Info on Youthful Offener Prisions?!

cheryl · #1 08-12-2002, 10:33 AM

I know I'm not the only one here who has a child in a YO Camp in FL because... they are full!! I also know I'm not the only one who still cares what happens to my child because I'm not the only one at viso. I also know I can't be the only one with a computer. Where is everybody? We can't do anything to make things better for them if we don't try! I don't want to create waves (unless they are needed). I just want to talk to others in my shoes. Two heads are better than one... maybe we can help one another?! I know it's rough my son has missed his junior and senoir years of school; what's suppose to be one of the best times of their lives. I've gone thru the blaming myself, blaming everyone else, blaming him (hey, we are on to something here!?), being pissed at the world, at my husband (hard for him to show emotion), at the legal system, at my SON!, being depressed and lets not forget FEELING TOTALY HELPLESS ABOUT THE WHOLE SITUATUON! It SUCKS! But hey, I'm still here. God gives us only what we can handle. I never knew I could be this "strong". You are also stronger than you know! Maybe we can get thru this together? We all need someone to lean on every once and a while. Peace be with you and yours. cl

Goody's Girl · #2 08-12-2002, 12:52 PM

Cheryl, while I don't have a YO in the system, I just wanted to say hi and hope that you do locate someone in your situation to talk to. I am also in Florida and am also the President of the Florida Chapter of the Jeff Dicks Medical Coalition. We are dedicated to getting adequate and timely health care to ALL inmates within prisons. I have several inmates that pass out my address to others within the prison that they are in, but so far, none within any of the YO camps.
I am sure that the YO's also have medical needs that aren't being addressed, so if you ever need my help, feel free to contact me.

Tracy

cheryl · #3 08-15-2002, 09:23 AM

Tracy, Thanks for responding I know there are YO that could use your help. My son has had cellmates with siclicell (SP?) and asthma. He understands the asthma attacks he's had them himself, thank God he's grown out of it. He had to borrow asthma meds from another inmate when his cellmate couldn't breath. I'm sure they aren't getting the care they need. When I find others that need your help I'll surely keep you in mind.Thanks agian. Peace. cl

cheryl · #4 08-21-2002, 06:47 PM

Hey, anyone have info on Taylor Annex?cl

Goody's Girl · #5 08-22-2002, 07:23 AM

Cheryl, if you will PM me, I will give you my snail mail addy. Then your loved one can pass that around to others where he is that need my help.

Also, what type of info are you looking for about Taylor Annex?

cheryl · #6 08-22-2002, 05:16 PM

Tracy,
I'm interested in how many inmates, what's the phsyc level, how much violence? There is no info as of yet on Taylor Annex listed on fldc site. Just wondered; heard it was one of the worst. Any info would be great ...may be my sons next stop.

Thanks. Peace. cl

Cameo · #7 08-22-2002, 05:57 PM

Hi Cheryl, I see that you found Tracy here to give you some support and help.
I work in the courts right now with the youthful offender program and am constantly learning new information. I was also a youth officier at our only state prison for juveniles...
It was BECAUSE of the care they were receiving that I left...
I work now trying my hardest to keep youths our of prison and alternative programs...It's usually only a 1 shot deal, but hopefully a few of the kids will get the picture and turn themselves around and not end up in the adult system.
I wish you well and never stop looking for the answers you need!

Pamela

Goody's Girl · #8 08-22-2002, 08:21 PM

Cheryl, you are right. Everything I have heard about Taylor, both the main unit and the annex, is bad. Because the Annex is so new, there isn't much information available yet. As far as psych treatment is concerned, it is my experience with FLDOC that there really isn't much at all, even though they (DOC) says there is. If I can help any further, just let me know.

Sorry I wasn't more help.

cheryl · #9 08-24-2002, 02:48 PM

Pamela,
Hi! I'm interested in what it is you do to try to keep the kids out of prison. There are a few organizations in my area, but none of them seemed to work for my son. (one did until the need for drugs took over his life). I wish I could do more, but I have limits on my time and cash flow. I'm trying to get the word out about this site to help others. So what programs and such do you have in your area? What (if anything) do you find that works to turn these kids around? My husband and I along with a handful of parents helped form a non-profit football leauge here in the area. We "sponser" 3-4 kids a season. We are really pleased one of these kids has 4 colleges looking at him for a football scholarship. Seems like only yesterday he was telling his coach (my hubby) that his mom wasn't going to let him play anymore. When asked why he said "Cus I got all "F" issa on my report card. Our team mom at the time (a teacher) tutored the kids having trouble. Strange as it seems the motto of association was "off the streets and on the fields". But my son is locked up partly due to his drug addiction. I pray this turns him around. I'm open for ideas if you have any! Please let me know! Peace. cl

cheryl · #10 09-01-2002, 02:26 PM

Agian where is everyone? I know more parents care about their children in youthful offenders prisons than just me! Maybe we can help/support one another!? Please reply

.
If anything at least we can share info. Hope to hear from you! cl

cheryl · #11 09-05-2002, 05:27 PM

Anyone wanting to know about any of the YO Prisions in FL, just let me know there are only 2 my son hasn't seen yet! And he may be on his way this week to one of the last 2! Just let me know; I'll be glad to share any info I have on them. I'm praying for us all! I hope you find some Peace in your life right now. Trust me, I know it's hard. cl

kaylee · #12 09-25-2002, 12:35 PM

I've found the best way to learn about a particular prison is to talk to the prisoners and their families. MAKING THE WALLS TRANSPARENT now has nearly 2000 contributing prisoners and many of their families, most of them in Florida.

On MTWT at http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/prison/prison.html you will find a list of Florida prisons, including Taylor CI and the youthful offenders camps. Each link leads to letters from prisoners located at that prison, and info from parents and about DOC employees there. We give details of unprofessional behavior and give Gold Stars for professionalism.

We are always happy to get more information to add to any prison, good, bad, or otherwise. MTWT has logged quite a few 'victories' as we stand with the prisoners and families who are in dire straits.

cheryl · #13 09-29-2002, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the info Kaylee

cl

PBrown · #14 10-19-2002, 11:39 PM

Hi Cheryl.... I have a son in Taylor CI-Annex. He was at Hendry CI (another YO facility) but they closed it down last July and opened an Annex to Taylor CI and made it a YO facility. Where is your son? I live in the panhandle about 4 hours from him....thank God because before it was over a 12 hours drive to see him at Hendry. Glad to meet you....Patty

cheryl · #15 10-21-2002, 08:58 PM

Hi Patty! My son has been to every YO Camp but 2 in the state of Florida. He was is Taylor for about 2 or 3 weeks maybe. He "went psych" and they shipped him to NFRC now he's back to BCI. I didn't think they ship you back to a camp once you had problems there. God only knows how they decide who goes where. We were hoping he'd go to Lake City is suppose to be one of the few "good" camps. But he is closer to us agian now

Hope his problems have left other inmates (and all). At least he has a teacher at this camp who will help see to it he gets his GED! My son is out in a few months hope he can stay cool headed and get more gaintime. I haven't found too may parents on this site with kids in YO Camps. I know they are out there because the YO's are full! And I see others at visitation. I'm glad to meet you. I'm trying to get this website out to as may people as possible. Please let people know we are here when you go to viso. I believe in "strenght in numbers" and if your son talks to you about some of the sh*t that goes on in those YO camps I'm sure you want to see things changed to! It's a hard thing to take when you have NO CONTROL over what happens to them. In my son's case I haven't had any control for a few years now, He "had" a terrible drug problem. I guess we'll know if he's thru with that life when he gets out. Yes, I'm nervous. Only time will tell. Hope you and your son are doing well! Keep in touch and spead the word. Talk to you later. Peace. cheryl