A family field guide

Clear, steadyguidance for familiesnavigating federal prison.

Waymark Kin is for families in the United States with someone in federal prison. Find plain-English information for questions before surrender, during a sentence, and on the way home.

Find your starting point
THE FAMILY VIEW
The questions change at each stage.
  1. 01

    Before surrender

    What should we expect?

  2. 02

    During a sentence

    How do the daily details work?

  3. 03

    Looking ahead

    What does coming home involve?

Made for families, one question at a time.

The questions families bring

Start with the part you’re facing.

Federal prison can feel like a new language. Waymark Kin helps translate the practical pieces into steps a family can understand and revisit.

  1. 01

    BEFORE SURRENDER

    Know what to expect next.

    Prepare for self-surrender, the first day, and orientation with plain-English context and practical checklists.

    Preparing for surrender: Designation
  2. 02

    STAYING CONNECTED

    Make the everyday details clearer.

    Understand visiting lists, phone access, and commissary accounts—and the questions families commonly need to answer.

    Supporting someone inside: TRULINCS
  3. 03

    PROGRAMS & TIME

    Untangle the acronyms and rules.

    Get a clearer introduction to First Step Act credits, RDAP, and the terms families hear while planning ahead.

  4. 04

    COMING HOME

    See the next chapter coming.

    Explore halfway-house and reentry basics as families prepare for the transition back home.

A steadier kind of help

Public information, made easier to use.

The information families need is often scattered across rules, forms, and unfamiliar terms. Waymark Kin brings it into one calm, practical place—grounded in firsthand corrections and case-management experience.

The promise

Clear explanations. Useful next steps. No claim to replace an attorney or the official source.

Made to come back to

Practical resources for real family questions.

The Self-Surrender Checklist and live BOP glossary are available now. Digital guides, templates, and videos remain planned.

  • A

    Digital guides

    Planned

    Longer explanations you can return to.

  • B

    Checklists

    Available

    Small steps to help organize a confusing moment.Self-Surrender Checklist

  • C

    Templates

    Planned

    Useful starting points for notes and planning.

  • D

    Videos

    Planned

    Clear answers to common family questions.

New to BOP terminology?

Explore the BOP glossary

One question is enough to begin

Find the next clear step.

Explore the topics, then choose the information that fits the moment your family is in.

Explore family topicsSuggest a topic

Educational notice

Waymark Kin provides educational information, not legal advice. It explains general topics and cannot assess an individual case. For questions about a sentence or legal rights, families should consult an attorney.