Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

LaurenArroyo · #1 07-24-2012, 12:46 PM

...well, here we are. My father is a guest of Fort Worth, Texas Federal pen. He self-surrendered on 7/6/2012 and will be in for five years. For the first time in 33 years, I don't have him a phone call or a short drive away. My mother is trying to learn to live alone, and my son is too young to understand why his beloved pop-pop isn't playing music for him, anymore.

I don't know how to breathe through this. I don't know how to survive it. I'll be upfront -- my dad is in prison for a reason most people find horrifying. He's still my father, and I love him. I'm scared of this forum because I don't know how people here will react to me.

I'm just plain scared, no matter how you look at it, I guess.

patransplant · #2 07-24-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurenArroyo

...well, here we are. My father is a guest of Fort Worth, Texas Federal pen. He self-surrendered on 7/6/2012 and will be in for five years. For the first time in 33 years, I don't have him a phone call or a short drive away. My mother is trying to learn to live alone, and my son is too young to understand why his beloved pop-pop isn't playing music for him, anymore.

I don't know how to breathe through this. I don't know how to survive it. I'll be upfront -- my dad is in prison for a reason most people find horrifying. He's still my father, and I love him. I'm scared of this forum because I don't know how people here will react to me.

I'm just plain scared, no matter how you look at it, I guess.

Hi Lauren-It is ok to be afraid. This will take time to process and you will find your way of dealing with this, as will your family. It is very hard to understand much less accept that someone we love, maybe admire and respect are capable of monstrous acts. It will take you time but I promise you, you will sort it out. And whatever you sort out of it is ok because that is something no one else can do for you. I am here if you need me. Huge Texas Hugs To You.

LaurenArroyo · #3 07-24-2012, 01:03 PM

I've very quickly discovered how fast people can turn on you when someone you love steps over the line. Missing him, worrying about him -- it's all a little too much to fit inside my head, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to accept this. Each time he calls, it's so good to hear from him, but so hard to hear how depressed and miserable he is.

anjicadoree27 · #4 07-24-2012, 01:05 PM

my name is anjelica cadoree my husband was just sentenced five years tdcj i wanted to know how long is that in the state of texas?

**fbopnomore** · #5 07-24-2012, 04:24 PM

Welcome to Prison Talk. Since your Dad is in a FCI low security prison, he should be OK. I know how difficult it is for him, especially at the beginning of his sentence (I've been there myself) but he should do much better once he has adjusted to his new conditions. The changes in his life are constant and massive, but he will adjust to them, make friends, and settle into "doing his time".

He can earn 235 days off his sentence for good time (47 days for each year) and could be sent to a half way house near his home up to 6 months before his release date. Once he is at the HWH, he may qualify to be allowed to live at home under "home confinement", so 5 years will not really be 5 years apart. Good luck.

LaurenArroyo · #6 07-25-2012, 11:49 AM

Well, unfortunately...my father made the sorry mistake of telling other prisoners about his charge on the first day. He was sentenced for recieving child pornography online. Now, the inmates are going out of their way to break him. They've robbed his locker twice, and they've banned him from most public areas, like television rooms. Some friends he thought he had made have told him they're not 'allowed' to talk to him. He's getting very depressed, very quickly. I don't quite understand how the sentencing works, but I do know he's not eligible for parole or probation because of the nature of the charge. Does anyone know if the other inmates will back off of him? Is he going to be a pariah for however long he is there? I'm so scared he will be physically injured, and/or the constant status of outcast will force him into a depression he won't come out of.

**fbopnomore** · #7 07-25-2012, 01:34 PM

If he is having that much trouble already, he should ask for assistance from his counselor or unit team. I doubt that his situation there will ever improve.

The bop has many prisons that house thousands of people with the same charges as your Dad's, and when a lot of them are in the same prison, they will experience fewer problems. He should request a transfer to a prison with the sex offender management program, or to one without the program, but where the bop has sent a high number of sex offenders.

He is eligible to earn the good time and half way house placement I posted earlier. There is no federal parole. He was probably sentenced to a period of supervised release (probation) after he has completed his sentence. He will never be eligible to go to a minimum security camp either.

I'm sure he has already learned to keep his personal business to himself, and not to inquire about other inmate's cases either. If things get two rough where he is, he can request to be put into protective custody because he fears for his safety. All he needs to do is tell any CO or his counselor, and he will most likely be removed from danger immediately. He may go to the SHU, but he will probably be transfered to a safer prison eventually. With as much time as he still has to serve, it would be nuts to remain in the situation he finds himself in now.

LaurenArroyo · #8 07-25-2012, 03:27 PM

I guess he's not eligible for prison transfer for quite some time, since he just got there. The counselor told him he's in one of the 'safest' units they have. Hell, I don't know, anymore.

a hurt mom · #9 07-25-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurenArroyo

...well, here we are. My father is a guest of Fort Worth, Texas Federal pen. He self-surrendered on 7/6/2012 and will be in for five years. For the first time in 33 years, I don't have him a phone call or a short drive away. My mother is trying to learn to live alone, and my son is too young to understand why his beloved pop-pop isn't playing music for him, anymore.

I don't know how to breathe through this. I don't know how to survive it. I'll be upfront -- my dad is in prison for a reason most people find horrifying. He's still my father, and I love him. I'm scared of this forum because I don't know how people here will react to me.

I'm just plain scared, no matter how you look at it, I guess.

Welcome to the place that got me threw alot , when my son went in. And never feel alone. There are many people here, that know how you feel. Just try to be there for him, and try to take time for yourself. My son did over a year, and just went back for seven months. So, here I go agian, but do you know the first thing I did ?? I got back on here to hear from my friends and just to see I am not alone. You will cry alot of tears dear. But time will go quickly and there are always people here, willing to listen and help.