I just found out about the hole where the inmates go when they first get to priston...my brother is in Devens and my mother keeps asking me if I found anything out and I don't have the heart to tell her about the first week...any suggestions...I know she's a grown woman and I should just tell her the way it is but all I can think about is the sadness and pain I saw in her when my brother left this past Monday. It's funny how you think these things wouldn't happen when your children are grown, or how I thought that!!!!! Does anyone know If it is a mandatory 5 years is there any possibility that you could get out earlier? Well thanks for any info and peace in your hearts is wished to all.

My Heart Goes Out To You And Your Mom. All I Can Say Is I Would Not Tell Her Untill He Is Out Of The Hole As You Call It. What Is A Week Compared To Her Hurt Heart. I Say Wait A While Kindness Is Not Telling Her Yet. Just My Thoughts.

Vins-sis-When I first found out about The Hole I ,too, was so upset and anxious and everything else. In my opinion I don't think there is any need to tell your mother at this point - from what you have said it sounds as if she is probably still in a state of shock which is to be expected. On the other hand, I know it helps to share the hurt and fear about your loved one with other family members but if there is no-one else just come here and talk - so many of us know how you are feeling.You can ask for information on Federal prisons and sentencing in the Federal Forum - I am sure someone there will be able to help.Feel free to PM me anytime.

I wouldn't tell your Mom..save her the grief, hurt and pain.
Some things are better left unsaid....especially when it comes to hurting the ones we love. Your mom has enough to deal with without knowing the gory details...it would only upset her more.
Hang in there
My Prayers are with you

I'll probably regret this..What is the hole?

bugga i just typed up a very long reply only to loose the lot! dont u hate that. so here goes again

Basically i was questioning reasons as to why you believe the hole to be such a negative place that the mother shouldnt know about?

i see the hole differently, but maybe im in the minority in saying that, i know that the hole is the "prison inside the prison" and is usually used as a further means of restiction and punishment but perhaps in this case its for the inmates protection?

Where my man is they have a 1 hour yard 6 days a week which is alone, so when he calls me he has no line to wait in, no audience to hear him he can speak freely, he showers alone at length, he has a TV, he has books to read, mail to repsond to. Now he might get bored but thats better than being attacked, intimidated or any number of other things that can happen on the mainline. i could ramble off an entire list of things that he is protected from, including himself, its harder to catch an extra charge in the hole.

Mothers worry, i am a mother of 3 myself, perhaps it maybe of some comfort to this mother and she may sleep better at night knowing that when her son sleeps at night he knows the only thing that can interupt his sleep or enter his cell is........noise. (and a CO but not unless they are given cause to). I personally like to see the hole as a holiday, but maybe my glass is always half full. i tell my man dont fight what you cant change, look for a positive and focus on that. I tell my man i love it when hes in the hole. He wants to get back on mainline to hussle! and im not about to name the scarey stuff hes got planned, i want him in the hole till he leaves and i dont mind telling him that!

Imagination can be a wonderfully creative thing, but when its something that is surrounded in fear and apprehension its can cause distress, whether the truth upsets or her not, only this woman can decide that, i honestly dont believe that others should make that choice for her, but this is only my 2 cents worth. You can hide the truth from her for 5 years surely?

I agree that you should tell her. My brother likes the hole. It is the privacy thing for sure and they have no cellies to worry about. Maybe if you tell her what the good side is she won't feel so bad. Either way, the truth is best.

I'll probably regret this..What is the hole?
No regrets needed. Don't worry. It's just administrative segregation or isolation or solitary confinement. Whatever you state wants to call it.

It sounds as if this is done so they can then evaluate him better for the first 30 days or so. As previously stated, that can be to his benefit. As a mother, I agree that your mom should be given the truth. She may be having nightmares about her son being abused by other inmates or COs, etc. If you tell her that he's segregated for now, she can rest easy knowing his is physically ok. It may be pretty boring for him but all family members could send daily mail. You could call the prison and ask if he may receive books or magazines and then send as many as they will allow. Also find out if you can send him paper and envelopes (the prestamped ones you buy at post office) so he can write letters to you and your mother often.

The "hole" (solitary confinement) is often used when an inmate needs punishment, but in this case, that isn't why he's there, so there is no need to worry about him.