Career after Imprisonment

Ramiro Gaxiola sent an email to me on April 25, 2025. Federal authorities had just released him from prison. He worked through courses we offer at Prison Professors while he served a sentence for "misprision of a felony." The courses inspired him and motivated him to continue learning. The courses he went through inspired him to reach out, seeking my response to various questions he had about how to rebuild a career after time in prison. Specifically, he wanted to know:

• Are there grants, programs, or scholarships for formerly incarcerated people pursuing a law degree in California?
• Should I consider reaching out to law school deans to tell my story and seek mentorship?
• My case was a misprision of felony, and I requested a trial in March 2023 but never received one. I plan to file a habeas petition for violation of my right to a speedy trial—do you believe this could affect my path to bar admission, or could it strengthen my story?
• If you were in my position—where would you begin?

When I read his email, I knew his story and questions could spark meaningful lessons for others in similar situations. I told him that I could only take time to respond to his questions if he allowed me to film our conversation for an Ask me Anything lesson, which would become part of the Prison Professors curriculum. He agreed.

Ramiro told me he was 39. He completed high school and also a trade school. He did not have any student-loan debt. Prior to his incarceration, he had earned a living by providing digital marketing services, primarily servicing physicians—helping them find customers who wanted to travel to Mexico for medical tourism. At its peak, the business generated $10,000 per month. With those earnings, Ramiro purchased a home he now owns without debt. He lives in Mexicali, and he can cover living expenses with only $300 per month. During his first two weeks of getting out, he said he has earned approximately $500 in income. He has a year of Supervised Release.

Goal:

Ramiro told me that he had a goal of working in the legal profession. From the courses I offered, he learned about formerly incarcerated people who had transitioned their lives to become lawyers. He aspired to become a lawyer, and he asked for my advice on how to proceed.

Challenge:

I asked Ramiro what he knew about the requirements of becoming a lawyer. From his response, it sounded as if Ramiro believed a person could become a lawyer by either attending law school, or working through an intern-like position, some type of on-the-job training. I told him that I had a different understanding. To become a practicing attorney, a person would need to work complete an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, complete law school at an accredited university, and then pass the bar exam. To pass the bar exam, the committee would need to find the person could pass a moral-turpitude test.

Since Ramiro did not have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, he would have to begin there. I did not hear him say he had any previous credits from an accredited university. For that reason, it seems he would start from scratch. He would need to plan for three to five years of study to earn a university degree. It could be costly, which could put him into debt. After he earned a university degree, he'd have to attend law school. Typically, students complete law school in three years if they study full time, and four years if they work through night school.

Seven to ten years could pass before Ramiro completed the academic credentials necessary to become a lawyer. During that time, I explained, he would likely have accumulated more than $200,000 in debt. Furthermore, he'd be 49. On top of that, he would still have to pass the character-and-fitness exam, and a committee would have to say he had the "moral turpitude" necessary to practice law, and then admit him to the bar.

Although I didn't ask about the details of the crime, Ramiro told me he pleaded guilty to "Misprison of a felony."

Misprision of a felony is a federal offense defined under Title 18, Section 4 of the United States Code. It occurs when an individual knows the commission of a felony, but willfully conceals this information and does not report it to the appropriate authorities. The statute requires both active concealment of the crime and failure to disclose the felony, emphasizing the responsibility of individuals to assist in the enforcement of justice. While not as severe as direct involvement in a felony, misprision still carries serious legal consequences due to the obstructive nature of the offense. He served longer than a year for that felony conviction.

The moral turpitude test is a critical aspect of determining the character and fitness of a candidate seeking admission to the bar. This test evaluates whether the applicant has demonstrated conduct that reflects dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or other actions considered contrary to justice and societal norms. Moral turpitude is inherently tied to an individual's integrity and ethical behavior, serving as a measure of their suitability to uphold the legal profession's standards.

When assessing moral turpitude, bar examiners review various factors, including prior criminal convictions, acts involving dishonesty, and evidence of rehabilitation or repentance. This test underscores the profession's emphasis on public trust, advocating for attorneys who not only possess legal competence, but also adhere to a high moral standard in their practice.

Socratic Questions 

When I spoke with Ramiro, I used the framework of Socratic questioning. I wanted him to know that although it was possible for him to become an attorney, he should consider all his options. One lesson I learned while in prison was that:

• The right decision at the wrong time is the wrong decision.

We've got to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and make decisions that are consistent with what we want to become. Ramiro said he learned about the law while going through his crisis. He felt passionately about wanting to help people. As many leaders taught me, if a person loves what he does for a living, he never works a day in his life. Helping other people is a great way to build a life of meaning, relevance, and contribution. To succeed, however, a person must earn a living.

I suggested it might be better for Ramiro to implement the lessons we teach in our course—to become the CEO of his life. That would mean:

1. Defining success as the best possible outcome.
   
   
2. Putting a plan in place that would help him succeed.
   
   
3. Putting in place a plan that would help him succeed.
   
   
4. Setting priorities that will help him advance the plan.
   
   
5. Developing tools, tactics, and resources that accelerate success.
   
   
6. Creating accountability metrics to measure progress at each stage.
   
   
7. Adjust as necessary to further the plan.
   
   
8. Execute the plan every day.

In my view, anyone can succeed by implementing such steps. A person can use that framework for decision-making at various stages, whether it's architecting a strategy to get the lowest possible sentence, or working toward building the life that a person wants to lead. Yet a person must begin by truly knowing what success looks like. None of us can change the past, but we can all work toward building a brighter future, or seizing more opportunities.

I encouraged Ramiro to consider the following questions. His responses should empower him to choose the path that is right for him.

1. What does success look like for you in the short term (1–5 years) and long term (5–10 years)?
   
   
2. What strengths and opportunities do you have today that can serve as resources for your future goals?
   
   
3. What weaknesses or threats could make your chosen path more complicated, and how can you mitigate them?
   
   
4. How do you plan to sustain yourself financially while pursuing your goals?
    
5. Why do you want to become an attorney?
   
   
6. What other paths would allow you to make a meaningful impact while achieving financial independence faster?
   
   
7. What resources, tools, or connections can you leverage to create a strategic plan for your future?
   
   
8. If unforeseen challenges arise, do you have a plan to adapt while staying aligned with your definition of success?
   
   
9. In what ways would your life look if you finished law school and became an attorney at 49, but had $200,000 in student loan debt, versus working on a different path, but having $500,000 in investment-grade assets when you were 49?
   
   
10. In what ways could you  leverage the skills you developed in digital marketing to increase your income over the next six months, and the next 36 months.

These kinds of questions may help Ramiro make a better decision with how he structures his life over the next 12 months. Every decision comes with an opportunity cost. Since he just got out of prison, it's super important for him to make the best use of his time, creating and seizing the opportunities that will lead him closer to success as he define success. 

Applying the Straight-A Guide 

I encouraged Ramiro to use the Straight-A Guide, a framework I developed to help people achieve success through deliberate planning and discipline. Its core components include Attitude, Aspiration, Action, Accountability, Awareness, and Achievement. Here's how Ramiro can apply this framework to his situation:

• Attitude: Ramiro already demonstrates a positive, growth-oriented mindset. He views his challenging experiences as opportunities to create value for others and improve himself. Maintaining this attitude will be crucial as he navigates obstacles. 
• Aspiration: His goal of becoming an attorney highlights his desire to help others facing challenges in the justice system. However, aspirations must be backed by realism. I urged him to refine his vision by defining what success will require and considering alternative paths that align with his desire to assist others. 
• Action: Ramiro must align his daily actions with his long-term goals. Whether pursuing an undergraduate degree, law school, or building his digital marketing business, deliberate action and time management are essential. 
• Accountability: Progress demands accountability. I challenged him to create a plan with measurable milestones to track his progress, including financial goals and academic achievements. 
• Awareness: Understanding the unique challenges of being a justice-impacted individual is vital. I explained the barriers he may face in pursuing law, such as character and fitness exams, and emphasized the importance of a solid backup plan. 
• Achievement: Success doesn't happen overnight. Ramiro’s achievements will come from small, consistent victories across all areas of his life, including financial stability, personal growth, and professional development.

Next Steps 

Ramiro agreed to work through this lesson. He will determine how much effort he puts into the exercise. I recommended that he respond to all questions, and then we could schedule a follow up call.

1. Define Specific Goals:

• Clarify what success means in terms of financial stability, professional impact, and personal fulfillment.
  
  

2. Conduct a SWOT Analysis:

• Identify strengths (e.g., resourcefulness, knowledge of digital marketing), weaknesses (e.g., no undergraduate degree yet), opportunities (e.g., leveraging his skills in digital marketing), and threats (e.g., barriers to becoming a licensed attorney).
  
  

3. Build a Financial Plan:

• Focus on growing and stabilizing his digital marketing business to provide financial security while pursuing his longer-term goals.
  
  

4. Consider Alternative Pathways:

• Explore roles like paralegal work, advocacy, or content creation for justice-impacted individuals, which may allow him to help others while building a sustainable career.
  
  

5. Use Free Resources:

• I encouraged him to leverage the free education materials available on PrisonProfessors.org and to stay informed about changes in laws and policies.
  
  

6. Focus on Habits and Discipline:

• Build daily routines that prioritize education, business growth, and personal development. 

Lessons for You 

Ramiro's story offers crucial lessons for anyone facing adversity or wondering how to rebuild after a setback:

1. Define Your Own Success:

• Success looks different for everyone. Be clear about your goals and ensure they align with your values and circumstances.
  
  

2. Leverage Strengths While Addressing Weaknesses:

• Identify what you do well and focus on amplifying those strengths while mitigating the impact of weaknesses.
  
  

3. Plan Strategically:

• Use frameworks like the Straight-A Guide to break down big goals into manageable actions.
  
  

4. Adaptability is Key:

• Be prepared to change course if new challenges arise. Success often depends on flexibility and resilience.
  
  

5. Invest in Yourself First:

• Just like on an airplane, put on your oxygen mask first. Build a foundation of stability before taking on additional responsibilities. 

If you found yourself in a similar position to Ramiro’s, what would your answers be to the questions above? Reflecting on your own strengths, weaknesses, and ambitions can help you chart a clearer path forward. 

At Prison Professors, we create content every day. All people should have access to free resources that they can use to overcome a crisis. We do our part, trying to be the change we want to see in the world, always making three promises:

1. I will always be truthful.
2. I will never ask anyone to do anything I didn't do and that I'm not still doing today.
3. I will never charge anyone a penny for any of the lessons or courses we make available on PrisonProfessors.org. We're a non-revenue generating platform, committed to helping others reach their highest potential. If people purchase books through our Amazon store, all revenues we receive go to fund the nonprofit's expenses.

Email from Ramiro: 4/25/25

Dear Mr. Santos,

I hope this message finds you in strength and peace. My name is Ramiro Gaxiola, and I’m truly honored to reach out to you. First and foremost, I want to thank you—Prison Professors has had a real impact, not just on me, but on so many others I was incarcerated with. Your work inspired hope, purpose, and the belief that transformation is possible even in the darkest places. Please keep going. You’re changing lives.

I was recently released after serving 15 months at the GEO detention center. While inside, I found my purpose through service. I taught myself criminal law using the detention center’s law library and dedicated myself to helping other incarcerated individuals understand and fight their cases. I filed motions, guided legal strategies, and, in several cases, helped people get dismissals or better outcomes. But even more than the legal work, I became a spiritual and emotional support for many. That experience lit a fire in me I can’t ignore.

I want to become a licensed attorney. I want to fight against what I call “legal injustice”—prosecutorial misconduct, coercion through fear, and the failure of the system to recognize truth and fairness. I overcame fear, and in doing so, I found clarity and mission.

I'm currently on probation (one year total, eligible for early termination after 80%), and I hold a high school diploma. I’m ready to pursue the path to law school in California, and I’d be deeply grateful for your guidance. Specifically:

• Are there grants, programs, or scholarships for formerly incarcerated people pursuing a law degree in California?
• Should I consider reaching out to law school deans to tell my story and seek mentorship?
• My case was misprision of felony, and I requested a trial in March 2023 but never received one. I plan to file a habeas petition for violation of my right to a speedy trial—do you believe this could affect my path to bar admission, or could it strengthen my story?
• If you were in my position—where would you begin?

Beyond that, I want you to know I would love to contribute to Prison Professors, especially by creating content or guidance for Spanish-speaking incarcerated individuals. There is a deep need, and I speak from experience. I’m not asking for pay—this would be from the heart, to pay forward what you’ve already given me.

If possible, I’d be incredibly grateful to connect with you directly via a short video call. I would appreciate the chance to hear your perspective and share more of my story.

Thank you again for all you’ve done and continue to do. Your journey is a reminder that redemption is powerful—and contagious.

With deep respect and gratitude,
Ramiro Gaxiola

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