Hello. I'd like to know if there are any Rehab/treatment counselors or sponsors who make prison visits.

My boyfriend is in prison on a drug offense. He knows he made a mistake and accepts his punishment. He also admits that he's got a problem and would like to learn how to cope with it. He's has asked several times (verbally and in writing) to be allowed to take one of the few programs that his facility offers but is rejected every time. They tell him that he has to have less than 2000 days left on his sentence in order to take programs. (wouldn't it make sense to fix what's broken as soon as possible instead of when they are ready for him to get rehabilitated?)

I just thought I'd see if anyone could provide any info for me in order to help him, help himself. If I send literature to him, how do I know what to send him?
He is at Dick Conners Correctional Facility in Hominy Oklahoma (Near Tulsa).
Maybe there is already someone who visits there?
I apreciate your time!!!
Nikol

Each area is different but what I would suggest you do is to call the Chaplain at the prison. They usually know of all the groups that have permission to come in a particular prison. Plus you will probably find the Chaplain easier to talk too then a guard.
As far as getting a sponsor in to talk with your boyfriend. I may not share this view but all who Ive know and myself consider chosing a sponser to be a very personal thing. A sponsor is often told things that a recovering addict will never in their lives tell another person. Also the sponsor who will be a seasoned recovering addict will also have to feel a good connect with the person. It doesnt really work when you just throw two people together. It is a very intimate relationship mentally. I am a sponsor to a number of people and it was their choice first and mine second but no one else could be involved in that decision.
I know you probably want to do whatever it takes to help him but I would suggest that you start with the Chaplain and ask which groups go in the prison. Also as if they have NA groups in the prison, or AA (the steps are philosophies are virtually the same).
I know that is not much help but just take a breath and realize that he will have to make his own steps towards recovery. If you push him it will lead to disaster and even if he goes along, he will be for you not himself. Addiction is a very selfish thing, but so is recovery in many ways and loved ones need to understand that it is about the addict, except recovery is leading the opposite way from addiction.
You could send him a good book, perhaps from someone he would admire, or a book about meditation, or some sort of inspirational sayings. Dont send him books that refer to drug use; it will only trigger addictive thoughts and it may not be allowed in the prison.
Good luck and keep us posted !!

Hugs,

Excellent Idea with the Chaplain! I didn't think about that.

This is not my idea though. I'm out here and can contact people. He's tried from inside. I have his written reqests where he's aksed for drug treatment and on the same page are the case worker's rejections. They say he has too many days left to do and they can't enroll him in a program like that. He has to have less than 2000 days before they'd consider it. It is a life long struggle when a person battles with any addiction so, if they really are interested in helping people "reform" why wouldn't drug treatment be the one thing that is abundantly available? A person should not have to beg for it.

He WANTS to do this. He's told me and other people that he knows he has a problem. That's why I'm exahusting all efforts to help him. The people who are SUPPOSED to be helping him can't be bothered with it apparently.

Thanks so much for your input!
Nikol

Ok I guess I got your original question wrong, sorry about that. But Im still a little unclear. They wont enroll him in the prison addiction classes till he is at 2000 days to go and you want to see if there is something else for him in the meantime ?
Could you pm me ? I have a option that you may want to consider.

for god sake this is a cry out for help were the hell is it is that thy best you can do lock people up and not help them,

Nikol, Chaplian all the way, good idea. There is so much lit out there AA/NA. You can purchase the text Narcotics Anonomous (paperback) at most book stores. This would broaden his horizons and give him much information about the disease and himself. I had a recovery shop once upon a time.. PM me also if you'd like

Yes Wendy Lu. It's rediculous isn't it!! The big "WAR ON CRIME" going on the US is just a way for politicians to puff up thier chests and ACT like they are doing something. It's an illusion.
I agree that when a person breaks the law, there should be some sort of punishment. However it's not helping ANYONE to warehouse these men for 15 -30 years for drug crimes and require no drug rehab programs. It seems logical that it would be part of the whole process. Before all of this happend I THOUGHT it WAS! They wait until a few years before the guy (or gal) is released before they start to fix what's broke or UNdo the damage; damage that is made much worse by the system that is supposed to be fixing it.

And the Oklahoma Dept of Corrections is simply one of the worst when it comes to inmate rehabilitation and education. They're not scared to ask for more tax dollars though. "We need bigger prisons" Well that's like making a bigger cemetery to deal with the AIDS crisis. It's not going to solve the problem, it will just hide more bodies.

WHEW I have not ranted in a while. I feel better... I guess.
Thanks!
Nikol

Many of them are required to go threw a drug program but because so many states have such full prisons and budget cuts the prisoner has to try to transfer to the prison with the program just to meet the requirements. Its not uncommon these days to hear of a prisoner being denied parole because he didnt take the program yet because he is on a waiting list.
Also, they often dont let you get on the waiting list until you are close to your ERD.