by Mark Bernstein | Dec 31, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I'm very happy to say this is the last day of 2015, a year I would much rather forget, unfortunately I don't think I will be forgetting this year anytime soon. So New Years Eve is a time of reflection and renewal, a quick check of the past 12 months…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 30, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Last night was the first performance of our prison play "FOOL". The house was packed, standing room only in the prison chapel. (I am serious, what else does a prisoner have to do on a Tuesday night at Jesup FSL?). The production went well with only…
by Charles Jones | Dec 30, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
My bunk spot is a melting pot of what clearly appears to be several distinct subcultures of inmates here at Bastrop FSC. It would take too long for my short attention span to describe all, so let's start with the surprising large segment that I'll…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 29, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
The weather has turned, and it's been raining since last night which upsets me simply because it kills my morning walk and routine. Normally i would walk in a light rain, but this one was a lot more than light, so no walk. The weather forecast says…
by David Foley | Dec 29, 2015 | Blog, David Foley
Coming Home 12/29/15 I'm coming home in less than a year! I received my release date today, December 16th, 2016. I will initially be released to a halfway house and then transition to home confinement. I'm extremely excited as journey is almost…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 26, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Saturday after my first Christmas in the joint, certainly Noel in the joint was a new and interesting first experience, one that will certainly be edged in my memory banks for many moons. There was much good cheer and plenty of good will towards men…
by David Applegate | Dec 26, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
Merry Christmas! December 26, 2015 By the time you get this, it will be several days after Christmas. I hope all of you had a peaceful, calm and happy day with people you love and who love you! Prior to the beginning of the holiday season, I have to…
by Charles Jones | Dec 24, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
December 24, 2015 I think it's good for the soul to attend at least one Christmas program annually just because you want to and not from any sense of obligation. My first choice would be the Chamber Singers Christmas Concert in Armstrong Browning…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 24, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Christmas Week in Jesup. I got my stitches out of my hand on Monday. The pin is still in my finger. We attended Bingo on Monday Night in the chow hall. The winners receive a holiday gift bag identical to the ones We received last week. No luck on my…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 24, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
My first Christmas in the joint, certainly not how I expected to be spending this holiday. I'm certain this will be an experience to remember. The inmates are all gearing up for the holiday, I'm certain Santa will be leaving us all lumps of coal in…
by David Applegate | Dec 23, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
Merry Christmas Darling December 24, 2015 Dear Mr. Ken: Even though my head is in a good place this holiday season, it's still hard to wrap it around not being with you tonight and tomorrow -- like we have been for over 30 years. I'm not with you in…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 23, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
This morning brought out the best in many of my fellow inmates and it's nice to see that many of the guys can rally around getting the right thing done when it's called for. Our sewers backed up this morning, it was pretty bad and the response from…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 21, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Today is the first day of winter, oh my! You would never know it by the unseasonably warm temps we've been having so far. I'm still walking the track in shorts, most days. I have spent one full season here at Camp Fed, autumn has come and now has…
by Charles Jones | Dec 21, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
December 21, 2105 I recently awoke at 3:00 am. Being a typical aging male baby boomer, I decided it would be a very good idea to make a trip to the bathroom. Climbing down from my bunk as quietly as possible, I made the 30 foot trek to the urinals,…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 20, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
This Week in Jesup. The mood of the compound is subdued. Almost everyone seems to be thinking about their families and past holidays On the other side of the fence. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with their family and their friends.…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 19, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Brrrr, it was refreshingly cold this morning here at Camp Fed. Finally, we have some seasonal weather. My morning walk at 6:30 today was in the low 30s and a brisk prevailing wind from the west made it feel cooler the thermometer read. I absolutely…
by Charles Jones | Dec 17, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
December 17, 2015 Were I not an inmate at Bastrop FSC, I can say with absolute certainty that I would be in a movie theater the weekend of December 18-20 watching the latest Stars Wars movie, which supposedly takes place 30 years after the death of…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 17, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
There are times during the day that I wish i were alone on a small Island in the warm Caribbean Sea, just sitting on a white sand beach looking out over crystal clear azure water listening to the breeze rustle threw the palm trees, oh, how nice that…
by Holli Coulman | Dec 17, 2015 | Blog, Holli Coulman
My Promotion, A Camp Christmas Story After working for 16 years as an executive assistant and receiving many promotions based on my performance, I always cherished those days of servicing the needs of my executives, of a job well done, and the…
by David Applegate | Dec 15, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
I hope you will indulge me taking up a blog post to brag a little bit on my husband, Kenny. Like me, he is on a difficult journey and I think sometimes people forget that! For quite some time prior to my sentencing in August of last year, we knew…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 14, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I was preparing for my course that I teach a little while ago and one of my students cane over to thank me for the course and the information I was sharing with my fellow inmates. Needless to say this made me feel very good and reinforced my…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 14, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
A Day at the Hospital In my last blog, I left you on my ride to the hospital. The C.O.'s who took me to the hospital were professional and polite. They were armed and wore bullet proof vests! I waddled into the front doors of the hospital in my leg…
by Holli Coulman | Dec 14, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
December 14, 2015 The doors to the Chow Hall kitchen at Bastrop FSC open at 5:00 am Monday through Friday and 6:00 on weekends. First to arrive are the two cooks and the CO [correctional officer] in charge of the kitchen for the morning. I roll in…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 12, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
A Night in the S.H.U. ? Wednesday Night, right before 10:00 p.m. count, the C.O. came and told Me to get dressed, I was going to the S.H.U. ( special housing unit). The S.H.U. is where they send prisoners who misbehave or violate the rules of the…
by Roxanne Jackson | Dec 12, 2015 | Blog, Roxanne Jackson
Have you ever said "YES" to something or someone and then not one minute later you punish yourself for saying "YES"? These scenes play out day after day and over and over in our lives and we continue to repeat the "YESism's"! The next time you say…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 11, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Here I am walking around the track this morning, my day off, so I got an early start, 6:10 Am, 20 minutes ahead of the sunrise. (It was a very lovely sunrise too) I'm thinking as I circle the track that this is really great stuff, walking in the…
by Charles Jones | Dec 11, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
My favorite quote from the movie A River Run's Through It is, "A Methodist is just a Baptist who can read and write." However, if you if you have a question about the Bible, seek out a Baptist. A Methodist though might be good at discipleship…
by Roxanne Jackson | Dec 10, 2015 | Blog, Roxanne Jackson
I've often asked or have been asked the question “What are you passionate about"? It always amazes me when we have the "deer in the headlight expression" trying to answer that question. Why is that question so hard to answer for some? Why can't we…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 10, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I guess I have always been a creature of habit; at least my wife and children have always accused me of this. Naturally I would pooh pooh them and deny it, but I guess i always knew i am. Anally compulsive in some areas, obsessed in others and…
by Charles Jones | Dec 9, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
I'm convinced that having a certain rhythm and balance to life is vital to my physical, mental and spiritual health. But the reality is that being an inmate at Bastrop FSC represents a significant lifestyle change for me. My rhythm has been…
by David Foley | Dec 9, 2015 | Blog, David Foley
Prison Reform 12/9/15 There has been a lot of talk about prison reform lately. Both the house and senate have bills that have made it out of committee. While drug cases seem to be the primary focus, there is some hope for impact on white collar…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 8, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Being in prison away from our families is very difficult, more so on those we have left behind to wait for us to come back home. To the many of us who are husbands and parents it is doubly hard, we are not available or easily accessible for our…
by Charles Jones | Dec 8, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
WARNING: POLITICAL CONTENT Remember Sidney Catts? Probably not. He was a Baptist minister who in 1917 became governor of Florida. He claimed Catholics were storing arms in a Tampa Cathedral. He was worried about a papal invasion and a new Vatican in…
by Roxanne Jackson | Dec 8, 2015 | Blog, Roxanne Jackson
Everyday brings a new adventure, new challenge, a different personality and new set of circumstances. This is true no matter where you are. We will all go through a life altering, traumatic event during our lives. Just as the sun rises and sets…
by David Applegate | Dec 7, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
Karma Delivers! December 7, 2015 One of my key "intentions" I have adopted here at Taft is to do good things without expecting anything in return or, if you prefer, putting "good energy" or "karma" out into the universe. And no, Shirley MacLaine is…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 6, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
This Week in Jesup. I am going through short bouts of euphoric recall lately as I think about all of my past holidays with my family and my friends. The holidays are tough to deal with in prison but I do seem to remember incredible details from past…
by David Foley | Dec 4, 2015 | Blog, David Foley
I have had the fortunate situation of meeting a mentor here that has been running a wellness center for years. He has taken the time to help me with my overall health, working on the essentials of nutrition, hydration, fitness and breathing. What…
by Kenneth Flaska | Dec 3, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Acceptance I received this yesterday, author unknown. I liked it and wanted to share it with You. "Just because I am different from You, please do not reject Me or discount my worth. Don't assume I am wrong and try to change me. If I see things…
by Charles Jones | Dec 2, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
Many thanks to the kind sender of "The Economist" magazine from my Amazon Wish List. I love the British un-politicized view of the US and eagerly read it each week here at Bastrop FSC, just like I did before I came. The most recent week was…
by Mark Bernstein | Dec 1, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Dec. 1st, 2015, a great date for me, the significance to me is the final 3 months has begun, the final month of this year and the season to be merry. All good things, all positive and uplifting things. I'm looking forward to this month speeding by,…
by Justin Paperny | Nov 30, 2015 | Blog
November 30, 2015 Through seven plus years of consulting, I've never had a client truly embrace the way the government perceives them. Rather than see defendants as community leaders, the government only focuses on some out of character decisions…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 30, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
I received a letter today from a young man who was a friend of my son. (I will give him the alias of Chris) His letter made my day. Chris told Me that I inspired him to work hard in school to be the best person He could be. He reminded Me of a story…
by Charles Jones | Nov 27, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
Since I arrived at Bastrop Federal Satellite Camp on August 26th, many people have sent books and magazines from my Amazon Wish List (listed under cjones@cjones.com). Unfortunately, by the time I receive them, the packages have been opened,…
by Roxanne Jackson | Nov 27, 2015 | Blog, Roxanne Jackson
On this Thanksgiving day we all have a lot to be thankful for. Some may say that my current situation does not warrant me being thankful. Well rest assured that every second of our lives are a reason to give thanks. I celebrated Thanksgiving this…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 27, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I'm accustomed to today being a busy day for myself and my clients, Black Friday in the retail and wholesale world marks the beginning of the XMas selling season and a time of action and non stop work. I certainly will be missing that here and it…
by Charles Jones | Nov 27, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
Although my memory is not infallible, I believe I have spent the last 36 Thanksgivings with my in-laws. I was blessed to have married into a wonderful family. One generation from our Thanksgiving gatherings has left this earth, but it now includes…
by David Foley | Nov 26, 2015 | Blog, David Foley
THANKSGIVING It is the time of year when the days are getting shorter, and the air colder. With this year’s Thanksgiving I want to take a moment and reflect on all that I am thankful for. Certainly this year has been the most difficult and trying of…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 24, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Thanksgiving I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Enjoy your family, your friends and your holiday traditions. This is my second Thanksgiving in prison. Last Thanksgiving, I did not believe that I had very much to be thankful for. I…
by David Applegate | Nov 24, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
November 24, 2015 Happy Thanksgiving to my family and to all my friends and colleagues as well as those of you whom I have never met! I wanted to share with everyone how truly thankful I am for so many things in my life. This is an easy post for me…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 21, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Saturday November 21, 2015 I am surprised that I have not heard back from Mr. Trump. Oh well, I guess He is too busy to respond? Today is my bride's birthday! The second one I have missed over the past 31 years! I hope and pray that I only miss one…
by Roxanne Jackson | Nov 21, 2015 | Blog, Roxanne Jackson
How we perceive our individual situations is all in our minds. We must learn to program our minds with the right thoughts. Sometimes it is hard to program positivity, hope and happiness when we are in dire straits. However, it can be learned with a…
by Charles Jones | Nov 20, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
This will no doubt be the most difficult post I have attempted to write. I am reluctant to broach this painful subject for fear that my words will be inadequate to express just how BAD the music is at the Christian Chapel services at Bastrop FSC. We…
by David Applegate | Nov 18, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
Is It Time for Christmas? Yes, I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. In my previous life, I used to be the "Christmas Music Nazi" insisting that Kenny had to wait until after Thanksgiving every year to get out his 200+ Christmas CDs and start…
by Inside Out | Nov 17, 2015 | Blog, Inside Out
Fit is the New Black With each day that passes, I continue to become more established into a routine. Despite my fairly smoothe adjustment into my new surroundings, the emotional fluctuations are limitless. Within any given hour, I can go from being…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 16, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Here I am, at camp Fed on Thanksgiving of 2015, and I'm not serving dinner in the soup kitchen I'm serving time in a federal Jail. If asked the question, "Where do you see yourself next Thanksgiving?" last turkey day the answer would never have been…
by Leigh Sprague | Nov 16, 2015 | Blog, Leigh Sprague
Last week my bunkie, my limping, 62-year-old bunkie with the bum knee, threw down his cane and cried, "I've been cured." More or less. I was amazed, though not at the miracle of his recovery. Rather, what amazed me was that he decided to throw down…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 16, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I've come to realize over the past 11 weeks of my incarceration how regimented and compulsive I can be with regard to my personal habits. My wife and children always tease me about being anal retentive and a structure freak but I always really…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 15, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
The cooler weather has finally hit Camp Fed; the 6:30 Am temp was just below 40 degrees according to the local news station, that's the time I get my 5 to 6 miles in. I'm prepared for it, had on my hat, gloves, sweats and windbreaker and I was snug…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 14, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
A friend sent me a book on mindfulness yesterday, this one, the Buddhist version, I read the first chapter and was reminded that so many new age authors have borrowed the Buddhist way throughout the ages. The ever changing state we all live in, the…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 14, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Email Issues/Campaign Issues I just discovered that the prison email system "Corrlinks" has revalidation dates. If you signed up to email Me, your account apparently expires every year on the anniversary date of your sign-up. You have to renew your…
by Charles Jones | Nov 13, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
Americans have tossed around the word freedom for almost 240 years. Freedom was one of the reasons for our country's birth. We're supposed to be “the land of the free..." Freedom is so important that good people die for it. How does that translate…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 13, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how absolutely perfect this morning’s weather is, oh my goodness, what a fantastically beautiful sunrise and start to the day. A great way to start a Friday the thirtieth, unseasonably warm, clouds and bright…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 12, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
One of the biggest challenges we all face in prison is the boredom factor, it can be an area if the confinement that many find difficult to manage. It reminds me of a line from "Catch 22", a couple of the characters in the book were talking about…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 11, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Today I was speaking with one of the new inmates and the conversation went to getting visits from friends and family and how much we all appreciated having the contact with the outside world. He was asking how long it took to get people approved for…
by Kevin Boardman | Nov 11, 2015 | Blog, Kevin Boardman
Top 10 things you can do to help a loved one or friend who is in prison #9 Celebrate the passing of milestones Last week marked the passing of 6 months of confinement since I self-surrendered to prison. Milestones of time passed signify that the…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 11, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
This evening two new self surrender white collar men came into Camp Fed. Both were housed very near to my bunk and I had the opportunity to be the welcoming party. Myself and a few other among us did what was done for us when we first arrived, we…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 10, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Presidential Campaign Strategist ? Well, I have some idle time and an interest in politics. I have educational credentials that are equal to or exceed most campaign experts. Why can't I be a campaign adviser? Being in prison could be a drawback? Oh…
by David Applegate | Nov 10, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
When I knew I would be heading to a federal prison camp, I began researching the internet on the closest Federal Prison Camps to Palm Springs (Lompoc and Taft). Unfortunately, TripAdvisor and Yelp do not have ratings for prison camps. Probably no…
by Charles Jones | Nov 10, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
Let's face it. I have often embraced my own superficial side. For instance, I have always had a keen awareness of clothes, both good and bad. As long as I can remember, I've known what was in and out of style. I remember as early as elementary…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 10, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
A very rainy day down here today at Camp Fed, this throws my routine off, raining and windy I cant do my 1 1/2 walk and exercise, while this in itself is no big deal, it does throw my routine off. Routines for those of us in here are really…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 9, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Soundtrack Playing: Very loud laughter of Men Opening Tight Shout: Close up of a man's eyes, tearing up, slowly pull back to reveal his entire face, happily contorted in laughter. Slowly pull way further to reveal another 3 men on the bench with the…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 7, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
In the past, I was asked this question and I had a stock response. I do not know, but I would rather be a wealthy unhappy person as opposed to a poor unhappy person. Now that I no longer have any material wealth, I am really hoping that happiness is…
by Inside Out | Nov 7, 2015 | Blog, Inside Out
Attitude is Everything It has now been 14 days since I surrendered. I have come in contact with people from all walks of life. I have been fortunate to have met a few other inmates, that I have identified with, as they too have families with young…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 7, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
The feeling of isolation in the midst of 400+ people seems strange and yet is it really. The 400 people I'm here with are from so many different walks of life, cultures, backgrounds that that in itself leads to isolation. Throw in that the…
by Inside Out | Nov 6, 2015 | Blog, Inside Out
Dated 10/30/15 I woke up this morning and everything felt a bit different. I think it was the anticipation of seeing my wife and kids the next day, and knowing that moment was only 24 hours away. I had a little extra pop in my step. I did a quick 2…
by Inside Out | Nov 6, 2015 | Blog, Inside Out
This is a test post on Inside Outs blog.
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 6, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
There is a lot of information, rumor and supposition going around the camp regarding the pending bills in both the house and the Senate regarding prison reform and how it will affect all the inmates. I don't fully understand how it will affect all…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 5, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I was speaking with one of my fellow inmates this morning about self discipline, moderation and how certain of us spend our time and what we do to take care of our bodies and minds while we're incarcerated. He is a very intelligent gentleman who I…
by Roxanne Jackson | Nov 5, 2015 | Blog, Roxanne Jackson
Many things can cause your faith to yo-yo. But you must never lose hope or faith. When you trust in God you can always rest assured that "the best is yet to come". I have to believe that the best is on it's way! There is absolutely no other way to…
by Charles Jones | Nov 5, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
One of the good guys at Bastrop Federal Satellite Camp left on November 2nd, after serving an 18 month sentence. He had been a banker in his former life, was an excellent spades player and I liked him very much. He was the "barista" in the Chow Hall…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 4, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I have to say that the creativity of some of the inmates with regard to food is amazing. There is seriously some gourmet cooking going on in here. What makes it more amazing is the lack of any real kitchen tools or real fine ingredients for the the…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 3, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I would be remiss if I didn't mention what an absolutely beautiful day weather wise it is here at Camp Fed. There is not a cloud in the sky, the temperature has to be in the mid seventies, it's hard to believe it's the third of November. The weather…
by Kenneth Flaska | Nov 1, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
New Month - November 1, 2015 The most exciting day in prison - The first day of a new month. One month closer to the door. I just got off the phone with my wife. She was visiting friends (Jeff and Mary Jo) on their boat that was moored in a harbor…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 1, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
We changed the clocks back last night to mark the new month, the new season and now it does finally feel like fall. Thankfully the weather is still unseasonably warm which I'm very thankful for, it allows me to get out every morning to exercise and…
by Mark Bernstein | Nov 1, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Yes we are in prison, yes it can get to you but there are funny, funny moments that occur and sometimes we laugh so hard we cry. Tonight I had one of those moments while playing spades, yes, we do play cards too. We were discussing how bad the food…
by Kenneth Flaska | Oct 31, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Rule Breaker? I got pulled over by the C.O. (corrections officer) while I was working out on the Rec yard. I was doing pull-ups on a bar that was attached to the bleachers. This activity was apparently in violation of the compound safety rules. I…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 31, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I have started to teach a course here at Camp Fed, my course is Resume Writing & Cover Letters. I also intend to include some basics on creative writing as well. I was approached by the education dept to teach the curse and I gladly volunteered.…
by Charles Jones | Oct 30, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
Scabies is a contagious itch or mange caused by a parasite. I don't want it, but some unfortunate inmate brought it to Bastrop Federal Satellite Camp last summer. He was gone before I arrived on August 26th, but left this deposit as a parting gift.…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 30, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
I had a wonderful surprise today, my wife and our very dear friend Marcia came to visit last ,imute, spur of the moment, it was a great treat. Of course a visit from family and friends is so important to all of us in the camp but when comes as a…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 29, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
This morning I noticed it was a beautiful almost full moon, I must have missed it from yesterday due to the rain. But it was a great sight to see the moon going down in west and the sun going up in the east. Sunrise this morning was beautiful,…
by David Applegate | Oct 29, 2015 | Blog, David Applegate
Farewell Robyn October 29, 2015 Our dear friend Robyn Lazear passed away this past Sunday after a 10 year battle with cancer. Kenny and I met Robyn almost 20 years ago. Meeting and getting to know Robyn is a great example of why I try my best never…
by Inside Out | Oct 29, 2015 | Blog, Inside Out
Writing dated 10/28/15 One Week Down It has officially been 1 week since my surrender. It is safe to say that my transition has been fairly successful, as far as prison living is concerned. I have been amazed with how helpful everyone has been. It…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 28, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
Over the course of the past several days, five in fact I have been face to face with the institution and how the people who exercise the power within use the rules or ignore the rules to suit their fancy. These are the people who are hear to ensure…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 27, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
While walking around the track before sunrise I was reminded of Billy Pilgrim of Slaughterhouse Nine, or was it Five, Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel. His ability to leave the unsettling reality he was trapped in and go to different times and…
by Charles Jones | Oct 27, 2015 | Blog, Charles Jones
My first introduction to solitude was driving a tractor when I was in high school. While my primary gift was destroying farm equipment, quiet hours did become days, which became weeks in detached and precise pasture shredding. There was something…
by Hilary Neiman | Oct 27, 2015 | Hilary Neiman
Five Powerful Tips To Overcome Legal Challenges It’s easy to feel positive when things are going your way, but did you feel overwhelmed as soon as your legal challenges cropped up? It can be hard to keep ploughing onwards if you’re facing unexpected…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 25, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
While showering this morning my mind wandered to this thought, why aren't there more good looking men in this lace and what is the overall ratio of good looking to plain looking people in prison? What is the ratio of good looking to ugly people in…
by Kenneth Flaska | Oct 25, 2015 | Blog, Kenneth Flaska
Welcome to my world. Actual conversation I overheard while on the track in the Rec Yard last week. Prisoner # 1; Man, that is crazy. I did not use that Meth S_ _ _! It will destroy your body. Your teeth fall out....It will burn out your lungs!…
by Inside Out | Oct 24, 2015 | Blog, Inside Out
Dated 10/23/15 The First Visit Friday was finally here. After being able to make the first call to my wife the previous day, she planned to come visit the following day. The excitement this morning was none like I have ever felt. True butterflies to…
by Mark Bernstein | Oct 24, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein
In here with over 400 men trying to use 16 showers it is imperative to have a shower strategy, especially if you want to have instant easy access and a relatively peaceful time of it. That also goes for getting to use the toilets too, there are only…