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Originally Published January 7th, 2020 One of the most-feared situations of most people is having tax problems with the IRS. Most people think that not filing taxes on time and accurately means jail time. Well, it’s true. The average jail time for tax evasion in the US ranges between 3 to 5 years, plus the fines that come with it. The IRS states, “Any person who willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed by this title or the payment thereof shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $100,000 ($500,000 in the case of a corporation), or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.” It looks like the IRS is pretty serious about tax evasion. But, truth be told, not everyone who doesn’t pay their taxes gets sent to jail. Some people who really can’t pay their taxes are not forced by the IRS to pay. However, if you can afford to pay your taxes but you deliberately not to, then IRS can and will file charges against you. TYPES OF TAX EVASION The IRS will […]

Originally Published January 6th, 2020 Love After Lockup is a reality TV show that focuses on the lives of the couples after prison release. Now that the TV show had just ended let’s see if most of the infamous couples are still together or not. Are these couples still trying to work their relationships? Or are they struggling with the adjustment of their ex-convict partners in society? (Related: Prison Documentaries That Will Shift Your Perspective) Here are the most scandalous couples in ‘Love After Lockup.’ Let’s see how are they doing and if love really conquers all. (Related: How Successful Are Prison Relationships?) Warning, spoilers ahead! MICHAEL AND MEGAN… AND SARAH Yup. You read it right. These three are one of the craziest relationships in this reality show. The story of these three is about a love triangle and how both girls can’t let go of a man who’s serving his time in jail. Michael has been in the prison system for most of his life. He was sentenced again for two years in prison for a parole violation. During the show, Michael proposed to Megan, but unfortunately for her, she got played by him. It turns out, Michael was already married to Sarah, his […]

Originally Published January 6th, 2020 According to surveys and some reports, Alabama prisons are some of the worst in the US. There have been many issues about the assault and gruesome violence to prisoners inside the state’s jails and prisons. (Related: Top 5 Best and Worst Prisons in the US) Just recently, the Department of Justice reported the cases of violence and abuse inside Alabama prisons. In the report, it says that violence in Alabama prisons is at a “high level, cruel, an unusual nature, and pervasive”. This means that Alabama failed to protect the inmates and provide safe confinement. Thus, violating the constitutional rights of the prisoners. It was also revealed that there is an excessive amount of assault, rape, death of inmates that occur inside Alabama prisons regularly. Contraband weapons and drugs are also rampant, even extortion from families are usual. (Related: Inmate Deaths in US Jails) Alice Lister, who has a son currently jailed in Alabama, says that she always receives a call telling her to send money or there will be a bloodbath. She says that she has no choice, either send the money or don’t and lose her child. Lister says, “I couldn’t stand it if anything were […]

Originally Published December 16th, 2019 We’re all aware of how messed up prison systems can be. But some of us still judge all prisoners negatively. Here are some prison documentaries that you should watch. These true-to-life prison documentaries will surely make you rethink and change your perspective on prisons and prisoners. THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE (2012) The story revolves around the five men who were convicted of a crime they didn’t commit. They were charged for rape and attempted murder and was sentenced to jail for 15 years. The case of the Central Park Five was very popular in the ’90s. Back then, racism was so rampant that even if the evidence proves nothing, they can still send you to jail solely because of your skin color. Although the five were later on proven not guilty after 12 years, it was already too late. They already served and wasted most of their lives locked in a cell. (Related: People Who Got Imprisoned For Crimes They Didn’t Commit) This documentary is so great that it can make you feel all the emotions there is. It can make you feel angry and sad at the same time and will show you how mistakes […]

Originally Published December 16th, 2019 When we think about the prisoners, we often assume that no more opportunity will knock on their doors once they got out of prison. Most people think that there’s a lot of chance that former inmates will go back to jail. To be honest, that is somehow true. Many surveys and studies show that the rate of recidivism in the US is high. But not all former inmates have the same fate. Joe Guerrero, the creator of the “AfterPrisonShow” on YouTube, used to be a prisoner for more than 7 years. He was charged with non-violent drug offenses and arrested on December 20th of 1998. At that time, he didn’t care what will happen to him; he didn’t even care if he dies. He was caught with drugs and illegal firearms. For him, he was already a lost cause. (Related: How to Reduce a Prison Sentence) Until he realized that nobody cares if he will die. This is what Joe has to say when he finally came to his senses: “Wouldn’t it be the worst damn thing in the world, if people thought this was the best for me… for someone who had been nothing… except a burden, […]

Originally Published December 16th, 2019 He was set to spend the rest of his life in prison after receiving two life sentences. Now he is a Nike-sponsored triathlete, sought-after motivational speaker, and staunch supporter of prison reform. Ten years ago, John MacAvoy would never have imagined he would be a Nike endorser. Let alone be engaged in sports. His upbringing wasn’t geared toward raising an athlete. But ironically, it’s what prepared him for the life he has now. EARLY INFLUENCE A month before he was born, John’s biological father died. When he was 8, his mother married Billy Trobin – a man with deep ties to London’s notorious criminal groups. (Related: Most Notorious Crime Syndicates of All Time) Of course, John had no idea who his stepfather really was at that time. All he knew was that he’s got an impeccable sense of style, cash to burn, and lots of shiny new cars at his disposal. His impressionable age would prove very useful to Trobin. He took John under his wing and treated him like his own. John remembers being introduced to Trobin’s friends who, like him, were living the high life too. They would often slip him with cash and gifts. Apparently, John’s […]

Originally Published December 16th, 2019 The rate of incarceration in the US is undeniably growing fast. In fact, the United States is still topping the list of incarceration rates in the world. Sadly, the rapid increase in the incarceration rate comes with more expenses. Although there are two types of the prison system, both still need funds to operate better. For years, there’s been an ongoing issue in the US on which type of prisons operates best. Both public and private prisons have distinctive management. However, both are still being studied to know which one is more efficient and necessary. So, is it the public prison or the private one? Read on to know more about the differences between each prison system and which one operates best. PUBLIC PRISONS Public prisons are prisons owned and operated by the state or the federal government. They usually have control over who will be sent to prison and for how long. Even if there’s a need for an early release of inmates, the government has the power to decide. Public prisons’ funds mainly come through the citizens’ tax dollars. Hence, they are required to release information to the public. People can demand from them information such as […]

Originally Published December 15th, 2019 A study conducted in 2010 reported that, in the US, there are more mentally ill people in jails than hospitals. Lack of proper contact with family members due to overpriced prison calls can further inflate this statistic. The study also found that the percentage of inmates and prisoners with serious mental illness had shoot up to 16% from 6.4% in 1983. They are mostly diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression. This dilemma is compounded by the difficulties inmates and their families face to keep communication lines open. With no family or friends to talk to, most prisoners tend to feel heightened anxiety leading to hallucinations and other mental health problems. EFFECT OF ISOLATION ON MENTAL HEALTH Social isolation can have devastating effects on an individual’s mental well-being. It is much more so for people living behind bars. While free individuals can reach out to friends and family members anytime they want, prisoners are legally required to be isolated from society. Several case studies reported that lack of human contact for prisoners in solitary confinement can lead to a cognitive breakdown. This means that if an otherwise mentally healthy person spends time in jail, there is […]

Originally Published December 10th, 2019 For those who haven’t yet heard about “Orange is The New Black”, it is one of the most-watched American TV Series on Netflix. It was created by Jenji Kohan of “Weeds”. The show was based on a book about the real-life experience of a former prisoner, Piper Kerman.Kerman is an American author who was charged with felonious money-laundering in 1998. She was later imprisoned after 6 years. In her memoir, she detailed her 13-month-stay at the FCI in Danbury, Connecticut. It’s a minimum-security federal prison where she was able to meet women with lots of different stories to tell. (Related: Women in Prison: The Rise of Pink Collar Crimes)Kerman has no fear in exposing the abuses that most of the convicts often encounter while in jail. She reveals that not all convicts are always the bad guys. Sometimes, it’s the system that makes them and pushes them to be bad.Here are some examples of how “Orange Is The New Black” exposes prison abuses. P.S. Spoilers ahead!! ABUSES AND HARASSMENTS FROM PRISON STAFF On the series adaptation, George Mendez, a.k.a. “Pornstache” is a prison guard who everybody loathes. He is a corrupt and a pervert who is always […]

Originally Published December 10th, 2019 You’ve probably have heard of white-collar crimes committed by the likes of Bernie Madoff. Or of blue-collar crimes done by less famous people. But what about pink-collar crimes? If you’re a fan of CBS, then you might have heard about the term. A show bearing the same title briefly aired on that channel in 2018. Though they’re not the first to use the term, they certainly made it more relatable given the recent spike of pink collar crimes in the country. WHAT ARE PINK COLLAR CRIMES? Just like white-collar crimes, pink collar crimes do not involve violence or murder. What sets them apart is that white-collar criminals are usually in a position of power. While most pink collar crimes are committed by people with lesser influence. They can be your neighbor, the PTA mom, your yoga instructor, or the bakery owner down the block. They are the people who you would never have thought would commit a crime. The term was first popularized by Dr. Kathleen Daly, a professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice in Brisbane. She used it to refer to crimes usually committed by women based on limited opportunities. In her book, she described pink collar crimes […]

Originally Published December 9th, 2019 When someone commits a crime, our initial reaction is to judge them. We get mad at them and ask for justice by having them suffer for the wrong actions that they did. Once they’ve been convicted, we expect them to pay for their actions behind bars. Of course, we can’t question that. People who commit crime deserves to be punished, and we all know that their life in prison will be a tough one. (Related: How to Survive Prison: Survival Tips From Former Inmates) But what we don’t know is the abuse that they get during their imprisonment, especially during a lockdown. When you spend your life in a place full of violence, aggression can be your only method of protection. That’s what happens to inmates, they use aggression to protect themselves. This results in prison fights, riots, and even ends up in murder. (Related: Deadliest Prison Riots in History) When this happens, a prison lockdown is implemented. A lockdown is more difficult for them to bear compared to their usual stay in prison. During a lockdown, they’ll get locked up in a cell with only one cellmate and they need to endure it until the problem is contained. Isn’t that […]

As a follower of God, sometimes it is not uncommon for us to question some things. We may find ourselves asking, “Does God want me to minister to these people? Is there a scripture that says I should minister to criminals?” The answer is, of course, He does! And yes, there are many times in the Bible that Jesus says we shouldn’t condemn people based on their past mistakes. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). Back in the day, Jesus did not judge what the sinners had done or what they had become. Instead, He offered the sinners of His forgiveness and His salvation. So as a follower of God, it is true, we must not only spread the word to the righteous, but to the sinners as well. (Related: Famous Books Written in Prison) Here are the top Bible verses that show how God’s plan on seeking and saving the lost extends behind bars. MATTHEW 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the […]

People who are in debt often ask questions like “am I going to jail because of my debts?”. Well, the answer to that is, it depends. There are actually different types of debts. Some of it can send you to jail while others can’t. Generally, it’s better to always pay your debts to avoid any hassle and stress. However, there are times where we can’t really avoid having a crisis that leads to non-payment of debts. DEBTS THAT CAN SEND YOU TO JAIL There two types of debt could send you to jail if payment hasn’t made: Failure to pay your taxesFailure to pay child support Everyone should pay taxes. Tax avoidance is a federal crime and can result in jail time. The same is true for neglecting child support. If you fail to pay child support, you can be sued and imprisoned. (Related: How to Reduce a Prison Sentence) DEBTS THAT CAN’T SEND YOU TO JAIL There are several types of debt that can’t send you to prison if you’re not able to pay the debt collectors. These types of debt are called “Civil Debts”. These include: Credit Card LoanLoansOverdraftsMortgage or Rent debtsUtility debts Non-payment of these civil debts will […]

Spending your life behind bars may be hard to accept and difficult to live with. Especially when you’re sentenced for almost a lifetime. But once you’ve been charged with a crime, it doesn’t mean that your life is over. Do not lose hope even if you’ve already exhausted all possible appeals. There are still ways to reduce your prison sentence. Although the rules vary by state, there are still some common rules that each state follows. Here are some general federal rules that might help you reduce your prison sentence. CHECK THE SENTENCE ORDER Sometimes an error may occur to the sentencing order. So it’s best to read over your sentencing order together with your attorney to ensure there are no errors. If you have questions, you can compare your sentencing order to the trial transcript. You need to make sure that the document matches the judge’s orders. Bear in mind that you can have it corrected if there are any technical or clerical errors on the document. ALERT THE JUDGE If you find an error in your sentencing order, you should tell the judge right away. As per the federal rules, only 14 days is the usual time given […]

Your loved one who just got back from prison may find re-entering the community an exciting time for them. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need support from the family. There are a few things you might want to do to avoid the stress that might occur to you and your incarcerated loved one. Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for your loved one’s reentry.  BE THERE PHYSICALLY Being there physically when your loved one is released from jail is important. It shows that you support him and that you’re happy for his re-entry. You can meet your loved one when he exits the facility so he will not feel alone when he reenters the community. (Related: What Happens After One’s Release from Prison?) BE REALISTIC As a family, you need to expect that your loved one’s reentry will be difficult for them for starters. You can try to have realistic expectations for your loved one about life after prison. You can’t expect your loved on to just pick up where he/she left off. Try to be more patient when your loved one can’t keep up yet. This will help you and your loved one avoid […]

There are a lot of things that happen inside the prison that we know nothing about. Most of us only have a vague idea of what really is inside a jail. But being locked up behind bars doesn’t only mean you get to repent for the crimes that you committed. What they didn’t tell us about prison is the danger you may have inside, and other things you never thought you could do in order to survive. Here are the 5 deadliest prison riots that will convince you not to involve yourself in any kind of mess. THE 1989 DAVAO HOSTAGE CRISIS This is considered one of the deadliest prison riots in the Philippines. 15 Missionaries visited a prison in Davao, City Philippines back in August 1989. Nine of the missionaries were women and one 9-year-old child. Their only goal was to lead a prayer service but unfortunately, it turned into a nightmare. During the service, these thugs known as “Wild Boys of Davao” took the missionaries hostage. These thugs who were awaiting trial wanted to negotiate to the officials. Of course, the government wouldn’t give in. So the gang decided to hold the missionaries captive for several hours. What’s inhumane about this is […]

HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious diseases the United States is currently facing. Its rapid increase in the number of people who are affected is quite alarming. But did you know, that cases of HIV/AIDS in prison are unbelievably high? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV is 15 times more common with incarcerated people than those who are not in prison.  WHAT IS AIDS? AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the last stage or end-stage of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). It occurs when the immune system of the body is severely damaged because of the virus.  There are 2 ways on how an HIV-positive inmate can be considered to have progressed to AIDS. First, if the CD4 cells-cells that helps the immune system fight against illnesses-falls down below 200 cells per cubic millimeter. Lastly, regardless of the CD4 count, if the person develops one or more opportunistic infections – infections caused by a virus, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. (e.g. Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, etc.) HOW DOES AN INMATE GET AIDS? Several studies found out that most HIV-positive inmates already have the virus before serving jail time. Some inmates also don’t get tested for HIV before entering prison because not all correctional facilities offer HIV screening. Even […]

Our history was not only built with chivalry and kindness. Even before, crime and violence were already present and might even be in our future. There are a lot of crime syndicates all over the world. Below are the most notorious crime syndicates of all time. MEDELLIN CARTEL OF PABLO ESCOBAR We all heard about the story of Pablo Escobar. With a lot of documentaries about him, we can’t deny that he was one heck of a violent man. Pablo Escobar was the leader of the first major drug cartel in Colombia in the mid-1970s. Medellin Cartel started small, smuggling cocaine from Colombia to the United States. When the cocaine made a high-demand and the trade grew, Medellin started to build drug empires. With tons of cocaine shipped, making millions of money every day, the Medellin cartel became brutal and aggressive. This syndicate murdered thousands of people from all over the world. They want to let the government know that they’re indestructible. They became the most powerful and feared syndicates during their time. Violence was their way of sending a message. The most controversial act that Pablo Escobar made was the bombing of Avianca Flight 203. Hundreds of lives were sacrificed in the hopes of killing presidential candidate […]

Did you know that there are a lot of famous books that were written inside the bars of prison? We all know that jail time can be a lot of torture, but these ex-convicts knew how to use their time significantly. These authors from prison took their time writing that had a great impact on everyone even today. Some even created books that remarkably became famous. Who knew that these well-known and best-selling books were written behind bars? Here are the 7 famous books that were written in prison. LETTERS FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL Technically, Letters from Birmingham Jail isn’t a book, rather an open letter. A pastor and a civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr., was arrested in 1963 for protesting. Racism was so extensive in Birmingham which made him organize a non-violent protest. This movement led to his incarceration. During his stay in jail, he created this popular literature. In this famous letter, he wrote: “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” which became sensational. MEIN KAMPF Mein Kampf was written in prison by the most notorious German dictator, Adolf Hitler. He was found guilty for treason for attempting to overthrow the government in […]

They used to be places reserved for people who have committed or are accused of crimes. Today, they are playing host to curious tourists. Up and down the country, a lot of old prisons have been converted into museums. Through these prison museums, we are afforded a glimpse of how US prisoners used to live. The foods they ate and the punishments they had to endure are just some of the interesting things you’ll learn. It also serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go in terms of prison reform. If you’re keen on learning more about our criminal justice history, here are the best prison museums in the USA you can visit on your next road trip. EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY, PENNSYLVANIA One of the reasons why this prison got shut down is its inhumane treatment of inmates, as shown by its solitary confinement system. According to the prison’s history, inmates are kept in windowless rooms with vaulted ceilings. They are only allowed an hour each day to go out of their cells. They also cover prisoners with a black hood over their heads when they walk through corridors. Apart from the severe […]