To tell the truth, I don’t recall all the time passing. I enjoy my work, especially in the OMH Unit. We flowed from the ART Course into Phase III, then another of the same for different guys preparing to be released. The walk down to the building over a half mile away is a delight in all types of weather. No one seems to bother me or even ask for a pass for my presence on the deserted walkway.
My other work in Phase III with the other inmates is also going well. I had reports come back that guys got jobs because of the resume I helped them generate. Kudos to God I continue to say, as He was the one who gave me all talents and knowledge I testify, confusing some and even allowing conversation with others.
My basketball playing went well again, getting into the finals in both the under 40 and over 40 leagues. Heck, I even played on a volleyball team just for something different. I also continue my refereeing, gaining a few extras bucks that help with commissary. I continue some basic weight training as well as my evening walks in the yard, in all seasons. All in all, I feel in good shape physically, mentally and spiritually.
Life in the honor dorm is good, having gained the respect of others and the day-to-day CO’s who work there. In fact, the regular day guard often asks me to perform cleaning tasks that others could do but not as painstakingly as I do, especially in his personal bathroom. I play chess with a few guys, help some in school subjects, and trade for fruit and vegetables with any who comply. In fact, I had a regular guy I was actually buying from, mainly peppers and zucchini he received in packages, until he was transferred to another facility.
He was working outside the fence in the administration building, doing cleaning and maintenance early in the day or later in the evening. Seems he and another guy I knew, who worked part time in Transitional Services, were very friendly with a civilian female secretary who worked there. Then they were transferred. Turns out my associate from work was caught selling sniffs of that ladies panties for a flag! (stamp) My veggie supplier friend and he were also caught having sex in the office with that woman. Guess they forgot someone is always watching, in this instance on a camera. Though she had a husband and family, she was dismissed, losing her pension also, all for a few quickies with inmates. I was told that sort of thing goes on frequently and my mind returned to the guy in the Grievance office at Fishkill also caught with a civilian. What bothered me the most was the loss of fresh vegetables!
Good things keep happening to me in many ways, whether being overlooked by CO’s or extended privileges. My boss at work, also a believer by the way, who had to print all the lists and schedules I generate, let me print and copy just about anything I develop. I told him about my idea, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to start a home maintenance and repair business when I get out. To that end, I had developed a tri-fold brochure for it which he reviewed and allowed me to print. Letters to home or friends were also done, as well as work and letters for him of course.
A real strange event that happened a couple of times that, at the time I didn’t understand, occurred while at work. The assistant deputy of the facility stopped in to see me in my office at work and ask how I was doing and if everything was all right! I didn’t put two and two together till speaking with my brother on a visit. Turns out he was a lad from my home town, a few years behind me in school, who obviously remembered me and was checking in to see if all was okay. I was stunned and pleased at the same time. That type of thing just doesn’t go on in here, with a clear dividing line between green, blue and everybody else. He even stopped me on the walkway one day to check up on me, with several CO’s and other admin guys around. So I feel really blessed and watched over even inside corrections. It caused me to remember back a year before I offended when I played in a high school alumni basketball game with a few of his brothers and a cousin or two, as he was from a large family in my hometown. I played really well that day and even went out with some of them to celebrate afterwards. So it was amazing I didn’t make any connection at first. It also left me wondering what he thought of how I turned out after all these years. What a disappointment for sure.
There was another blessing of having my own office. When we had moved over to the program building, things were chaotic for a bit, but then rooms and offices were assigned and I was given a 8 x 10 office with a window. So cool. I even was given my own computer, with no internet of course. It was still strange considering my charge but not when considering all I was doing for others, inmates and blue shirts alike. It was there I work on guys resumes, letters for many, including some of my own, class lists and anything else requested of me. It was where I would get called to do work on holidays and even weekends when needed by staff, something I didn’t mind as long as it didn’t interfere with a visit, which it never has yet.
So I was beginning to see there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and prayed it wasn’t a train! Guys were going home all around me and I now believed it was going to happen to me, such a change from when I started or even a few months ago after I was hit by the parole board. There was a guy who went to civil confinement, a place no one wants to go where they can keep sex offenders indefinitely, but I really didn’t fear they would take me. You had to be a repeat offender and have other issues as well. Time is continuing to pass, no necessarily flying by, but at least passing.
What would life be like when I got out? Would I be able to reconcile with my wife? What would I do for work? Would I be shunned as I heard so many other sex offenders were in communities all over the state? Would I be able to continue my faith so none of this would matter? As time continued to pass I prayed I would stay strong every day, but knew the biggest test of my life would be outside corrections.