It's been ten years and I am finally ready to post. Finally ready to give back, perhaps help someone take some of the fear and uncertainty out of prison. I spent a month at FPC Bryan before heading into ICC, the bootcamp, for 6 months. I learned a lot and I hurt a lot...but it's ten years later now and I couldnt be more proud of my life. I'm working on going back to speak, perhaps help inspire other graduates; the world is full of possibilities, a little thing like prison doesnt have to stop you!

Welcome Phoebe! There are a lot of people here who might have questions for you, but the very first thing is "Glad to have you here!"

Phoebe, Welcome Aboard and to the PTO Family!

Those that are facing prison need to know that there is life on the other side! Your being here to help them is proof there is!

Patti

Phoebe:
I hope you're right about life after prison. Right now I feel hopeless. I have been in limbo for almost 2 yrs. and my sentencing date got postponed again. I'm looking at doing time probably at Bryan. No wants to hire me with all this hanging over my head and I have over 30 yrs. working experience without a blimish until I messed up 2 yrs. ago. Right now I'm just sitting here going crazy and waiting to see what my future holds. Sorry to sound so bleak, just having a bad day. Hope your life keeps looking up.

I was presentence for 3 years, I thought nothing could be worse. In retrospect, not much was, altho several things did equal the misery. I found work during that time by going to places that didnt really care. The Better Business Bureau is one of them, each county has one, the positions are easily trained for, and the length of time you stay doesnt matter. For me, it helped because I went back to a different Bureau right after I got out of prison. I wore my ankle bracelet as proudly as I could and they never said a word, as long as I did my work. I worked extra hard for them, proving myself, and that is the distinction.

When you fill out an application you have to be honest about having been convicted of a felony or not, but before and after prison, I used that opportunity to show my true colors by saying something like this: I have a long standing excellent work ethic. I am honest and reliable. Yes, I made a mistake I am going to pay for it/have paid for it. I learned an invaluable lesson along the way. I wouldnt trade that knowledge and I find it makes me an even more valuable employee. I ask that you take this chance with me, I wont let you down.

The key here is the last statement. Own your mistake and ASK them to take the chance, you'd be surprised how many people shy away from the questioning or hang thier head in shame. You have nothing to be ashamed of, what's done is done and you will pay. They do not get to make you pay as well, nor do they want to. All they want is a great employee, TELL them you wont let them down, human-being is a wonderful thing, we naturally believe in those that beleive in themselves.

It may feel like a horrible place you are in right now, but you will get to the other side. I don't brag about my sentence, but when appropriate, I am clear that I wouldn't change a thing and I learned a lot, it contributes to who I am today and that is a GREAT thing!

I hope I have helped in some small way, but keep in touch till you are gone, and please share your addy when you know where you are going, mail in prison is a wonder all its own!

My very best to you,
PhoebeSnow

Thank you so much for the warm welcome, I wasn't sure I wanted to do this, but you made me cry just thinking about how I may help, ten years later and prison is still one of the hardest things I have learned to deal with. I look forward to more posts and interaction, thanks!

Thank you, thank you. I had no one there for me and I reached out to no one, if I can help any one in any way at all, it will be worth my while! Thank you for your support and welcoming post!

PhoebeSnow,

Welcome to PTO.

You submitted a great post for those of us facing sentencing, leaving soon, and on our way home (post can be shared by another member). We all need to be, and stay, encouraged and realize the government may label us as felons however we do not have to embrace its definition. I refuse to become what the government says I am or spend my valuable blessed time being angry and bitter. I made a mistake and I am paying for it.

I am looking deep down inside and discovering a new me and a better life for myself and family. I'm not a horrible person. I love myself, my child, family, students and friends. I especially love God who has been with me throughout this ordeal. He has a spectacular plan for us all and our responsibility/obligation is to share what we know with others....just as you are doing. I plan to come home and share my experience and what I know with others. Thank You.

PhoebeSnow, the warmest welcome to PTO~~ I'm sure many people will be helped by your knowledge, while in, right after and now 10 years later. Things don't change that much with the BOP, but you can help in so, so many ways. I've been trying to help as many as I can during & after my son's incarceration and while at the HWH, even though he will be out soon on probation. He spent 40 months on pretrial because of the AUSA's being so slow. If he does have to do his entire 4 years probation, he will have given the government almost 10 years of his life...that on an 18 month sentence! We have put in for a commutation from the President, but those are few and far between, and it is I know doubtful he will get it. It has been on the pardon attorney's desk since April of last year!
As always, I've gotten off the subject....LOL, my bad~~~
Hope you stay with us, we all are a close knit family even if we disagree on a few things from time to time!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!!;)

It's been ten years and I am finally ready to post. Finally ready to give back, perhaps help someone take some of the fear and uncertainty out of prison. I spent a month at FPC Bryan before heading into ICC, the bootcamp, for 6 months. I learned a lot and I hurt a lot...but it's ten years later now and I couldnt be more proud of my life. I'm working on going back to speak, perhaps help inspire other graduates; the world is full of possibilities, a little thing like prison doesnt have to stop you!

HI;

Glad to hear your story. I was actually one of the people that bootcamp class was cancelled on. Bootcamp no longer exist in the Federal system. Instead of doing 6 months at Bryan, I did 18 months. Didn't qualify for RDAP. I have many stories to tell and much inspiration to give also. Allow God to continue showing you His mighty hand.

PhoebeSnow; So glad you decided to join us. You are very correct in your assumption that you can be a great added value to our family at PTO. So a very hearty welcome. You can never have enough people with experience in this matter giving advice and answering questions. So please come back often and let others benefit from your expertise. God bless you.

Im on Pre Trial and just reading some of these postings, what is RDAP ?

Residential drug addiction program.

Im on Pre Trial and just reading some of these postings, what is RDAP ?