I am scheduled to self surender in Jan 2004. I am going to boot camp in Bryan TX. I am very worried about the physical
activities. I have heard it is like being in the military. I am worried because I have been told that if you can not cut it they send you to regular prison and then I will have to do more time. Can anyone let me know what it's like in there?

I was in boot camp in the Army and it wasn't bad. I am sure if you put your mind to it you can do it too. Good Luck to ya!

Hi and welcom to PTO, I think it would be a good idea if you started right now to get in shape. If you get in a little better shape it will make your boot camp much easier. Love Barb

Thank you Barb. That is exactly what I am doing. However I would like to know what to train for. And also more info on the prison.

Elia,
Are you talking about the Federal Boot Camp or the Brazos County boot camp? I assume you are talking female also?

Fed-X

Yes, federal boot camp, female.

I was in half-way house with two ladies that went throught he boot camp program in Bryan. They said they got a good work-out but nothing crazy.
The best thing you can do to prepare for boot camp is run, run run.. Don't jog, run.. That is the main course, though there will be other things, that is how they like to break new boots down.
I'm sorry I still don't have contact with this lady. I saw her at a probation meeting not too long ago but we were never close and don't have talk other than if we bump into each other.
She is in her late 30's and I recall her talking about it and saying it wasn't something that you couldnt' do unless you just didn't want to.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

Thanks that helps

I had a friend that went though the boot camp. She is very small and petite. She didn't have any problems with the program. It is strict and very physical but nothing that you won't be able to handle. Just grin and bear it for 6 months and you will come out in great shape. :)

Ellia, My girlfriend is in the boot camp in Bryan right now. I will attatch a note I had sent to another lady that is leaving for the camp in Bryan tomorrow. It starts out with life in the camp and then moves on to the boot. I know there is a class that begins in January but just in case you have to spend time in the camp first you will know what to expect. If it does not answer most of your questions please let me know and I will try and answer any others that you have. I will be visiting this weekend so, on monday I can give you a first hand view of the camp.

First of all what I do know is that the camp and boot camp in Bryan is nothing like all the other insitutions. Just so you understand the Camp and boot camp are adjacent to eachother. Bryan FPC sits on about 37-39 acres and it is beautiful. It looks more like a resort than a penal institution. At the camp you have lots of freedom to move around and actually can stay outside for the major part of your day. There are lots of activities to keep you busy and make the days go by fast. They have Tennis, volleyball, softball, 1/4 mile track for walking/running, Soccor field, Basketball courts, they offer Arobic classes, yoga classes, art classes, and a area with free weights. Im sure there is more but Im drawing a blank right now. Beleive me they have plenty to keep you busy. On the weekends you can lay out in the sun in shorts and a t-shirt if you want to. See what I was saying about more like a resort than a prison. lol. You can get a job while your in there such as my girlfirend is doing landscaping and loves it. The commisary is more like a convienance store and you are allowed to spend I think $285 a month in there. Unlike other places you can purchase just about anything that you would need. Phone calls are limited to 300 minutes a month and you must have money in your account to cover these calls. I think it comes out to about $60/month in calls. you can make collect calls but it does count toward your 300 minutes. Visitation is on Saturdays and sundays and go from 8-5. Your visitors can get there at 8 and stay all day with you which is very cool. They can actually visit both days. As far as visitors No friends or boyfriends are allowed to visit. Husbands, children, parents are about all that can visit. Now to the Boot camp. Although the boot camp is very regiminted towards the Military mind set in, at the womens they focus more on education than actual military drills. Now you will feel like you hav joined the military and march in line, do drills most of the day, do runs, Obstical courses, and they are going to get in your face but that is to be expected in the military. Your day will start at 4:30am and begin with exercises, and then throught the day you will do drills and other stuff that Im not quite sure of. Every other day you spend about 4 hours in classes that I mention in a minute. You have free time after 8pm but most of that time will be spent ironing your clothes(they do your clothes every day), polishing boots, and just getting ready for the next day. Like I was saying they also offer classes which take up about 4 hours of the day which may include like better parenting, drug awareness, manageing money and basically classes that are self improvment classes. You will train 6 days a week and can recieve visitors on Sundays. Once you are in the boot camp phone calls are cut down to only sundays and one other day of the week. You are only allowed to spend $25 a month in the commisary and basically that only allows you to get Personal higein(sp?) stuff. Although the boot camp is a lot more regiminted and very physical it is not made so hard that you will fail if you give 100%. The instructors are tuff but they do care and want everyone going throough to succeed. Not all do and if you quit then you go back to the camp and serve all your time there. Although they could ship you out to another insitiution I guess. I should have said earlier that from our experiance all the officals at the camp really go out of there way to help. I/we have been very impressed with this facility and how they treat the ladies with dignity and respect. We are so impressed with Bryan FPC that Im going to write a letter thanking them for there professionalism. If offered the boot camp I would tell anyone to jump on the opportunity becuse other than cutting your time way down it is also much better than a regular institution. Im sure you have more questions that perhaps I did not answer but if you will write me back with those questions I will do my best to answer. Thanks

Thank you choffer all the info really helps. This is my 1st time going through this and i am a bit scarred and worried. Do you know what the accommodations are like? and the bathroom and showers?

Well, my girlfriend is a clean freak and she says "it is very clean thank god"

Sorry I did not answer the first question. At the camp you are in a cell with no door. Normally 4 to a room with bunkbeds, at the boot its like a dorm setting.

Again thanks

No problem. Let me know if I can help further. You will be fine in there. Forget all the movies, tv shows you have seen cause its is nothing like you are probably thinking. Just do your best and you will make it. Like someone said earlier though, start running when you can. My girl had a goal of 3 miles, not sure if that was her goal or someone told her that would be a good base in preperation for boot. Also, make sure that you have money on the books as soon as you can for tennis shoes. You can buy them at the commisary and the range is from $40 to $80 and you will need some when you get to boot.

Elia, I just want to say my prayers go out to you. my lawyer will be requesting bryan,tx boot camp but right now i'm awaiting sentencing. I only pray that things go okay for us all.

Let me know If you do get sentenced to Boot Camp? Maybe i'll see you there. thanks you for your best wishes. I also hope all goes well for you.

I, too, am headed there on March 1. I am lucky to live across the street from an Army captain who has me running 4 days a week (I'm up to 2 miles from nothing) and doing situps and pushups. I do know, from my pretrial officer (who visits the ICC there regularly) that they want you in decent physical shape, but not a work-out queen. They also say that you must be willing to take orders quickly and show no emotion about what you're told to do. I was really upset about the visitation part, especially since I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old, but I'd much rather put myself through that for 6 months than 3 years. They do not fail anyone unless it's for gross insubordination. You just do what they tell you and you're fine. It takes getting used to, but it's worth it in the end. Think about what great shape you'll be in!

I want to get into the boot camp. My attorney will be asking for a recommendation from the judge to the program. I would like to know how each of you got in. I would also like to know how often do they have intake. I am going to be sentenced on November 10th so could I conceivalbly get into the January 2004 class with Elie or in the March 2004 class. How did you all get in. I have not had my presentence interview. HELP:fb:

Are the rules for the Federal Prison ICC boot camp in Lompoc for men the same as the womens' in TX? My 23 year old son is awaiting self turn in to boot camp possibly Oct. 6th. I read in a book that we can visit him for 1 hour on Sundays but when he called Lompoc to ask several things, they said NO VISITORS for thre entire 6 months and only a 5 minute phone call to us on Sundays?!?!? Help! I have posted several times on PTO in different areas and can't get anyone with a kid in ICC to answer any of my questions/concerns.

Gail

hEY GIN,

i AM SORRY THAT I AM JUST AS IN THE DARK AS YOU ARE ABOUT THIS. i HAVE HEARD THAT THE PROGRAM IS VERY INTENSE MONDAY THROUGTH SATURDAY. sUNDAYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USED AS THE INMATE WISHES WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE CALLS AT THE VERY MINIMUM. iF I FIND OUT MORE, i WILL PM YOU. How did your son get into the program. I would like to get into it.

Gin, As far as the womens facility they can make calls just about every day but with only about 6 pay phones and 60 girls it takes a long time to get to the front. And because they stay so busy during the week it would probably be very hard to recieve a call except on sudays. In the womens they can have visitors on sudays and this would only include Immediate family. There visitation on sunday runs from 8-4, which you can arrive at 8 and stay with them till 4. Sorry I do not know anything about the mens but I have to imagine they are similiar but perhaps not exactly the same.

Monica, The way I got into the boot camp was that my probation officer recommended it. I did not even know there was such a thing, since this is my 1st time in trouble with the law. I asked the probation officer that was assigned by the court to my case to please recommend me for any programms that would allow me to get out as soon as possible since I have a 5 month old baby. He recommended the boot camp and I told him to to please recommend this to the judge. My understanding is that if you are a 1st time offender you are usually accepted. As for when the sessions start I have no clue. Hope this helps and good luck.

As far as the sessions starting at Bryan they begin every 3 months. What happens is that you have half the class of what they refer to as seniors and they help the incoming class with learning the ropes, drills, and kinda watch over them. There is a class that begins on October 20th and the next would be january. and so forth. One thing I would tell everyone though is that although you can be assigned a specific class that does not neccessarily mean you will get that class. My girlfriend was a Priority 1 but there are about 80 girls listed for that class. They will cut that down to like 60 or 66 for any one class. There has been many occassions when someone is scheduled for a class and gets roled to the next one. I know that is not what anyone wants to hear but it does happen. Also, if you do not pass the medical, and phycological test than you may be reassigned.

Choffer,

Great info! I have heard that the sentencing judge could make the recommendation to the Probation Officer and then the probation officer along with the PSR could make the designation. When I go to my PSI I would like to bring this up. Since this will be the first time that I am meeting with anyone from the probation office. Right now I just have to check in with pretrial services on a weekly basis. How do I find out who my probation officer is ? Has anyone ever heard of Federal Prison Consultants? They have a website and they are supposed to be able to get people like some of us into the ICC at bryan texas. My attorney was retained by me a long time before, I was even investigated and he has turned out to not be as up on sentencing issues as he says. I have done most of my own research and have had to instruct him on the program that I would like to get into. He basically said that after sentencing he doesn't have much more to do unless I want to appeal the sentence. That was the worst reply for me because I know that the next desicions that are being made about me has to do with designation. I need to go to bryan and I thought it was my attorney that would make sure that that was done. These Federal Prison consultants say that sentencing and designation is their specialty. They say that if I retain them they will work with my attorney and the BOP to get me in. I have a consult today with them and I might retain them. Any thoughts?

I have no idea about those guys. However I have seen others posting about them and you may look for those threads. My girl was designated to boot camp at sentincing and her attorney had requested boot and the judge agreed. If you have already been sentanced I think you may have to start serving and then you can apply for the boot.

My girl did tell me that there have been some girls that were serving and by the time they got approved for boot camp they had less than 6 month remaining on the sentance so they just stayed in the camp instead. I do know that if you were not designated for boot camp at sentancing then it will take some time to get considered.

Yeah, that is why I want to get my request in at the pre sentence interview and and have the PO and the judge know it before I am sentenced. Since it is only September .... I have until November 10 to get recommended for the program.

Best of luck to you. Yeah if you can get into bryan you will be very happy. Well, as happy as you can be while incarcirated. When you say probation officer I assume that you are refering to your pre trial officer. One will be assigned to you in the area that you were arrested. Probabtion officers are not the same guys that you have for pretrial and they will be assigned once you are released. Your pre trial officer can help or hurt your chances for boot so make sure to walk lightly with him/her and then if accepted walk the line because if you mess up they can retract the Boot camp request.

I was recently released from FPC Bryan. I was not in the boot camp, but had roommates who got in. What has been said here is pretty accurate. Some things to keep in mind: There is no guarantee you will go to boot camp, even if your judge orders it. The boot camp staff will make the final selections, after you get to Bryan. I know at least 2 women who were turned down because they were "over educated." One was a lawyer. They do not want anyone who has served in the military or in law enforcement. One young woman with a college degree expected to attend the October class but was rejected.

If you start boot camp and are expelled -- for example if you are injured in the strenuous physical program, you can expect to stay at Bryan even if their is another camp closer to your family.

To me, the boot camp program looked difficult - be prepared for constant verbal harassment and humiliation. If you smoke, quit now - it's not allowed there and there's zero tolerance for infractions. For physical training, work on being able to run at least a couple of miles and to do pushups.

The bootcamp fills up quickly. A woman self surrendered on September 16, and was not accepted into the October 20 class -- she has to wait until January. If you go in in January, you may not start boot camp until March.

Hi,
I am self surrendering to Bryan Tx with a recommendation from the Judge for the ICC. However I have been told just because the judge recommends it, I have 50/50 chance of being accepted. My surrender date is Dec 15 and from what I am reading in other posts the next class starts in January. At sentensing they sent the date 12-15 because that is when they thought the next class began. I have been very anxious to get there and get this behind me. I have 3 children a son 9, and 2 daughters 3 & 4. My sentence is 21 months and I cannot imagine being gone from my family for that long. Please contact me if anyone can offer any kind of strength!!
Dawn

To all who are going to Bryan. I served 7 mths there in the beginning of 2000. 1 mth in the regular camp and 6 mths in the boot camp. I suggest getting in shape but keep in mind that you will have to pass a couple of physical tests to get out. I went in not in very great condition and the training made me in a lot better shape. you have to improve while your there so do not over do it before you go. They will yell and scream at you just always keep in mind that you WILL one day go home. When theyre in your face think of home and how bad you want to go there. The first 3 mths are the hardest and after that you will be the next team to go home and they will be easier on you. The FCI used to be a boy's school and it has wrought iron decorative fences aroud a third of it. There is only one razor wire fence and it is to keep the hood rats out not you in. It will be ok. You will take classes like GED, computer, and life skills 3 days aweek and the other 3 days you will be in the national forest cutting trees and doing park maintence. Sunday is your free day but you will have to still abide by rules. Rest and write to your loved ones on Sunday because the rest of the week you will be to tired. Ask me any questions and I will try to answer them for you.

Toni, Since you have left they have discontinued the cutting of trees. I guess you guys did too good of a job. But everything else you said is good advice and right on the money. Congratulations on getting through it.

thanks for the congrats!! I am a better person for getting through it. It tought me discipline and a sense of purpose. In the yrs following my release i am now in a committed relationship and am working and in my 2nd yr of college. Life does go on.

That's awsome. A;lthough my girl is only in her first 3 months of the boot. I can already see changes in her outlooks and what is important in her life. ALthough it is hard it really seems to give a lot of self discipline and self worth. Which is worth its weight in gold to most of the girls going through it. Best of luck to you.

Toni,

Congrats to you on completing this task. Like alot of us who are reading your account of this place, we are all nervous about it. Can you remember anything about how you got approved for the boot camp and share it here. There are at least five of us our here that are pretty ansy on whether we will get in or not.

So if they have discontinued the cutting of trees what are some of the jobs they are now doing? I'll bee there Dec 15th waiting to get into the next class in January.

Work in the parks, CLearing brush that has grown up. You rotate, while 2 groups are off campus working the third stays back and cleans the barrecks and around the Boot area. But you still get cut up, scratches, and bruised, and bug bites but not like when Toni and her class were in the forest.

For those of you hoping to get in the January class, I do know that currently there are 90 girls awaiting approval for the January class, and it has to be cut down to 60 or 66, or something like that. Not all girls will pass the physical, some will drop out before it even begins and some will retract there names because they would rather just do there time in the camp. Oh and some that have court cost if they are not paid prior to the class started then they will be bumped until the fees are paid. Also, if you have any outstanding tickets, they too must be paid prior to boot, and if any girls get "a shot" (in trouble) within a week or two weeks before the boot starts then they get bumped. I think I have all this right but I'm getting my info through someone so Toni my be able to clear up anything I got wrong or missed.

TO add to Toni's list of the classes. My girl told me that in her "Senior" months (last three) she can take a personal training class that will make her a personal trainer once she passes the final exam. The cool thing is that it only cost $150 in there and to get the same training in the "real world" would cost over $1000. I'm sure there are other things but I have not heard of them.

Choffer,

Do you know how many are waiting to get in to the March class?

I'm sorry Monica I dont. and to be honest I dont think they know until they determine how many get bumped in January. It sounds like to me that there are routinly 90 or so applying for each class. But understand if you are approved by the BOP for a class and scheduled for a certain class then your are labled a "priority one" and you are considered before most.

And what I mean by "most" is that some ladies have been in the system and are trying to get in to cut there time, and some have quit previous classes and trying to get back in. From what I'm told if you are scheduled for a class, and pass the physical and the other test then you will more than likely get in the class you are assigned. Its not guarenteed but in most cases it works out.

SO if there are 90 women that are in Bryan waiting what about people coming in that have been recommended by the judge? Are we S.O.L.??

No, that is what I was saying, you would be a "priority one". But understand the Judge can only recommend. The final decission is up to the BOP. And once they make their decision is when you are assigned.

And the 90 would include those that are coming in, that have been assigned. Its not 90 plus the ones assigned.

Dawn,

You might already be one of the ones approved by the BOP because of the recommendation and because you have already been designated to Bryan FPC in December.

Choffer,

Does your girl talk about there being others from different areas of the country being there. I am from Maryland and want to be designated to the FPC or the Boot after my sentencing in January. I was worried that only those in the area surrounding Texas actually get in.

They are from all over the country.

So how bad is the running? How many miles again, and the physical, do they count being fat?

You should be able to do a mile and a half. Work on upper body because you will do push ups. Like I was telling someone earlier, very few are in great shape when they go in but you will come out feeling and looking better. I thought it was fluffy not fat. :)

Toni I owe you an apology. You were correct about going out to the forest and cutting trees. I thought she had told me that they no longer do that but I asked her tonight when she called and she confirmed that yes they still do. I'm sorry for the incorrect information and the contradiction.

Hello, I have talked and heard about a few of you. I have recieved my papers for self surrender and was assigned to Bryan FPC 1-5-03. My sentence is 18 months. I spoke with my PSO about boot camp and she thought that would be a great thing. Although she had never heard about it before. I was told that I need my lawyer to file a motion requesting camp? I have been told all along I would be going to Carswell since I live in Dallas but.............so don't know if I am in Boot camp or what. Would the paper work indicate anything?

IF you were not recommended Boot at the time of sentencing then you are probably not assigned to a boot camp class. Your attorney should have approached the judge at sentencing and requested the boot. I guess there are ways to do it after the fact but your attorney would know more about it than me. Once you are in Bryan you can apply for the boot but understand that you will be applying against ladies that have already been designated for the boot and they get first consideration. Perhaps if your attorney gets a move on you could get assigned to the April class because at this point you would miss the January boot class. Best of luck to you and let me know if I can answer any questions about the camp or the boot.

Thanks I phoned my lawyer today and the PSO they both recommended he file a motion although, he (my lawyer ) told me at the sentencing that noone from this district in Texas gets boot camp. Also wanted to ask him re: can they do anything re: changing to Carswell or is it to late. My lawyer is working on a rule 35 (?) to lower sentencing if I were to pay back but have not really seen to much optimism on the board re that move. Do you know if there is a huge difference in life between Carswell and Bryan I was so assured I would be at Carswell that this change has really thrown me? I realy dont know what 18 months breaks down to. another question to add to my ever growing list!

When I asked my girlfriend about which was the best to go too becasue I figured Bryan(after visiting and seeing what all they have) was the best she told me that Carswell is the only one better. Apparently from what they are told Carswell gets more funding from the goverment and have better food and maybe a few more perks. I cant remember how it breaks down but they give you good time. It breaks down into days a month but Im not sure what it breaks down to. Perhaps someone else can tell you. Let me know if you have any other questions about Bryan. LOL my girlfriend tells me I know more about the place then she does. lol

Ttamzig,
Ask your attorney to file that motion for a boot camp recommendation anyway. Even without it, you may apply for boot camp after you get to Bryan.
As for what it breaks down to - 30 days after you get to prison, you will get a sentence computation showing your release date. I think that for an 18 month sentence, you will get about 70 days "good time" off. In addition, you will get about 6 weeks in a half-way house close to your home. I'm not sure about this math, because I did 6 months in Bryan this year and did not qualify for the good time or the half-way house, because of the short length of my sentence.
There were lots of women at Bryan who transferred from Carswell so I heard plenty of comparisons. Carswell has better food, is more laid back, and is smaller. But Bryan has lots more to do in terms of recreational and study opportunities. The outdoor areas at Bryan are beautiful. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks you so much for the break down.

There is information on "good time credits" in the Federal Forum. Infact there are a couple who have database that figures the good time credits. We have found that while the usual GTC is "said" to be 54 dys per years if you have a sentence of 1 year 1 day or longer, it actully boils down to be something like 47 days.

Diane

Elia, I am a sports conditioning coach and exercise physiologist. A fancy word for sports trainer. I can give you some advice as far as getting into shape. But Fed X hit it with running. You need to condition your body. Everything else from there isnt so bad.

anyone sentancedto 30 months or less and is recommended by the judge is priority one, any one that is no more than 60 months or less is priority two,anyone with more than 60 months is priority three. all priority ones will go in first. I just graduated june 18th 2003 team B-40. I was first priority.

good time is 56 days a year and you only get that without any shots.

Ok long story short. I was sentenced today to 12 months and 1 day. The judge agreed to recommend me for the boot camp. Don't know when I might go. Can anyone tell me about being sentenced in a leap year and how 12 months and 2 days differs from 12 months and 1 day.I think it has to do with the day I am put into custody correct?

Just to clarify some issues relating to good conduct time (GCT); per federal statute and BOP policy, a person is eligible to earn up to 54 days of GCT per year, for each year served. Not 56, and not 47. What happens on a sentence of 1 year and 1 day (and I disagree with this calculation) is as follows: (as qouted from BOP policy)

Since, in accordance with the statute (18 USC § 3624(b)), no GCT can be awarded to a sentence of one year or less, then the very shortest sentence that can be awarded GCT is a sentence of 1 year and 1 day. Because a prisoner would accrue GCT while serving a sentence of 1 year and 1 day and, therefore, serve something less than the full sentence, it would be impossible to accrue the full 54 days of GCT for a sentence of 1 year and 1 day. As a result, the GCT formula previously discussed must be utilized as shown below to determine the amount of GCT to award for a partial year. This method of calculating the GCT possible to award for the last portion of a year of a sentence to be served must be followed in all partial year calculations. (For the purpose of this demonstration, the sentence of 1 year and 1 day equals 366 days.)

Step No. 1

Sentence = 366 - 54 = 312 days

312 days served does not equal 54 days of GCT but does equal 46 days.

Step No. 2

Days Served = 312 x .148 = 46.176 = 46 days GCT

Subtracting 46 days from the sentence of 366 days results in 320 days to be served.


Step No. 3

Sentence = 366 - 46 = 320 days

46 days of GCT is not enough because 46 plus 312 days to be served equals a sentence of 358 days, 8 days short of a sentence of 366 days (1 year and 1 day).


Step No. 4

Time Served = 312 + 46 = 358 days

Comparing 320 days to serve, which is too much time to serve, with 312 days to serve, which is not enough time to serve, reveals that the amount of GCT that can be earned must fall somewhere between 54 and 46 days. As a result, the next step is to determine how much GCT can be earned on 320 days served.


Step No. 5

Time Served = 320 x .148 = 47.36 = 47 days GCT

Subtracting 47 days from the sentence of 366 days (1 year and 1 day)
results in 319 days to be served.


Step No. 6

Sentence = 366 - 47 = 319 days

Utilizing the GCT formula, it is learned that 319 days served equals
47 days GCT.


Step No. 7

Time Served = 319 x .148 = 47.212 = 47 days GCT

Adding 319 days time served to 47 days GCT does equal a sentence of 366 days (1 year and 1 day).

Step No. 8

Time Served = 319 + 47 = 366 days

The amount of GCT that can be awarded for a sentence of 366 days (1 year and 1 day) is 47 days.

The steps that were followed in the preceding example must be followed in every instance when it is necessary to determine the amount of GCT that can be awarded for a partial year served on a sentence. A short version of the preceding eight steps is shown below.

366 x .148 = 54.168 (366 + 54 = 420)
366 - 54= 312 x .148 = 46.176 (312 + 46 = 358)
366 - 46= 320 x .148 = 47.36 (320 + 47 = 367)
366 - 47= 319 x .148 = 47.212 (319 + 47 = 366)

Thus--319 days actually served plus 47 days of GCT equals 366 days, or a sentence of 1 year and 1 day.

I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion.

Greyghost

Ok long story short. I was sentenced today to 12 months and 1 day. The judge agreed to recommend me for the boot camp. Don't know when I might go. Can anyone tell me about being sentenced in a leap year and how 12 months and 2 days differs from 12 months and 1 day.I think it has to do with the day I am put into custody correct?


You are correct. It all has to do with when your sentence actually begins. In reality though, it will have little effect on your sentence calculation. It wont even be noticable. The only time that I have seen it make an obvious difference is when a person starts their sentence on or right around Feb 29th.

Greyghost.

Thanks for clearing this up. I think the only critical thing here is not surrendering around the 29th of February. It is key in my situation to commense my sentence after the leap in 2004 to be considered for the boot by the bop. with 12 months and one day being equal to 366 days that would be one year prior to Feb 29, 2004 so boot would be out for me.

You got it.

Good luck.

Greyghost

P.S. As for boot camp - remember it is mostly a state of mind. Win the mind game and you will succeed.

Hey Elia, I hope this reaches you before you leave. I am a sports conditioning coach and exercise physiologist. I can give you some quick tips as to getting into better shape FAST. I myself am going to do this, I just got sentenced and I am praying I will be eligible for Boot Camp. Start running. Try to keep a record of this. Each time you exercise, try to increase either the time you run, the distance you run, or the speed. Take your pick of which one. Start doing push-ups and situps. I dont know what the Boot Camp itself will require, but training like a soldier (ie- running, doing calesthenics) will help a great deal. I am taking the position of being at war with this. Meaning, my war is coming home. Do what you must, GET YOUR ASS HOME. Ya heard me?

I was reading the info CHoffer wrote and most of my questions were answered but I have a few questions I was wondering if someone could answer. I am suppose to surrender March 15th to Bryan (Boot Camp) I am in pretty good shape and can run about 3 miles a day, I was just curious what the expectations are on a daily basis for running or the phyiscal routine. I have heard rumors about getting good time during camp is that true?

I am scheduled to surrender march 15th, I am just curious if there is such a thing as good behavior time, like there is in normal prison? If so how much is taken off?

To all who are going to Bryan. I served 7 mths there in the beginning of 2000. 1 mth in the regular camp and 6 mths in the boot camp. I suggest getting in shape but keep in mind that you will have to pass a couple of physical tests to get out. I went in not in very great condition and the training made me in a lot better shape. you have to improve while your there so do not over do it before you go. They will yell and scream at you just always keep in mind that you WILL one day go home. When theyre in your face think of home and how bad you want to go there. The first 3 mths are the hardest and after that you will be the next team to go home and they will be easier on you. The FCI used to be a boy's school and it has wrought iron decorative fences aroud a third of it. There is only one razor wire fence and it is to keep the hood rats out not you in. It will be ok. You will take classes like GED, computer, and life skills 3 days aweek and the other 3 days you will be in the national forest cutting trees and doing park maintence. Sunday is your free day but you will have to still abide by rules. Rest and write to your loved ones on Sunday because the rest of the week you will be to tired. Ask me any questions and I will try to answer them for you.

Misspiggy, If you are running 3 miles then you will be fine. Actually my girlfriend is only now beginning the physical part of the boot, well as far as the ropes course, Climbing wall, and running. They do have physical therapy but they are not being scored that much so to speak. Most of your first 3 months are going to be the working and classes part and then when you become a senior (second 3 months) you will do more of the physical boot camp type stuff. We were talking last night and its funny but they seem to take turns giving hard time to the classes. For instance during her Junior months she said it was a breeze and they did not get "smoked" (in trouble) much but now since she has become a senior there is not a day that goes by that they dont get into trouble about somthing. The previous seniors had it the other way around. There junior months were hard and the Senior months were a breeze. I guess they plan it that way. As far as good time, my understanding is that when you are in the camp your time is determined with good time. Now obviously if you were to cause a problem then that time would be out the window and you would do all the time. Since you are going into the boot then good time is not really going to apply to you. By going through the boot you are already reducing your time. One thing I will tell you though is that while you are in the camp, your actions and good time can effect the boot. What I mean is that if you get into trouble I think 3 times whille at the camp then you would lose your chance for the boot. Also, If you get into trouble for any reason within the last week or 2 weeks before boot then you will also lose your spot. There would be no reason for getting into trouble but you have to remember that not everyone in the camp is going to boot and they do test the rules. So, you would be best to just stay clear of anything that you know would possibly come back to haunt you if you were caught. I hope I have helped a little with your questions and if I was wrong in anything I'm sure someone will come along and correct me.

Just and update on the physical part. I spoke with my girl last night and although they are doing the ropes course and obstical course, they are not doing it very often. She said that most of the physical fitness type stuff, running, working out, is somthing that you have to do in your free time. She said that other than working and classes that they mostly only clean up the barracks and grounds. We thought it was going to be more physical but not so far and she only has 2 months to go. The only thing that they have really been doing physical is push-ups.

Hi. I am awaiting sentencing and may get 30 months, thereby making me eligible for boot camp. Does anyone think I will not qualify because I have an advanced degree (J.D.) but I have never practiced.

Thanks-

Kim

My siter self surrendered to Bryan Texas yesterday. She was sentenced to 24 months, with a recommendation for Boot Camp - it's my understanding, if completed successfuly, she would be able to complete her sentence in a halfway house closer to home (Ohio). I have a couple of concerns about her getting cleared to participate - she's 39 years old, I've read the cut-off age is 35, and she has some existing medical conditions - none of which should prevent her from doing the physical part of the camp, but I don't know if the physicians will clear her - I'm also concerned about the meds (empty bottles) that she took with her - Xanex, Paxil CR & Pain Medicine. I called Bryan and asked about Boot camp and was told that since the Judge recommended her - she would be a priroity 2 (not 1 as I've read here) - is this true? Her pretrial counselor said the Judge cannot "sentence" someone to Boot Camp, only "recommend" - so what's the criteria for a priority 1. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Johnie,
I got your message and I'm not sure you were given the right info when you called Bryan. If you sister was recommended for Boot Camp at the time of sentencing then she is a Priority 1. During my time and stories I've heard Priority 1's always get in. The only way she would be a Priority 2 is if she had more than 30 months and was recommended. Then she would have to do all the time to get her sentence under 30 months then would be considered but it looks like she only got 24 months so she shouldn't have a problem. As far as her medical stuff, when she gets to Bryan she will go through Medical clearance, they will do blood work and a physical. Lots of girls at ICC were on Paxil, Prozac or Zoloft so thats not an issue, each night at 8;00 they get to go to pill line and get medicated!! Don't worry she'll be fine. As far as her age there is no restriction the mens boot camp was 35 and under but the women has no limits I had two girls in my class that were over 40 and a couple classes prior has a 72 year old complete the program. So dont worry she'll be OK!!

Dawn

I am scheduled to self surender in Jan 2004. I am going to boot camp in Bryan TX. I am very worried about the physical
activities. I have heard it is like being in the military. I am worried because I have been told that if you can not cut it they send you to regular prison and then I will have to do more time. Can anyone let me know what it's like in there? don't feel bad i'm supposed to surender to i just don't know when i would like to know what it's like to