Comments on: About Prison Camp Life http://www.formerprisoninmate.com Conversation with a Former Federal Prison Camp Inmate Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:51:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Rickey http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-711 Rickey Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:38:03 +0000 #comment-711 Kjac, yes most of those have been answered but I believe in personalizing it because I know how you are feeling. So let's get started. First I want to thank you for your great comments, it's the one thing that helps me stay motivated, to know that someone is helped. Praise God! (1) Yes, it's best if books are purchased and sent directly from the publisher, this applies to soft and hard cover books (no hassle). I did have a friend who sent me 7 books throught the regular mail from his house but those have to be paperbacks. (2) I received, books, letters, pictures, magazines and pictures, other than that they will send it back. I remember my wife trying to send me a composition book but it was turned away (i guest they considered it office supplies). Funny thing about that is that she mailed it a second time by itself with a letter and it got through, go figure. Sometimes it depends on who is processing the mail. (3) Days were very boring to start but once I received a work detail it kind of settled into a routine of a 5 day work week and that is how I looked at it, contracted by the federal government to do a job, when the contract (sentence0 is up I get to go home. Wake up call was 6:00 am, work detail started at 7:00 am and ended at 3:00 pm with and hour lunch and lights out was at 10:30 pm. (4) This is a very good question. I did exactly what you want to do and that was I read a lot. I also wrote letters to my wife just about every night. Looking back I guest the only thing I would have done differently would be to read more of God's word and draw closer to Him and His Son Jesus and at the time that is what I did. I focused on a closer walk with God and a courtship with my wife during visitation. I used the time to better myself and not let the situation of my circumstance overtake me. Your time in the prison camp will be what you make of it and believe me it won't be because of the BOP, it's entirely up to you and your decision. Kjac, yes most of those have been answered but I believe in personalizing it because I know how you are feeling. So let’s get started. First I want to thank you for your great comments, it’s the one thing that helps me stay motivated, to know that someone is helped. Praise God!
(1) Yes, it’s best if books are purchased and sent directly from the publisher, this applies to soft and hard cover books (no hassle). I did have a friend who sent me 7 books throught the regular mail from his house but those have to be paperbacks.
(2) I received, books, letters, pictures, magazines and pictures, other than that they will send it back. I remember my wife trying to send me a composition book but it was turned away (i guest they considered it office supplies). Funny thing about that is that she mailed it a second time by itself with a letter and it got through, go figure. Sometimes it depends on who is processing the mail.
(3) Days were very boring to start but once I received a work detail it kind of settled into a routine of a 5 day work week and that is how I looked at it, contracted by the federal government to do a job, when the contract (sentence0 is up I get to go home. Wake up call was 6:00 am, work detail started at 7:00 am and ended at 3:00 pm with and hour lunch and lights out was at 10:30 pm.
(4) This is a very good question. I did exactly what you want to do and that was I read a lot. I also wrote letters to my wife just about every night. Looking back I guest the only thing I would have done differently would be to read more of God’s word and draw closer to Him and His Son Jesus and at the time that is what I did. I focused on a closer walk with God and a courtship with my wife during visitation. I used the time to better myself and not let the situation of my circumstance overtake me.
Your time in the prison camp will be what you make of it and believe me it won’t be because of the BOP, it’s entirely up to you and your decision.

]]> By: Kjac http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-710 Kjac Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:53:48 +0000 #comment-710 Hi Rickey, Great site - as the others, I appreciate this and it's great to see someone just wanting to help others out. I will likely be headed to a prison camp in a few months (waiting on sentencing now) - likely in the 24 month range. I'm trying to do as much as I can now - such as read up on info about camp, prepare my outside life for my hiatus, and plan how to spend my time in camp. My plan is to do a lot of reading to keep my mind off things. A couple questions I had: (1) I have read that someone can send you books from Amazon.com (directly) - it sounds like used books can't be sent to you by a person or a company online (to save money) - do you know? (2) What other types of items can people send you - directly from sources (I understand people can't send you items directly - contraband)? (3) What was the typical day like in camp for you (sorry if you already posted this - I looked through the site) - for instance - what time do you wake up, what time does work detail start/end? When was lights out? (4) Any advice for what you wished you would have done differently during your time at camp - sounds like a stupid question, but anything I could learn from you would be great. Thanks again Rickey - and God bless you. Hi Rickey,

Great site - as the others, I appreciate this and it’s great to see someone just wanting to help others out.

I will likely be headed to a prison camp in a few months (waiting on sentencing now) - likely in the 24 month range. I’m trying to do as much as I can now - such as read up on info about camp, prepare my outside life for my hiatus, and plan how to spend my time in camp. My plan is to do a lot of reading to keep my mind off things. A couple questions I had: (1) I have read that someone can send you books from Amazon.com (directly) - it sounds like used books can’t be sent to you by a person or a company online (to save money) - do you know? (2) What other types of items can people send you - directly from sources (I understand people can’t send you items directly - contraband)? (3) What was the typical day like in camp for you (sorry if you already posted this - I looked through the site) - for instance - what time do you wake up, what time does work detail start/end? When was lights out? (4) Any advice for what you wished you would have done differently during your time at camp - sounds like a stupid question, but anything I could learn from you would be great.

Thanks again Rickey - and God bless you.

]]> By: Rickey http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-709 Rickey Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:25:22 +0000 #comment-709 Nelly, Thank you so much for those wonderful comments, they have really brighten my day and made it brighter. I am so glad to hear that your husband is coming home soon. I also know the joy of coming home and I ask the Lord to bless that wonderful day for both of you. Praise God! Nelly, Thank you so much for those wonderful comments, they have really brighten my day and made it brighter. I am so glad to hear that your husband is coming home soon. I also know the joy of coming home and I ask the Lord to bless that wonderful day for both of you. Praise God!

]]> By: Nelly http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-707 Nelly Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:20:49 +0000 #comment-707 First and foremost .. I give a huge THANK YOU to Rickey for this website !! It was a HEAVENSENT finding it the the day or so before my husband self-surrendered to the FPC Pollock back in August of this year !! The immediate questions we had , the curiosities we had and the typical not knowing were all answered !! It was a very scary and upsetting time for all involved !! With the information and help from a former inmate who has in some sense (walked in the same shoes as my husband), I have been able to sort of understand what my husband goes through on a daily basis - So that being said , ANYONE needing information on a FPC or the expectations of a FPC .. this website is the start for you !! To you Rickey .. THANK YOU AGAIN .. you helped Me to find my ability to march on and gather & give the information to others who were just as grateful as myself .. You are one of Gods many Servant's who has faithfully shown that you can lead the way for others , and we thank you for that !! I hope You & Your Family had a wonderful holiday season ! My new year is beginning wonderfully !! My honey is coming home on January 6 !! Bless You & Your Family !! First and foremost .. I give a huge THANK YOU to Rickey for this website !! It was a HEAVENSENT finding it the the day or so before my husband self-surrendered to the FPC Pollock back in August of this year !! The immediate questions we had , the curiosities we had and the typical not knowing were all answered !! It was a very scary and upsetting time for all involved !! With the information and help from a former inmate who has in some sense (walked in the same shoes as my husband), I have been able to sort of understand what my husband goes through on a daily basis - So that being said , ANYONE needing information on a FPC or the expectations of a FPC .. this website is the start for you !! To you Rickey .. THANK YOU AGAIN .. you helped Me to find my ability to march on and gather & give the information to others who were just as grateful as myself .. You are one of Gods many Servant’s who has faithfully shown that you can lead the way for others , and we thank you for that !! I hope You & Your Family had a wonderful holiday season ! My new year is beginning wonderfully !! My honey is coming home on January 6 !! Bless You & Your Family !!

]]> By: Rickey http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-704 Rickey Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:06:04 +0000 #comment-704 Sandy, first of all I am not a legal counsel in any way but in my opinion, your friend should have heard something from the courts regarding the first appeal filed (granted or denied). Personally, I would write to the courts and inquire about the first appeal before trying to appeal again but it might be to late. Inmates usually have one year to file a 2255 form which is an appeal process while incarcerated. The court system works differently in every district (state) and the courts may have just dismised the issue or claim they never received the appeal. Yes, he will get some time off and sentence reduced with good time behavior (conduct) and also halfway house time. As to how much time will be reduced is something the BOP calculates, your friend should already know from the BOP case manager when he will be released, therefore knowing how much time was eliminated. Regarding days and nights counting as two, unfamiliar with that one. Now as to being released sooner, it's possible because of new legislation, pardons, breakthrough in the case, new federal court laws and sentencing guidelines. Most importantly, Prayer! Sandy, first of all I am not a legal counsel in any way but in my opinion, your friend should have heard something from the courts regarding the first appeal filed (granted or denied). Personally, I would write to the courts and inquire about the first appeal before trying to appeal again but it might be to late. Inmates usually have one year to file a 2255 form which is an appeal process while incarcerated. The court system works differently in every district (state) and the courts may have just dismised the issue or claim they never received the appeal.
Yes, he will get some time off and sentence reduced with good time behavior (conduct) and also halfway house time. As to how much time will be reduced is something the BOP calculates, your friend should already know from the BOP case manager when he will be released, therefore knowing how much time was eliminated.
Regarding days and nights counting as two, unfamiliar with that one.
Now as to being released sooner, it’s possible because of new legislation, pardons, breakthrough in the case, new federal court laws and sentencing guidelines. Most importantly, Prayer!

]]> By: sandy http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-703 sandy Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:25:08 +0000 #comment-703 I have a friend who is in rochester minnesota and they gave him 30 years. He appeal back in 2003 and i'm thinking they deny his appeal because he is still there. My question is, can he appeal again? is there a way of knowing if he would get out any sooner? i know for Federal Prisons the nights don't count as days like at the jails, but if they have good conduct, can their sentence be reduce? thanks very much for all your help I have a friend who is in rochester minnesota and they gave him 30 years. He appeal back in 2003 and i’m thinking they deny his appeal because he is still there. My question is, can he appeal again? is there a way of knowing if he would get out any sooner? i know for Federal Prisons the nights don’t count as days like at the jails, but if they have good conduct, can their sentence be reduce?

thanks very much for all your help

]]> By: Rickey http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-696 Rickey Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:04:48 +0000 #comment-696 Jonathan, Yes it is a matter of perspective and how each person looks at it. Answering the very basic question is a joy and a comfort to know that I helped another person learn and a family member be at peace. Jonathan, Yes it is a matter of perspective and how each person looks at it. Answering the very basic question is a joy and a comfort to know that I helped another person learn and a family member be at peace.

]]> By: Jonathan Richards Former Federal Inmate http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-695 Jonathan Richards Former Federal Inmate Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:06:41 +0000 #comment-695 I spent time at an FMC. There was an adjoining camp. We used to look out at the camp inmates at the track with no controlled movements and no razor wire fences and envy them a little. It's funny how everything is a matter of perspective. I decided to put together a site to help anyone facing time in Federal prison. (www.federal-prison.org). It's received quite good reviews, but I'm just glad that I have been able to help people. Going to Federal prison is not easy, but equipped with the right information, major mistakes can be avoided. I spent time at an FMC. There was an adjoining camp. We used to look out at the camp inmates at the track with no controlled movements and no razor wire fences and envy them a little. It’s funny how everything is a matter of perspective. I decided to put together a site to help anyone facing time in Federal prison. (www.federal-prison.org). It’s received quite good reviews, but I’m just glad that I have been able to help people. Going to Federal prison is not easy, but equipped with the right information, major mistakes can be avoided.

]]> By: Rickey http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-694 Rickey Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:49:47 +0000 #comment-694 Keisha, you ask a very good and caring question, thank you. First of all, asking if he is ok is good but it also reminds him of his situation, just talk with him by carry a normal conversation as though he was right there with you or away on business. I say that because like me I was more interested in things back home and how my wife was doing, it let me know that life is still moving forward. Second, write letters to him because one of the highlights of every inmate's life in prison is mail call. Share with him what your doing, keep him up to date with things in the community, cut and paste pictures in your letters. I use to receive letters from my wife each week and I use to write every week. The reason for letters is letting him know that someone does care for him and that alone brings a lot of hope and chases the blues away. Most importantly, let him know he is loved, as a mate, as a friend or as a family member. The key is for him to know that someone back home really cares about him, even if it is just you, keep the line of communication open. Keisha, you ask a very good and caring question, thank you.
First of all, asking if he is ok is good but it also reminds him of his situation, just talk with him by carry a normal conversation as though he was right there with you or away on business. I say that because like me I was more interested in things back home and how my wife was doing, it let me know that life is still moving forward.
Second, write letters to him because one of the highlights of every inmate’s life in prison is mail call. Share with him what your doing, keep him up to date with things in the community, cut and paste pictures in your letters. I use to receive letters from my wife each week and I use to write every week. The reason for letters is letting him know that someone does care for him and that alone brings a lot of hope and chases the blues away.
Most importantly, let him know he is loved, as a mate, as a friend or as a family member. The key is for him to know that someone back home really cares about him, even if it is just you, keep the line of communication open.

]]> By: Keisha http://www.formerprisoninmate.com/about-prison-camp-life#comment-693 Keisha Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:27:52 +0000 #comment-693 Hi Rickey, Thank you for setting up this website. Just reviewing the blogs posted on this site has answered a lot of questions for me. My question for you is this, what do you say to comfort a loved one who is incarcerated? I ask because a friend of mine is incarcerated and I find myself constantly asking him "if he is ok", I know it may appear to be a stupid question, because I don't think anyone can be ok in jail, but I just don't know how else to comfort him and show him that his family cares. Awaiting your advise. Hi Rickey,

Thank you for setting up this website. Just reviewing the blogs posted on this site has answered a lot of questions for me. My question for you is this, what do you say to comfort a loved one who is incarcerated?

I ask because a friend of mine is incarcerated and I find myself constantly asking him “if he is ok”, I know it may appear to be a stupid question, because I don’t think anyone can be ok in jail, but I just don’t know how else to comfort him and show him that his family cares.

Awaiting your advise.

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