Well its nice to meet you all!
My to be husband" is serving a 15 year mandatory minimum federal sentence for a armed career criminal charge. He had enough priors to give him that title! He has been in and out of the system since he was 13 years old. Spent more time in then out! We always joked about him coming home for vacation! However now that I am 31 and he is 26, its not so funny no more! We have been best friends forever! I love this man with all my heart and I will see through the 15 years no matter what they throw at us! He has been down now for 4 years 4 months so we still have a while to go! :( He must serve 85% of his time, so I see another 8 years plus some months. It still sounds better now that we are 1/3 of the way there. All you other ladies, and gents:D , you can do it, love will see you through! I wonnder sometimes since he has spent so much time if he will be able to adapt to this outside world as a law abiding citizen! I need him home. And not just for another vacation. So I am looking forward to being apart of this forum. Its not many that I have found that has an ex-convict as a host, thank you! I also look forward to getting to know you all a bit more. It is still hard to speak with people in my everyday life about our situation, its so loney for real! And I give you a big applaud for keeping your words to those still left behind, its not everyday that people keep there words! You are a good man!!

Hi ! Seems like your bf and my husband have a lot in common! LOL! Kenny was in on a 7 1/2- 15 for armed robbery. He served 7 1/2 and was paroled. But he's now in and out. They tease him everytime he gets paroled...saying they'll keep his bed warm for when he gets back. This time he told them all where they could go because he is never going back. I sure hope so! His family needs him a hell of a lot more than the system does!

You know its funny, he has always said "i'm not coming back here" Not all the bits have we been in a relationship however we were the best of friends since day one. And he surely says this time will be his last bit because if he does go back, its gonna be for life! And I really worry sometimes. I could not see living the rest of my life without him being here! Atleast now, he will still come home someday. And it can't come soon enough! They are moving him to Beaumont Texas, we just found out it will be another 60 days. That is 1373 miles away from home! And there is nothing we can do about the distance! But Iwill stand strong!!And handle it like a woman should for her man!! I have to pep my self up:) Anyhow, thanks for the reply. Its nice hearing about others!!

I know a lot of people who have had long distances to travel for visits, but they mean so much more because there are so much fewer. It makes you appreciate when you do see them. Kenny is 5 minutes down the road, and sometimes that makes it hard...he's so close and yet I can't be with him. And of course, I have to drive by LRF everyday on the way to my sitter's.

If Kenny violates again, he will be gone 2 years. If he gets a new charge...he'll have life as well. I hope he can stay out of trouble this time. But, you can always tell Ben what I tell Kenny every weekend...if ya don't straighten out, you'll find out why my mom gave me a cast iron skillet for our wedding! LOL!

Diane,

Do you know which facility in Beaumont he is being transferred to? Camp, Low, Medium or USP? I was at the Medium until September of this past year..
The Fed's love to shuffle people all over the country.. Usually the ones that don't want to go! The ones that do usually don't see a transfer for a number of years.. The games they play..
If you would like any info on any of the federal institutions located at that complex.. just ask..
Where is he transferring in from? I hope they did not feed him the bull about "blow-mont" being a nice place.. It's definitely a No-Frill joint.. Not bad.. still pretty new.. but there are no weights and not nearly as much to do as a lot of the older federal institutions..

David

David,
Thanks for the reply. See I don't know what to beleive yet. He is currently at FCI Beckley where he has been since he first went into the federal system. He has 2 fights, dirty urine and a dirty blow test under him now so his security level has went up. He said a little birdie told him he will be going to USP Beaumont. I can't figure out this little birdie thing cause everything seems to be hush hush with these people! Makes me so mad sometimes! But I have to keep on smiling:p . Terre Haute use to be in the Mid Atlantic region but when they redid things, it changed. So there was no USP's . Now one has just recenly started to open in West Virginia and they are taking inmates in from what I have been told. So why would they not move him to that location? Anyhow, I have heard bad things about Beaumont. But the first time I heard anything was from him, THE GLADIATOR SCHOOL! And he is so looking forward to it! Not I, Not I! Just what he doesn't need! I just want him closer to home! He just wants out of Beckley. So what is the blow-mont about? lol. How much time did you serve and how far away from your home were you? Did you ever get moved around? Thats enough questions for now, huh?! Thanks David. It feels good to speak with someone whos has been there, done that! Thanks

Well.. I guess it depends on his security level.. I hear the camp and the low are pretty mellow. I was at the Medium and we had our share of blowups where we spent (sometimes) weeks locked down.. This mostly was due to a number of Mexican Gangs going at each other.. Seems like every year around the Christmas holidays we would have a major blowup and the powers that be didn't do all they could to prevent it.. Couldn't be the overtime rate, could it?
Getting beyond the 3 lower level institutions we come to the United States Pen and lots of blood. I don't know if you would call it a Gladiator School.. Probably more like a survival school. I have never been there myself (thankfully) but I know quite a few people that did a substantial number of years in Beaumont USP as well as other places like Atlanta, Terre Hute, Levenworth and others..
One thing that was clear to me is that you can die very quickly if you like to "play".. A 5' tall 110 lbs. kid can & will kill you just as quick as a heavy wait gladiator.. Most "fights" are one sided and involve shanks, homemade knives & blades, and any other deadly weapon that can be made or obtained.
One guy that I got to be close with prior to my release was a heavyweight class body builder from Houston that demands a certain level of respect on sight.. He was only at the USP for 6 months but when he arrived at the Medium he told me "this is the first time I have been able to breathe deeply in the last 6 months".. "The tension over there.. It's unreal.. You can cut it all day and all night.. This is the first time I have been able to relax for 1/2 a year! Thank God!"
He isn't the only one that told these stories.. A couple of guys I spent time with ended up messing up and getting "sent across the street" to the USP.. We stayed in contact via family members and not a one of them didn't wish they were back in the Medium.. Where people occassionally were stabbed and carted away but not on a level that you saw across the street.. We could see the ambulances going there at least 3 times a month.. Usually much more...
Any way.. I did 27 months myself and ended up turning down the "low".. I got along with most everyone and prefered the 2 man cells over the dorm type setting that you find at the "low"
Beaumont is only about 90 miles away from my family in Houston. I actually requested to be designated there but regreted it later.. There are definitely worse places to be.. Beaumont for the most part is just what the warden tells you when you get there... This is a "no frills" prison..
I'll spare you the 10%'rs story.. how there is 10 percent of the population that screws it up for everyone else..
More later..

David

David,
Well, this all makes me feel better, NOT! But what can I do, nothing! He will be going to the USP Beaumont as his security level has gone up! I've heard all these stories on here before, about killings and fights and stuff. I try not to say much to him because he always comes back as don't let yourself worry, I can handle my self. He sure has enough survival skills but it still worries me! He was use to serving his time in the penitentuaries in the state so when he went into the FCI, it seemed to be not real to him. He complains all the time about the "RATS". He says everyone is ratting on you. They sell you shit just to turn you in. Hopefully he will see as your freind did, and after 6 months he will want out! I pray for my sanity, for my well being!
But thanks for your response once again! Its nice to talk to someone who has been there, done that. I hope you are doing good out here in the feilds of wheat! Have a great weekend David!

YOu said you checked his stats online?? How do you do that?

Karen

If your loved one is in Fedeal prison, you can go to the BOP Home Page. Click on Inmate Information, then enter his/her Number. It will show you only there name race age but it tells you the projected release date as of the day you do it. I tried to enclude the link here but I don't think it will work. Just do a search of BOP home page and you should beable to get a link. If not, email out of the group and I do know how to link it to email. I hope you can use this informaion. Have a great weekend.


Click here: BOP Home Page

Wow.. You are right! You can look people up!
Here is the link!

www.bop.gov

I couldn't give a better link because they don't show up but you can get to it via "Inmate Info" It is the third down on the left hand side. I am fixing to go hunt down some old pals myself.

Diane,
I am sorry if my info didn't bring any sort of relief.. The only thing I can say that may be positive is that most of the inmates there think along the same lines as Ben does.. Rats don't roam the USP's as openly as they do the Mediums, lows & camps..
The first day I hit the compound I expected to have to prove myself.. The Lt. that dumped me onto the grounds told me to watch my back.. that things are "rockin & rollin" here.. On the way to my unit I thought something was really funny because I wasn't getting much attention at all.. I was thinking it was a setup and when I rounded a corner I would get clicked on.. That never happened...
The Medium was like a day-care for older people.. Don't get me wrong.. It can get bloody.. But it isn't what you see on so many of these movies of hard core prison yards.. Everyones number one enemy there was boredom..
Hopefully he will find his nich at the USP and things will roll pretty quickly for him with little or no problems.. In the end.. I think time is what we make of it for the most part..
Well.. Lemme know how it goes.. I will put in the good word right before he gets there and hopefully make his arrival as smooth as possible..

David

David,
Just the thought that you say RATS don't run the USP's as openly as they do lower joints, he will get along just fine I'm sure! He has said the same thing about "Day Care"! And its noticable during visits that it seems that way! Its just hard cituation for me since I have never been through all this. And I have come to learn that it is nothing like us outsiders see on films. We get into conversations once in a while at work, I work in an office with 3 guys and myself, and they all have never had records or histories in jail. They beleive what they see on t.v.. I do not talk about him in general because I have felt out there opinions about people behind bars and atleast 2 of them do not give the ones behind bars much hope. It makes me mad but I just keep it all to myself. But it gives me a laugh because they think its only us "girls" who beleive everythign we see!
So how have you been doing since your release? I hope good. You seem to be a really good person. I will let you know when he does get moved. Take care David.

Hello All,
Its been awhile since i have been in here! I can see things have really been going good for this forum! Since my last posts, he has been moved to USP Beaumont. So far he has not gotten into any trouble! Wheww, well he did get a shot for smoking somewhere he isn't suppose to but thats nothing in my eyes. He says he can do extra duty to help remove that or something?! And when meeting with his case worker, she heard him out and said if he stays out of trouble until November(6 months), she will put in a request to have him moved back closer to home. After reveiwing again one of your post David, I see this might just be a false hope huh? He is doing well and has adapted to it so far. He stays busy in the yard and studing law work most of the time. He has met some guy who he says is really sharp with law work. So now, until November I am trying my hardest to keep his mind working and praying no trouble heads his way. I really need my Baby back closer to home! these miles are very hard to se through! Now, I need to read more, there is just so much going on here! Its great!

I was wondering when you'd make it back over to this one!! I go from here to there everyday. It keeps me busy and I think sometimes my fingers are ready to fall off from typing so much. :haha: :wave:

Hugs,

Denise, its hard enough for me to keep up with what we have over there! lol But I will get it down!I always enjoyed this forum, and I have alot more catching up to do. I told Tracy it will take me more then just tonight! I figured I'd just start in the intro part again since it has been some time since I have been around! Nice to see you hear!

Well you'd better get busy. :D Yeah, it's kinda hard doing 2 things at one time. I'm always back and forth!! :rolleyes:

Hi
Thanks for posting again so us 'newbies' can get to know you!
:p
One thing I have to comment on is your statement
I wonder sometimes since he has spent so much time if he will be able to adapt to this outside world as a law abiding citizen!
The answer is YES, honey! He has to have the will, as long as your provide the way.
Good luck and welcome back!!

Thanks Veronica!
He does have the will! And I have a few ways! lol So hopefully with the potion we have going together, it will all turn out. We still have some 8 years to go.
I would like to commpliment you on the work your doing! This is really great! I look forward to being able to read all the post I have missed!

i pray that he will be closer to home soon too.. you know you have a serious strech of time to do so it would make it easier if he was closer to home... I will keep both of you in my prayers...

sorry to hear that, but you found a great place here!! hope to see more of your posts soon

Hi and welcome! Thanks for sharing your story!

Good to have you back

I read some of your earlier posts when I came on line in February.... Hope things are getting better and It won't be too long now...


My prayers are with you.
Donna

Thanks all for the warm welcome back! I will try not to be such a stranger! I just have a hard time keeping up with more then one thing! LOL This is a very nice group. I am also invovled in another one, IOIC. I think a few of you know about that one. But I will be around for some time! I will try to post more often! thank you all!

Hi Diane,
I'm late as usual, but welcome from another Marylander. Calvert Co. here.

Cindy

Cindy, for some reason I thought you were David_Fed X wife! lol. From Marylnad too huh?! Cool! I don't think I ahve met many from Maryland! I am in Baltimore County. Nice seeing someone so close!!
Thanks for the welcome back! lol!

Wrong David, but you're welcome.

p.s. No offense Fed-X

Oh no, no offense meant! Just caught the sig out of the corner of my eye! LOL

Anyhow, Where is your husband located? Is he serving time in Maryland?

Hugs...

David is in Virginia. He's about an hour and half from me. Just outside Culpeper.
I meant no offense on my part to fed-x. You didn't say anything wrong.

Hi , Thanks for keeping us posted on whats happening. I agree with Veronica, if he has the will, & with your support he can become a law abiding citizen. I did a lot of time, & I eventually changed, so it can be done. It takes a lot of work, but he sounds like a stand up guy, so I'm sure he'll make it when he gets out.-------Ken

thanks Ken, that means alot coming from you! He called last night and we had a relly good conversation and I am amazed at how he has changed over the years of this bit! Some of the things that come from his mouth alone is remarkable! He would have never seen life in these ways before! So I think he can do it! It is just a fear that will lie in the back of my thoughts sometimes! Thanks for the reply!
How long have you been out? I hope things are going good for you.

I would like to get in contact with others taht have loved ones in federal prison.



Thank You!