Well, this just sucks. I got my hopes too high, just to have them brought down again. I was really hoping that KC would of been able to make it through the T.C. program that he was supposed to go through. But today, only his 3rd day in there, he told them to shove it. So instead of being home in 9 months, like I was really hoping, he'll be home in around 2 years. I'm not mad, more just disappointed. Our little girl will be 2 before he gets to come home, that is what hurts me the most. He is also scared that I'm going to go find someone new...I would never do that. I don't want to do that. What do I do...now I just need to get out and find a job, so I can really pass time away. Out little girl is almost 6 months old...it's about time. He has been talking about trying to come back to IdahoFalls to work. I'm really hoping he can. That or start working over there. If not, I might be looking into moving to boise.

The TC programs are very tough and I have heard some unbelievable things about them. In one of the programs if you do something wrong they will make you cackle like a chicken in front of everyone. The hope is to break you down and take away every bit of dignity you have then program you into the person they want you to be. The sad thing is one day sitting in the lobby I heard a bunch of CO's talking about the program and the one guy said he could never make it through a program like that. In a way it really bothers me that they expect from these guys things that they would never be able to do themselves. How is a criminal expected to do things a non attitude law abiding citizen cant even do? I must say hearing some of the things I've heard bother me. My husband didnt talk about it much until I went to him with other things I have heard.

First of all, hope is not lost, he can probably get back into the program. They usually require that you sit out 30 to 60 days before trying it again. Secondly, the program IS hard (like all change), but not impossible. When I went through, we had over 90% completion. In the nine months I was there, I never saw anything demeaning or demoralizing. Lastly, his failure to actively program will mean that he can not hold a paying job anywhere, and his transfer to Idaho Falls CWC is virtually impossible. The TEAM Program is one of the finest Therapeutic Communities in the nation. Please encourage your loved ones to take and complete this program. It is the most effective program offered by IDOC, and it has helped myself and others tremendously...

I never saw anything demeaning or demoralizing.
My husband says something very similar as you and I disagree. I personally think humiliating someone and making them cackle like a chicken is demeaning. Its meant to humiliate someone for whatever they have done. When I asked my husband about this he said he has had to do it and didnt take it that way. He thinks its all in how you let it effect you. Personally if I had to dance like a chicken in front of everyone then it would effect me.



Lastly, his failure to actively program will mean that he can not hold a paying job I can kind of agree with that. I agree to the point of if you can get through a TC program then you have what it takes to get through anything. The part that clearly spells it out for me is hearing CO's say right in the front lobby that they couldnt do the program and do the things inmates have to do tells me the inmates are expected to do more then most people can handle.

I've never heard my husband complian about what is expected of him, but I have heard plenty of others and he confirms what they say or tells me they are blowing smoke. Now I will also say I have heard people say (including my husband) that there are a couple differant TC programs and they are all run just a little differant from the next. I'm not sure what one you went through so I cant say if its anything like the stories I have heard

Well, I do know that I had heard of people going through the program and getting out. But I can't belive that they had actually gotten that far. KC told me that just in the first 3 days he was going to loose it. I don't know if I could of made it that long. It is very very demeaning. Anyone that would want to put you in such a low state is out of their mind. And when they are on medication, that doesnt' help any also. I do have to agree with them not allowing a paying job, since he didn't compete what he had started. Yet at the same time I don't agree with it. Just because someone can't take what they are going through mentally they shouldn't be held back because of that.
2 years for me right now, is better than having to hear him go through what he was going through in those first 3 days. 9 months I believe would of ruined him.

"Ruined him?" Ruined him for what? A life of crime and incarceration? Your loved one is not in the TEAM program because he CHOSE not to be. It is NOT degrading, demaening or in anyway humiliating to address your behaviors and addictions. You have been horribly misinformed on the nature of this program and the tools it uses to facilitate change. I feel very sad for you both that he has chosen to remain in prison for two years rather than take this fine program and return to his family. Perhaps another arrest and incarceration will change his mind. Sadly, that is what it took for me... I truly wish you both the best of luck...