:angry: I dont understand what is the point of having programs in prison if you have to wait on a list a mile long to get into any of them. My boyfriend needs ASAT and some other programs in order to be released in 2007. He has been in prison for 3 months, a month a mohawk so far. Guys he went in there with already have AA and such which is what my boyfriend wants. How can he get out if he isnt getting what he needs? He was doing so much more for himself when he was home than in prison. He was going to two programs and was rehabilitating nicely, now he just sits around and does nothing. He misses his meetings and has been writing people to help him get into ASAT. Other prisoners have flat bids where they dont have to do any programs, they are just gonna max out and leave. He has the possibility of 4 more years after his first parole and needs these programs. What the hell was the point of him going to prison? isnt it supposed to rehabilitate people? I see no rehabilitation going on here? It made more sense for him to stay home then to go away, to do what...wait around until someone feels like letting him into a program. I just dont understand...if you guys can figure it out, please by all means let me in on it, cuz its the dumbest system I ever heard of. :angry: Im so mad I could scream

Okay, deep breaths. Relax. First of all, bureaucracy is the worst seed of democracy. We all know the system needs serious help. I suggest that he keep on his case manager about this. Sometimes these people are a little under-motivated. If he keeps harassing the person (nicely, of course) maybe he/she will get on the ball.

Secondly, as much as I hate to be understanding of the system, there are inate flaws that can't be helped by the "worker bees." There is overcrowding everywhere, and sometimes things take twice as long. Its not because they're gaming you, they have a budget and quotas and safety issues. They can't have more than so many inmates in one room at a time, hence, the waiting list for, well, everything.

How long is this ASAT program? Can he not get enrolled in a few months and complete it by his parole hearing? Did they say how long the waiting would take to get to him? Is he keeping all of his correspondence from the programmers stating he is on the list, but they're too busy? I know it may not help his parole much, but at least he can prove to them HE was trying, the system just isn't working. The best I can say is, call, call, call again, then call again! Sorry you're frustrated, but have faith and things will work out for you both!

Unfortunately, Yes there are waiting list. My husband tried to get into one and then by the time his name come up he did not have enough time to complete it but the time his parole hearing came up. He was only suppose to get 6 months for a parole violation. When his hearing came up the parole hearing officer told him he had to flatten out his sentence because he did not learn his lesson and did not complete the programs. Noone ever told him he had to, no one helped him in anyway.:angry: It is all stupid and makes no sense. I agree with you, he was doing better when he was out. But the good thing about all of this is he and I have gotten closer than we ever thought possible and he has really focused on what he wants to do with the rest of his life and I have been sending him books to educate himself on the business He and I are going to start once he gets home. I truly believe none of this would of been possible if it wasn't for this nightmare we are going through right now. Does that make sense?? Good Luck.

Pam

It does make sense pam...your right...im just tired of all the BS that comes with this system....everywhere you turn there are new rules, its like they are made up as we go. ASAT is 6 months, but so is a DWI program he needs to take and So is his vocation that he also needs to take....and the AA will just really help in the process. So, hes got 20 months and 1 week till his first parole...I just hope he can do it all and come back to me. 600 people are waiting to take ASAT in his prison...600 PEOPLE!!!!!! My GOD HOW CAN IT ALL GET DONE>....I JUST GOTTA PRAY....and even if he does do all those programs, what the hell are the chances they are gonna let him out the first time around anyway..,..they are very hard on man 2 and vehicular assault cases....DWI's are no Joke in NYS anymore. Everyone is telling him he wont get out in 2 years that hes gonna have to wait till 2009...that scares the u know what outta me. Just gotta pray, just gotta pray

After having done time in NY since 1956 till 2004 off and on, you need to understand PRISON and their PROGRAMS are not thewre to HELP anyone but the PRISONS stay in business. More inportantly, you need to let your boy know that ITS UP TO HIM and NO ONE ELSE to get his head, and ACt together, and he can do that dispite all the BS. AA is the BEST start as long as you can keep the prison officals ouyt of it:) . My best advice for you both is that you use the time the TIME to EDUCATE yourself on all the issues you will be dealing with once he is out.. and don't fall into the TRAP of becomming a returner as I did for 46 years of my life, and lastly my VERY BEST OF LUCK to you both.

While there is a wait for ASAT and CASAT, there are, in most of the NY prisons, AA meetings available without it. There certainly used to be one at Gowanda, where most of the DWIs go. But Born2bfree is right - it's still fundamentally HIS job to start thinking right and doing right. He can read his Big Book, he can start his steps, if he hasn't yet, and he probably find a sponsor, even in there. Best of luck.

After having done time in NY since 1956 till 2004 off and on, you need to understand PRISON and their PROGRAMS are not thewre to HELP anyone but the PRISONS stay in business. More inportantly, you need to let your boy know that ITS UP TO HIM and NO ONE ELSE to get his head, and ACt together, and he can do that dispite all the BS. AA is the BEST start as long as you can keep the prison officals ouyt of it:) . My best advice for you both is that you use the time the TIME to EDUCATE yourself on all the issues you will be dealing with once he is out.. and don't fall into the TRAP of becomming a returner as I did for 46 years of my life, and lastly my VERY BEST OF LUCK to you both.
^^ yepyep, spoken like a true expert, and with 46 years under your belt, can't ge no more expert than that!! :o

And while we're at it, I might as well mention, NY really isn't fond of letting people go on their first board. Why not? Because if they hold onto them a bit longer, that keeps the business and money made within the business of prison BOOMING.

you need to let your boy know that ITS UP TO HIM and NO ONE ELSE to get his head, and ACt together, and he can do that dispite all the BS. AA is the BEST start as long as you can keep the prison officals ouyt of it:) . My best advice for you both is that you use the time the TIME to EDUCATE yourself on all the issues you will be dealing with once he is out.. and don't fall into the TRAP of becomming a returner as I did for 46 years of my life


Well said. Thank you! And congrats on getting your act together! :hifive: :clap:

Its not fair...he did so much better home...he had AA...He had his life back together here, he was making all the right moves, and its like sending him to prison just took all that away....He is writing letters, speaking to the chaplain, going to church every sunday, hes a great man who has learned so much and wants to do good things in his life and now they feel that by keeping him in a place where he cant do any of that is gonna help him....Is there even a chance he will get out on his first parole....he talked about going to gowanda, but they are even harder up there on DWI's then mohawk, its like a catch 22....I dont know what else he can do, he has done all he can. I just hope he gets out in 2 years. Is there anything else he can do to help make that happen, just so I can pass the message along to him...please help I really do appreciate it.

Born2bfree pretty much said it all in his post. One of the first things we have to learn in this life is to accept that they are in prison and accept the things we have no control over.

Getting into classes is an issue everywhere. The waiting lists are long. In the mean time have your guy volunteer himself into any class he CAN get now, whether he needs it or not. THOSE are the kinds of things the parole board looks at!

Its not fair...
Sweetie, I think that's where most of your frustration is coming from -- you are expecting something that is dying -- for things to be FAIR. There is no fairness, so don't look for it. If you look for things to be FAIR, you will definitely wind up getting disappointed. So, forget about that four letter eff word.

Gowanda is probably where he will go, and very few are let go at the first board. And contrary to the post above, they tend to keep them because the recidivism rate is a little lower when they have to stay longer. They actually are trying - not whole-heartedly, or with full funding - but at least the program is there. And I would mention again - there probably is a meeting he can find wherever he is. And if he doesn't have a Big Book, buy one for him.