Category Archives: rapper T.I.

September 1, 2011 · 9:03 PM

Hey T.I.- Prison is easy- Re-entry is hard!!!

Free yesterday and back in the slammer today! Rapper T.I. and his behavior yesterday proved too much for the Feds. This was so predictable. One would think that he would know the rules by now.

T.I. was released from federal prison August 31 and was to report at an Atlanta Halfway House to begin his re-entry back into society yet again. A person may transfer from federal prison to a Halfway House via private transportation, but that mode of transportation must be approved, and so does who is actually transferring the released person. So, surprise, surprise when reports surfaced that T.I. arrived at the Atlanta house in a tour bus followed by several cars in a private “motorcade.” It is obvious that T.I. had been approved to be driven in one of the cars and then went on the tour bus. A big NO NO. The Bureau of Prisons is very particular about how people behave while they are in the custody of a Halfway House.

T.I. has a long history with the Feds. In fact, he served a very light seven months in Federal prison in 2009 after he was arrested for trying to by guns from an undercover Federal agent. This after he served time on other charges going back to 1998. The 2009 sentence was a revolutionary Alternative Sentence that combined light prison time with house arrest and community service. In that case T.I. was looking at a 10-year prison term. Yet, T.I. did not learn his lesson despite a reality show called The Road To Redemption and was sent back to prison in 2010 for violating probation in that case.

Now it seems T.I. is at it again. So, how do we explain this? SIMPLE- he has an utter lack of humility. The key ingredient in life after prison is a level of humility. It is the same thing I coach people to practice during their investigative phase and a trial. Hello Blago and Conrad Murray listen up!

The main message here is that we need judges to keep offering alternative sentences to people and yet cases like T.I. make it difficult for them. But hey, at least we have Michael Vick and a true example of humility, Restorative Justice and hard work.

Successful re-entry is possible, but just as I said on Nancy Grace, Prison is easy, re-entry is tough. T.I., change is possible keep working on it.

Follow @Incarcervention

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Filed under alternatvive sentencing, Blago, celebrities, community service, Conrad Murray, Federal Prison, prison consultant, prison re entry, rapper T.I., Restoratice Justice

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July 2, 2011 · 3:04 PM

What’s Federal Prison Like on July 4- Freedom day???

Have you ever wondered what prison is like on Independence Day?  Ironic, as prison is a place you earn your way to by choosing to give up your freedom. Independence what? The truth is that in the Federal Prison system- the BOP- Bureau of Prison’s- puts it’s best self forward as they do on all holidays. This means card tournaments, sports events, movies and special meals. All with prizes. Yep, prizes. Why? Because prison is supposed to be for paying your debt to society and rehabilitation. The fact is that most people in prison in the U.S. are coming home and most in less than 5 years. So, a little perk here and there does serve a purpose and make inmates feel more like people. People they will one day need to be as they re-enter society.

Of course, I was in a Federal Prison Camp- a la Martha Stewart, Steve Madden and Mike Milken, but the BOP strives to make all Federal Prisons more tolerable on holidays. So, even Bernie Madoff will be living it up this Fourth of July weekend. Next year Blago will be as well.

The fact is that most inmates appreciate these “perks” and holidays are hard. The Fourth of July and the celebration of freedom is a tough concept to deal with in prison. That’s why most choose not to think and reflect about their choices and the consequences. Those who end up in prison in  the United States have made a choice in most cases. It’s that choice that is hard to accept and why some people keep making the wrong ones. For those I say get an Incarcervention. For others, remember we live in the land of the free and change is possible.

But, I urge all of us- even those who have FREEDOM, to sit back and show gratitude. We do live in the land of the FREE. Happy July 4!!

Follow me on twitter @incarcervention

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Filed under Barry Bonds, Blago, Cameron Douglas, Casey Anthony, criminal justice, Federal Prison, financial fraud, Fourth of July in prison, incarcervention, jail, prison coaching, prison preparation, prison re entry, raj rajaratnum, rapper T.I., restorative justice, Tot mom, visiting parents in prison, Wall Street, women in prison

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December 25, 2010 · 3:30 PM

The Top Ten Predictions from this Insider for 2011

As 2010 comes to a close, I would like to share my top predictions for 2011 as well as recap a few key events from 2010. As we all know, 2010 was a year of change and recovery. This is a good thing in many ways. While the economy is getting better, more changes are coming. 2010 brought us the incarcerations of Madoff as well as the final stages of the investigations into others involved. We also saw rapper T.I. violate his probation and return to prison, while Michael Vick continues to go strong on his road back.  We saw Lindsay Lohan receive an appropriate alternative sentence, while Charlie Sheen continues his cry for an INCARCERVENTION! 2010 also brought election changes that will take effect in 2011. 2011 should be full of more of the same and some new twists as well.

1-    There will be criminal charges brought in the BP Gulf oil disaster. Remember the wheels of Justice turn slowly, but they do turn.

2-    Wall Street Hedge Funds and Insider traders are the big “get” for the D.O.J .in 2011. Look out!

3-    Celebrities will continue to get in trouble. But, this year we may see some courts begin to be creative in their sentencing.

4-    Election results in California, where there is a huge problem with the prison system, will result in positive alternative sentencing and more education for Judges and courts. The new Attorney General Kamala Harris is tough but understands the need for rehabilitation in most cases.

5-    The country will continue to become educated to the facts that most people in custody are coming out-and soon. Through programs like CNN Heroes shining the light on people like Susan Burton, 2011 will be a year of change  and understanding in our criminal justice system.

6-    Wesley Snipes will continue to complain about his prison term while he is in Prison!

7-    Andy Fastow, remember him from ENRON, will be released from Prison.

8-    Blago will be re-tried and eventually go to Prison.

9-    Our new Supreme Court will show us what they are really made of as they try to hand down Equal Justice.

10-Dr. Drew will find himself in need of an INCARCERVENTION!

Good-bye to 2010 and hello 2011. This insider is ready.

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Filed under celebrities, Celebrity Rehab, Charlie Sheen, CNN Heroes, Criminal Justice, enron, Federal Prison, financial fraud, Goldman Sachs, Gulf oil spill, Hedge Funds, prison coaching, prison consultant, rapper T.I., reality tv, Wesley Snipes

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October 15, 2010 · 9:30 PM

T.I.- Did you blow Alternative Sentences for the rest of us??

Rapper T.I. appeared in court today and was sentenced to 11 months in prison. This, as Federal Judge Charles Pannell Jr. revoked T.I’s probation and said T.I. had had enough second chances. This is a real setback for defendants in all cases, especially Federal.

Most states have many different alternative sentencing options, but alternatives are rarely offered in Federal cases. Now we see why. Change, even for judges and our criminal justice system, is hard. Judge Pannell had tried what he called “an experiment” in this case. You see, T.I had received what many thought was a light sentence on his weapons case. But, part of his sentence was probation as well as 1,000 hours of community service. This sentence was built by the rapper’s own lawyers on promises that T.I. could become a role model to at risk youth, those on drugs and part of gangs.  In fact, prior to his surrender to Federal Prison, T.I. had starred in his own TV show- MTV’s Road to Redemption. Great strategy and much promise if only T.I. had really walked the walk. Judge Pannell stated “T.I. had dropped a lot of smut on this experiment.” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates also said “We had hoped that this would be a new, innovative opportunity,” she said. “We’re not giving up on Mr. Harris, but … if you veer off the road of redemption, there are consequences.”

Well, true that! T.I. everyone makes mistakes, and often we fall off the road, but today you showed you may never have been on the right road. You failed to take responsibility and pled for mercy while blaming your addiction. T.I. even went so far as to bring testimony into court regarding a man he helped earlier in the week. While that may have been genuine, it is not a reason to keep T.I from facing the consequences of his 15-year career in the criminal justice system. Others who have been in these shoes have faced YEARS in prison, not months.

SO, here is hoping that we all can learn from this-especially the many fans who have looked up to T.I. And- here is to hoping that this one “experiment” does not dissuade other judges from granting alternative sentences.

T.I., this Insider wants you to truly start on YOUR road to redemption and realize that change is possible with hard work. In the future we all need to take alternative sentencing seriously.

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Filed under bail, celebrities, community service, Criminal Justice, Federal Prison, jail, prison consultant, Prison Consulting, prison preparation, prison re entry, rapper T.I., reality tv, rehab, Restoratice Justice, War on Drugs

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