Process
How Ask Gideon Works
Ask Gideon is designed to make useful information more accessible to inmates and their families. The service is built to answer questions, explain issues, identify what may matter, and help users understand what records or next steps may be needed.
Enroll and activate
Complete enrollment, confirm payment, and activate access in the program records.
Use approved access
Inmates may communicate through CorrLinks once the account is active.
Submit questions
Ask about legal, prison, BOP, reentry, or selected practical issues.
Receive guidance
Get clear information, issue spotting, records guidance, and next-step direction.
For Inmates
Once enrolled and activated, inmates may communicate with Ask Gideon through CorrLinks. Ask Gideon can respond to questions about prison-related issues, legal developments, BOP procedures, and selected practical topics.
For Families
Depending on the selected plan, one approved family contact may also be included. Family users may submit questions under the shared monthly question limit and may use the service to better understand legal and practical issues affecting a loved one.
What Ask Gideon Does
- Answers general legal and procedural questions.
- Explains prison, sentencing, post-conviction, and reentry-related issues.
- Identifies legal or practical issues that may be worth exploring.
- Helps users understand what records or information may be needed.
- Helps with selected lower-risk drafting tasks.
- Keeps users informed about current developments that may affect sentencing, BOP practices, or related legal issues.
What Ask Gideon Does Not Do
- Ask Gideon is not the same as retaining McCracken Stoll for full legal representation.
- It does not by itself create a full attorney-client engagement for motion practice, litigation, court appearances, or individualized case representation beyond the scope of the program.
- If a matter requires full case review, formal legal drafting, or attorney representation, that would need to be handled separately under a distinct engagement.
Ask Gideon provides legal guidance and issue spotting only. It does not create attorney-client representation. Do not rely on this service for urgent court deadlines.