My Name is David and I am the founding administrator of Prison Talk Online AKA www.PrisonTalk.com (http://www.PrisonTalk.com)

My interest in the Prisoner Support System is both personal and moral. I am a recently released federal prisoner who has had his eyes opened. I left behind many people with families not unlike my own., and though they are many miles away from me now, I have not forgotten them and the time we shared. PrisonTalk Online is one of the ways I want to help them, their families, and all others with an interest in prisoner support and reforming the criminal justice system effect change.

I was sentenced to 27 months in the federal prison for the charge of “felon in possession of prohibited weapon”, specifically a deer rifle. My previous felony charge was unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - “joyriding” back in 1992. 7 years later when I was close to completing the 10-year probation term imposed by my judge, I made the mistake of pawning the family deer rifle to pay off a traffic ticket, which fell under an amnesty period I wanted to take advantage of. The ATF seized the weapon after I tried to get it out of pawn and about 9 months after that I was arrested and charged. Even though I did not use the weapon in any crime or even have it on my physical possession, I was going to prison.



Voices the Prison Administrations try not to hear….

During my incarceration my family and I experienced what most inmates and their families have to deal with, very little in the way of Rights and Respect.
Our first taste was a denial of my mother’s visitation for a (FALSE) positive result from a drug “sniffer”(ionizer) detector which was later found to be grossly inaccurate but left unchecked until the warden was himself was embarrassed when he demonstrated the device and came up positive. This took place after MONTHS of turn-a-ways, some from visitors coming as far as 1400 miles… (Larry Cullum – Story in the November Coalition’s Razor Wire newspaper) Many of them wrote grievances to him and Washington but nothing changed until someone with rank in the Post Office, who was visiting a relative, was turned away due to a false positive. Why were our families numerous complaints not heard and dealt with a proper manner?

During this time period, numerous other inmates whose family and friends were denied visits due to false positives “sniffer” tests approached me about getting our families together to take action as a group. This was the point of conception for the PrisonTalk Online idea. We needed a forum where our families and those that care could come together with a united voice, one that the administration would hear better.

Visitation was only one concern. Medical is another serious problem in the prison systems. It was not uncommon to see men “fall-out” on the compound due to a stroke or heart attack and then be made to walk to the clinic. Inmates that had cuts that would obviously require stitches would be taped up because the doctor that was “on-call” didn’t want to drive to the prison. I’ve seen fingers that were broken and not properly set have to be partially amputated because of the error.. One of the worst cases was a gentleman who had surgery to remove and fuse a number of vertebrae. A few weeks after his surgery they discovered they fused and removed the wrong ones!

These are only a few examples of what inmates and the people who care about them are faced with on a daily basis. If this web site provides the medium to assist in solving only one problem facing those inside, it will be worth it.. I believe it has the potential to do much more..


Today, I spend a large part of my time turning the plans I made my cell into reality. Right now, I do this as a “hobby” in my spare time but I hope to make it a full time effort in the future.


Lastly, I want to say thank you to everyone that is working to help prisoners and their families. I was in contact with many of you during my own stay and it made a difference to know there are people on the outside that care and are working to make a difference.


David

David
I was just reading your story about the medical issues and it reminded me of something....did you hear recently about the California supreme court having to chastise our Board of prison terms because they were making handicapped inmates CRAWL up stairs to their parole hearings because there was not wheelchair access? And hearing impaired inmates were not given interpreters at their hearings so they had no idea what was going on!
How disgusting is that?
So finally the courts have stepped in to do something about these situations. Someone should lose their job over it at least but i doubt that would happen.
Have you ever checked out www.facts1.com ? I have been a participating activist with them since we started in 1995 as i have some close friends that got struck out and doing 25L.
lots of good and current info available there. A friend from there directed mt to you as a matter of fact.
Later...Puppy

i use to think maybe i was the only guy that got in trouble that is on the intrenet. boy was i wrong! there are a lot of smart "cons" and familys of convicts that care. i dont feel as alone any more!

Thank you Fed-X for this place! you prove they werent right about us all being "losers".

toby

:)

No problem, bro.. This place is for you and I hope to see you around here when you can make it on.

Speaking of "cons" & the Internet. I was shocked by how many people are now in the federal prison system for internet related crimes such as hacking and other crimes.

David

I guess it's good to keep a sense of humor even when you are out on bond pending sentencing!

Hello Guys:

David, yours is a very interesting story. Hope at some point in time, I will be able to read some of the posts from my son, Butch Clark. He is 36 now and still an inmate. He is at Lincolnton Unit Lincolnton, N. C. For the first time in 12 years, he is only 5 miles from my home. This has been a blessing because he has been up to 300 miles away.

He has had health problems with his back over the last 12 years and has been told he needs surgery because he has 5 deteriorating disks. He will not do it because he too has seen the problems people have who have to have surgery and other medical help in the system.

Butch too understands how hard it is to deal with so many things in the system. He does outreach programs for Kids who are heading for trouble. He has been very successful in this area and really does enjoy doing it.

You guys are very brave and David, I admire you greatly for starting this forum for inmates and families.

Donna

Hello Guys:

David, yours is a very interesting story. Hope at some point in time, I will be able to read some of the posts from my son, Butch Clark. He is 36 now and still an inmate. He is at Lincolnton Unit Lincolnton, N. C. For the first time in 12 years, he is only 5 miles from my home. This has been a blessing because he has been up to 300 miles away.

He has had health problems with his back over the last 12 years and has been told he needs surgery because he has 5 deteriorating disks. He will not do it because he too has seen the problems people have who have to have surgery and other medical help in the system.

Butch too understands how hard it is to deal with so many things in the system. He does outreach programs for Kids who are heading for trouble. He has been very successful in this area and really does enjoy doing it.

You guys are very brave and David, I admire you greatly for starting this forum for inmates and families.

Donna

Donna,
Your not by any chance trying to get posting credit for both of these posts, are you?? LOL.. J/k!
Thanks for the comments!


David
:p

David...
I know that you have heard it before, but it is worth saying again. Your idea to create this site is such a blessing and so many of us appreciate all of the effort you have put in to make your idea a reality.
I have been here such a short time but feel better every day when I check in.
Never doubt how far the effects of your effort will go as we all get stronger together.
You are a blessing!! Thanks for being you!

I was truly assounded that you posted your story so honestly. I have encountered so many problems in the TDCJ system. MY husband has a fractured or broken finger right now. They have done nothing to help him, they say it is fine and the swelling will go down in awhile. Well a month later and it is still swollen and as sentive as ever. I have made several calls and tried to get help but NOTHING.

I guess we can only change certain things but I want to tell you I appreciate all the support that this dream of your has helped to create. I do have an idea if your open to it. Email me and I will tell you.

God Bless

JDS, Your more than welcome! This goal/dream has definitely taken shape and it makes me feel really good..
It is my hope that one day with unity we can effect more than support (though this is the main purpose), and get attention shined on the many areas that need improving.. Not to mention public awareness.. CHANGE

I hope Sherri13 doesn't mind but I am going to quote her signature because I really like it, and because it fits Prison Talk Online, as far as I am concerned.

"never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has

margaret mead

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE"


Thanks to all of you, we will make this prison system a better place for all prisoners, their families & friends..



David

Shortie, don't give up.. Things don't always happen when we would like them to but you are his best chance to get what he needs. Don't let them forget about him or you..

David

PS. Please post any new ideas, tips, etc. in the Site Suggestions & Feedback forum.

Ok.. I see a bunch of ya'll showing off your "babies".. Well, this is one of my "loves".. Material it may be, but I feel as close to "free" as I ever have when doing this..

BUT.. every now-n-then you end up having to Bail-Out before that "freedom" costs you.. (grin)
What is that saying.. "If your not living on the edge, your taking up to much space" ? hah.. Cross over and you won't be taking up any...

:p

Did I mention that my X-Attorney owns this little "toy" now.. Yeah, the same one that never returned my letters/pleas to get a sentence correction based upon the wrong guidelines.. AKA.. (now known to me) Ineffective ASSistance of Counsel.
May my sweet lil' ski rest at the bottom of the lake.. :) Where he, and so many other defense attorneys like himself belong!
"He sleeps with da' fishs" - Godfather

David you look like you are having a blast!!! Thanks for sharing it with us...looks like fun!!!:D gotta bring it to south Padre and show off your moves!!haha

What are the guidlines(for lack of better word) to claim Ineffective Assistance of Counsel because Stephen had a real ASS of a court appointed first time around??!!??

David,great pics.We need to get together one weekend,and I will introduce you to the ultimate stress relief.There is nothing in the world,like jumping from 20,000 feet and freefalling to 2,000.If you are game,let me know,I go once a week.God Bless............................................. ...Spencer

Spencer, I have to agree with you 100% about jumping! I have yet to do it but I know one day I will.. I've always considered it to be my own ultimate challenge since I still have a fear of hights.. Sorta strange coming from someone who loves to fly.. I guess taking away the plane adds a completely different factor to the equation.. :)
We will have to hook up sometime in the near future on this one! You may have to push me the first round but after that I think I'll want to race you to the door.. LOL
I recall you also are into SCUBA? Something I am itching to get into myself. I've snorkled down in Cancun and other places but never actually strapped on a tank. I have a friend that is a dive master(?) but just never got around to it.. I know I would love it and have plans to get some equipment as soon as I can budget it in. (not to mention getting my cert.)
Talk to you,
David

Amelia,
I told you I would be taking your kids for lake rides next time I am down that way, with yours and Stephens blessing, of course.. I also putt around nicely for youngsters.. :)

David

David,You got it bubba! I am going to be down that way in a month or so,maybe I will take an extra day.We can find a lake,and strap the tanks on.I am also a divemaster,so I will show you the basics,and get you going.I am looking forward to this,so as soon as I know the dates I will be there I will let you know.God Bless...................................Spencer

DEAL! :)
You got my numbers and I'll give you the rest whenever..

Thanks,
David

Hey I am jealous I wanted to go.. :( Glad you had fun and they are great pics... :)

those pics are great!!! what fun!! who took the pics? The first one should be entered in a contest-it is GREAT!!!
sherri

hey sherri i agree with the contest idea..

Shortie.. That was a few years back but I WILL be doing it again soon.. :) I've worked over all the lakes around you BTW.. Lewisville, Grapevine, Worth & Especially Possum Kingdom.. I learned to waterski there. Lake Travis (outside of Austin) is my favorite lake in Texas BUT.. Lakes don't hold a candle to the Ocean.. It's 3-D and ALIVE..
I could tell you some scary/stupid stories about going off-shore way past any visual of the beach.. without GPS etc.. Then coming back.. (after a while.. haha) Not to mention getting caught in 8-10 foot visibility FOG down in South Padre while towing another jetski.. coming upon the jetti which waves where thunder-crashing into and spraying 25 feet up.. (I did some praying on that ride)
Ok.. can you tell I like to ride?

:)

Thanks Sherri! Didn't you say something about wanting to go riding out there in the NC Surf? hehe I'll play nice..

Hmmm.. For some reason I think you wouldn't shy away from a wave.. ("military bratt")

David

yeah david-i'm waiting for you to come out to nc to ride--let me know-i'll be ready

sherri

Hey yet another thing sherri and i have in common miltary brats.. Go figure.. I jet ski a lot when I am in cali. I have stand up in storage but I have not got to play for awhile.. I would love to get out and go screw around again..

I am a cancer and true to the water sign so i guess that is why I have a passion for the water huh!! I want to learn how to dive and snorkle too... My friend parents live in Hawaii so we are going over there this summer.. I can't wait...

Another thank you here. In the short time I have been aware of this "family" I have been blessed with many people showing concern and offering help. I know for a fact (because I work on the inside) the treatment of inmates is not what it should be. I have just got around to reading a few topics, yours included. I want to offer my support and help in some way, what do you suggest?

a welmeaned thank you from me too david. and i like the pictures. i'm telling all the guys i know that are being released about this place, but so far i haven't seen anyone of them here...not yet

David, Call me slow, but I'm just now reading your story and viewing your pics of your obvious obsession with wave runners. I love to ride those in the ocean just like your first pic, but I think I will pass on the second!!! Wow!!!!!!!!!!

If I haven't said it already, thanks so much for putting together this site. It makes me feel so blessed to be able to talk to other people who understand.

It sounds like you were dealt a raw deal in this great country's judical system. I understand where you are coming from. Butch has experienced alot of the same things as you.

Thanks again for all of your hard work!!!!

i wanna know who the lucky person is that has her hands on fed-ex in the first pic he posted hehehehe :p

Aprilcat,
That is "Princess", or should be her.. ;) Maybe I should go look first.

Love Muffin,
Hey.. better late than never.. ;) As for a raw deal.. I didn't care for it but it created a bunch of things I am proud of.. Time I probably needed to myself..
Glad to have met all of you.. and that most likely would not have happened had I not gotten my "vacation" via Uncle Sam..

Woops.. That definitely wasn't Laurie.. I was at some club and I can't find the non-cut version of that picture..
Guess it will remain a mystery.. ;)

Ok.. Have a few "current" ones to add..
My life away from school, work and PTO (only temporarily)..
This was my first endurance Jetski Race.. (Yes, I feel very lucky) I got 3rd place on my first endurance race.. 45 minutes. You know it's long when you can't feel your arms and hands any longer.. But it feels good when you finish..
I'm gunning for that 1st place at the next race..

I'm praying for that checkered flag by this point in the race..

She really is helping me stand up after the race.. ;)

Ok.. Last one for now.. I finally found the auto exposure setting on the digital camera! :)

WOW what a "fox"!!

Ya I know, OLD term. LOL

You better be talking about my girl.. LOL

wow!!! what a FOX!!!! (both of ya) :p you make a great looking couple, fed-ex!

HEY DAVID!

BOY, OH BOY...... WHAT AN EXCITING COUPLE..... YOU BOTH ARE PRECIOUS.... AND DON'T YOU SAY A WORD ABOUT THE PRECIOUS COMMENT..... AT MY AGE, YOU ARE PRECIOUS...


LOVE YA
DONNA

You guys look so good together!!

David, ya ain't built right guy!!

aw, u guys r so cute!!

I have to second the fact that you two look really good together.. What a great couple of pics thanks for sharing..

Thank all of you for your comments.. :)

B-Ray.. Yeah.. I know.. :P

David,

That is one fine looking woman you got there guy. You deserve it. I hope she deserves you, bro!

David

I can understand the freedom you feel while jet skiing...
My escape was sailing.....lived on anchored sailboat and loved it especially the storms

You have done a great job with this site and i see it only getting much bigger..

You are so right about the medical neglect in fed prison...i was in Atlanta with full leg cast and assigned top bunk.
Then a convict medical assistant rebroke my leg while removing the cast with a hammer and screwdriver.

If the public only knew.........

Thanks for this site.

Jerry

Thanks Kconner, yeah, she is a good girl and she has done her time too.. believe it or not.. ;)

Jerry,
You know it.. I love the water, especially the ocean.. I've been on a few sail boats but haven't gotten to really work one. My father was big into sailing and ended up getting drafted to Vietnam due to blowing everything off and sailing Bermuda when he was young.
I don't know how many times I layed up in my cell and thought about how much I really missed water.. I mean, I honestly thought about how long it had been since I was actually under water. Most people don't think about not being submerged for a stay in prison.. It is the longest I went in my life without going under water.. What prisons have baths? lol
I am working on making it my "duty" to enlighten the public about the prison system and all the injustices.. PrisonTalk is mainly about support but also education.. I want the world to see what is going on.. If I can bridge it even a little, it will make me very happy.. Patience hasn't always been a virtue of mine but I am determined..
I'm glad you like the site and it's good to have another x-con here. I am sure the ladies are also happy about it because of our point of views.
See you around,
David

David,

I just read your story. I think PTO is a wonderful forum. When I talk to people that are in my situation, I always tell them of PTO.

Billy was sentenced to 5 years 5 months for "felon in possession of a firearm." He got that much time because of his PSI and the gun was stolen from the police in the '80's. He was just a kid then. It was going to be state case, but the cop that arrested him pushed the feds on him so it went to federal.

65 months is a long time. He pled guilty to a plea bargain. If it would've went to trial, he could've gotten 10 years.

Anyway, thanks for creating PTO. I know it's helped me A LOT.

BillnDenise,
Your more than welcome. :)
I know a number of guys that were doing 10 years on guns. One of them had 8 years in and finally had his appeal heard. He was at his girlfriends house when the cops came crashing in on unrelated issues. Since he was in the house and they found guns, they charged him with Felon in Poss. Too bad it took them so long to right that wrong.. The feds are getting nutty over guns, that is for sure.. Sorry to hear about his sentence.

David this site is the best thing that I think anyone could have ever done YOU ARE AWESOME!!! You and Laurie are a really cute couple. If there wasn't this place to come and talk to people who really understand and don't judge for what you have done or for who you love, I would of really thought that the whole world didn't care, THANK YOU . YOur intro was amazing also.

David I just read your story and all these posts...I can't agree more to what a great and informative site this is! It seems everytime I log on, I have to come here to the PTO site to see what's been going on. When I went to VA to visit my guy, I was amazed to return and see the 'jump' in user's...It's great. I plan to really get active in this site as soon as I finish my documenting what I can for his appeal and turning it over to the lawyer. I think with my work experience and education, I can offer a lot to PTO!!! Thanks again for ALL YOUR work and dedication!

Pamela

David,

Great pictures. Everyone is right your female friend is a FOX.

Pamela,
My pleasure and you are very welcome! :)

Love Muffin, I'll be sure and pass that on to Laurie.. :)

thank you for your honesty and all of your help and support. i had been looking for about 2 years for some kind of support group. the only ones i could find were for families of inmates here in tx (my brother is in alabama) or for parents or children of inmates.
i think you have truely found your calling in life and may God bless you.....cheryl

Nice Pics and you are so right about the ineffective assistance of counsel

You have my appreciation and gratitude for creating such a wonderful community!

As I read your story it brought back memories of the days when I was a guard. There is so much that goes on inside those walls that it is really hard to believe unless you see it for yourself. I am not guard material because I have something called a heart.I am now at battle with tdcj because i married a inmate. I have tried to post my story but have been unsuccessful for some reason. Will try again.Just wanted to let you know that I find comfort here. ThankYou.

Warrenswife,
I am really glad you are here.. Both because you have a loved one in prison, and for what you can share with us of your experiences when you were still a guard.
Look forward to seeing you around!
David

Fed ex I enjoy your honesty and sense of humor very much. My fiancee is in Lancaster CA and has been in prison for 7 years. He comes home 12/1/03. I knew his family but didn't meet him until after he was in prison. Things have been very good with us and we plan on getting married, but...there have been some interesting issues I think because of how long he has been in. At times he is very jealous and has no reason to be and at times seems very controling, but we are working on it. Is this kind of "stuff" normal for couples to deal with? Any advice on what I can expect in terms of adjustment for him once he does come home? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks for your dream and making this site a reality. Kathy

David, thanks for sharing with us. When my fiancee turned himself in to the authorities he suffered a heart attack. The police didn't believe he was truly having a problem and left him, barely breathing, in an intake cell. An outsider from the Public Defender's Office called EMS and Ron finally received some assistance. The MD's sent him back to lock-up with various meds that the prison failed to provide. The result was a stroke. All this happened without anybody notifying his family DUE TO SECURITY REASONS?????

I used to believe in justice. I thought right and wrong was as easy to see as black and white. Now, fifteen months later and still waiting for a trial, I know better. (But I really wish I didn't most days!):argh

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HUMANITY??

David,
I want to thank you for all you have done. PTO is more than a life saver. I am very new to all of this, usually have no idea of what I need, but it is too critical for me not to ask. Everyone has been exceptional with help and just offers of love and friendship. If it wasn't for this site I would have lost me along time ago. I may not post often but I read alot.

My sincere thanks to you
Willow (Leslie)

David,

I read your story about the federal prison system, and it was like a deja vou... When I worked at Mount Olive Correctional Complex in West Virginia (states only Maximum Security Prison) everything that happened to you happened to the inmates that were in my unit.

I was a Correctional Counselor 2 at MOCC, and saw too many times how the staff in Medical treated inmates. I remember so many stories of how men were FORCED to walk to medical, which was a good way from the unit when they were having heart attacks. I remember leaving one night and all the men that were in medical were standing outside the door waiting. I said, "Hey, what's going on in there?" One of my inmates told me a man fell out on the floor having a heart attack, and he was DEAD, and they were trying to do CPR to save him.... I don't believe that. During CPR training when I first started there, the NEW staff were asked if they would do CPR on an inmate, and I was the only one who raised my hand and said, Yes I would. One "C.O." said, "What, stomp on his chest and blow in the wind?" They thought that was funny - I DID NOT!

One of my inmates DIED in his sleep because he had a grand mal seizure, after asking for his meds for THREE weeks and being told day after day "they were on order". I tried every day to get his meds but they got to where they dreaded my calls and would HANG UP ON ME for calling about an inmates health. I saw men who had blood running down their legs because they had hymmroids and could not get treated. I saw a man DIE from pnenomia because he was serving life for killing a police officer, and the staff would not help him. I remember men in there that was in wheel chairs that couldn't get help one of them DIED from gangreen in his legs from improper care. The stories go on and on.

Visitation was a new can of worms... it was the worst of worse trying to get familes in to see their loved ones. It would take the state eight to twelve WEEKS to approve you for visitation. If you had a misdemeanor on your record, you were denied. Those inmates who didn't get visits, and their families phones were blocked from collect calls because the phone co. charged so much would come to me, and I would allow them to put a collect call through the opporator to home. And every now and then if they couldn't do that, I would get approval from the assoctiate warden of treatment to allow a five minute call (supposedly! Id give them 15 most usually!)

Inmates didn't get proper clothing to wear in the winter, or proper medical treatment. Some CO's would be SOOO mean tothe inmates, and I would do incident reports. The CO's would antagonize and torment an inmate until he went off, and then the co would write him up for his behavior. I was appauled.

I went from working in a prison, to having a loved one in prison. See, in that prison is wher I met my husband. I resigned my position with the prison to marry him. I waited for two years for him to come home to be with us, and after four months, he got into trouble because of his alcoholism, and was sent back to regional jail for 11 months. Since his release in January, he's had five DUI's and one felony DUI fleeing an officer. He's had two domestic violence charges, one dropped, one pending, and the one pending against us he pulled a knife on me and my daughter, so we found out this week they have two felony warrents open on him for brandishing a weapon!!!! WHEW!!

His alcoholism is very bad. He is drunk 4-5 nights a week... This week so far 4, which is BETTER FOR HIM!

I look forward to posting here more often. I have lots of stories of injustices in the prison system, and being a counselor, I offer you my advice... I look forward to reading you posts everyone, and I especially LOVE the success stories and posts saying your loved one is home!

Take care and God Bless,
Bonnie

Fed ex---David,

Thank you for starting this web site. I don't have to feel alone any longer. Even if I don't post anything I can click on here and read what others have to share and feel connected. We're all going thru the same thing and there IS power in numbers. But, you're right the public needs to know the truth. I know I didn't until we got into this. Most people don't til they experience it themselves. We believe the damn media and what's portrayed. Even some of us have misconceptions still. The more we band together and fight I believe the more we will win more rights for ourselves as the family members and our loved ones. Our system is corrupt and wrong in every way. It's not innocent until proven guilty. It's not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and a lot of other things, but we all know that. The public doesn't.

Deb

And even if someone is in for whatever and they did it---our system's sentences and treatment of people is inhumane. Our prison industry needs to end. Is that utopia or what? I guess if we can just decrease it considerably at least. Maybe that's more real, hey? Again thanks for this sight.

Deb

I finnaly read this post, LOL that picture of you in the prision outfit was so funny you should have heard me laughing. I was laughing so hard I was acctually crying! You are right though have to keep humor ( although my inlaws dont appriciate my humor, they say its not funny but It helps)

I keep saying " at least in jail you get all your meals and cable tv" LOL

I just had to say that I loved that picture

--heather

I would like to introduce everyone to our new baby. Laurie picked "her" up today at about 2 PM. Yes, the happy father was there for the "delivery". :)

Buy me one daddy! Buy me one!!! :D :D :D

David, Thanks For This Place To Vent And Get Answers To Some Problems, I Have A Son In Tdc In Texas For A Dwi, They Went Back When He Was 17years Old And Tried To Give Him 25 Yrs. To 99 Yrs. It Had Been Over Ten Years Since He Had Gotten A Dwi. Of Course It Was Election Time In The County Where He Got The Dwi. His Attorney Just Took His Money And Settled For 5 Yrs, I Think He Should Have Gotten Less Time But Who Was I To Say. A Friend Across The Street From Us Had A Wreck, Ran Into Back Of A U-haul Truck Going About 90 Miles Per Hr. The People In The Uhaul Were Not Hurt, They Life Flighted Our Friends Passenger To A Houston Hosp. But He Got Up And Left, The Friend Just Took Some Stitches In His Knee. Total Out His Truck, Came Home From Hosp. That Nite, Police Stayed There Until They Released Him, So Drunk He Could Barely Walk, Told Him To Get A Lawyer And Turn Hisself In Later, He Spent 8 Days In Jail After The Hearing And Lic. Suspened For 2 Years, But Can Get A Work Lic. In One Year. He Also Just Got Off Of Probation 2 Months Before This Accident For A Dwi. What Do You Think Of That Kind Of Justice? Had A Prison Record In Another State I Think For Manslaughter. Makes You Wonder Sometimes About Our Justice System And Yes Our Prisons, I Fight Everyday With Someone In The Prison System Over My Sons Rights And I Just Get Handed To Someone Else. I Have Not Given Up Yet. My Son Has Been In For 2yrs And 6 Months Now And Been Turned Down For Parole 2 Times So Far. I Just Get So Mad Sometimes I Have To Bite My Tongue But Your Web Site Gives Me A Let Out And I Know My Son Is Not Alone In Our Battle For His Rights. Will Let You Go For Now, Thanks For Your Time And Good Luck With Your Life. Iris Taylor From Texas. By The Way My Son Listens To The Radio On A Certain Station And I Request Songs To Him On Sat. & Sun. Nites, He Says It Makes Him Feel Good, He Knows I Am Thinking About Him And He Me. Well Tears Are Here Cant See The Words So Goodbye

that is beautiful...... i had one almost like that. it was white, they are darn nice cars,,,

Irist,
Don't ever give up.. and I am sure you know by now that justice is far from blind or non-biased.. Hang in there, I bet he gets it on his next parole. I know he loves you like I love my Mom.. She was there my entire stay and it makes a heck of a difference.. All the loved ones on the outside make a big difference..

Lulu,
I bet you miss it!! I'm loving this one.. ;) I've had Formula's, T/A's and others, but this damn "bird" is the fastest and best looking I have ever seen. We broke 1000 miles yesterday.. haha.. I still can't believe GM dropped the Camaro / Firebird lines.. Lame SOB's..

for real? i had a fire bird as well. i love that darn car.
the one you have now is beautiful. it is blue right?
i do miss it, how ever my problem is i cant see good over the steering wheel. watch it now. :) no for real, i cant see i am to short. :(

Fed-ex, I thought I was the only one who ever had a false positive on the drug scanner. I have sle (systemic lupus) which has led to heart failure. I am on a dozen daily medications, including 3 different types of inhailers to try and keep my lungs operating. I tested positive due to my prescription meds and was still turned away. i was told by the guard that it didnt matter that i had a prescription, it was a controlled substance. They knew of this medication because I listed on the form and brought it into the prison with me each time i visited.
during the course of the conversation, one of the guards grabbed my by my arm and led me outside to get me away from the other visitors. By doing this she put a very large bruise on my arm which took a couple months to fade. The bop seems to believe that they are god and can do as they please. Society at large views all prison issues as trivial. Thanks for starting this site, it is nice to know we are not alone!

Wow, seems your case was much more blatant than my mother's. It really disgusts me to hear about these things. Were you visiting at Beaumont?
Please post your story in the visitation forum if you have some time and give details. The more the better. I still would love to see something done about this.
Glad you found PTO and sorry to hear about the hardships the B.O.P. is placing on you.
David

Aww...what a great looking baby! I take it the delivery wasn't hard....ehh?

No, it was a pleasure.. ;) But its monthly expenses are pretty steep, and we can't get any help from any government agency unfortunately.. :p

I just wanted to thank you for the site.. although I have only been here a short time I have found so much helpful information. Everyone is very welcoming.
Thanks again!

Lucid,
You are very welcome and I am glad you are finding helpful info. I will vouch for the members here, we have a WONDERFUL bunch of people that will really go out of their way to help.. It's great to add you to the list of PTO members.. Really, we're more like a big family.. :)

Ok.. I say "our" car a lot because she lets me drive it.. It's actually her car and here is a picture of the two of them.. Yes, both very beautiful.. Well.. The car is trying hard to catch up anyways.. ;)

Isn't he just the sweetest thing... thanks baby!
You are always welcome to drive "our" new car! :)

I swear, if it wasn't for this lady, I would be tanless and never get away from the computer... It's nice to be a "geek" with a fine girlfriend with toys... ;)

awwwwww yall two are sooo cute....

David, i happened to come across this site by accident and what I found was truly amazing and has truly been wonderful and supportive in so many ways. I am glad that your idea was born and that you made it reality for us. I truly agree with everyone. Even though I don't have anyone on the inside like I did onced upon time I still can relate to what others are talking about. I think this place give the ones that do have ones on the inside a chance to vent and share and best of all support each other through things. David I can only speak for me but I am truly glad I have found this place for onced I feel like I am being heard and supported during the uncertanity of things that involved that relationship. I didn't mean to ramble but I hope you can understand what I am trying to say.

David,

I'd like to take a moment on this day of thanks, to once again express my gratitude for all your efforts. You have given us a true "home" of wisdom, acceptance, and unconditional love....a priceless gift :D

It's so great to see a "vision" that has become a reality...and wonderful to be able to be a part of it. Thank you!

And....your "baby" is gorgeous!

Susan in Providence, who definitely misses her candy-apple red '87 t-top Firebird!!!!

hey well david/fed-x thanks for starting this group its helped alot of people as ive seen so far

Thank you for the honesty. It is really hard for me, I know I don't post much. But for me my husband is in a Texas prison. He has been gone for 5 years and his sentence is 50. I get alot of comfort from the other families on this site. It is just extremely emotional for me to try and express what I am going through without him here. But I would like to thank all of you who do share it helps alot.

Attorneys are just criminals with a license to rob ya. LOL

David,

Thank you for the response to my introduction a few days ago...i just read your intro and am impressed by your story..you are trying to make a difference....I too feel the need to get involved, not just with Mike but in a way that gives our inmates some type of voice in a world that is not listening...what I have recieved from my efforts so far is them trying unsuccessfully to turn me into a felon, i guess so that my voice would be less valid. I am up to my neck in Mikes case and feel like I live in the twighlight zone....I never really believed that whole institutions and court systems could be dirty. I always thought that was just in the movies..I am a well educated, strong and attractive woman yet I find myself allowing thier actions to make me feel otherwise...the price i am paying for my convictions of my soul are high yet I cannot bury my head in the sand. I feel compelled to be involved and to expose the filth in the system where I lived and worked. This weoghs so heavily on my mind that I lay awake at night and find it hard to function during the day. If you have any suggestions on how I can make a difference or how I can expose these things please send them on ....

Thank you for your story, and your website! I am a fairly new member, and people have been so helpful in my case. Thanks again!! :) --Helen

THAT LOOKS DANGEROUS FROM ROBERT TO FED X

what looks dangerous? and welcome to PTO Robert

EDITED: This definitely is not the thread for what you asked and stated.

I AM REALLY EMBARRESSED I APOLOGIZE TO ALL CHATTERS ON LINE ABOUT MY IN APPORIATE BEHAVIOR SORRY FED X AND LULU >YOUR RIGHT FED X I WAS WRONG <FED X I JUST GOT OUT FEB 1FROM WALTON CORRECTIONAL IN FLORIDA DO YOU KNOW ABOUT GOVERMENT PROGRAMS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP EX CONS I AM TRYING TO GET ON MY FEET ITS TOUGH I LOST EVERY THING SO NOW I AM WITH MY FOLKS TRYING TO GET MY LIFE IN ORDEr

No problem Robert. You might want to check out the Ex-Offender forums. If you will make a post in there, myself or someone will do what we can to help.

this was old, I forgot all about it. but no problem. :)

Hi David,

I just wanted to also let you know how much what you are doing means to the friends and Families of inmates. It is a lonely world and knowing we have somewhere to come to vent, share, get support, etc. Means so very much. Thank you for all that you do. I have told Jeff about you and what you are doing and he says to tell you thank you as well. he says it's nice to know that his baby has some support out here. So again, thank you so very much.

Lori,
Please tell Jeff it is my pleasure and I am glad to have gotten the chance to help create PTO. I hope you both know you are part of our extended family. :)
Thanks,
David

My fiance won't go to the doctor because he said that when the prison did surgery on him before the doctor was eating a donut while doing the surgery and there was dust on everything in the operating room. He was stabbed in the back by an another inmate and had to have surgery because of it. This is very sad that humans treat other humans this way just because they made a mistake in life. It's just not right!
Shelly

hi my name is beloved and my fiance is in a ohio facility. And i am very much frustated with our system. hhe was surpose to have been home 5 yrs ago and he is under the old law law suite. he has been in there all together 12 yrs. and i try my best to ake sure that he is okay and especially to encourage him, but a lot of times i can just hear the hurt in his voice and how he is so frustrated with every thing that is going on.in ohio there is about 4,000 men and woman that is in this law suite and everyone is trying to waite patienly to hear some good news.they have really been harassing the inmates that is in this law suite.and especially sending there mail back to there families if they have anything in there about the law suite.and it is a shame how they are treating them.a lot of them have done there time and have been to school so many times that they dont want to see them out,so that they can better themselves.i will be so glad when the night mare is over.thanks for listening

David, This is my first day to post! I think you are the first person I contacted when I signed on with the group. As you know, I am an activist but I will TRY to behave here lol :rolleyes: I will be supportive of the group.

I am a former inmate from years back but I have not forgotten what it was like. Thank you for opening this site!

Peace!

You've done a wonderful thing creating this site David. You'll never know how the information, and support shared made a difference out here. Soon it will be 5000 people. So many of the yahoo groups for prisoners and their families are small and not active. We have enough people to make a difference on policies if we are active. If we discuss what can be done on issues and then take action.
Thank you for all your work David. You are truly breaking the silence barrier. I swear if I had been your mother I would have camped out on the wardens door step. Having attorneys in the family would help me. I'm always a lady and polite, but I am a barracuda when angry.

Thank you for the email. Maybe you or someone you know can help me. I am looking for someone named Phillip Gregory. He probably only has been there if he is there for a few weeks. Cant find out anything and I just want him to know that we are all thinking about him.
Thank You
Michelle

Thanks David for the post. My husband Nick is serving LWOP at Old Corcoran, in Corcoran Cali. We have been together for 10 years now and the struggles and hardships put on families is nothing but overwhelming at times. I have to say that his story, like ur own, is one that we all can relate to in one way or another.
After 16 years of his LWOP sentence he has come a long way. It didn't happen overnight but it did happen and for that I can thank God for. He is truly an inspiration to so many. He has survived "Gladiator Fights" at CSP Corcoran, survived 3 years in the SHU at Pelican Bay, and yet has a smile on his face. Will wonders never cease?
The fact that he is serving LWOP in the state of Cali is most unfortunate. I am at the point of no return in dealing with the morons running our government and the power of the CCPOA. It is sickening. At this point he is looking to transfer to Minnesota to be closer to his dying mother. The other reason is so that as a lifer he can have the best possible life while having to face the rest of it behind bars. Cali offers us nothing. It has almost split us recently but are working to see the blessings in our relationship instead of allowing CDC to destroy us. I applaud everyone on here who supports their loved ones who are incarerated. I know u all feel me when I say that dealing with CDC is like beating ur head up against a brick wall. I look forward to reading all ur stories. Take care and God Bless...

Lynette

Hi. My name is Lisa. My soni s a prisoner in the Cotulla branch of the TDCJ. He is serving a year sentence for burglary after violating his probation, and he's been there (after being in the Harris County Jail for 6 months) since May of 2003. I'm hoping to get some guidedance regarding Parole, visitation, etc. I've been a visitor to this site andjust lately have gotten the courage to join.

Hi Fed-x

I have been reading some of your posts. They are very shocking and informative. You are doing a wonderful service with this site. I am so glad I found it.
Also, I love your pictures. How do you get them into your posts?

Blfox123,
Thanks. To add pictures into most any post you have to use the "Post Reply" button located at the bottom right hand side of the last post in a thread, or when you start a new thread (first post).
When you post this way you will be given more menu options, one of which has "attachment" next to it with a browse button.

Hope this helps!
David

Hello David,

If there is anyway I can chat with you I would love to ask some questions. I am new at this and dont know if Im doing anything right just yet. If you can find the time to talk to me , it would be most appreciated.

First and foremost - thank you so much for PTO. The wealth of information here is more than I could have hoped for. Reading the stories of others is a huge comfort. Although ny son's been in and out of "the system" for some years now (youth system) when he entered "Man" jail at the ripe old age of 19, it was like starting all over again. PTO has given me a much more than a starting place - it has given me hope. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hi David,

Wow, I don't know where to start. I guess the first thing is thank you!

My son is nineteen years old and is serving a 4-8 year sentence in Concord State in NH. He was taken out of my home on January 18, 2003. He was in county until August 5th that is when he was moved to state.

When all of this first happened I wanted to die. My son and I where so alone in all this. I have lost my family to very early deaths, my ex-husband has cut my son out completly, my new husband and I almost got divorced over the whole thing being married not even a year, and my few friends give me the whole tough love speech.

I began to see a counsler because I had no one to talk to, I was so alone. Even the counsler did not understand, he would tell me he could not imagine what I was going threw.

One day back in June I decided to search the web for some kind of support group. I knew I could not be the only one. That is when I came across PTO! This site has saved my life. I have found strength, love, faith, and most of all a family.

Since my son was moved he has been in lock down twenty three hours a day, soon he will be moved into population and he is scared to death. He had sounded so depressed that I was really starting to worry that something bad was going to happen.

September 6th was his birthday, on September 9th he called me and he was so excited I could feel his smile threw the phone. He was receiving up to eight birthday cards a day, he had no idea where they where coming from until someone signed the card 'your PTO mom'. He received almost thirty birthday cards! PTO has done more for me and my son then words could ever express.

Thank you, again and again and again.
May God Bless you always,
Kathyb

I want to add something David. Which of us would feel the passion for prison and justice issues unless we personally had been touched by them? You went through a lot of pain, but it doing so it changed you and you were a tool for change and help for others.
I would love to see a lot of the little yahoo group members come on over. We are growing really quickly. It is amazing how much information that we have as a group. And although out focus isn't activism, having a large group together sure makes it possible for people to get together to work on specific issues.

All right...I'm sure that you've probably heard this before...how do we help you? PM me and I would be happy to send something. What you do is very important. P.S. I can't do it through PayPal but would be willing so send $$$ (money order) PM ME!!! Or if you feel comfortable an address would be good for those of us who can't credit card it.

-Sher

Fed-x,


glad you are using your experiences to help others. I wish everyone who has had to deal with the lonliness, the degredation, the humility of orderls like this would turn it artound for the good of man. I'm glad I found this site, it gives me lots of things to send to my boyfriend in Salisbury,NC, to change his outlook a bit. He needs all the positive reinforcement he can get. Thankx a lot.


Terri, in NC

Gosh !!! You only bump this thread to get one of my welcome bouquets !!! :D Nope !!! Besides, bumping is against PTO rules !! :D

Sorry Big Boss, couldn't resist !! :)

Phil

*BUSTED*

i thank you for making this great website that is very helpful to my needs. your a terrific person and thanks again :):)

what she said.

David...thank you for going out on a limb, this site has personally helped in my struggle. I love the pictures...damn your handsome....to bad we are both taken! LOL If you dont mind me asking this...how did you get your screen name fed-x? I always thought you worked for fedx but someone said you were in the computer field. I miss my TA, I like yours...is it black or dark navy?

Louise1120,
I came up with my screen name because I am an Ex-Federal Prisoner. :) I just switched them around and though, what the heck.. "Fed-X" I could also be Federal Inmate "X".. Just one of the many.. Any way, it just stuck..

The T/A is Midnight Blue.. I've always loved Black cars but I really like this color.

David

That's crazy! I can't believe you had to go to prison. They were so unfair to you. You were even getting rid of your gun. It's not like you were buying a new gun. That's ridiculous! When you were incarcerated, was violence shown against you by other inmates or guards?....or were you fortunate to not be hurt in that regard?

I broke the law though, and as unfair as it seemed, I did what I did knowing I was at the very least, bending it.. Compared to a lot of people, my case is childs play. It is the people who really didn't do anything wrong that you should feel bad about. I did and it could have been worse.

I pawned it with the intent to get it out also, but that didn't make a difference. There were guys in the feds that had only attempted to purchase a weapon from a pawn shop.

As for me doing time, I didn't have any problems. I wasn't any more fortunate than the next guy.

Hi David...thanks for your writings, I know that your honesty will help alot of people. I've also been to prison and it made a direct impact on my life. To see what people have to go through is heartbreaking, Thank god, that we're out and able to speak of what happens behind closed doors. I too left some special people behind, and there's not a day that goes by that I dont first of all, thank God that I'm home and second, my heart hurts for all the prisoners that are still locked up. It's amazing to me.....God is supposed to be our judge and yet man has taken on this kind of power. Don't get me wrong, I've met some people that truly deserve to be in prison, but I'll also say this: I've had the opportunity of meeting some of the neatest, and REAL people that I've ever known while locked up. I'm happy for you ....I'm happy for ME (smile) and any other person that has "been there, done that". Having been where I've been and seen what I've seen, I know that it was not to be forgotten. I'm the type of person that feels that God can turn any situation into something good......ANY situation! So, it's up to you and me and anyone else who has been there to speak up and use our past mistakes to make something good. I'll keep you in my prayers!

Sherri

David,
I wanted ta write personally and THANK YOU for taking something negative and turing it into a positive!!! You have truly provided us all wit tha ultimate gift ...a home!!! I admire your honesty and all your hard work!!! May you always be blessed with love...happiness and lots of laughter!!! :)
Again Thank You from tha bottom of my heart!!!
Hugssssssssssssssssss
RhiLeigh

I wish I would have found years a few years ago. My son is in Fort Grant Safford,AZ. He went in still a boy , and now almost 5 years later he is going to come out a man. I haven't seen him since he was sentance. I hope with all my heart he makes it. I don't feel like I'm the only mother out there anymore. Thanks
Typetester

Oh, My God, I had no idea!!! It's really enlightening that you can come out of such an ordeal and create such a richness in others lives who live day to day through this site. Thumbs up 2 u, my man!!!

I am a registered nurse and lasted only 3 weeks in a Ms. prison! I went there to be the nurse I always was but they treated everybody there as a number not a person. They really got P.O.'d at me for "taking care of them" so the Doc's started refusing to sign my prescriptions and tore up my requests. They told me that I was costing the prison too much money for these inmates. Some days I went home crying from anger and frustration and worried about these people that I knew needed healthcare. People who needed their medications and treatments NOW........not 2 weeks from now!
They are as cold-hearted as the steal cells they throw "human beings" into!
It has never left my mind and heart what I saw! And for eveyone to know.......I never had 1 problem out of anyone I came in contact with. They all treated me with the same respect that I treated them with, actually, I was told by many that I was the sweetest, most caring nurse that they had ever had. So, you know it broke my heart when I told them what I was ordering for them................just to have the sorry Doc's tear the presciption up later on in the day!
Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox!!! I may not have personally done the time but I took it personal......the time I did do!!!
Keep up the good work and Thanx!!!

Amp

So david how did you and your family get past all of this it must have been pretty hard?i am having a pretty hard time with John and Cory being in the prison systms...some times i just think that if i did something different in my realationship with the both of them would they be in there now?but who knows...sappy heather

Hello to you all!

I found out about Prison Talk about two weeks ago. I'm from Germany and it is about 3 years now that I have been writing to an inmate in a California prison. Through your pages I am learning so much about prison life which I never would have had any idea of before. It was a very good thing that you, David, created these pages to help so many people who are directly involved and others to open their eyes for what is really happening inside the prison walls! Thank you!

Tilly

My fiancee is going through a very similar situation in reguards to your FALSE possitive sniffer test. As a result, he had to do 30 days in the hole, before he even had his hearing by the by. He (we) lost our visits for 6 months, followed by 3 months of non-contact visits, for a grand total of 10 months of not seeing each other. We fought and fought, and got our visits back. They also had to give the 30 days hole time he served back as good time. The warden actually sent Lance a memo saying that the results of the test had been found by methods that were "erroneous". They had already moved him to a higher level security facility, even though the test was wrong. He is still in that facility, waiting for his re-class. Even though the test was wrong. He is looked down for the better part of 23 hours a day. Even though the test was wrong. He also now faces a new criminal charge;possesion of a controlled substance. The charges were dropped by the prison, the DA is now prossecuting. This charge carries a possibility of 18 more months. Even though the test was WRONG... He has been incarcerated for almost 8 years, I am so tired, and disgusted, and sick of FIGHTING the DOC! Thank you for giving me somewhere I can turn!! Just being able to vent, helps so much! Jenny

You know, usually, I just read these and leave. Breaks my heart. I wanted to step out and try the chat feature. No luck. Dumb blonde I guess. In Kansas, no less. I have been waiting for 8 years for my husband, and our kids are growing fast. I won't ever leave him, like many do. We are struggling and with Christmas coming, well, let's just say, our families back in Iowa are the Santa. That doesn't matter really. What matters is that there's got to be some sort of hope. Something. We, like many, were lost in the Public Pretender system (what attorneys call it). My husband's unit team recently told him that if he gets a chance to see the parole board, that he wanted to be there, to give him a good reference. This guy has been a jerk for all these years, and suddenly, he decided to look at my husband's case. They all watch us each week, and see the love we have for each other. They see the truth. But, I'm glad this is here. Sorry so long. I wish I could figure out how to chat!

Hi David.I appreciated ur story and all u had to say thats really awesome.I can't tell how much this site has helped me just in sharing a little since I've found it. But I know this is probably gonna sound bad, but thanks for the Picture It made me smile. U are so Friekin cute! Seriously Ur hot (I'm sure u know) made me think bad thoughts j/k =}-SO thanks handsome. Appreciate it!!!! ;)

By the way,if u don;t mind me askin(I don't think u said) What part of Texas are you in.I have alot of family over there Mostly El Paso, but also Also Dallas and San Antonio,Just Curious.=]

I just want to say again.U r so cute. U seem like you have such an awesome & cute personality. Good thing ur in TEXAS or u might get me in trouble! just kidding.

Well, I've been hangin' around this website for a while now, I just never got around to checking this thread out. And I must say....Fed-X you're definitely not bad looking! Hee-hee-LOL!

I too must say thank you for creating this site. It has helped me hold onto my sanity (which was slowly slipping away) these past few months. I now have this amazing "family" that is always here, whenever I need them.

Wait a minute....you said "T/A" You have a Trans Am?????? OH MY GOD, i LOVE YOU DAVID!!!!!!! LOL! In case you can't tell by my avatar & my screen name, I love the car! I don't currently have one, but I eventually want 3---a '79, an early '90's, and a '93. Yeah, you might say I'm just a little bit of a fanatic! I once sat and stared at a black T/A for 3 hours, just drooling. That was heaven.........Anyway, back to reality!

Keep up the good work!

Caryn

My son is in Garza West unit and I have only received one letter from him and he was so scared. I haven't been able to find out how visitation works, so I haven't been able to see him. He didn't do anything wrong except listen to a lawyer who said if he pleaded to "stalking" and made a deal it would be over with. He was 18 and the girl was stalking him but this was the second time he went to court (the first time it was thrown out of court because we had 34 witnesses that tlod the truth) After reading your message I'm scared and worried about my son. How does anyone find out anything about the facility they are in? How do you visit people in prison? Please any help or advice would be appreciated. P

PSR,

I learned a lot more about the Texas prison system when I read the posts that are in the Texas forum.

Also, the TDCJ website has information about the facility. Here is a link for it: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/directory/units-print/G-K-REVISED.PDF

I found it more helpful to do a search on PTO Texas forum for the prison information. In your case, just search for Garza and you might find more "personalized" info.

Regarding your question about visitation. You should be able to visit your son once he has been classified - - basically assigned a job there. It usually takes 3-4 weeks. After 3 weeks, I called the unit each Friday morning to see if I was able to visit. Remember, he has to put you on his visitor list otherwise you will not be able to visit him. I was able to visit my husband for the first time this weekend. It was very good to talk to him for 2 hours! I hope that you will get to see your son soon!

psr, Just wanted to say welcome, and good luck visiting your son! Happy New Year! Take Care... Jen :wave:

Hello!! Latindejavu from Alabama. I've been reading all the posts for a long time but finally was ble to sign into the PTO.
Just want to feel Welcome and willing to learn as much as possible about the Federal Prison System. My boyfriend is in a Fed Prison and I would like to be able to understand the system also to him Thanks for having this type of Forum available.
Hope to hear from any of you soon.

My boyfriend is having trouble with his "Wisdom Teeth" (at 33 yrs old) for almost 8 month and they have done nothing. It got ot he point that he can't barely eat sometimes.

Fed-X, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for seeing a vision and not forgetting those you left behind. What a more perfect way to help, but, to spread it all over the world. If you want to read my intro it tells my story. I mostly hang out in general medical some interesting stuff goin down in there. Thank You David.

If my appeal is refused, and I go back, I promise you, I will tell everyone what you are doing.

goldi

Hi David
I myself have no real connection with the prison system. I'm in school for court reporting and I find the system interesting, yet sad. I hope i myself oneday, can find out a way to help the prisons change. In the past I've had boyfriend or family members in but after finding this site I have only more reasons to want to be involved. The day you know the answer...........plz let me know! YOU ARE GREAT!!

I apologize that it has taken me a while to get back to this thread..
Thanks for all the new kind words and comments..

Patience7751,
I too hope that you will continue on and assist in changing the prison / criminal justice system for the better whenever the time(s) come that you have a chance.. It is all too often unperceptably slow (change), but we are moving in the right direction. :)

Too all those that I have missed, great to have you here at Prison Talk Online!

David (Fed-X)

david---THANKS!!!! u have changed my life with this site and have made my bid with joe--our bid--go a lot faster and a lot smoother! ur an angel!

love ya!

I would like to thank you that you have created this place for us! Here I am no more alone with my thoughts and fears.
God blesses you!

I feel like I am losing my son to a lower level in the abyss. I feel helpless and I joined this site hoping that support from others in similar situations might sustain me in this difficult time. My son, Charles Cameron, is in Texas prison for delivery of a controlled substance and resisting arrest/assault on a police officer. I make no excuses for him and I know that drug addiction is at the heart of his legal problems. When he first went in to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, he was given a G3 (G1 being minimum and G5 being maximum) security rating. He had some sort of run in with a guard and prisoner after 4 months in this first 'transfer' facility and he was raised to G4 level and send to the Roach Unit in Childress, Texas. He's only been at the Roach unit 2 months and he has been made to fight two other inmates in a closed cell for 90 seconds to establish his 'respect' level. He tells me that he has to fight for respect or he'll be regarded as second class and be made to perform for other inmates, be sold for protection and commissary rights, etc. It has become a nightmare quick. Racial circumstances have been mentioned and described to me. He is being transferred again to a 'maximum' security unit and he is so afraid that he is going to have to fight his way to a level of respect and rights there - only the guys he's going to be with now are 'lifers' and the absolute epitome of hopelessness, death, and destruction.

I want to know if there is anything short of writing my congressman that can be done. Can a lawyer look into his situation or open an investigation without causing him additional undue punishment?

Mark

David,
I've been trying to find a post where i could give you the proper thanks you deserve. I know you've seen posts about how PTO has helped sooo many people, but do you fully comprehend the impact its had? As much as I love my hubby, if it werent for PTO I may not have been strong enough to wait on him through his time. This site has provided stength, understanding, support, love and knowledge. This creation, idea, brilliancy (if thats a word) deserves more recognition and respect then what its already gotten. I personally want to thank you. Like someone previous posted, this site, along with the creator of it are 2 blessings to be greatful for. Thank you again, and God bless.

Thanks for the complements. They mean a lot to me.. I'm very glad PTO is making a difference.. :)

I just want to say thank you for this wonderful place. My father is currently in Corcoran and has served 10 years of a 20 year sentence. I was 18 when he was incarcerated and in the middle of enjoying my college years. I lived a very average suburban life and the shock and horror of his crime (murder) through me into a severe depression. I graduated college and am doing well, have a good job, new husband, etc. However, I've felt so alone for so many years. Most of my acquaintances and close friends no nothing about my situation and I found early on that it's difficult to discuss with people who don't know. They have preconceived notions, biases, etc., and it's often more trouble then it's worth to talk. I found this site and was overjoyed to read posts from people in the same situation. The information on prisons, what to do, what not to do, has been so enlightening. I feel so in the dark about everything. Thank you thank you!

You're handsome and smart.

Personally, I dont honestly know what I would do without PTO. It is so lonely going this without support as so many of us know. I have made friends that will last a lifetime here. And it makes doing this a little bit easier. This is a way of life and its nice to know you can find the comfort and support you need at any given time. So thanks to all of you who make this all possible!

all i can say is ..........AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention that my X-Attorney owns this little "toy" now.. Yeah, the same one that never returned my letters/pleas to get a sentence correction based upon the wrong guidelines.. AKA.. (now known to me) Ineffective ASSistance of Counsel.
May my sweet lil' ski rest at the bottom of the lake.. :) Where he, and so many other defense attorneys like himself belong!
"He sleeps with da' fishs" - Godfather

David, I am glad that your prison dream came to fruition. It has been an experience to travel the threads of PTO. They rekindle good and bad memories of the Australian prison system that captured 18 years of my life for an assortment of armed robberies and escapes. I remember reading about George Jackson and Angela davis back in the early 1970s while I was in segro and I stumbled onto this observation about time in US prisons being 'los anos huecos' (loosely interpretated to mean the empty years) but you conquered that one man. Keep up the good work. :thumbsup: Bernie oz ex-prisoner.

I need some understanding. My boyfriend is located in Beaumont Federal (Low). He has 19 months to go and he wants to move to Bastrop. I'm not really happy about this because Bastrop is in the opposite direction and the drive is much further. Do you know why Bastrop would be better than Beaumont? (You have to excuse me I have a lot of questions?) And just because he wants to be transfered will he be able to? I know that it's based on good behavior, but I don't know anything else.
Fed-X what advice or suggestions can you give me to get him to stay in Beaumont?

I was recently found guilty of fel poss of a firearm. The guns were my husbands, I had never even touched them, but was found in "constructive poss" of them. Yesterday as we were walking out of court they arrested my husband for "Conveying access of a firearm to a convicted felon" Have you ever heard of this. He has a concealed carry permit. CAn they make this stick. He has never been in any kind of trouble. We are blown away by this. Please help. I do not know if this is where the post should go, I just knew you had a lot of information to provide.

I am going to court in two days to plead not guilty to federal charges of fel in poss of firearm. Fed-X as posted in my into, I am a network admin and web developer. As long as I am out of custody I am at your service. If you should need any help with anything please let me know. i also administer a Unix web server at work so I am familiar with the platform you use for your website. I have been told that I could get off with simple probation for my charges but after reading what happened to you and others I am really starting to worry. I am lucky to be able to afford a real lawyer at this point and I know that does help but any input would be greatly appriciated. Once again, if you need any technical assistance with this site please feel free to ask.

David, Thank you for taking you time to speak to all of us. I too was released from prison last year after serving four and a half years behind the wall. I know all about the problems that inmates face when it comes to the Department of Corrections. minnesota is no different from any other state. Visitation and Health services is just the tip of the ice berg. I currently help out many friends and aqquaintences that i left behind those walls that some may never see the outside world ever again and a lot of them got locked up as young as 14. I currently speak with at risk youth in my community as well as at the local high schools and Regional Treatment Center. I dont' want other kids making the same mistaked i made and having to go to prison or become in any way a part of the vicious cycle of the DOC. I am one of the few of us like you who have made it. It is sad to see the statistics in that 7 out of 10 inmates return to prison and 90% of those who return do so in less than six months. It is hard to belive some of the statistics until i start reading the papers and watching the news and looking on the web sites and seeing the same names going back on the offender locator. If only people knew about this site and knew there are people out here who care

God Bless my friend


Peter Haugen:thumbsup:

Hi David, :o I've been a member since Feb 04 found this site while searching the web on some information about what we refer to as (trailer visits). Its so good to be able to put a story behind the force of PTO I'm alway sending out a BIG SHOUT OUT:D to the brains behind PTO and now I know all thanx go to you THANK YOU.......................

:wave: Hello, welcome to pto.
Love, Sabrina

Hi David, :o I've been a member since Feb 04 found this site while searching the web on some information about what we refer to as (trailer visits). Its so good to be able to put a story behind the force of PTO I'm alway sending out a BIG SHOUT OUT:D to the brains behind PTO and now I know all thanx go to you THANK YOU.......................
I thank you very much for the kind words, and while my "brain" may have come up with the PTO concept, please let me assure you I am pretty trivial when it comes to the nuts, guts & bolts of this place... :) I guess the question that begs asking here is have you ever been Eclipsed by your own dream?? LOl.. I know I have and as much as it makes me proud to have been the catalyst of the original "PTO", I am definitely only a bit player in this huge family.

Please don't take this as unappreciation, as I am very flattered to read your post... I just can't take credit for this by myself now days.. PTO is so much larger than any one person and I am so very proud to be a part of it... I am also very happy to know you.

Thanks.. :)
David

David, I am glad that your prison dream came to fruition. It has been an experience to travel the threads of PTO. They rekindle good and bad memories of the Australian prison system that captured 18 years of my life for an assortment of armed robberies and escapes. I remember reading about George Jackson and Angela davis back in the early 1970s while I was in segro and I stumbled onto this observation about time in US prisons being 'los anos huecos' (loosely interpretated to mean the empty years) but you conquered that one man. Keep up the good work. :thumbsup: Bernie oz ex-prisoner.
Bernie,
I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply but I appreciate very much your comments... Sometimes the fires within, albeit good and bad, need to be rekindled... It still happens to me even though I have been out only about 3 years. However, it can come back in a flash, one way or another... ;)

I still wake with the sweats every now & then..

Take care my friend,
David

...have you ever been Eclipsed by your own dream??


Powerful statement Fed-X.

Something I needed to read today.... I am not quite sure what it means to me. But on this day of many questions and pain, I come across this..... and was stopped dead in my tracks.

Thank you.

JJT

my husband is getting ready to go to doc for the state and was told he'll be thier and month and then will get picked up by the feds about a month later and will be taken to icc or cca whatever it's called and we'll play the ball game with them since it's different. His lawyer sucks and doesn't like talking to us and tell us what's going on he's been in jail almost 7months without bail cause the fed's put a federal hold on him. What is it like going to the feds and is it hard than with all the drama with the state? I don't know nothing about this situation it's my first time but his second time going to prison but first time going with the feds. Since it's his first time with the feds is it possible he could go to boot camp or whatever for his time or will he go to actually prison?


Thanks,
Leland&Amanda.:idea:

Well, I am not sure what ICC or CCA have to do with the feds unless they are contracting space with them... Usually that is a county jail type thing but who knows now days...

The games usually last until you are sentenced and then sometimes to you work through appeals.. If he actually gets to a true federally run facility, it will be much nicer than any contract joint.

Hi David,:)
I am a new kid on the block and happed to be from Texas.
My husband is going to serve his time on Tuesday in Oakdale, Louisiana.
Excice tax (gambling):o .
He is an older gentlemen with diabetes and other medical problems.
He has 36 months and he did not get a medical facility. It is FCI.
After reading your letter and many others I am in shock.
Do they treat eldery people a little different? Did you see any tranfers into medical facility because of health. The judge recommended the medical but BOP did not give to him.:angry: Do you know anything about Oakdale?
Thanks alot for your letter,
Victoria.


My Name is David and I am the (original) "admin" of PrisonTalk Online.

My interest in the Prisoner Support System is both personal and moral. I am a recently released federal prisoner who has had his eyes opened. I left behind many people with families not unlike my own., and though they are many miles away from me now, I have not forgotten them and the time we shared. PrisonTalk Online is one of the ways I want to help them, their families, and all others with an interest in prisoner support and reforming the criminal justice system effect change.

I was sentenced to 27 months in the federal prison for the charge of “felon in possession of prohibited weapon”, specifically a deer rifle. My previous felony charge was unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - “joyriding” back in 1992. 7 years later when I was close to completing the 10-year probation term imposed by my judge, I made the mistake of pawning the family deer rifle to pay off a traffic ticket, which fell under an amnesty period I wanted to take advantage of. The ATF seized the weapon after I tried to get it out of pawn and about 9 months after that I was arrested and charged. Even though I did not use the weapon in any crime or even have it on my physical possession, I was going to prison.



Voices the Prison Administrations try not to hear….


During my incarceration my family and I experienced what most inmates and their families have to deal with, very little in the way of Rights and Respect.
Our first taste was a denial of my mother’s visitation for a (FALSE) positive result from a drug “sniffer”(ionizer) detector which was later found to be grossly inaccurate but left unchecked until the warden was himself was embarrassed when he demonstrated the device and came up positive. This took place after MONTHS of turn-a-ways, some from visitors coming as far as 1400 miles… (Larry Cullum – Story in the November Coalition’s Razor Wire newspaper) Many of them wrote grievances to him and Washington but nothing changed until someone with rank in the Post Office, who was visiting a relative, was turned away due to a false positive. Why were our families numerous complaints not heard and dealt with a proper manner?

During this time period, numerous other inmates whose family and friends were denied visits due to false positives “sniffer” tests approached me about getting our families together to take action as a group. This was the point of conception for the PrisonTalk Online idea. We needed a forum where our families and those that care could come together with a united voice, one that the administration would hear better.

Visitation was only one concern. Medical is another serious problem in the prison systems. It was not uncommon to see men “fall-out” on the compound due to a stroke or heart attack and then be made to walk to the clinic. Inmates that had cuts that would obviously require stitches would be taped up because the doctor that was “on-call” didn’t want to drive to the prison. I’ve seen fingers that were broken and not properly set have to be partially amputated because of the error.. One of the worst cases was a gentleman who had surgery to remove and fuse a number of vertebrae. A few weeks after his surgery they discovered they fused and removed the wrong ones!

These are only a few examples of what inmates and the people who care about them are faced with on a daily basis. If this web site provides the medium to assist in solving only one problem facing those inside, it will be worth it.. I believe it has the potential to do much more..


Today, I spend a large part of my time turning the plans I made my cell into reality. Right now, I do this as a “hobby” in my spare time but I hope to make it a full time effort in the future.


Lastly, I want to say thank you to everyone that is working to help prisoners and their families. I was in contact with many of you during my own stay and it made a difference to know there are people on the outside that care and are working to make a difference.


David
;)

Hello David , well I'm here . It has been a few years since I posted in a prison forum but today my heartaches so much and I guess I need a shoulder to cry on . You think anyone really cares ? I have tired so hard .I need help I have to find a way to help my son , I so scared he is going to loose control , and yet I scared for me also . The years are getting harder . I need advise on getting him into some type of work program there has to be a way to help me . Please let me know if you have any ideas . thank you

Firstly all of us owe you a great deal for being the first administrator.
Secondly, I , and I am sure many many others would like to make a difference.
It seems to me that what we most need is a coalition of politicians, ACLU members, caring people and preferably even others involved in the legal system (students, social workers, lawyers, and perhaps even policemen/probation officers) and a formal status for them to represent
offenders and ensure that they are treated fairly, honestly and humanely.
Offenders can be punished but still be treated in a non-brutal, humane and moral way. They should also be advocates for the prisoners friends and family.
They (famil and friends) shouldn't be treated any differently from any other person living in our country. They are not guilty of any crime and they are often the most unfortunate amongst us. As I have said before, I think the civilisation of a country should be judged by how it treats its least fortunate members.
By that account the USA doesn't do very well compared with most other western countries.

and it is not just about prisoner and families rights it is about the right of EVERYONE to live in a society that tries to solve problems and not make them worse. hey David, welcome to PTO we're glad you're here, love from an A.B.B. voter from NY

I wish I could say something different, but the feds rarely treat the elderly or those with medium medical conditions any different. One of my room mates was diabetic and they really didn't give a flip any more about him than me wanting meds for my ADHD. He tried his best to regulate it but I know they ended up taking him out of prison (FINALLY) and almost amputated his leg because they waited much too long to address the issue.
I don't mean to scare you but that is often the way it is in prison. I knew some guys that spent time at Oakdale but I don't know how the medical is there. Hopefully much better than at FCI/USP Beaumont.
The one thing that you can do is not give up and follow up on any problems that he may have. Family on the outside really can make a difference.
Nice to meet you,
David

Hi David,:)
I am a new kid on the block and happed to be from Texas.
My husband is going to serve his time on Tuesday in Oakdale, Louisiana.
Excice tax (gambling):o .
He is an older gentlemen with diabetes and other medical problems.
He has 36 months and he did not get a medical facility. It is FCI.
After reading your letter and many others I am in shock.
Do they treat eldery people a little different? Did you see any tranfers into medical facility because of health. The judge recommended the medical but BOP did not give to him.:angry: Do you know anything about Oakdale?
Thanks alot for your letter,
Victoria.

and it is not just about prisoner and families rights it is about the right of EVERYONE to live in a society that tries to solve problems and not make them worse. hey David, welcome to PTO we're glad you're here, love from an A.B.B. voter from NY
Thanks for the welcome... :) It's good to be here, even if I don't get to be here as much as I would like recently...
What I could have done with a computer & net access in a prison cell... Actually, it is what so many prisoners could do... You have clarity of thought without much distraction (at least for me), unlike the bussle in the outside world. I know this sounds silly to many, but there are still times (3 years now since my release) that I miss the [temporary] solitute of that cell... Of course, I don't miss the rest of the grind, but if I could flash to that for a few hours, it would both give me some clarity of thought and even more appreciation of freedom.

Please don't take what I say the wrong way... I very much do appreciate being free and by no means would I EVER want to be in prison again... But, there are, at least for someone like me, some good points in all the long days and nights... PTO for example... ;) Too often, guys that end up in prison spend too much time on the move and not thinking like they should. I used to be to that extreme, and sometimes still get caught up in it, though not relating to the breaking of any law... Just too much going on..

:) I like your personality in your writing, David! 'TIS A HUMONGOUS BLESSING TO FIND AND BE INVOLVED WITH PTO! Thanks, you're a diamond gem among the muddy scenario.

Just had to say that I LOVE your avatar!!!!! GO ASTROS! : )

I'll wear my Avatar until after the WS... ;) Close doesn't really count but we did good.. ;) :( :)
How bout them Astros... WAIT.. Texans! :)

Dear David,

You are AMAZING!!! Do you realize how many lives you have touched over the last three years? Sure, you have over 30,000 members, but have you thought about the thousands and thousands of others you have helped from the ripple-effect of this site? I, myself recently joined, but I have been reading and obtaining information here for a while. To know of someone my own age who has taken the time and heart to create a support team like yours is an honor. I have always heard that it only takes one person to make a difference, but I never truly believed that until I found you. May life give to you what you have given to so many others.

Thank you for being my HERO! :thumbsup:

k-bg

K-bg,
I'm flattered by your post but again I must stress that if anything, I have only been the catalyst and part-participant.
Today, there are many more in this community that put in the hours and information that I am unable to. I'm proud like a parent but I also know that PTO is an entity upon itself. No one person could ever generate 1 percent of what is currently here, or maybe even what is added each week. It is simply impossible.. "The sum of whole is greater than any one part".
PTO is not me... It is a part of every person that contributes and even those who seek help..

Sorry for the philisophic type response but I hope you know that you are also a part of what makes this community tick...

Thank you... :)
David

Don't know if this is the place to do this...I just want to say thank you especially to you,David, but also to all of the moderators and administrators and everyone who works so hard to keep PTO running...I feel so much better about the situation I am in because of this website. Thanks to you all for this wonderful safe-haven for all of us!
I sent in my little donation but I guess you haven't recieved it yet...if I ever become rich I promise I will send you a million dollars to use for PTO...this is the best outlet for all of the horrible emotions and all of the good emotions that we feel ever day!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

My Name is David and I am the (original) "admin" of PrisonTalk Online.

My interest in the Prisoner Support System is both personal and moral. I am a recently released federal prisoner who has had his eyes opened. I left behind many people with families not unlike my own., and though they are many miles away from me now, I have not forgotten them and the time we shared. PrisonTalk Online is one of the ways I want to help them, their families, and all others with an interest in prisoner support and reforming the criminal justice system effect change.

I was sentenced to 27 months in the federal prison for the charge of “felon in possession of prohibited weapon”, specifically a deer rifle. My previous felony charge was unauthorized use of a motor vehicle - “joyriding” back in 1992. 7 years later when I was close to completing the 10-year probation term imposed by my judge, I made the mistake of pawning the family deer rifle to pay off a traffic ticket, which fell under an amnesty period I wanted to take advantage of. The ATF seized the weapon after I tried to get it out of pawn and about 9 months after that I was arrested and charged. Even though I did not use the weapon in any crime or even have it on my physical possession, I was going to prison.



Voices the Prison Administrations try not to hear….


During my incarceration my family and I experienced what most inmates and their families have to deal with, very little in the way of Rights and Respect.
Our first taste was a denial of my mother’s visitation for a (FALSE) positive result from a drug “sniffer”(ionizer) detector which was later found to be grossly inaccurate but left unchecked until the warden was himself was embarrassed when he demonstrated the device and came up positive. This took place after MONTHS of turn-a-ways, some from visitors coming as far as 1400 miles… (Larry Cullum – Story in the November Coalition’s Razor Wire newspaper) Many of them wrote grievances to him and Washington but nothing changed until someone with rank in the Post Office, who was visiting a relative, was turned away due to a false positive. Why were our families numerous complaints not heard and dealt with a proper manner?

During this time period, numerous other inmates whose family and friends were denied visits due to false positives “sniffer” tests approached me about getting our families together to take action as a group. This was the point of conception for the PrisonTalk Online idea. We needed a forum where our families and those that care could come together with a united voice, one that the administration would hear better.

Visitation was only one concern. Medical is another serious problem in the prison systems. It was not uncommon to see men “fall-out” on the compound due to a stroke or heart attack and then be made to walk to the clinic. Inmates that had cuts that would obviously require stitches would be taped up because the doctor that was “on-call” didn’t want to drive to the prison. I’ve seen fingers that were broken and not properly set have to be partially amputated because of the error.. One of the worst cases was a gentleman who had surgery to remove and fuse a number of vertebrae. A few weeks after his surgery they discovered they fused and removed the wrong ones!

These are only a few examples of what inmates and the people who care about them are faced with on a daily basis. If this web site provides the medium to assist in solving only one problem facing those inside, it will be worth it.. I believe it has the potential to do much more..


Today, I spend a large part of my time turning the plans I made my cell into reality. Right now, I do this as a “hobby” in my spare time but I hope to make it a full time effort in the future.


Lastly, I want to say thank you to everyone that is working to help prisoners and their families. I was in contact with many of you during my own stay and it made a difference to know there are people on the outside that care and are working to make a difference.


David
;)

David,
Thank you so much for this wonderful place to come to for support! You are truely a blessing. You have helped so many people through their darkest days by providing this site. May God Bless You and Take Care of You!

-Lisa:)

I enjoyed your post!

I just want to say I will be putting the word out in TEXAS because it is very needed to be able to know you arent the only one going thru these times when it feels like you are so alone.

Thanks and the more people that know about PTO the better. We have an excellent group of people in the Texas forums so drop by there if you haven't already.

David

David,
Thank you so much for this wonderful place to come to for support! You are truely a blessing. You have helped so many people through their darkest days by providing this site. May God Bless You and Take Care of You!

-Lisa:)
Thanks Lisa for your kind comments,
David

David,

Thank you for prisontalk! It is a comfort to know that although my husband is incarcerated; there are people who are caring and are not judgmental. It took my husband being incarcerated for me to have an open mind and become humble regarding prisoners and their families. I admit I was judgmental about prisoners and did not even consider their families! I was basically a snob!! I am so embarrassed about my past behavior and especially my closed mind!

I am very thankful for what you've done! Keep up the exceptional wor