If and when an NCIA client is sentenced to a term of incarceration, NCIA staff are skilled at assisting the client and family members in the transition from the community to a state or federal prison. These services are varied and include:

• Assisting the client in obtaining the most appropriate prison facility. This includes working with classification and designation authorities as well as determining the facility that best meets the client and family needs. Critical to this process is working prior to sentencing and providing the necessary information through the presentence report process.
• Becoming the advocate for our clients in the designation process. Absent advocacy, many clients are designated to facilities that are inappropriate and not conducive to family visitation.
• Once a designation is made, NCIA assists our clients in both the practical and psychological aspects of imprisonment. These include:
• understanding the federal and state prison regulations
• assisting with information such as visiting hours, mail,
  commissary, telephone, items that are allowed in prison, etc.
• assisting clients in understanding the “culture” of imprisonment
• assisting families in understanding their visiting regulations and explaining the process
• Our tenet is that information is critical and that the more our clients can be prepared, the easier the transition is for them.
• Finally, when appropriate, we “partner” our clients with an existing NCIA client who is in a particular federal facility. For the past 27 years, we have assisted thousands of clients and have developed a substantial network of resources throughout the country. Having a currently incarcerated client to assist in the first couple of weeks of imprisonment is invaluable.