I’M WRITING A BLOG? SERIOUSLY?
I must admit that I have, until yesterday, not so quietly mocked anyone who thought that I cared a rip about what he/she wrote in a blog. With that admission succinctly out of the way and completely forgotten, here goes my blog.
NOW?
As there are now 200,000,000 blogs in the US, why am I such a late adopter of what 5 years ago ceased to be trending? Well…truth is, in a few days I will be headed to “camp” aka Bastrop Federal Satellite Camp which is unfortunately run by the federal bureau of prisons. As I will be there for some time, I’m looking for something to do. A blog seemed more realistic than becoming a self-taught surgeon using what I expect to be a 1989 Encyclopedia in the prison library or working every day on becoming the oldest rookie to win the Masters after making my own clubs. Blogging seemed more doable, so why the heck not do it now.
WHY?
Reason 1:
There are friends and family who have stood by me through this humiliating experience. They have carried me the last year through my son’s death and my own weird journey through the perplexities and frustrations of the federal criminal justice system. They have supported me despite my stupid decisions that created this mess. Hopefully this blog will be a way for me to efficiently communicate with the people who have loved me more than I deserve.
Reason 2:
I hope that writing this helps me sort out and journal the thoughts and feelings (yeah, voices) that are inside my head. While I take total responsibility for the damage I’ve caused, it’s still been stressful. Hopefully I’ve gained some insight from my mistakes and will continue to learn as I face the consequences. I hope that writing about this will help me, as I obviously need help.
Reason 3:
My sense is that I’m not alone as a self-described middle ager whose life needs recalibrating. My GPS does that effortlessly after my car has taken a wrong turn, but it’s not so easy for me. When we get off track, we often get wounded. Some of those wounds are self-inflicted, many or not. Perhaps by writing this, I can help one person recalibrate. Who knows, maybe we can do that together.
Reason 4:
I am experiencing the criminal justice system maze in an up close and personal way. My hope is that this blog can serve as a resource for those who are facing similar circumstances. There are those whose writings, videos and conversations have helped me, and I long to be able to pay that back to others.
Feel free to comment below.
You can also write to:
Charles D. Jones
46990-380
FCI BASTROP
SATELLITE CAMP
P.O. BOX 629
BASTROP, TX 78602
Judy and i are sending your our best for a successful adventure. We love you and send blessings to you and your family today. Thank you sooo much for your willingness to share this experience with us. We know you will be writing in your blog and are looking forward to reading each and every word! Kindest regards, Jim and Judy Reed
I am very proud of my Dees.
Charlie,
I was having dinner tonight with a close friend when somehow your name came up and the events that led to your incarceration, which was shocking enough until it was followed by the shocking news that Walton had died! I was so incredulous at hearing it that when I arrived home I did a Google search and indeed it corroborated what this individual had said. I was stunned. And so saddened.
Having lost my own son (and never hearing from Becky in spite of our long term friendship), I am qualified to state that there is no greater human pain than the loss of a much beloved child. It is a catastrophic life event which leaves us with ever-lasting aftershocks. I wrote a column which was published in the WacoTrib last Sept. sharing what my personal sojourn and life has been after Christian’s death. I hope you an opportunity to peruse it through a Google search
There is much to say and little energy at the moment, but I did want to commend your fortitude and openness about your experience in the penal system and the events that led to it. I have not and will not judge your character or persona. I’m simply sorry for the extraordinary challenges that you have endured and in particular, the loss of Walton just as I lost my own son. What a waste of two magnificent and talented young men!
Know that I am thinking about you and your family. I have discovered that just when I thought I couldn’t go anymore, there was a lot more in me than I believed I had.
Christian’s demise is chronicled in his web site: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/christianerickson. A valid email must be entered and a creation of a password followed by a search of his name.
All the best,
Wiki
As I told another perosn on this blog, check out facilities that have the SOMP. They will have a higher ratio of SOs and thus be safer. My son is at a CCA facility right now waiting to be sent to a prison. Several of the people in his pod have been in the system before and recommend those, and also Springfield, MO as being relatively safe. Cover stories can come back to bite, so it’s probably better if he just keeps his mouth shut for a while until he figures out who it’s safe to talk to. Devens, MA; Marion, IL; Tuscon, AZ; Petersburg, VA; Seagoville, TX; and Marianna, FL all have SOMP. You might ask the judge to recommend one that’s as close to you as possible. There’s no guarantee he’ll get it, but it sometimes helps.