Etika LLC — Ethical Prison Consultants

Last blog before surrendering to prison

by Mark Bernstein | Aug 29, 2015 | Blog, Mark Bernstein

8/29/15

Last blog before surrendering to prison

This will be my last blog while I’m still out and about, the two words that come to mind are ANXIOUS and ANTICIPATION. With two days left to go before I self-surrender there are tons of things going through my mind, lots of questions:

What will it be like?

How will I keep sane, focused and constructive?

What will the bathroom facilities be like?

Six months without my wife and kids?

Will I be OK sleeping on the top bunk?

Six months without my friends?

What kind of guys will I be rooming with?

Six months without a Scotch – Oh My?

Six months without sex and intimacy – Oh My My?

Six months without personal space and freedom?

Do you they sell toothpicks at the commissary?

How will I manage for six months without L&B Squares?

Six months without a bike ride?

How will I manage without my computer, laptop, Ipad, phone and cameras?

Six months without my music and books?

No Bar-b-q?

From the sublime to the ridiculous the list goes on in my head. It’s funny, all of the things we have that we take for granted, we don’t realize until we lose them or about to do without them, what an integral part they play in our lives. One lesson I’ve already learned from this experience is not to take anything for granted, life is a gift and the people and things we have should never be taken for granted and always appreciated.

Most of, no, all of the material things I can certainly do without for this brief six months, it’s the emotional connections, people, places that I will miss most. I know that I’m strong enough and intelligent enough to make the next six months a positive growth event, which is the goal I will accomplish. I’m sure there will be some good and not so good experiences and lessons I will have and I intend to make the best of them all.

I will be sharing most of these experiences, observations and learned lessons with you through my blog. I hope to continue to post insightful and humorous stories that you like to read and comment on, I hope you do share your thoughts with me.

Feel free to write me at:

Mark Bernstein 69071 054

FCI FORT DIX
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
SATELLITE CAMP
P.O. BOX 2000
JOINT BASE MDL, NJ 08640

Mark

Surrendering to prison, FCI FORT DIX FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

3 Comments

  • Soos BaloosSep 7, 2015

    Always reading, thoroughly enjoying, though I wish these posts belonged to someone other than you :(

    So much love, Soos & Ferl

  • Fred FoxSep 7, 2015

    Yes a routine sounds like a constructive plan. I hear you are thinking about bocce which is as close to Spumoni Squares as I am. I will take a guess and say this experience is much like school-you get what you make of it. Those who slept through class might have missed a trick or two. Make it work and take a few to figure out how you got there. That's one way to turn these lemons into lemonade. FF

  • Asm AfsarySep 28, 2015

    Mark, its great to read your blog! I wish I met you outside. You seem to be really good person. The mistake you made is not going to define you unless you want it that way. Its pretty clear that you are taking steps to elevate yourself, I am with you there. I'll see you at Fort Dix soon.