Self Surrender to a Federal Prison Camp, Part 3
May 9th, 2009 by Rickey
While I was still getting acquainted with the other inmates around my area, I heard this loud shout, “count time”. What’s that I though, then I saw everyone moving and someone told me that I was to go stand in line by my bunk number. At 4 o’clock everyday all the inmates were counted. We stood by this three inch yellow line with the number of each persons bunk painted on the floor. Everyone was to be quiet as two officers would come along and count each inmate. One officer had a booklet with everyone’s picture. When the count was clear everyone raced out the door. I quickly realized that it was also dinner time after count.
After dinner I walked around the dormitory to see where everything was. There was a private shower area, private toilets and an open area with sinks. There was a laundry room with 4 washers, 4 dryers, and ice machine. The dormitory had three TV rooms, one exercise room, and a big TV in the main area by the various offices. Thank God it was air conditioned. Basically it was a large open building with bunk beds and lockers.
Outside was something I didn’t expect to see. There was a concrete walking tract, baseball field, basketball court, handball courts, soccer field and a football field. That’s right and all the equipment to go along with it. Baseball and basketball were the most played.
I then wanted to see what was in the building adjacent to the dormitory. It was also part of the kitchen. These rooms were available to all the inmates for their use. There was an art room, a barber shop, a library, a law library, classrooms for GED plus other general teachings, and a chapel with plenty of religious and spiritual materials to watch and listen.
Basically the camp looked comfortable and a far cry from a cell with bars. I had a place to sleep, plenty to eat, place to exercise, a library to learn and a chapel to worship. God was there for me because He quickly showed me that this was no longer a federal prison camp but a bible camp to study His living word. Praise God!
What prison camp were you at?
The federal prison camp in Pollock, LA.
I drink way too much coffee form morning till about 9PM….my question is coffee and other beverages available other than at meal times? I have surrender 1/19 and if it’s not available (even for purchase) then I need to slow down on the coffee so I don’t go through coffee withdrawl…the headaches acn be brutal!
Ron,
A very good question and please remember that my answers are based on one prison camp.
Most beverages provided at meal time were milk and orange juice for breakfast and fountain drinks (flavored water with no carbination) for lunch and supper.
Yes, coffee and name brand beverages like Coke or Pepsi products are available in the commissary for purchase. The coffee however is instant coffee but I do not remember the name brand.
On the other hand, a fresh brewed cup of coffee was available at times because some inmate’s work location had coffee makers and coffee was a privilege to have.
Oh, I also heard through other inmates that some facilities have vending machine that use an inmates commissary card as a debit card.
Thanks Rickey…. I should definately ween myself off the cooffee until I see what the situation is…I don’t know where I am going yet BUT it will probably be either FCI Miami or Coleman in Orlando (good Lord willing) so I am close to my 91 YO mother. I was wondering do the inmates ever do games like charades, sing alongs or anything like that to have fun in the evenings? I have always been the creative leader type ( that’s what got me 61/2 years) so I was wondering if they don’t do that sort of thing could I initiate anything like that even as witnessing tool like “Christian Charades” or something like that. I know I’ll have a bunch of ideas , that’s a gift God has given me….vivid imagination and organized leadership skills. I know that at first I have to GAIN trust and credibility with inmates and staff but after a short time they will see that I’m real and that I’m there so show them the love of Jesus. Thanks Again & Many Blessings 2 U!!
Ron
Wise plan with the coffee and you present another interesting question.
In regards to games, the ones most favored are dominos, chess and card games like spades and rummy. I never saw charades and the only times I saw sing alongs was in church related services.
Inmates focus on a lot of games where it involves competition and they take great pride in winning, especially the outdoor sports events.
When it comes to witnessing, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you because there are a lot of different religions and professions of faith inmates follow and there are a lot of inmates who where religious mask, even Christians.
You are also right about gaining other inmates trust, the key is to be a man of your word, always tell the truth and like Jesus just be a friend.
Rickey…do U know if they take $ out of UR initial $ that U take in when surrendering to go toward restitution? I know that they base the % taken out of what is sent 2 U but what about the initial $ (money order).
Thanks & Blessings 2 U!!
Second question: I have just finished writing my first book and would like to continue writing more books in prison. What do you know about the rules, I know I can’t get ianyhting published or conduct business while in there BUt if I write some books while in there can I leave with those handwritten books in hand?
Hey Rickey….another question I have: are inmates given any list of free correspondence courses available to them or are there any publications that may have such a list that I could check out ahead of time, I have 18 days B4 surrendering. Thanks
Ron,
Yes, if there is restitution to be paid a small percentage will be taken out of your commissary acount where funds are kept. The BOP will inform you and it will be in writing for you to see and this usually accurs during team meeting (quarterly meeting between you and the BOP camp administration). The amount taken out will be adjusted for more if your funds increase so maintain a budget for your personal needs.
This is the best time for writing, I remember a man who wrote a book, had it published, some were sent to him in camp where some were sold to the inmates. Go figure.
Yes, you are allowed to leave with your belongings, everything that you accumulate in the camp is yours. Only the items that are provided by the prison camp must be returned (bedding, clothing, boots, etc.).
However, you will be limited on the amount of space to keep things, so get in the habit of mailing things home, it’s a good safety precaution also.
Writing will be your best past time and your mental escape from prison life, highly encouraged.
There are no correspondance courses but there are some educational programs that inmates can participate in and most of them are video programs taken from the history channel.
Inmates who do not have a high school education must attend GED classes that the BOP provides.
I have seen inmates who were learning from correspondance courses but they were through the mail and the BOP educational does help and encourage it.
Rickey….If u want or need something that they don’t have in the commissary, do they approved catalogs that U can order products from directly? Thanks, Ron
Ron,
Yes, there are some items you can purchase from a catalog. For example, I was able to purchase some art supplies but this took a few weeks because of forms I had to filled out for approval and my funds to be released.
Please remember that each prison camp is different and ordering items may not be available while others may have more to offer.
Hello Rickey…I found out today I am going to the camp at Estill SC, have you or anyone else heard anything about it?
Many Blessings, Ron
Ron,
Sorry, I have no information regarding the Estill SC institution.
However, I do recommend that you call the institution as to what personal items you can bring and any other question you may have. You may not get all the answers but you will get some. If you are on any prescribed medication, ask about their procedures.
Hey Rickey,
What would U say the average age of inmates at a camp is?
Thanks, Ron
Ron,
There was such a variety of age groups from early 20’s to 70’s but I would say that the average age was late 20’s and early 30’s.
Rickey,
You commented to Ron that when you leave you take all of the items you have acquired with you. How does that work if you are going to another federal facility?
J
Joselynne,
Great question because there are two issues to the address and answer, transfer to another facility and going home.
When an inmate is transfering to another facility, their belongings are transported separately, (sort of like baggage in an airport). The inmate’s personal belongings may accompany them on the bus or they may be shipped by mail through other means. I have seen many inmates who transfered from other facilities recieve their items a few days later then their arrival.
The other is when an inmate is going home and one I experienced first hand.
Basically you just acquire a box from the BOP facility and pack your things. When the day comes to leave, an officer who checks you out looks through your things and approves them to leave with you. It’s that simple.
You can also mail things home but items need to be approved for shipping by a BOP staff member and a form filled out, also a simple process.
Hi Ricky,
I’m Linda (Ron’s significant other) and have questions about phone calls from prison. Ron reported to the camp at Estill Tuesday morning and I was very surprised to receive a call from him early Wednesday morning. But they don’t have his account set up yet and he had to call collect. So I had to set up a prepaid account to accept the calls and they’re very expensive. He thinks that he won’t have to call collect once his account is established and I’m wondering if that’s true. So can you share more information about that?
Also, I just want to thank you for this site because it has truly been a blessing to both me and Ron and he told me that it was just like you said and then some. He was very nervous before going in and I kept reminding him of all the things you’ve said, but like you say over and over again, what they think before going is so much worse than what it’s really like.
Unfortunately, upon the arrival of a new warden a couple of years ago, the inmates at Estill lost all of the amenities they had previously enjoyed, but as you also shared, the inmates are VERY resourceful! Ron’s been told that the camp at Estill is one of the toughest (worst to be exact) in the federal prison system, but he has been very impressed by how nice and kind everyone is and how they have all sort of taken him under their wing to teach him the ropes. He’s bored right now and eager to find out what kind of work he will be doing, but overall, I think he’s just relieved because the first time I talked to him, he kept saying, “It’s not that bad.” So thanks so much for your devotion and dedication to providing such an honest and accurate account for those facing prison for the first time. You are indeed a blessing to many of us and I know the Lord blesses you and yours in return! So thank you and may God bless you mightily!
In His Love,
Linda
Hi Linda,
It warms my heart to hear that everthing is well with Ron and thank you for those wonderful words of inspiration and the blessing, I receive them all with great Joy and appreciation. I pray God will bless and provide for you and Ron during this time as He did for my wife and I. God Bless!
In regards to the phone calls. Yes, collect calls are expensive, be patient. Setting up the phone account usually takes about a week or so. I remember telling my wife I would call her as soon as it was possible and I was surprised that it only took 3 days for the account to set up.
The next time you talk with Ron, have him set up a time when it’s most convenient as well as budgeting his time and funds to call you. For example, I use to call my wife between 9 and 10 pm every other night at the beginning of the month and then every night with minutes remaining (see the telephone calls topic on the top right listing, detailed info).
Yes, he will be bored for the first few weeks because it’s a time of medical test and camp orientation (I remember walking and sleeping a lot).