I have received numerous emails, tweets and comments about Jodi Arias and her access to social media and internet. To be clear, Arias will have NO access to social media ever again.
But, she may have access to the internet. This access is on a restricted server and is for certain monitored purposes only. The uproar and confusion is simply solved by looking at facts and not rumors or fake TV shows pretending to spend time inside.
Prison, crimes and the aftermath are no joke.
Filed under Prison Consulting
Recently I have been contacted everyday about the new movie coming out called The Bling Ring. The movie is based on events of several teenagers who “stole” items from celebrities homes. The case itself has two major players, Rachel Lee, my client and Nick Prugo. One of the very minor players, Alexis Neirs was rewarded with a reality show on E! and a light sentence and rehab.
ALL of these players have spoken extensively to the media except Rachel Lee. Lee has never spoken publicly except for a letter she wrote to her sentencing judge. Lee received the harshest sentence 4 years in State Prison but was released to a “fire camp” after over one year. This fact and that Lee has refused all media has made her a case of much speculation and mystery. Yet Lee should be the easiest one to figure out.
I worked with Rachel to prepare her prison and to help give her the proper guidance for entry into Fire Camp. I also helped her family and still keep in touch with them. So, the story of Rachel Lee is a private one that is hers to tell. What I can say, as I did recently in the Los Angeles Times , is that there is often a reason NOT to talk to the media and in fact I often advise my clients not to. After all, what’s in it for them?
There is also the issue that this crime spree is nothing to be proud of or be famous over. Thus, if a person is trying to really change and improve their life after such a catastrophic event that should be respected. I often say that Prison can be a transformative experience.
But in order to understand the crimes the Bling Ring participated in, it is helpful to understand criminal thinking in general. There are eight criminal thinking errors including grandiosity, entitlement, mollification and cut off. Many of these apply in this case. Add this to the fact that I often see people get away with things and then take bad behavior to the next step. For example, Lawrence Taylor went from drug crimes, to white-collar crimes and recently a prostitution related crime. Each time the crime gets bolder and bigger. This is when people need what I call an INCARCERVENTION- a legal intervention of sorts. Otherwise, we see bad behavior get rewarded and grow.
There is no mystery to the bling ring kids and no reason to continue the saga unless people want to understand that poor choices happen and it’s what one does with those choices, the teams they put in place and the family support that makes the difference and what matters.
The media speculation can continue, but the truth is that this was a series of crimes that became bigger and bolder not because the players were such criminals, but because of the fascination with celebrity and most importantly the excitement of “getting away with things.”
As for Rachel Lee and her family, they may make a statement at a future date but they are not naïve enough to help promote a movie that does not show them is the best or most truthful way.
Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, crisis manager and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, E! News, People.com, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest on the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@wendyfeldman.com
Follow @thewendyfeldman
Everyday people ask me what life will be like in State Prison for Jodie Arias. People are especially interested in the quality of her life. To be sure, her life will not be all snacks and fun, but it is not that bad either. And, if she is sent to death row it may be even better. There are only two women on death row in Arizona. Both are at Perryville State Prison where Arias will eventually end up no matter if she receives life or death. She will DIE there.
But life inside a maximum-security prison is not all hard times and labor. In fact, some prefer the maximum section of the prison. It is here that one is allowed their own TV and sometimes Internet. No mass TV room, no waiting but no privacy from the guards either. It really is life in a fishbowl. But, for a narcissist like Arias, this will suit her perfectly.
Jodie Arias says she wants to accomplish many things while in prison. While this may seem unfair to many people, the truth is that she may be able to do. The alternative is that we keep paying for her and others to do nothing. Arias however will not be allowed to come and go as she pleases and her ability to exercise of the “yard” will be very limited if at all. This as she has been convicted of first-degree murder.
But, let’s not forget that Arias has been held in the infamous Maricopa county jail headed by none other than master criminal himself Sheriff Joe Arpaio. A true case of birds of a feather. For those in a rush to have Arias sent to State Prison at Perryville, stop and consider that Sheriff Joe runs the WORST county jail in the United States and conditions are horrific. They even have a section known as “tent city” where inmates live in tents outside in the Arizona heat. I would prefer Arias stay there but once formally sentenced she will move to the more plush Perryville in Phoenix.
I have worked with many women who have been and are at Perryville and the treatment depends on the crime, the time and the behavior. Do not expect it to be easy for Jodie Arias but it certainly will not be hard time. And yes, she can order all kinds of snacks from the commissary. Is this rehabilitation? Nope, but a life sentence is not designed for that. I for one am closing the Arias chapter and turning my attention to those who need to rehabilitate and their families. Never forget that over 95% of all people incarcerated in the US are coming out and most in less than 5 years. We must learn to deal with this population now.
Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, crisis manager and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, E! News, People.com, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest on the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@wendyfeldman.com
Follow @thewendyfeldman
Filed under death row for women, Jodie Arias, prepare for jail, prison consultant
Jodie Arias was just convicted of first degree murder in Arizona. That means she will soon be transferred to Arizona State Prison. And that means Perryville even if she goes to death row. I have known many women who have served time at Perryville and currently have several clients who are still there. Bottom line- Perryville is NO JOKE. It is hard time. They do offer inmate programs for various issues, especially substance abuse, but Arias will no doubt be a lifer and that is a whole different world.
The Perryville complex houses various security levels, but Arias will be in Maximum Security and will have non contact visits and be housed in a cell not a dorm. She will have access to television and like all inmates will be able to buy a radio and various items from the commissary. In fact, high profile cases like Arias, Scott Peterson, Manson and even Casey Anthony often have strangers deposit money on their books for such items. The most popular commissary item is Ice Cream- especially in Arizona in Summer!
But, this prison stay will be no cake walk and contrary to media reports, there is no tweeting or even computers or cell phones. And yes, there are female gangs at Perryville. SO what will life be like for Jodi Arias and her family? ROUTINE. Remember, the family is a victim of Arias also and they will need to decide if they keep in contact with her. No matter what the Arias family has an adjustment period also. I often coach families on how to deal with a loved one’s incarceration. In this case it will be a whole new normal as she is never coming home.
Often the person inside tries to hustle the outsiders and play on their sympathies. I suspect Arias will do this as well. Her family will need to learn boundaries and get over any guilt they may have while showing empathy and compassion for the victim and his family.
As for Jodie Arias she must prepare for long, boring days and lonely nights now that the court drama has ended. Perryville and it’s hard core rules await.
Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, crisis manager and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, E! News, People.com, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest on the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@wendyfeldman.com
Follow @thewendyfeldman
Reese Witherspoon has it right. Well, she had it wrong when she was arrested in the ATL for “drunk and disorderly conduct” but she is quickly redeeming herself. WHO is her legal coach???
Over the weekend her husband, CAA agent Jim Toth was arrested for alleged DUI whiled driving a Ford Focus after one too many. As everybody knows, I write a lot about celebs and their choosing to drive vs. a car service or taxi, but a FORD FOCUS?-
The only thing funny is how Reese pulled the celeb card in a non-celeb city, driving a Focus late at night and not looking like herself. I think she forgot ATL is not LA.
But in a smart legal move, Reese has taken responsibility for her behavior and apologized. Keep in mind that she is charged with a very insignificant “sober up” crime while her husband is charged with DUI, so she has nothing to loose but her dignity. That can be repaired as she has already started. She certainly has attempted some damage control and some restorative justice. I am sure we will not see her on Celebrity Rehab anytime soon! As for her husband, Toth needs to start working on an Alternative Sentence ASAP.
What may need some work is her long-term attitude of entitlement and the legal issue her husband now finds himself in. The issue many celebs have and what those with criminal thinking often have is ENTITLEMENT and GRANDIOSITY. These are two of the criminal thinking errors that plague many of us.
But the good news is that this is a perfect chance to shine the light on DUI and the silly choice to drink and drive. Let’s hope she continues to try and do right not DUI and make some changes while helping others. Maybe some good will come out of this…Stay tuned.
Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, crisis manager and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, E! News, People.com, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest on the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@wendyfeldman.com
Follow @thewendyfeldman
Filed under alternatvive sentencing, celebrities, d.u.i
Much has been written about the recent court order that was allegedly sending Lindsay Lohan to “lockdown” rehab instead of jail. Of course there is NO such thing. That is called the PSYCH ward and many people go there before residential treatment for detox and evaluation.
The courts often confuse mental illness and drug addiction. In addition, our court system is not geared towards treating those with mental illness. In many cases a DUI class or diversion is ordered. In the case last year of actor Johnny Lewis, rehab was ordered even though many of us knew he had no drug problem, and in fact was sober at the time of his death.
Now we have every “expert” talking about the sentence of Lindsay Lohan. There are even reports that she wants to stay on the drug Adderall while in treatment. What people are failing to understand is that it is common procedure to stay on any medication that the treating psychiatrist deems necessary and helpful. SOBER does not mean without medication. Thus, many people need psych meds, and a quality program will allow these.
The term lockdown rehab can and does mean many things. What is key in alternative sentencing cases is that the person receive the help and treatment they need while obeying the court order. This is usually accomplished by following the rules of the treatment center and the treating psychiatrist. In the Lohan case she will need to go to a facility that is strict enough to obey court orders and not a typical Hollywood rehab where money talks. Most quality rehabs or residential treatment centers will have house rules that can be modified for court orders. This is common procedure.
SO, to all of the “experts” this is how it works. Now the key is to get courts onboard to address the psychosocial issues that come with drugs and crime. This is where education matters and standard AA and diversion fails. Without a synergy between mental health treatment and addiction treatment, people will keep the cycle of arrests, rehab and jail. Let’s hope the Lohan case draws attention to how our system needs to improve.
Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, crisis manager and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, E! News, People.com, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest on the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@wendyfeldman.com
Follow @thewendyfeldman
Filed under Adderall, alternatvive sentencing, Lisa Bloom
The Lindsay Lohan saga in criminal court just got even more LINSANE. Really- nobody could make this up. Lohan or a lawyer on her behalf was supposed to appear in Los Angeles court today. But, neither appeared. Well, a “lawyer’ named Mark Heller did. Mark Heller- the formerly disbarred NY lawyer appeared for Ms. Lohan. But, as previously written and talked about, Heller is not a California lawyer and California criminal law and jails are much different than New York’s.
Judge Jim Dabney admonished Heller for not having local co-council and went as far as to state that Lohan must hire local lawyers or appear and state that she understands she has an “incompetent” lawyer and is willing to take that risk. So, what is Lohan going to do? The answer is as complicated as the many issues Lohan has going on.
Lohan faces charges of lying to police and a probation violation. In fact, she faces multiple jail terms and jurisdictions. This is not just a simple misdemeanor case. Lohan also faces allegations of IRS problems and a large UNPAID bill for an amount due to her previous lawyer Shawn Holley. Holley was sadly fired by Lohan after years of helping her escape jail and turn her life around. Many of us who believe in alternative sentences have seen the Lohan case demonstrate what creative options are possible for those who want to work hard to change their lives.
So, again what CAN Lohan do now? The lawyer who takes her on will have to put in many hours and be able to be creative. A global solution involving all of the criminal cases should be sought. But the problem will be who is going to pay the bill, and who is smart enough to structure such a deal. This deal will need to involve rehab, psychiatric help, probation expertise and the respect of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. A LOT of work. This legal coach suggests that Lohan get real, get busy and get a solid team together yet again. And Lindsay, I said TEAM. And that will involve a sponsorship by a quality rehab and all of us to believe. Well, it is Hollywood the land of make-believe!
Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, crisis manager and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, E! News, People.com, Fox News, NBC News, CNN, NPR and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest on the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@wendyfeldman.com
Follow @thewendyfeldman
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