May 1, 2015
Keys to Success in Federal Prison Camp
I have received dozens of emails and letters from people telling me how amazed they are at how well I have adjusted to life here at the Taft Correctional Institution camp. And I do have to admit I am pleased with how I have adjusted so far. I am content the vast majority of the time, even happy at times. Although there are moments of sad have not been depressed (well except for that one time after my first visit with Kenny). Now that I have been here for over three months and am a veteran (ha!), it seems like it is a good time to share my thoughts on how to have a smooth transition to prison camp. I sincerely hope that none of the people following my blog will ever need this advice. However, when I was doing my research, I found surprisingly little information on this topic! So maybe this post will help some people out who will surrendering to prison camp.
First of all, if you have the resources, I highly recommend retaining a prison consultant like Justin Paperny as early in the process as possible - certainly before your pre-sentencing interview with your probation officer. Thus far, the two key things I have learned from Justin is that the idea of prison camp is far scarier than the reality of prison camp and that it is critical to go in with a plan. The stress of worrying about a prison sentence can be worse than the actual experience and having knowledge decreases fear and allows you to live your life while you prepare.
Following are the keys to my success thus far:
1) Stay calm/don't react - Inmates and staff are going to say and do things that upset you. Don't react. Pause and take a breath. If no response is necessary, don't have one. If one is required, say "OK" and walk away. My experience with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and meditation has been extremely helpful in this area. Note the anger and then choose to let it go and move on to the next moment.
2) Accept where you are and take responsibility for how you got here. Yes, life is unfair and there are always people who have done worse things and received lighter sentences or are not in prison at all. None of that matters. It's in the past and it is what it is (a cliche that truly applies here). The reality is that virtually everyone here made poor choices at some point and accepting that and the consequences (whether fair or not) is critical to moving on and having a positive experience. Bitterness and anger are corrosive and counterproductive.
3) Look for and experience the positive. This is different than positive thinking which can turn into convincing yourself that things are better than they are (which I don't think is helpful). Instead, practice being in the moment and noticing - and experiencing - good things when they occur. These will very likely be different and possibly more subtle than the good things that occur on the outside. A letter or email from a friend, a beautiful day, a nice breeze, an evening walk, a laugh or a smile, the arrival of the NYTimes. It's surprising how many good things happen in a day. If you take the time to notice them, contentment follows.
4) Have a plan/objectives - Felons are discriminated against. That is the reality. And many felons cannot return to the same line of work because they are barred as a condition of their sentence. So you have to have a plan and objectives to support that plan. There are opportunities here to learn skills and trades but you have to seek them out. I love the medical device field and I plan on going back to consulting in that field when I am out. So I am staying on top of what is going on - particularly in eye care. And while I enjoy blogging, my blog is also a way to network so that people I might work with in the future don't forget about me! Thanks to Justin for encouraging me to do this.
5) Keep busy! - Work your plan, work out, read, write, take classes, join groups, play sports. Develop a daily structure and stick to it. Boredom and time flying are inversely related. This will probably be the first time since you were a kid that you have less responsibility. Use the time wisely: become a better person, become a better spouse and friend, read things you never would have read.
6) Stay off the radar and follow the rules - don't complain and don't whine.
7) Be kind and respectful to both other inmates and staff. I have always practiced the old adage that honey always works better than vinegar and that is doubly true here. However, don't offer help or advice unless you are certain it will be welcomed!
Shout outs - the books are arriving again and heartfelt thanks to Karen Robert, Bud and Becky Hawley, Gala Struthers, Bart Kessler, Maureen O'Connell and my little bro Steve! Also congrats to Maureen on her recent article in CRST!
David Applegate
