Hello. My name is Bill and my girlfriend, Faith, is at the SeaTac FDC waiting to get moved. She received a 37 month sentence for a drug charge on May 6. She had been in a county jail since December and moved to SeaTac a couple weeks ago. They told her she has been designated but of course we don't know where to yet. For some reason she is guessing the Dublin or Phoenix women's camp but we'll see. She will go through RDAP and is looking forward to getting it all started. I'm still waiting to see a projected release date.

Up here at the jail in MT we kind of got into a routine with visits, letters, and phone calls. She could call here just about as often as she wanted though it was expensive. Still, we talked almost every day. I wrote a lot. I drove out to visit almost every Saturday (about 90 miles each way). But the visits were 15 minutes through glass. It's changing now because of the 300 minute/month limit and because of the distance I will have to travel for a visit. I won't be able to go as often. But they should be much longer and better contact visits whenever she gets settled.

This is a great site. I've found answers to a lot of questions I had by reading existing threads. In fact, I found the site searching for answers about dealing with Evercom over my phone line being blocked because I had reached my "payment verification point" :mad: .

Anyway, thanks and keep up the good work.

Hello and Welcome to PTO!! Glad you found some answers here.

We are happy to have you here!

Thanks cjjack. I have read some of your posts. Yesterday I told Faith about some of the things you said about making the most of your experience and also about how good the RDAP is. Those posts struck me when I read them because that is her attitude exactly. Her family and I went to see her at the jail right after the sentencing. I was expecting to have to try to console her after having just gotten a 3 year sentence. But she was in good spirits and said she wanted to get it started and get a job, keep busy, exercise, take all the classes she can, learn something, and better herself. Then she looked me right in the eyes and said we can get through this, meaning she and I - our relationship. Really, she was doing the consoling and from the tough side of the glass. I'm proud of her for the way she is taking this on. She has my complete respect for it. Anyway, your posts reminded me of it. Thank you.

Welcome to PTO! The move, it takes a bit to get use to but as she told you....you can get through this together! And, you have the extra support here on PTO!
Visits in federal are much better then the state systems I have been into. Having nearly 8 hours a day makes a huge difference! Not to mention...no glass or walls between you! Once she reaches her destination, things will start to fall into place and you will be able to have some type of routine back. It will ofcourse be differnent but it will make things more managable!

Glad to have you here on PTO!
Diane

Thanks Diane. Yes, I think we are both ready to have things settled at least for a while and start making progress into the time. I'm new at this and so is my loved one. It's nice to know there are other folks out there in the same boat and making it through. For myself I'm looking forward to small milestones. My next one is the next time I can see her and get a hug for the first time since November. I wish for it to be all over with but I try to concentrate on the next good thing. Is that what you guys do?

Just wanted to add another warm welcome to PTO!

You are very welcome. It sounds as if she has the right attitude going in-this will help her tremendously!! Good luck to you both and keep us posted as to how she is doing.

I miss her so much.

I'm sure you do!!!

I know this is hard, but she is on her way to getting this overwith and you both can start your lives together. I know this is little consolation right now but we are here to support you through this time.

Bill,
Welcome to PTO, I am sure you can already tell this is a great place to come to in times that you need support or have question's. Everyone on this site is so wonderful and positive. You will find so much support and many answers to question's that will arise. I wish you and Faith the best of luck!!! Take Care

Welcome Bill, I'm from Montana too. My husband was in SeaTac also for a few weeks. He's in Colorado now for the next 3 1/2 years. If you have any questions about the federal system just ask away.

Welcome Bill to the PTO family! All of us get through the lonliness and all the why's!!! Keep your focus on heart and time will pass. Be gentle with yourself.

Thank you everyone. You know, a few months ago I never could have imagined how things would be today. I am new to all of this so I don't know how I can help many of you good people but I will if I can. At the moment the toughest thing seems to be the lack of contact. I was used to phone calls every day. I'll get used to it. I'm still looking forward to a contact visit. I know I'm not saying anything new to any of you. Thank you all.

Hello bp&ft, my fiance is in Seatac FDC right now, he has been there for 3 weeks and it sucks because I don't know what is going on. He doesn't have any phone privileges right now and I'm not sure why, I am about a 6 hour drive (i'm in canada), and we just opened up a business right before he went away, so it is really tough for me to get there. I hope once I do I will get some more answers, but for now I sit clueless on what goes on. Wish you all the luck in the world.

Thanks Lonely.

That sucks about the phone. Are you writing back and forth?

As much as I can write, you bet I am on that paper every day. I also keep a journal at home for the stuff that I know I can't write him about down there, so he will have lots to read when he gets home thats for sure. I just wish he could call me, I did get a letter from him last week, it was 12 pages and the whole thing had me in tears. I cried so hard I thought I was going to fall over, just when you think you have no tears left they send another.

Hang in there Lonely. I know for myself time has helped. Writing helps. Keeping busy helps - it passes time and gives me more to write about. I guess we are one step ahead of you and yours in that the sentencing is done. Still waiting on where and when though. But it will get better as questions become answered, you get more used to it, and you get more of a routine down.

Welcome to PTO !! I hope she is transferred close to you! My husband is finally in transit coming to CA. He WAS in Florida. Waiting is the hardest part. He is currently in a USP in Atlanta and he hated that place when he had to stay there on his way to FL to start with. Hang in there -

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn.

She won't end up close to home. There aren't any women's facilities anywhere close to here. She's been at the detention center more than a month waiting to go to OKC for who knows how long before moving to where she's going to be.

You hang in there too.

Lonely-
Its the not knowing that really gets to you...
For the first 3 days I didn't get to talk to my husband, then I get this 10 second call with his wrought voice asking me to send money so he can have phone priveledges (the $100 he was advised to bring didn't even cover his clothing) I am now one of those people who clips the cell phone to the shower curtain because I never know when I am going to get a call! My husband and I have a business too, and I am now having to run it all by myself so I feel for you. Let us know where your fiance ends up - if he is down here in Oregon I will hook him up with my husband to help him get settled in because they never give you any information!