Marti1712
03-05-2004, 09:22 PM
MY boyfriend has been incarcerated for 18 years. :cuffs: Ironically, we went to the same high school, hung out at the same locals and lived relatively close to one another but... had no idea either one existed. I met Jerry 3 years ago through a friend and although my reluctance in writing him lasted 6 months, I eventually gave in and we became new found pen-pals. :p Jerry begin his life in the FL DOC system when he was 19 years old. He was sentenced to 40 years for "home invasion". I myself, not being naive about the DOC system, I basically have the knowledge of what all that meant... he was sentenced under the 65% guideline, receiving gaintime for good behavior each month. Jerry's immaturity (back in the day) when he first walked through the DOC gates put him in the "HO" status which means "habitual offender" within the DOC confinement; i.e. being a badass when it came to abiding by rules and regulations. :rolleyes: If anyone has a loved one incarcerated within the FL DOC system knows that our state is NOT a rehabilitative state when it comes to convicts. In my opinion, MOST of the cops in brown are nothing more then "gatekeepers" and "babysitter" waiting for the most opportune moment to make the convicts life even more hell then it already is. Wow.. what a surprise. :argh Anyway... since Jerry became a Christian about 6 years ago, his life and behavior has changed drastically. He has been involved in more then one Christian-based group and has been DR free now for quite some time BUT... he still is considered an "HO5" and as long as he belongs to the State of Florida, he will always be considered that. Approximately 1 year ago, he was asked to work with PRIDE in the Dental Lab. He loved working there and this job opportunity really made him feel as though he had some sort of purpose. What a blessing. 9 months ago, the FL DOC went through a transition period where Secretary Crosby decided to make UCI a "geriatric prison". All inmates under the age of 50 were transferred out. UCI is considered a maximum security prison. Jerry was transferred 2 hours away to a level 4 camp. It's amazing the differences between camps in our lovely state. Not one of them is consistent with anything the other does. They use Chapter 33 as "guideline" to enforce and/or add to those rules at the wardens discrection... no surprise there! Anyway, about 9 months after Jerry's transfer, he was approached by his Classification Officer and was questioned if he had worked with PRIDE at his previous camp. When Jerry responded he had, in a matter of 2 weeks, he was transferred back to UCI to begin working again in the Dental Lab. This of course was all approved by Tallahassee's head of classification. We had a green light and he was so happy he was returning "home". (I live about 15 miles from UCI.) When Jerry got off the bus and stepped on UCI grounds, he was immediately advised he would be "RED TAGGED" and would NOT be able to work in the Dental Lab because he was considered to be a "high risk inmate". Huh? Since when? They painted the door jam of his cell in red allowing all cops who worked the dorm, to know Jerry was considered the worst of the worst. Being red-tagged means basically, Jerry has to be accounted for once every hour via a phone call by security. Prior to UCI's transformation, Jerry had freedom of movement at UCI (max prison) and well as having freedom of movement at the lower security camp he was transferred to. Why was he being red-tagged now??? Just cuz? They advised Jerry that he would not be working the Dental Lab and would be transferred out of UCI within the next few weeks. Well.... that didn't sit right with me and I raised hell. I contacted the Asst Warden as soon as I found out the information and I too was advised that Jerry was on his way back to "somewhere" unknown. Screw that!! I thought and thought about what actions I could take... and the Lord put it in my heart that I needed to write a letter to the head of classification in Talli myself (quit relying on others to take care of MY business)... and so I did... after all... HE was the one who approved the transfer to begin with. Not only was I pissed about this but I was pissed as well as being a Florida taxpayer who just paid for Jerry to be moved and then what? Moved again. Is that how the DOC spends our money? How many OTHER inmates have to go through the same @#$!? I wrote a letter... the words flowing out of me without thought and I sent it via email. No sooner then 1 hour later I received a response from the man himself.... he had just spoken with the Asst Warden at UCI and they decided to allow Jerry to not only stay at UCI but also be employed in the Dental Lab! Praise the Lord! The 2 of us realize since being "red-tagged", this will be a part of his life as long as he's at UCI but at least he's closer to home and at least he's working and learning a trade! My advice to everyone (and forgive me for the length of this thread) but I just wanted to let you know that even though your ol' man is consider a "violent offender", labeled with an "HO#" or "red-tagged".... persistance DOES pay off! There's no need to be unprofessional, unkind or disrepectful when you're trying to get a valid point across.... Trust in the Lord that His will IS being done and it will be done... and then no matter what family, friends, co-workers or anyone else says.... you can stand proud and confident that MAN is NOT in control but God is!! Jerry may have red paint on the outside of cell door but I look at it this way.... at least it brings a little color to an otherwise drab and unpleasant place to be..... HAVE FAITH.... it really DOES works... :wave: