I mentioned this in a former post, but will repeat it for those of you who may not have read it! My boyfriend was interviewed for the episode of the show "Lockup" that was filmed inside Holman. I was VERY upset with the way that he was portrayed, and disgusted with the living conditions and treatment of inmates by staff. I also STRONGLY disagree with some of the policies/rules at Holman, which I think are actually detrimental to the inmate's rehabilitation. For example, not allowing inmates in segregation access to books. And I also have a VERY negative opinion of the warden.

My boyfriend has asked me for my honest opinion and impressions of the show, and I would like to be as open and honest with him as possible. The question is, could I get in trouble for being critical of the way that Holman is run? I have been critical in the past of the penal system in GENERAL, and have expressed my views(in no uncertain terms) about the warden's involvement with carrying out death sentences(in my view, the death penalty is MURDER plain and simple) and haven't had the letters returned. But I am still a little uneasy about the whole thing. It is so hard, having to censor yourself. It pisses me off that I can NOT have a private, intimate conversation with my partner, without having to worry about who else will read it. :angry: It's hard sometimes even when I want to confide in him about certain things in my past, that are VERY personal, and that I wouldn't want those that I don't even know to know about! I am sure that all of you can probably relate. What do you all think? I'd REALLY appreciate some feedback/advice on this matter. Thanks all!:)

Lisa

Hey Lisa.... I wrote about the show in a letter.. even wrote WORD FOR WORD what was said during his whole interview... they mis quoted him on one word lol (hall.. not hole) we found it funny.. anyhow... i also told him about Big C what he had said when they guys were banging on their cell doors... named off all the officers that were on there, and inmates... we both agreed it made for "Good T V " but made them look so bad! Didn't include the parts where he told them what he believes in.. anythign baout his family.. nothing like that.. just clips of this and that put together. anyhow.. They know how Big C is.. they have to live "under" him.. under his eyes.. under his thumb.. under his feet. or so he wants them to. so they know how he is... we don't have to tell them for him to know.. I'd just be honest with him.. talk about His part on the show, and over all in general.. if you don't feel comfy talking about how cold blooded.. how much of a tyrant.. how he gets every bit of pleasure out of punishing and trying to control everyone one in there to the point that he would LOVE it if they totaly lost themselves and gave up.... don't.. just tell him you'll tell him everything else in person.. joke about it... wait and tell him during a visit... or in a letter... that would be up to YOU.. and what YOU thought best. I understand not wanting to make things harder on HIM... so if you thought that it would, don't... just tell him when you talk to him.. or right it in japanese hahahah.. i know i know it's not a lughing matter, but you have to smile.. or everything will break you.
Wishing you the best.
*Bama*

Hey...I just wanted to let you know that you should say what you want.. You have the freedom of speech and if they send your letter back because of that you would have a good lawsuit.... So I doubt they will. I always say what I think.. No matter whos feelings I hurt.lol Culliver shouldnt be such a bastard!!!

LOL girl you tell um!

Oh, I'm not worried about hurting anyone's feelings! Especially Culliver's! After all, in my personal opinion he doesn't have any! He is a complete and total sociopath:mad: . Thanks all for the advice. I have decided that I WILL be honest. The last time I checked American and Canadian citizens had the right to express their opinions(no matter how unpopular it may or may not be) without having to fear repercussions. The worst that could happen is that the letter would be sent back. If it were though, I'd make a fuss over it! My sweetie tells me that the mail room person doesn't even read all of the mail. That she wouldn't have the time to do so, even if she wanted to! He's probably right. I guess I just needed a little reassurance! Thanks again to all that responded.

Lisa

Good thats what you should do. And I have to agree I dont know how she would read all that mail. She probably just checks to make sure its not from one inmate to another and thats it.
Your man wouldnt be Steven Parker would it? :)

i have always heard that, the mail room is posed to "glance through the mail".. to check for contraband and all that stuff...nude pics..what ever is not "allowed" and yea.. inmate to inmate letters. not to actualy read all the mail.. UNLESS... there is a REASON to think something is UP with the inmate... some "planning" is being done, gang activity, ect then they do read the entire letter.. bring attention to it, reject it? give it to the warden? do whatever i guess? i dunno.
*bama*

Crystal Marie:

Yes, Steven is my sweetie. I love him bunches!:) Mail room person seems to have a grudge against him for some reason. I thought it was TOTALLY unprofessional of her(and Culliver!) to be making disparaging remarks about an inmate! And THEN to read a portion of his PERSONAL correspondence on NATIONAL television, without even asking his permission first? What gave her that right? What a B----!:angry: I was NOT impressed, let me tell you. IF she had been standing infront of me at THAT moment....:mad: Yeah, I seriously doubted that she read ALL the mail, but was a little concerned because she seemed to have it out for my man. Don't know what's up with that, but I want to talk to him about that too!

Lisa

Lisa.. is IS very unproffesional of both of them (especialy the WARDEN) to have made the comments that they did toward Steven(and any other inmate that i'm sure they had plenty to say about that might not have made it on TV)
I think the Warden should Help, to lift these men up, to want them to try, to encourage them. Not to bash them!
*bama*

I thought that was your man :) And yes it was very wrong for them to talk about him that way.. She seems like she does "have it out" for him..
Bottom line shes a bitch,and you already know what I think of the warden.
I am very angry at the way they are treating David.. He has been in seg for 3 years for fighting.His enemy has lwop also , and the warden told David that if his enemy does something to be sent to seg then David can go back to population, otherwise he has to stay there..Its bullshit!!
Im also pissed because they dont let them have anything but some crappy ass magazines!
UGH! I swear I could scream sometimes. I really just wanna call up the damn warden and tell him what hes acting like! There has to be something that can be done about all this.. David said the riot squad rushed his cell the other day for a "shake down" and they beat the shit out of him for having a scrub brush... The warden was right there too.. He isnt upset to it because he says "hes a man" lmao but I am very upset!! DANG!

Crystal Marie:

I am glad that I am not the ONLY one who thought the mail room lady was a B----! She has an over inflated ego, and a grandiose sense of self importance! I mean, come on! She's a mailroom clerk for God sakes, NOT the President of the United States!:rolleyes: She should take a good look in the mirror at HERSELF, before she starts taking cheap shots at other's.:mad:

She's just jealous because my man is sexier than she is!;) And he wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole!:yuck: My sweetie told me that she was actually FIRED once for confiscating the inmate's mail without just cause! Not only were personal correspondence(ie. letters, greeting cards) lost, but stamps, money orders etc! That is just OUTRAGEOUS!:angry: The question is what is she doing back there? I could SPECULATE about how she managed to get her job back, but I don't think it would be appropriate to discuss my theories on a public forum!:eek:

I think that the way your loved one is being treated is just dispicable! NO human being deserves to be treated like that. I wouldn't lock an animal in a cage 23/7 and deprieve him of ANY and ALL human contact. :( I honestly don't know how these inmates manage to stay sane!

I too have often wondered if there is SOMETHING that can be done, but I don't want to "rock the boat" too much you know? Like it or not, Culliver has a great deal of power, and he can make our loved one's lives(and in the process our lives!) miserable. Even MORE miserable then they already are!:(

I think it is silly to allow them to read magazines, but not books! Reading is something that should be PROMOTED and ENCOURAGED! Knowing how to read is ESSENTIAL for success in the outside world! It's ironic how prison policies are often the exact OPPOSITE of what is needed for rehabilitation. No wonder the recedivism rate is so damn high! With a man like Culliver in charge, I seriously doubt any of these men will get the help they need!

His focus is on getting revenge, and that's that! To hell with rehabilitation! What a joke. What I wouldn't give to be able to give that man a piece of my mind! It is nice to be able to vent, to people who understand! Thanks for listening guys!:)

Most people would stick up for HIM, and argue that the inmates deserve whatever they get.:( I find it so incredibly disheartening that there are so many people out there who have that mentality. They just can not see that these men are human beings, with people who love them, just like THEM! It's so frustrating.

My man has also been the victim of brutal beatings by "officers" and had the warden mock him afterwards! God, that man is just vile!:blah: I don't know how he gets away with even HALF of the crap he pulls! :confused:

It's hard, because I feel so damn helpless sometimes. What can I do?:shrug: It's hard to see the man you love being treated like garbage, and know that he is living in hell day in and day out. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep at night.:cry: Anyhow, speaking of sleep I should probably try to get some! LOL It's almost nine am. and I STILL haven't been to bed yet! Starting to feel a bit sleepy.:sleepy:I'll talk to you all soon! Have a good night(or should I say morning?) LOL:)

Lisa

You said it.