My lady is at SAFP (Substance Abuse Felony Punishment) Facility in Gatesville, Texas. This is a "boot camp" program that seems to delight in screwing up people's heads. I've spoken to many folks who've either completed the program or flunked out. It's success rate is poor and it has recently suffered cut-backs in its budget. Meanwhile, the staff seems to be increasing pressure on the inmates to the point that they do'nt even have time to write! Now I get a letter about once every ten days - I used to get one every three or four days! I've also been told that they will with-hold mail from the inmate as a punishment. Can anyone verify this?

Dear Karl,

I was released from the Hackberry SAFP unit is Gatesville on Feb. 19 of 2002. I am one of the success stories. I will say so far because one never know what the future will bring. But I try very hard not to relapse.

Safp is very invasive. It forces one to look inside to see what really causes the drug use and illegal activity. It can be a successful program IF she lets it be.

What dorm is she in? Let me know and I will tell you about the counselors there. Or at least what I know about them. Some are good some are not!!!!

I still have the paper work that they gave me regarding all the rules and other information about the program if you want I will mail it to you.

How long has she been there? It is not like a regular prison, you have to earn priveleges and if you break the rules you are given punishment that is determined by your peers(clients who have been there longer and are good role models)
She will not be allowed to purchase very much when she goes to the commissary at first. I believe it is $30.00 the first month. As time goes by and she gets higher in the program she will be allowed to send more. "IF" she is not on restriction when they are allowed to go.

Let me know if you have any questions. The reason she may not have written lately is that she may have run out stamps and or envelopes. That happned to me.

It s a good thing to make sure she has about $60.00 on her books at all times. Sometimes they runout of stuff. SHe will be needing to buy some long johns.....it is extremely cold there.

good luck,

jamie