be expected – and should be welcomed because I will address them, and never take anything for granted until the ultimate goal has been achieved.
- With any iterative process we should have a realization that our iterative process will never be finished. My iterative process allowed me to leave prison 38 months earlier than was listed on paper. That achieved my ultimate goal with a quantifiable measure in place that I felt was a success. However, my iterative process had other goals. Upon reentry I wanted a career. Fortunately, as I progressed through my release goal, it caused me to see a larger issue that is facing the entire criminal justice system – and provided my desired next career post incarceration.
My next career is to focus on Prison Reform in the United States. This task has become my one and only focus and the passion is growing daily within. While my original iterative process had one essential stakeholder – myself – this new focus is incredibly complex with countless stakeholders. Researching, educating, understanding, focusing, setting goals are all still key components of the new challenges, however recognizing all the different stakeholders and ways for accomplishing Prison Reform is essential. My list and goals will continue to grow, but below are the preliminary stakeholders that need to be addressed within Prison Reform.
- Inmates that are in the same situation I was – educate them, show them a process, assist with documents or filings
- Assist indicted individuals presentencing
- Assist individuals post sentencing
- Protect First Step Act and other established Laws
- Create educational opportunities to assist incarcerated individuals with reentry
- Address policies within the Bureau of Prison, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Justice
- Provide training and tools to staff within the Bureau of Prisons and Department of Corrections to improve the risk of recidivism with inmates
- Focus on statistics to enhance additional programs, policies, and Laws to reduce excessive sentences
- Educate the general public on the need for Prison Reform
- Promote updated guidelines for Residential Reentry Centers to increase successful integration into society
- Understand funding will be required
