Loved ones of BoP residents

36 days

2011-02-07T20:25:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone,

Well I can't believe I am writing this but I am...... 36 days and the next phase starts. As far as I am concerned it is then end. I know it will not be easy and we still have a lot of adjusting and rules to follow. But at least he will be 10 mins from us and home on weekends and it just feels really good.

I hope that everyone realizes what a bond we have all formed. I don't know everyone on here but I am close to many. It has been a long journey and I fell such relief that I had you guys to do it with. I call us the fab 5: LeeAnn, Melanie, Becky, Debbie and myself. What a trip and once again I am glad I met each and everyone one of you. I know when they get out and home it seems like their is not enough time to keep up with the blog and message boards. I also feel bad because I feel as if I'm not helping the new people as much as I should but it is really hard. It is almost like I relive the first visit all over again and I can't do it. We are lucky because we have three great CO's to end our visiting. I know it seems hard to believe but they are really nice guys to us and to him. Also though we give them no reason to not be nice to us. I am not going to pretend this has been easy and that it gets easier as time goes. That said it really does become more tolerable (don't know if thats a word but it is my word). You become a stronger person for all the turmoil that is surrounding you.

I had a nice lady come up to me about three weeks ago and said I see you every Friday here and I just love to see how you light up when you see your husband. She said you just light up and it is so nice to see that. Another inmate my husbands friend told him that I looked so happy this Sunday when we were together and him and his wife didn't want to bother us. I am very emotional now and so is he. This I swear is the hardest time yet for both of us. Anyway I feel like I am rambling.

So I guess I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support, phone calls, meetings, birthday parties, and eating out together. I do love each of you and it will always be that way regardless if we ever see each other again. (of course Becky you are not getting rid of me..... we live too close).

I love you all please take care and I will be checking back in. Also I will try and give you updates. Peace to all

Husband in Transit

2010-12-30T06:36:00.002-05:00

I recieved a letter today from my husband and he said that he would be on an air flight at 3 AM. The letter was written on Monday. He has been in a detention center for over a month waiting to be picked up by the marshalls. I checked the inmate locator and it says that the inmate is not found. How long does it take for them to be in the system and how long before he should be able to contact me to let me know where he is. Since he could not take anything with him, so he has no writing material, can he call? Needless to say I am freaking out since I have NO idea where he is.

Thank you,

Angel

Supaman says:: Money for Causes and Groups

2010-10-29T18:15:00.000-04:00

Supaman says:: Money for Causes and Groups

Sept 24th-26th weekend visit

2010-09-07T22:27:00.002-04:00

hello everyone...trying to work things out with a hopefully good situation..I will tell you all more when we learn more...anyways...is anyone staying at the Ramada the weekend of September 24-26th? Or anyone who will be visiting that weekend mind giving a really good friend of mine a ride from the prison to the Ramada Friday and Saturday night and pick her up for a visit to the prison for Sat and Sun morning? I don't want to speak about why I am asking because I could be jinxing a great thing for Greg and I....anyways..thanks ladies...

1 year home

2010-08-19T10:04:00.000-04:00

Well I haven't updated you guys in awhile. Mike was released one year ago last Wednesday. It has been a long, but wonderful year. He was released from HWH October 16, yes he did his full HWH house time with only 2 home visits allowed. There was a paperwork issue and the two hour drive back and forth, so he stayed his entire 60 days there. He was put on home confinement for 1 year. October 16th he will start his supervised release for another 2 years. If any one has questions concerning HC under the supervision of the PO's not HWH please email me as it is entirely different than what the HWH's do when they release you home early or for weekend visits. Mike is working 40 hours a week. He can't leave until 7 a.m. and has to be in the house by 5:30. He is on "lockdown" all Federal Holidays and Friday 5:30 p.m. until Monday at 7:00 a.m. with a break for church 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Sunday. He works for a company that only shuts down on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but he is not allowed to work on any federal holiday as he is on lockdown. He also can not work overtime or weekends. Also, just so those of you who may have to deal with this sentence, home confinement means just that, within the confines of your home. No yard, porch, or deck. On a positive note we have made it this far and have less than 60 days left of the this craziness.

I have been offered a position working with the preschool students at the Montessori School here. I have been preparing my room for the upcoming school year and am very excited about working with the students.

I hope all is well with everyone, it has been very quite lately. I am hoping that no news is good news.

Hotels

2010-06-09T20:25:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,

I found a great deal on hotel for July 4th weekend thought I would let you guys know. Waterfront place hotel is about $69/night(if you book 3 nights) and on hotels.com you can use the code CCBUD510 to get an extra 15% off. It has great ratings and it is one of the nicest hotels in Morgantown.

Also here are a couple of sites that I check before booking a hotel.

www.kayak.com (compares all websites)

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=297683&t=2070078

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals-607/

Flyertalk also has a thread dedicated to just codes:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals/934858-general-list-codes-promos-orbitz-hotels-com-expedia-travelzoo-others.html

If I find other deals, I will keep posting them here just in case they help you out.

Hotel help

2010-05-17T19:49:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,
I made my first visit to Morgantown this past weekend...due to graduation, I had to stay at a motel in Bruceton Mills, which was not bad but I would like to be closer. I am planning on going again for Memorial Day and wondered if anyone could share hotels in the area that are decent. I am not looking for anything fancy! Just a (clean!!) nice place to stay. I heard that some offer discounts for being a Morgantown wife. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Also, has anyone used Priceline to book a room in Morgantown? If so, how much did you offer to pay and where did you end up?

Thanks everyone!
Nicole

Prison Wives

2010-05-10T18:11:00.002-04:00

I have added a link to Prison Wives. It is located on the left under the amazon link.

Prison Wives on Investigation Discovery

2010-04-13T12:22:00.002-04:00

I found this after googling prison wives and I found something I wanted to share with you all...I hope it is okay..

I’m Struggling Too!
Today is a bad day. I wish I could say that I've never had one before, but bad days consume my life. I have no escape from them. Today is a day when I wonder… Where is the support for me in-this-struggle?"
When a man asks a woman to wait for him while
he's in prison, does he realize what an incredible emotional sacrifice it is? Does he realize the pain and never-ending loneliness that attaches itself to her heart and soul? Does he realize that yes; we are in this struggle too?
When I made this choice to do this bit with my man I didn't know what it would mean to consciously hand over the control and happiness of my life…not to my man, but to an institution. From the very beginning, my man told me that I had the power in the relationship because I was the one who was free.
How am I free? What power do I have?
I buy my clothes according to what is acceptable for visits. At anytime, I can go anywhere my heart desires, but my heart's desire is trapped within that prison compound. So, where am I going? I stalk the mailman and won't leave the house until he comes, waiting for a white envelope with that familiar handwriting that has taken the place of hugs and kisses. I check the phone several times a day to make sure it's working, waiting to hear it ring and see "unavailable" appear on the caller ID, a sight that has taken the place of the sound of my doorbell or his car horn.
I set my watch to the clocks in the prison. I schedule my bedtime around "Count." No, I don't have any power. The phone company has the power. The prison and the guards have all the power. Today, I feel helpless and out of control.
Today surely is a bad day, and yes, I am struggling too.
Today, like most of my bad days that pass, I see a little bit of my life that has slipped away; another memory not made, another dream that doesn't come true. Another day my son wont know what its like to have a father in his life, One more day my family is separated. One more day I'm without a real home. I am so often standing on the line between sanity and insanity, I have to keep telling myself, "He's real, this is real, our love is real, and the end will come."
Today when he called I had to fight off the urge to beg him to come home to me. "Please come home. If you really loved me, you'd find a way." Today I blame him for keeping us apart. Today I am so very angry with him. Today is definitely a bad day, and yes, I am struggling too.
A good day can turn bad in the blink of an eye, a tick of the clock, or a beat of my heart. I am on an emotional roller coaster that changes course without warning or consideration for my mental state. It never asks permission. Attacks of loneliness, despair, confusion, and frustration hit me and consume me from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head and every crevice of my body in between. Some bad days I want to curl up in my bed and sleep. Sleep the days away. Some bad days I can't sleep or even eat. Sometimes I have to make my heart beat and my lungs take in oxygen.
Suicide is never a thought, but dying from loneliness is always a possibility.
Today I have no answers that make sense to me for the thousands of questions running through my head. My mind is cluttered with doubts and confusion and this makes my heart heavy with guilt and shame. How could I question the one real joy I have in my life? There are so many people who are lonely, without love and passion in their lives, so as difficult as this ordeal is, I know that what he and I share is the most precious of all gifts.
But today, I can't remember all the unconditional love, support, and non-judgment that my man has bestowed upon me. Today I can't remember that my man is the only one who really understands and accepts me, and the good and the bad. Today, I can't remember all the desire and passion that my man has brought out of me. Today, I can't remember that he plays no games, tells no lies, and wears our love like a badge of honor. Today, is obviously a bad day, and yes, I am struggling too!
While I wouldn't change one second, erase one tear, or forget heartache, I can truly understand why a woman would choose not to wait. The reality is that I am in prison too…I am also doing time and the only thing I am guilty of is being in love with my man.
For every one of us who stands by our man, that can endure the bad days and savor the good, there are many who can't. Many just don't even try. To the men whose women have chosen to move on, you
must always remember that there are always two sides to every story. Your women might not tell you what's in their hearts, but if you listen hard enough you can hear them. You can hear their confusion and their fear pleading with you to understand, to forgive, to accept, and to remember…
Not every woman is strong enough to endure the bad days that the struggle brings. Thank God, I'm strong enough!
Author Unknown

2010-04-13T09:02:00.000-04:00

Well it's been a long time since I've gotten to speak with anyone...hope you are all doing well...Just thought I'd give a little update on us.

So Chance finally found work..He has been there going on 2 months...not the greatest as far as pay but it works...they didn't give him a hard time about his felony...put in the application on a Friday, got a call Monday to set up an interview for Tuesday and he started working the next morning...so we are very thankful that seems to be working out.

Chance finally seems to be adjusting back to a normal life. Although he still feels awkward while we are out in public. But things are getting better.

And I guess our biggest update is... we are expecting a baby In Oct...Sure hoping for a little girl as this will most definitely be the last try. :O)

Hope everyone is doing well and would love to catch up with everyone soon.

Facebook

2010-04-05T13:16:00.000-04:00

We are now on facebook too. We are called thorn in side. It is a secret group, so you can only access the page by invitation from myself or Angela Nugent. Everyone in the group should have gotten an invitation to join, if not please let me know, as I do not want to leave anyone out.

WVU 2010 Home Football Games

2010-03-30T09:56:00.000-04:00

As many of you know it is almost impossible to get a room at a decent rate the weekend of home football games. I have posted the 2010 schedule for the Mountaineers. I hope this helps in scheduling your visits in the coming year. The federal holidlay schedule is also listed on the right hand side.

2010-02-18T00:39:00.001-05:00

At my last visit I noticed some of the wives wearing tshirts that said morgantown wives all I want to know is where do I get one

Happy Early Valentine's day

2010-02-08T15:57:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone...seems like it has been forever since I have spoken to alot of you all..Just wanted to wish you all a
HAPPY Early VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

Do you have special plans to celebrate it with your loved one inside?? I had planned on being there Valentine's day weekend, however, I won't be able to go until the weekend afterwards...If you are planning on going to Morgantown WV, please check to make sure visitation has not been cancelled because they are expecting more snow in Morgantown later this week...be careful and have fun,

(HUGS)

Halfway House Update

2010-01-27T09:31:00.002-05:00

Well, after completing 2 weeks my friend can have a weekend pass to go home with his family! His attorney is bringing him his car with the required documentation: registration, insurance and proof the insurance has been paid. We're not sure what kind of driving priveleges he will be allowed, but I'm fairly convinced it will be in connection with a job. The vehicles are kept in a fenced secured lot, which is comforting considering the section of town the halfway house is in. That's it for the update. He's officially completed his first week. :)

Halfway House: what I do know so far

2010-01-24T15:56:00.003-05:00

My friend reported to the Dismas halfway house this past week. I will share with you what I do know initially, and as time progresses. Although he is there on "early release" and was told by the bop before he left prison that he would only be there for about 3 weeks, hogwash. The counselor at the halway house said he may do the remainder of his sentence (to Apr 30) in halfway house. He was breathalized immediately upon arrival. No problem there. He is allowed one (2 hr) visit per week on Sunday 1230 - 2:30 pm. Only 4 people per visit, children are counted as adults. That cannot be broken down into 2 visits on Sunday. It's one visit with a maximum of 4 people. He must register for work through the state employment commission, even though he is 71 and very self-employed. He can wear his own clothes. Visitors can bring him food, but have to leave with all left overs. After the initial 72 hrs. he gets a 2 hr. Walmart pass and must provide his own transportation, be it bus, taxi, or friend or relative. They sleep in bunk beds which are much more comfortable than the bop metal beds. He is allowed a vehicle only if hired and it is needed to get back and forth to work. There are both men and women living at the halfway house, but are not allowed to interact. They have even drawn a line down the middle of the back yard, left side for girls, right side for boys. LOL No cell phones or computers are allowed there. The biggest downside so far: he is bored silly but far better off than in prison!!!

Need some help/advice

2010-01-08T13:15:00.001-05:00

Can anyone tell me where to get information on the Orlando Dismas Charities RRC? My husband is scheduled to go there in July and I am trying to get as much information as I can. I have been unable to find any. I have no idea what to expect once he gets there. Rules, regulations, jobs, visitation, etc? Please can anyone help me?

New Links

2010-01-07T08:35:00.004-05:00

I have added two links on the right to Amazon,com for ordering books and magazine subscriptions for our loved ones. I hope these help in getting items to your loved ones.

MagicJack

2010-01-04T18:02:00.001-05:00

This was on the daily FedCure digest this morning. I thought I would share it with those of you that use MagicJack. I have not heard that any of you are having an issue yet. Morgantown tends to be behind the other facilities when it comes to enforcing many pain in the a#^ regulations.

7a. MagicJack

Posted by: "larrybsmith1246" larrybsmith1246@yahoo.com larrybsmith1246

Sun Jan 3, 2010 5:07 pm (PST)

I have a MagicJack phone (as seen on TV) that hooks to my computer. My son, who is in Milan FCI in Michigan, used to be able to call me on it but about 2 months ago they took that 'previlege away. How can they do this? The phone service only cost me $19.95 a year and I was able to get a Milan phone number which saves on the cost of phone calls from him to me. Why would/did they do this?

7b. Re: MagicJack

Posted by: "Director of Public Affairs" kirsten.mamer@fedcure.org kirsten_maynard

There is a security concern with the local number being patched through to a person. It's not exactly call forwarding which is against BOP policy, however the number can be provided to anyone, and the service be in someone elses name. Making the security question being, who is the inmate really speaking with.

Now, I realize inmates can call cellphones directly and similar to above, the cellphone may not actually be in the hands of the contracted (listed) owner.

H.R. 1529 Second Chance act of 2009

2010-01-02T06:51:00.000-05:00

Check out Mike Kelly's newest article on change.org. http://criminaljustice.change.org/blog/view/a_new_year_for_second_chances

New Year's Day visitation

2010-01-01T20:25:00.000-05:00

After not seeing my husband for almost 3 months, what a blessing it was to see him today. Visitation today was the best visit I have had in a long time. There was hardly anyone there, all vending machines were well stocked and working, liquid soap in the bathroom and a drama free visit!!!!!! Happy New Year's everyone!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T13:00:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone, I am new (today) to this site. My son sits in county jail awaiting sentencing soon. He will be going to a 'low' - confused if Morgantown is a 'low' or a 'camp'.

It is a very bleak and dark time for him and his family. We are all devastated.

If anyone has any input at all it will be so appreciated. I have tons of questions..what a terrible learing experience. One day at a time.

Blessings for a better new year.
Judi

Federal Holidays 2010

2010-01-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

I have updated the list of federal holidays. Please notice that Christmas and New Years 2011 will fall on a Saturday, so they will be having holiday visitation hours on the Fridays before.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:23:00.002-05:00

Our group as it is structured today has exsisted for one year. I feel very fortunate to have met each and every one of you, both in person and on-line. You guys are my silver lining to this entire experience.

We still have a lot of work to do on legislaltion. Please do not stop. It is the squeeky wheel that gets the oil. I will continue to post updates to legislation as I get them. If you hear something I do not please post it for the group. If you have an idea on how we can get these bills passed please share it.

Have a Wonderful Weekend and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T07:14:00.000-05:00

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I pray that everyone is healthy and safe this holiday as you visit your loved ones. Please take care in your travels. Ladies I suggest that those of you traveling to Morgantown get phone numbers exchanged, as the weather forecast is not favorable for travel. Be careful, have wonderful visits, and hug your loved ones. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

crafts

2009-12-18T21:46:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know we had a great visit tonight. The kids did crafts with their daddy's. It was wonderful. Three other inmates came up and helped and my kids loved it. They are going to do it tomorrow and I'm assuming they will do it next weekend. Something positive.

Our last weekend!

2009-12-11T13:52:00.003-05:00

Well guys I havent been on the blog too much lately...SOooo I am trying to read through to catch up on everything...I hope everyone is doing well.

This is our last weekend at HwH...Chance will be coming home Monday morning...It's been a rough road but we are now moving onto Supervised Release...so hopefully we are hitting the down hill part of everything.

Hopefully I will have more time to hop on here now that my schedule should ease up some and things with the kids will hopefully settle down. If you guys need anything I'm here. And Chance will probably know the answers to a lot of questions that any of you may have.

New Years in Morgantown

2009-12-10T13:11:00.002-05:00

Hi my name is Eboni, and I'm new here. I'm planning on going to Morgantown to visit my man for new years. But this is my first visit, and I'm having a little problems getting there. The cost to fly is extremely too high. So I'm going to take the greyhound. But there are no stops in M.Town. So the closest stop would be Wheeling. Any idea how to get to M.Town from Wheeling? Besides a cab, they want $250, way to much. Also any good cheap hotels? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

New Year's weekend in Morgantown

2009-12-09T14:07:00.002-05:00

Last year, LeeAnn spearheaded a speaker for the families/ladies who visited during the New Year's visitation last year(earlier this year). Anyone that is going, would you be interested in having a speaker this year? LeeAnn can give more details about who we are thinking of asking, but I need to know as soon as possible who is interested in having a speaker. It is very helpful having us all together in one room talking and sharing our experiences and pooling our resources to get some bills passed that will benefit our loved ones.

Thanks bunches,
(hugs)

New Years

2009-12-06T17:29:00.001-05:00

Soooo ladies...I am Stephanie, and you all have seen me with my love Jeremy Blazek (GGRRRRRR!!) he is in Gerard. Anywho, my dear friend Krista and I are going to spend New Years Eve in the big MT. Lets get some ladies together and ring in the New Year properly!! We will be arriving from Indiana around 3 pm on the 31st, then we want to get some ladies rounded up for some cocktails (lets be honest, we ALL could use a drink now and then!!). Let me know who is interested!! We can split the costs and have a great time. Hope to hear from you. xoxoxo

Happy Thanksgiving !!!

2009-11-25T14:56:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to tell all of my friends "Happy Thanksgiving"...I hope everyone that is going for a visit has a great time together...Thanksgiving will be Chance's first pass home and he has been in the HwH for 2 1/2 months...He gets to leave from 9:30 - 5:30, kinda doesn't seem fair (I think he should have longer) but it is what it is I guess...we have 19 days of Hwh left so I guess I should be thankful that we have finally made it to the end after nearly 4 yrs of torture. Hope all is well with everyone.
Love,
Melanie

conscallhome.com

2009-11-24T15:18:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone just wanted to let you know, Go to the website conscallhome.com and sign up for this. It gives you a local number it will cost you $18 a month (which I am subtracting from the money I send my husband every month). It will cost your inmate 6 cents a minute instead of 20 cents a minute. They will give you a local number and the inmate has to call that number and it goes straight to your home phone or cell phone and it is much cheaper. Just wanted to pass it along.

HR 1529

2009-11-22T12:08:00.001-05:00

Click on the Justic System Scales to the left; this is the link to the booklet about HR1529. Please read it, print it, and share it!

Visiting over the Holidays

2009-11-22T09:27:00.002-05:00

So far it looks like 2 out 3 will be visiting, so I would go in expecting it to be crowded.

2009-11-22T00:03:00.001-05:00

My husband is in the hole for breaking up a fight I guess your not supposed to do that does anyone know how long they keep them in their I really need to see him and was planning to visit thanksgiving weekend

COUNTING THE DAYS...

2009-11-21T14:13:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone, Im going for a visit over Thanksgiving weekend. Getting so excited and counting the days down. Im so thankful its a four day visit. This will be my first time visiting on Thanksgiving. Anyone else going that weekend? Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

2009-11-17T00:04:00.002-05:00

I wanted to know how holiday visits are are I mean are thier alot of people like the weekend visits I went nuts the last visit it was really crowded and noisy and with kids it just makes it worse so I was hopeing the Holiday visits are better since alot of people are usually busy those days but I am not sure if other try to do what I am thinking and take adavantage of them thinking its less croweded and less noise I am sure you guys know what I mean

This weekend...

2009-11-10T11:06:00.001-05:00

Well, I just got off the phone with Greg...Three or four more guys have a fever..Byrd unit is locked down until Friday..unless something else comes up. Greg and I decided to cancel visiting this weekend. it is too much of a risk to drive up there and then be turned away in case someone else get's sick....

Visiting this weekend????

2009-11-09T11:49:00.003-05:00

I am hoping to stay at the Ramada Inn with the coupon I have for $56.99 plus tax on Saturday night, Novermber 14th (if the coupon doesn't work, I will get the prison rate of $65). Anyone visiting that weekend who wants to share a room? I typically go back to the room and crash since I drive up to Morgantown through the night on Friday night and I am exhausted by the end of visitation at 3pm. It would be nice to split the cost of the room with someone!!!

H1N1

2009-11-08T09:19:00.000-05:00

There is a lot of conversation about H1N1 and them being on lockdown. According to a few members, Byrd unit is the only unit on lockdown for the next 72 hours. Visitation is still on today, except for the members of Byrd. If anyone hears about next Wednesday and next weekend please pass that info along as soon as possible. As everyone knows it is lost on the BoP that some of us travel many hours and need to now these things before we get there.

2009-11-06T19:15:00.002-05:00

Can anyone tell what is the cheapest and closest hotel to the prison I am making plans to go visit and the hotels that my husbands PO gave me are 100 dollars a night on regular days let me know could really use some advice

Thanksgiving Weekend Visits

2009-11-01T22:24:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone!
I hope everyone is hanging in there! I was wondering if anyone knew of the times for visiting during Thanksgiving weekend. I am assuming Thursday 8am-3pm, and the rest of the weekend as normal??? If anyone knows, please post. Also, if anyone is planning on visiting the weekend of the 6th or Thanksgiving weekend, book your hotel rooms NOW! There are football games BOTH weekends and the rooms are filling up fast!
Thanks for the info!
Dana

Hi!

2009-10-28T07:55:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to update that after my first 2 weeks with Gabe gone, I am doing allright. I know it will get easier for me, but it will always be just as hard...if that makes sense. So far so good though. Luckily I can hold my own financially and we were prepared as much as possible for everythng that could happen. I have talked to him almost everyday and we have been able to write letters and emails. For us this is the downward slope of the process. The end may still be far away, but we will get through this together. I am looking forward to my first visit with Gabe the first weekend of December. Thanks again for all of the wonderful support!
Erica

It is better

2009-10-22T08:15:00.000-04:00

Well, now that we are almost a week into this, it is getting better. Mike's PO came by Monday. We were sitting on the front porch talking, he did not say a thing, as there is a roof on the front porch, so technically he was under the roof. We went out back and he said that he would allow mike on the back deck. He said that if he wanted to work on something he needed to get home in time to get the materials he needed. For instance while he is looking for employment he has to be back home by 11:30, so he needs to get back at 11 so he can collect what ever he needs and be on the deck by 11:30. He told us that we will see him a couple of times a month and Mike has to call and check in every Thursday between 8 - 5. Mike does not have an ankle bracelete, so you guys can read between the lines on how this is working. Not as bad as we thought. This should be do able. But, if I get on here and vent because having him in my house so much is making me nuts, thanks in advance for listening.

Thought for the Day

2009-10-21T12:47:00.001-04:00

We could certainly slow down the aging process if it had to work it's way through the BOP (bunch of p.....) use your imagination.

New to group

2009-10-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

Hello I am new to this group.

Moving On

2009-10-19T05:27:00.002-04:00

Hey All,

Just updating everyone on my status. Bob is being transferred the middle of November to Taft, California near Bakersfield. It is a 500 man facility with lots of perks, Early Release, 19 months home confinement, 12 month 1/2 wya house is available, they get to work in the community, It is privately owned and operated, which means NO MORE expired food to deal with and they guys actually get real meals with fruits and salads and real meat:) He will be over 2200 miles away from me and over 525 miles from his son in Arizona. He had requested to be sent to Tucson, AZ to be near his son Justin and God Bless the BOP they sent him even farther from him.

So, In a nut shell I will not be coming back to MT for visits. I appreciate all the support I got from my friends I met in MT.

I wish you all the best and say a prayer that Bob's Appeal, which happened last Thursday comes thru. This would reduc his sentence in 1/2. Attorney's were optimistic but there is a very low rate for winning an Appeal.

Thanx for all your support,

Alicia B

Well the BoP strikes again!

2009-10-16T13:13:00.001-04:00

Mike was released to home confinement this morning. He is allowed to go job hunting 7:30 - 11:30 every morning. He has to work M-F 8-5. and he can go to chruch 10:00 - 12:00 on Sunday's. Other than that he can not leave the house, can not mow the grass Ect. Leave the house means leave the house not even on the porch. He had more freedom at M'Town. I will post more later, I am just trying to digest all this. We have 12 months of this.

Erica and Gabe

2009-10-13T22:40:00.000-04:00

Erica made it home safely. She has not heard from Gabe but expects to in the next couple of days. She seems to be hanging in there fairly well. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

New Years Weekend

2009-10-13T11:34:00.002-04:00

I know this is early, but I have to plan way ahead on these trips. I am planning on being at Morgantown January 1st-January 3rd as Friday is a holiday and visitation is 8-3 that day. Does anyone want to share a room that weekend? I am not sure if I am going to come up the night before or not. I have not even starting looking at rooms or anything yet. Everything on my end depends on the funds that will be available. Anyone in the NC area that would consider car pooling? I just wanted to get this out here to see what everyone else thought. I will be without our children that weekend as we celebrate NY's as one more year behind us. I don't mind sharing a room if kids are coming. Hope everyone has a great week! (hugs) Any ideas and suggestions will be considered. Thanks!

2009-10-12T09:06:00.002-04:00

Hey ladies,

So we are leaving today for Morgantown, West Virginia. My husbands self surrender date is tomorrow. It still seems surreal, being 25 years old and thinking about the next few years of my life as a young married couple and the trials we are about to go through. I am scared yet confident that things will be okay. I will let you all know how things go, when I return on Tuesday.

Thanks again for inviting me into your group, it helps to talk to others who are going through or have been through this.

:)

It's been a long road

2009-10-11T10:13:00.000-04:00

We have 5 more days and Mike is released from HWH. He did not get home this weekend, as there was an issue with his paycheck. But it is okay since he will be home for good Friday! It seems like April 08 was a lifetime ago. I am so glad that I have met all of you. Mike and I look forward to continuing our friendships. I hope everyones visits were great this weekend! Travel home safe.

2 down

2009-10-09T01:48:00.002-04:00

It's been a bumpy ride these last 2 months. But We're maing progress here at home. I haven't been around to blog much lately as I've been dealing with a lot of issues with my autistic son. I am having to send him to a new school and I haven't been able to start looking for a job because I've been so busy working on getting him the services he needs. Well, thank the Lord, Thursday we got both his services for home AND found a new school for him. It's still going to be a big adjustment for him, especially since the school is quite a distance away (40 min drive each way), but I think overall he will benefit greatly from it.
I've gotten a lot of support from family recently, even to the point that it was more than I wanted, but I have to accept the help.
My little one is finally sleeping in his own bed.
we've had a lot of bad days, and when we have a good one, we cherish it.
I'm lonely and dealing with a wide array of emotions, but am handling it better these days. Still hard to go to bed with the empty pillow.
We are making the trip down this weekend. probably tonight, depending on the kids and their moods.
Here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

sue
aka bubba

Commentary by T.K.

2009-10-08T20:42:00.001-04:00

As many of you know T.K. is a member of our group. His son is at Edgfield in SC. This is a commentary he wrote concerning HR 1529 and how Congress is getting ready to shoot it down once again. http://www.the-slammer.org/carousel/congress-set-to-dump-second-chance-for-ex-offenders-act Please go and read this article. If you agree please forward the link to everyone you know.

Corrlinks $ Info

2009-10-08T17:47:00.002-04:00

There's been a lot of confusion, I believe, about the new Corrlinks email system. Here is some general Corrlinks info I just received from Brandon. Hope it helps ...

We, as users, are definitely NOT charged anything. They are charged $1 for 20 minutes of use. So, for example, if your loved one just reads 6 emails they've received and it takes him 10 minutes to do so, he's charged .50. If he takes another 10 minutes to send replies back to people, that's another .50. It's really a fair system...you pay for it when you use it. Plus, it's really inexpensive as compared to using the phone which is .24 a minute.

If anyone has any questions as to how to sign up, I'll be glad to walk you through it.

Mom (Carole)

Posting from your phones

2009-10-08T14:08:00.002-04:00

You can now post to the blog from your phones. Click on mobile posts on the left hand side. I will leave this at the top so that when you are posting from your phones you do not have to scroll down so far. Try it out, make sure it works for you. You will have to sign in on your phone. I will delete any new posts that are just testing this new button. Use Test as a title so that I know it is something I can delete.

This weekend

2009-10-08T13:28:00.000-04:00

It looks like quite a few of you are visiting for the long weekend. I hope you all have a great weekend, and GREAT visits! Drive safe! I must say that I miss seeing you guys and spending the weekends together. Not that I want to go back where we were 3 months ago, but I miss my friends.

Emailing from a phone?

2009-10-08T13:02:00.002-04:00

HOW CAN I EMAIL FROM MY PHONE. I AM APPROVED ALREADY.

What facilities have email access?

2009-10-08T10:44:00.001-04:00

Not all do as we all know; this is what the offical statement from BoP is.

Do all BOP facilities have access to TRULINCS?

No, but the list of facilities where it is available is growing, and TRULINCS is expected to be in all BOP facilities by June 2011. Ask your inmate contact about it!

From http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/trulincs_faq.jsp#4

They have switched from Trulincs to Corrlinks. I think that if they had Trulinks they have or will have Corrlinks. Of course the standard BoP answer to everything is ask your inmate! My answer is Ask your Morgantown Wife, we usually know more.

Hello everyone

2009-10-08T08:53:00.001-04:00

Hi!! I am new to this site and want to thank everyone for allowing me to join. My husband is reporting to Morgantown on tuesday so technically I am new to all of this. Anyone have any helpful tips for how to begin this process?? Thanks for all of your support.

Corrlinks and email

2009-10-07T21:10:00.002-04:00

Okay! I am the first one to admit I am a fly by the seat of my pants and not pay attention enough to stuff that matters!

I have some friends that Derrik emails that are asking me about the new email system. Are we paying to send him emails? I read the terms and conditions on the email I got today but it "spoke out of both sides". It said we won't be charged then the next paragraph was about putting money in the account. Is this the regular money that I keep in Derrik's account?

What is the charge for emails?

I hope you are all well! I may be making a trip to Morgantown this weekend, not sure yet...just flying by the seat...!

Have a great day!

Kim

H.R. 1529 the "Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009

2009-10-05T12:28:00.003-04:00

Joel Osteen is hosting a Webcast on Tuesday October 6th - DO YOU KNOW THE DREAM IN YOU!!

The site is allowing people to send their dreams to their website -

http://www.joelosteen.com/LandingPages/Pages/TheDreamInYouWebcast.aspx or www.joelosteen. com & follow the links.

Everyone send in the dream and ask:

"That congress pass this most human and humane legislation, H.R. 1529 the "Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009" and allow those who have made mistake a real opportunity to regain their place in society."

Then listen on your computer or laptop on October 6th at 7 PM CST.

Hey,it can't hurt and you just never know what may result. Lee Ann has mentioned many times the need for a public face so if enough participate well....like I said, you just never know.

Our HwH Update

2009-09-24T08:32:00.003-04:00

So far things have been going pretty well. Yesterday was 1 week since Chance got to the Hwh. He has not been able to leave there yet. This hwh does not allow them to leave at all for the first 7 days but it is expected that he will be able to leave this weekend for 3-4 hours to get a haircut and go to Walmart ( the only store they can go to while out on an itinerary). They are given an itinerary not a pass, which means he has to go to the exact destination and come directly back. Once he is eligible for passes he will be able to go anywhere as long as he calls to check in periodically. They don't get any passes until they have employment. He has not been able to go out looking for a job yet because the he has 9 classes he has to complete before he can get an itinerary for job search. He has 5 classes done so hopefully the beginning of the week he can begin his job search. We get to visit every evening from 7-9 and he gets 2 visits on the weekend 2-4 and 7-9. I am only 14 miles from the Hwh so it works out perfect.I can bring any kind of clothes or food to him. He can have a small t.v, video games, dvd's, cd's and just about everything else except a laptop and cell phone. There are 8 payphones and they can even get incoming calls. The people there are really good about going to get the others if they have a phone call ( all I have to do is give his last name and room #). This experience so far has been far better than I thought it would be. After 4 years of dealing with the BoP, I never dreamed we would be able to have a some what normal relationship.

Ohhh, and how could I possibly forget. The case manager came out to the house yesterday. We have been approved for Chance to come here on all of his passes. I was so afraid that they wouldn't let him since he is not actually going to reside here ( because of the daycare). BUT the case manager seems awesome. She said " even though he hasn't obtained employment, I don't want to waste time in getting out to your house because I may get busy and then he won't be able to come to your house until I find time to make the home visit." SO that went over great with me, because I want him here as soon as possible. So pray for us that Chance is able to find a job right away, then next will be the apartment search.

I hope and pray that everyone and their loved ones are doing well.

Melanie & Chance

Trial Bound

2009-09-18T11:33:00.002-04:00

I got a call from Mike early this morning. He is in transit to Fresno for his upcoming civil trial. I haven't heard from him before this for nearly two weeks. When I talked to him this morning he said he is already in Oklahoma. Now I understand why I haven't been sleeping all that well. He is representing himself in this trial and he is quite nervous about it. (So am I) I am happy that he will be here soon and I can finally see him. We haven't seen each other since 2006. He was designated to USP Lee in Virginia but by the grace of God the Warden has just signed off on his transfer. Now we sit and wait for the BOP to designate him. We are praying for something closer to home. His trial starts on October 20, please keep us in your prayers.

First holiday without my father

2009-09-17T09:06:00.002-04:00

Sunday is the Muslim holiday of Eid which we celebrate at the end of Ramadan. This is the first time probably in my life that we have to spend it without my father there. Its the first for my mother in the past 28 or so years. I am not even sure how we are going to "celebrate" it but at least we will have some family, my father on the other hand will not. I know other inmates are like friends and family but he is only been there three weeks. I doubt if others even know there is a holiday.
Holidays always bring such joy but this time all i can feel is a dreadful feeling, like I do not want to go through it. I do not want to think of all the years that my father was with us and that we did not appriciate all that he did for us. Its so true when they say u don't know what you have until you lose it. We take our families, our loved ones for granted, until we can't have them with us anymore. I remember how my father would always complain to me and my brothers about how we don't spend enough time with him and we never understood what he meant, until now. If there is one thing I have gotten out from this whole experience is to appriciate my family, to appriciate them while i have them, to realized that they truely are my friends.
Anyways, how did some of you guys spend the first holiday without your loved one? How did you ignore the anxiety of what they might be going through that day? Knowing the world is going on just like it always was, but they are not there to experience it?

Good luck Mel

2009-09-15T22:59:00.002-04:00

I spoke with Mel tonight. She is on her way to M'town to pick up Chance in the morning. She is having some anxiety and exciement. She said she hasn't slept in a week. She said she could not wait to get to the hotel to sleep...she won't be doing much sleeping tonight. Keep them in your thoughts.

Corrlinks

2009-09-15T12:56:00.006-04:00

You will get an email anytime from now to 10/09/09 which looks something like below, which will ask you to sign up. The website link is below as well you can check it out. I have also added some pictures, it is just like an email inbox.

This is a system generated message informing you that the above-named person is a federal prisoner who seeks to add you to his/her contact list for exchanging electronic messages. There is no message from the prisoner at this time.You can ACCEPT this prisoner's request or BLOCK this individual or all federal prisoners from contacting you via electronic messaging at http://www.corrlinks.com/.

To register with CorrLinks you must enter the email address that received this notice along with the following identification code: Q2RTV***This identification code will expire in 10 days.By approving electronic correspondence with federal prisoners, you consent to have the Bureau of Prisons staff monitor the content of all electronic messages exchanged.Once you have registered with CorrLinks and approved the prisoner for correspondence, the prisoner will be notified electronically.For additional information related to this program, please visit the http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/trulincs_faq.jsp FAQ page.

This is what it looks like when you sign in:

This is what mailbox looks like:

And this is how a new message looks like:

Mikes first pass home

2009-09-13T21:53:00.002-04:00

I drove to Raleigh Friday night and picked Mike up to bring him home for the weekend. I left right after I got off work at 4 and we pulled in the driveway at 8:30. He had to be here by 9. He called and told him he had arrived. At 10 they called to verify he was here, and then at 12, 2, and 4. Yes that is in the a.m. Then they did not call again until 10 satuday night. They called again at 12 and then let us sleep until about 9:30 sunday morning. They did not call again for the rest of the day. It was a great weekend! He and the boys worked on the yard all weekend. They played cards last night with dad. Dad and I got to watch the race together. His PO approved him to be released to HC, so we are hoping that sometime this week we will get that notification.

LET's GOooooo Mountaineers!!!!!!!!

2009-09-13T21:38:00.002-04:00

Ok all you East Carolina fans........I have to say its a great day to be a Mountaineer!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL!!!!!!!

Other facilities than Morgantown

2009-09-11T11:55:00.003-04:00

Thank you Crystal for your information on Bennettsville! Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge about Beckley in WV or Bennettsville, Williamsburg or Edgefiled in SC? Just curious. You can email me off site if you would prefer.

PS>>>>Fall is almost here!!! Yippee!!! almost another year down....

Lesson learned!

2009-09-11T05:55:00.003-04:00

I have been telling Mike that everyone before us suggested that we contact his PO when he arrived at HWH. He did not want me to do that. He did not want me to aggrivate him. As I tend to put a chip on my shoulder, and tell them how to do their jobs in my opinion. So Wednesday when we he was told that his release plan had not been approved by his case manager at the HWH, he decided we needed to contact his PO, as he had been at the house last spring for that. So Mike called him yesterday and he had his pass home for the weekend by 5 p.m. yesterday and the paperwork is being processed for his release to HC. He will be home sometime after noon today until 7 p.m. on Sunday. Had we followed everyone's advice on here this would have happened at least a week ago. His PO was just waiting for a phone call.

So my advice to all of you, when someone in this group gives you advice on something that they have already gone through, listen to it, follow it. Even if common sense tells you that normal people will do their jobs, file the paperwork, make the phone calls, I have not met anyone invloved with BoP that uses common sense.

On a lighter side

2009-09-10T07:50:00.003-04:00

For those of you that are going to visitation this next weekend, I suggest wearing Purple and Gold. As those are the colors of East Carolina University and they are going to CRUSH the mountianeers on Saturday! You will not be alone in wearing these colors as the purple nation will be well represented in Morgantown this weekend. GO PIRATES!

HWH update

2009-09-10T07:41:00.002-04:00

Well we have jumped through each hoop they have given us. Mike not only got a job in Raleigh he also has one here waiting for him. I got the dedicated phone put in. He went to a mental health appointment, he got a paycheck and gave them their cut. Now they said that they have not approved his release plan to live here. They said that will take another 21 days. We only have 37 left. He still has not gotten a pass home for a social visit. The kids have only seen him once since he has been back. We both are wishing that he had stayed in M'town.

Thank You

2009-09-10T00:02:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all of you who offerred their support lasr week. We went to visit on Saturday. Hubby was real sick. He said about 150 inmaes have some kind of virus. I was quite upset because they locked the play room and because of that we had to cut our visit short. I just couldn't keep running after the boys.
Deb it was nice to put a face to a name.
This week hasn't gotten much better...I've had so many problems with our autistic son...he's been wreaking havoc at school. I've had to go every day to the school or at least got a phone call. And I had a bit of a fender bender with my car. (It's not THAT bad)
The week got better when I heard from Gary tonight. He hasn't been able to call because he has such a bad cold and his voice doesn't match when he tries to call. I'm trying to keep my head up, and I decided to get some help with my situations here at home. I have an appointment tomorrow and someone is coming to my house on Friday.
I wish you all pleasant dreams and better tomorrows.

sue :)

Thank you

2009-09-07T14:33:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to thank everyone for their support on here.I went to visit my friend yesterday after 17 years.Wow it was awkward at first because it had been so long.We have both changed alot on the outside.Inside we are the same kids that we were long ago.I was very worried and nervous at first.I had no idea what to expect and at least with this blog I knew I was not alone.I feel horrible now because I waited so long I dont know why,our relationship was kinda strange.We were the best of friends at times.He never hestitated to tell me when I was wrong or what he thought and I never took what he said personal.I never worried about telling him what I thought.He helped me through my divorce and it was a horrible time.He showed me that not all men were like the one I was divorcing.He was there when I needed him and I feel like I let him down for 17 years.Anyway sorry to use this as a sounding board I guess I just needed to say that.Anyway thank you everyone for the support and help.I hope someday I can do the same for another.
Crystal

Visitation this weekend

2009-09-01T07:57:00.003-04:00

So, who is going this weekend to visit. You guys have a drink for me. I kind of miss making the trip up there for the holiday weekend. Have great visits and drive safe.

Our Countdown

2009-08-31T23:55:00.002-04:00

Well everyone I swore I was not gonna post a silly countdown like you see on PTO. But here I am counting. 14 DAYS TO GO!!! My mind is going crazy with excitement yet I am so scared all at the same time. Chance has been gone for 3 1/2 years. It is going to be so crazy getting use to each other again. You would think after 6 yrs and a child together I wouldnt be nervous...BUT man I feel soooo nervous, my stomach just gets butterflies and my palms start sweating ( happens every time I get nervous) just thinking about a 4 hour drive alone with him. Also, I am real worried about what he is going to do for work. Hopefully something will come his way pretty soon after he gets here. Seems like everything else will be fine if he can just find a job. The kids have no idea he is coming back to Baltimore so I bet they are going to be so excited when they get to see him here. We are hoping to get to go out to eat together as a family either the day he gets here or the next day. Sorry I'm just rambling on, can't sleep with the way my mind is racing.

one down, 17 to go

2009-08-30T11:32:00.002-04:00

well, i made it thru the first month. 17 to go. (or less). thigs have been bearable, until i lost my job this week. with 2 little ones to take care of and a house..it's not going to be easy. trying to keep my head up and looking for another job. I have an interview on tuesday.
I did do something positive this week tho. I contacted someone to get some counseling and support. I will be assigned a caseworker who will help me find resources to deal finacially and otherwise.
My family is kind of far from me and my parents are older and not in good health. I have one sister and an aunt who keep in touch by phone, but i'm feeling pretty alone right now. His family helps with baby sitting, but now that i don't have a job, there is no need for them to babysit. I haven't and am not able to tell my parents about my job loss yet. mom had a stroke a few weeks ago and can't take the stress and dad has so much to worry about as it is.
although at first i thought i was going to blame the hubby for all my misfortune, it turns out i'm actually missing him more and wishing him home. I wanted to go visit this weekend, but until i know his visitor list is in the computer i won't, coz it's just too tough on the boys to sit and wait, so i'm planing a trip to M'gntwn next weekend.
Wishing all of you helath and happiness.

sue

Returning to life after prison

2009-08-30T09:06:00.003-04:00

Well I have promised you guys an update. Well, this phase is not as easy as we all invision. I have ran our house for the past 17 months. It is my house. It is ran by my rules. It is run on my schedule. Mike remembers the house he left and the family he left. He left 1st, 4th, and 11th graders. He came home to 3rd and 6th graders, and a young man preparing to leave to serve our country. He was the man of the house, and he will return to that role. It just doesn't happen when they walk out of the facility like we invision. It takes a lot of communication, which is the one skill we developed while he was in Morgantown. You have to be honest with what you are feeling and look at why when he opens the shed and is in shock because it isn't the way he left it. You have to talk about those feelings of his shock and your feelings of his intrusion into what is now your shed. When he asks why is my drill moved, that's not where I left it? It's okay that you needed to repair something and used his tools. But just like we feel that he is intruding on our space; he feels that we did not respect his space while he was gone. He was the man of the house. I can't wait till he returns to that role 100 percent. It does not happen just because he pulls in the driveway. It is going to take a lot of work and strong communication by all of us. With love, faith, and support of friends and family it will happen.

Corrlinks

2009-08-29T10:23:00.000-04:00

www.corrlinks.com

CorrLinks is a way for family and friends to communicate with their loved ones incarcerated in prison. Established through a relationship between a corrections agency and ATG, this system allows family and friends to subscribe to the CorrLinks services and send money or email messages to the institution.
When the corrections agency subscribes to CorrLinks' two-way mail service, the inmate receives the message on a computer within the prison. They are able to read, print and respond to messages electronically. All messages are delivered to the sending family/friends via Internet email. The inmates do not receive access to the Internet.
When the corrections agency subscribes to CorrLinks' one-way mail service, the institution prints and delivers the messages via internal mail services. The sending family member does not need to write/print or mail the message and wait for USPS deliery.
Certain agencies also allow inmates to receive money electronically. CorrLinks makes this possible by providing friends and family with access to Western Union's vast network of agents and website, enabling them to send money quickly and easily to the institution. In most cases, money is deposited from CorrLinks to the institution within 24 hours.

First time visitor

2009-08-24T08:56:00.002-04:00

I am going to visit a friend in a couple of weeks.I am unsure what to expect.Any suggestions? He is in williamsburg FCI in South Carolina.What are the visiting rooms like? What do you have to go through to get in? How early should I be there? Any help is appreciated

HW House

2009-08-23T18:43:00.002-04:00

My son was recently released from MT to a HW house. As usual the BOP threw us a curve ball and sent him to the next state over from us instead of MA where we live, but it is only 1/2 hr drive. The HW house is extremely restrictive. They are basically not allowed to leave except to look for work or go to their counseling sessions. They are assigned chores, but for instance when his chore was to take out the trash, he had to wait for a staff member to watch him walk out to the trash can. They are not allowed cell phones or internet access. They are required to look for a job, but the only way to do that is through the "help wanted" ads in the paper, or go through the yellow pages in the phone book and call to see if a place is hiring. They have to use the house payphone to make their calls. They have to take the bus to the interview. The HW house first calls to verify that the place is hiring, and then calls again to see if the inmate went to the interview. If you do get a job, you cannot leave the job site and the HW house calls twice a day to see if you are there. Prior to going to M'town, my son was working at the family business which has been in business for over 50 years, but the BOP said he could not work for family, so he could not go back to that job. Once you do get a job, 25% of your pay goes to the HW house, even if you are released to home confinement. The visiting hours are 2 hrs on Sat and 2 hrs on Sun with only 5 approved visitors allowed on your list. The list cannot be amended for 90 days, and every visitor is contacted by the HW house to verify their address, phone number and relationship. There is virtually nothing to do there except watch TV or read. They are allowed one hour of "recreation" from 7-8PM at which time they can go outside and stand in the driveway or shoot hoops through a basket that has no net. They are "counted" every TWO hours during the day, and have to go to their rooms and stand in the doorway until they are counted. During the night, a staff member comes into their rooms with a flashlight every hour to make sure they are in bed. There is an intercom system for announcements, and the staff can also tune into the rooms to eavesdrop on the inmates. We were so anticipating his release to the HW house, but this part of his sentence seems to be the worst. Well, as usual we are living "one day at a time" and trying to concentrate on the good instead of dwelling on the bad, since we are that much closer to the end of this life trial. As more news becomes available, I will post.

New Link

2009-08-23T08:48:00.003-04:00

I have started a new blog. It is where I am going to post FAQs. We seem to answer the same questions over and over as new members arrive. I hope this will help our new members. If anyone can think of questions that need to be answered, let me know. It would be appreicated if you guys would let me know if you have different answers. I am in no way an expert, and have not had every experience there is to have. Click on FAQ's on the left and it will take you to the new page.

Writing Regional

2009-08-22T23:32:00.002-04:00

We are willing to write regional when something doesn't go our way, or they violate policy. I was talking with Melanie on the way home tonight and she was telling me that Shaw was in rare form today. She said that poor Hillberry was his gopher all day, my words not hers. I don't how the rest of you feel but Hillberry is a very good guy. I don't think he gets the recognition he deserves. I think he also protects us and the guys as much as possible from Shaw. Kim O. share the address to regional, I know you have it, so those of you that want to can write and say something good for a change, I think he deserves it.

Advice Needed!!

2009-08-22T15:17:00.002-04:00

Here's the deal, I submitted my visiting form over a month ago and still have not heard anything. Yesterday I called to the institution to find out what was going on, well lets just say that the the lady I spoke with was no help at all. She said that Mike needs to get with his counselor to see if its been approved or not. We have already tried that, all that his counselor said was that he would get to it when he could. This is a little frustrating, I am in California and he is in Virginia. I am trying to plan a trip to Virginia but its impossible to do without an answer on my visiting form. I called once before and was able to leave a message for his counselor, but of course I never received a call back. I have considered calling the warden but I don't want to ruffle any feathers and make Mikes stay there anymore difficult then it has to be. He should be up for transfer to an FCI within the next couple of months. If approved he will be one step closer to home. Does anyone have any recommendations? Please help if you do. Thanks and god bless.

Stacey

humor

2009-08-22T13:14:00.000-04:00

ok, so i listened to the advise i got....didn't take anything in, but got there early enough so we didn't have to wait too long. arrived at 4:45 tonight, got called back around 5:20. thats when the FUN began. they still don't have his visitor's list on the computer (3 weeks) so we waited, and waited. finally around 6:00 they called me over to the guard's desk and told me that it's his own fault that his group counselor or whatever didn't put it in. He said he did what he was supposed to. (I know my hubby and its quite possible he didn't) I had been so excited to go, but the wait there with 2 feisty kids changed my mood, probably not so much as the guard telling me repeatedly that I needed to tell hubby it was his own fault.

We waited in the play room.
My son dropped his bottle of orange pop, so i opened it for him. I thought it was fine, but it ended up overflowing and all the orange pop (soda) went right down on my pants at the crotch and i looked like i wet myself.

The door said that children must be with an adult, but there were a nice handfull of kids and I was the only adult. So I let that bother me too. There was one child who wanted to call all the shots, who was allowed to play what, etc. The other ones were actually being real good. But I let that one little one get to me..LOL .

She asked my son "what did YOUR dad do?" when he told her he had taken some money from a company he worked for, she gasped. The other little girl (who i absolutely loved) said..."well some people do that"....the first one
proceeded to tell him and the other kids that her dad didn't do anything bad, he just hung around some guys who did drugs. then she said...what are drugs anyway? LOL. it was interesting to hear the kid's responses. (she was maybe 6). my son told her drugs are like cigarettes, and another girl agreed. then she told him that isnt true coz her mom smokes cigarettes and my son told them I did too. they all looked at me and asked me if cigarettes were a drug. UGGG. Didn't know I was going to be giving a class about that!!! i just explained that cigs are legal but yes drugs were sort of like that. didn't want to get into too much detail.

He finally came out at 6:30, but we had to leave about 7:20 because he had to go get his meds and the med line ends at 7:30 or something. I was just so agrivated by that point the visit seemed in vain.

now...the funniest part. He has a disability...bad hands due to a special kind of arthritis. No, thats not the funy part. The funy part is that they finally gave him a paying job. He is the official DUCK Chaser!!!! They gave him a paddle/oar and its his job to chase the ducks away from the building entrances in his unit.

so not quite the perfect visit i had in mind. I'm trying to find some humor in it. The way I figure, I can laugh about it or cry. Trying to keep laughing.

by the way, after I got home, I washed the orange soda off of me :)

here's hoping the rest of you get a better visit than I did today.

Sue

Introduction

2009-08-18T13:30:00.002-04:00

Just thought I would say hello. Glad to see I'm not alone in this. My hubby, Gary, just went to Morgantown on July 30. His sentence is 18 mos. He tells me that he will get 90 days off of that plus spend the last 70 days in a HWH real close to home.
I'm having trouble adjusting to life as a somewhat single parent. Dependant on his family, now as mine is so far away. Over the past few years our relationship with his family had becomed strained, and now I NEED them to help with the kids so I can keep the house, etc.
He has a 17 yr old son who lives with my in-laws, and we have an 8 yr old and a 3 yr old together.
My mom and my mother-in-law both keep telling me and him that he shouldn't be calling home, because it's wasting money. They don't know how important these calls are to both him and me. I'm having a rough time, since no one here really understands how I feel. I'm looking forward to getting to know the group and wish you all love and patience.

Sue

best email in the world!

2009-08-17T23:22:00.001-04:00

I got this this afternoon!

Inmate 50802056 - DELMONTE, MICHAEL J no longer has access to the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System; therefore, he/she may not send or receive messages.El preso 50802056 - DELMONTE, MICHAEL J ya no tiene acceso al sistema de computadora limitada de presos del fondo fiduciario; por lo tanto, el/ella no puede enviar o recibir mensajes.

Doves

2009-08-16T23:51:00.002-04:00

Yes my Doves are almost touching. This is very bitter sweet for me. I am beyond excited and cannot wait to pick mike up. But I also know that this is my last trip to M'town and my communication with you guys will be reduced to phone, email, and blog. I could not have gotten through this without all of you at one point or another.

Kim H.

You did for me and set the example on what I needed to do for others. What got this whole group started was Kim talking with me one night for two or three hours in April 08. She is the one who explained visitation in great detail. Met me in M'town for my first visit. Met my family with open arms and made an unbearable situation bearable.

I have made great friends, friends that I hope I will have for many years to come. If any of you make a trip to the coast of NC, you better contact me!!!! If you look at map of NC I live on the second river from the top. I love to go to the outer banks, so if that is your destination for vacation let me know. I hope to see each of you in the future. I am from Lansing, MI and Mike is from Buffalo, NY so we make trips north also. The next time we are headed north I will let you guys know.

Civil Trial

2009-08-16T23:40:00.002-04:00

My loved one was shot by the Modesto Police Department the night he was arrested. He has filed a civil suit against them. His trial date is set to begin on October 20, 2009. If he wins this trial it could make a huge impact on his current sentence of 30 years. Please keep us in your prayers. I will keep everyone posted. Thank you and God Bless.

LeeAnn

2009-08-16T11:45:00.001-04:00

LeeAnn,
Your doves will be kissing in less than 45 hours...I am soooo happy for you, Mike and the kids...You have done so much for all of us...This situation drove me totally insane, I had no idea how I would survive another day through this. Then I met you...You have been such a great friend and just wonderful all together...Although I wish I never had to live through the mess, I am very thankful that I have I had the honor of having you along my side as we traveled this crazy roller coaster together...I wish the best for your family...Looking forward to us working together to help our men get their lives back.
Love,
Melanie

September 7

2009-08-15T10:31:00.003-04:00

Has anyone noticed that WVU has a home football game Labor Day weekend? Hotels are going to be at a premium. If anyone finds a good deal pass it along.

Angel Project

2009-08-14T18:27:00.002-04:00

Mike told me that they are having the guys sign-up for the angel project. The angel project is a project done by churches local to us, the families. The guys fill out a form with our address, children and ages and the churches make sure that our children get gifts from Dad at Christmas. I am not sure if all facilities participate, but it is worth asking. At M'town they need to ask their counselor.

HWH

2009-08-06T12:57:00.003-04:00

Tina called me last night and she gave some tips. I will try to remember everything she shared. Their phone and email accounts are turned off around 1:00 the day before they are released. So there was no way for John to know that she had arrived safely in Morgantown the night before. They gave them an extra hour longer than mapquest said it would take to get there. She said that they told them that pickup was between 7:30 and 8:00. They do not walk them out to the guard shack until 8:00. They drove straight there with very short quick stops and got there with 10 minutes to spare. The guys are not allowed to drive. Once there, they allowed him to leave at 5:00 for a "hygiene pass". They had to return with a receipt from a local store dated that day. They were allowed to grab something to eat. They were not suppose to go to a private residence or establishment that had alcohol. They were not allowed to bring food or alcohol back. It takes two weeks for orientation and home confinement paperwork at the fastest. It takes five days to get cleared for driving privliages. They have to approve the place of employment. Visitation hours at their facility are 9-11 a.m. on Saturday and 1-3 on Sunday. They can ask for passes to dinner or lunch on the weekends. Cell phones and laptops are not allowed. The phones are pay phones. It costs $1.00 for ten minutes for a local call. They can not receive phone calls. The food is better.

As we each go through this step of the process if we share our experiences we will be able to determine what is standard and what is unique to each facility.

Big Month

2009-08-01T18:02:00.002-04:00

Well August is full of mile stones for our group.

Ms. Barbara and D.R.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as Monday approaches. All the guys that have gone ahead of you say that once sentancing is over a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders. I pray this is true for you. Please let us know how it goes.

Tina
Tuesday you get to bring your beloved John to HWH. Enjoy your drive together, and let us know how HWH works. You are the first ones to experience it. We all know that each one is different, but as the stories come in we will be able to figure out what is the same HWH to HWH.

Me and Mike,
I get to pick up mike on the 18th, two weeks after John and Tina. I will keep you all updated.

Zonir,
Your Dad reports the 25th. It will be fine, feel free to call. Ask any questions you have, we will be glad to answer them. We all had the same questions.

Mel and Chance,
You guys reach 30 days left this month. It seems that the calendar stops moving this last month. But at the same time it is over before you know it.

While each of us reaches our milestones and the others watch, it puts each of closer to the end of the sentances we are serving. None of us are serving a life sentance, we all have a release date. As we all know this is a situation that will effect all of us for the rest of our lives until HR 1529 Second Chance Act of 2009 expungement for non-violent first time ex-offenders is passed. Please call, write, and email your represntatives about this legislation. Just as you would regional or the warden about liquid soap, toys in the toy room, meals, showers, visitation regulations, heat or air in the units, coats, the vending machines, and the list goes on and on. If you would complain about those things that will only effect you and your family for the short term, why not something that will effect you for the rest of your lives?

links

2009-07-27T23:38:00.002-04:00

I wanted to let everyone know that I have changed the format of the website and blog list on the left side of the page. They are all now true links. If anyone has any sites that you think would help the group send me the link and I will be glad to post it to the list.

Toll booths in West Virginia

2009-07-22T12:06:00.003-04:00

FYI:

In a couple of weeks (on August 1), the tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike will go from $1.25 per car per plaza to $2.00 per car per plaza.....I got this information from http://stormhighway.com/blog/downtowncam.shtml . I also read it at http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/200907120270.

Visitation Regulation rumors answered

2009-07-20T16:16:00.002-04:00

While I was there this weekend I got some answers to some common rumors.
Rumor
Friday visits are only a half point - False - all visits cost one point
Federal Holidays don't count - False - All visits cost one point
Inmates can't have visitors the first weekend - False - as long as the visitor in on the approved list they can visit.
Inmates can't have visitors the last weekend - False - Even if they are leaving on Monday morning they can have visitors on Sunday.

Football Season

2009-07-20T16:08:00.002-04:00

WVU is getting ready to start the Fall session. Move in day for the students is August 21. I have posted the home football schedule. Rooms that are available those weekends tend to cost 2 to 3 times more than usual. Last year move in weekend was the same as a football weekend as far as the hotel's were concerned.

Thanks again

2009-07-15T19:09:00.001-04:00

Would just like to say thank you to all for the gift of your friendship and support. Hope those who are visiting this week-end have a wonderful time with your loved ones.