46 minutes ago
Friday, April 19, 2013
Friday, March 08, 2013
Update On Progress
March 8th, 2013
I have been having a great time readjusting back into society and breaking all those prison habits/quirks that unknowingly latched onto me (Such as not using a persons name when conversing with them). I am doing all that is expected of me by my parole officer (who has turned out to be a decent person), and am getting my personal life situated nicely with the help of my best friend Tony(and his great family), my girlfriend, my friend (and very active activist) Peggy Plews and a few other friends and family.
Part of my parole includes completing a course called "New Directions Offender Responsibility Lifeskills Course, by the American Community Corrections Institute. A home study course. A breeze for me to complete, however, it is obviously a simple sham course to bilk the parolee of $85.00 (to be sent in with the completed workbook). The course has some information that makes you think, but for the most part it seems to be poorly put together and not well thought out. In my eyes, it is just another greedy correctional predatory corporation prospering on the backs of the impoverished excon and his family. I will simply pay the fee, pass the course and move on in my adventure.
I may provide readers with all of my answers to the courses questions in a few weeks (i'd hate to fail it because I posted them prematurely). I haven't decided yet. I'd love to show everybody the $85.00 course's answers. I'd show the 60 page book, but that would likely be a copyright infringement. Wouldn't want that!
I have been having a great time readjusting back into society and breaking all those prison habits/quirks that unknowingly latched onto me (Such as not using a persons name when conversing with them). I am doing all that is expected of me by my parole officer (who has turned out to be a decent person), and am getting my personal life situated nicely with the help of my best friend Tony(and his great family), my girlfriend, my friend (and very active activist) Peggy Plews and a few other friends and family.
Part of my parole includes completing a course called "New Directions Offender Responsibility Lifeskills Course, by the American Community Corrections Institute. A home study course. A breeze for me to complete, however, it is obviously a simple sham course to bilk the parolee of $85.00 (to be sent in with the completed workbook). The course has some information that makes you think, but for the most part it seems to be poorly put together and not well thought out. In my eyes, it is just another greedy correctional predatory corporation prospering on the backs of the impoverished excon and his family. I will simply pay the fee, pass the course and move on in my adventure.
I may provide readers with all of my answers to the courses questions in a few weeks (i'd hate to fail it because I posted them prematurely). I haven't decided yet. I'd love to show everybody the $85.00 course's answers. I'd show the 60 page book, but that would likely be a copyright infringement. Wouldn't want that!
Friday, February 08, 2013
Shocking Noises
February 8, 2013
After being out for more than two weeks, I am startled out of a dead sleep nearly every morning to the sound of roosters crowing. You'd think that after a decade of the clinking of keys, slamming of doors and the tap of boots on the cold concrete floors every hour 24/7, I would be able to sleep through anything. Strangely though, the sound of roosters as the sun rises startles me awake. Foreign sounds I suppose will take some getting use to.
Comically, there are around three roosters who are just as confused as me early in the morning, because they start up about an hour before all the others. Way before sunrise. Either they are old and confused, or maybe they are just resisting their own societal norms. lol
After being out for more than two weeks, I am startled out of a dead sleep nearly every morning to the sound of roosters crowing. You'd think that after a decade of the clinking of keys, slamming of doors and the tap of boots on the cold concrete floors every hour 24/7, I would be able to sleep through anything. Strangely though, the sound of roosters as the sun rises startles me awake. Foreign sounds I suppose will take some getting use to.
Comically, there are around three roosters who are just as confused as me early in the morning, because they start up about an hour before all the others. Way before sunrise. Either they are old and confused, or maybe they are just resisting their own societal norms. lol
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Freedom!!!
February 2nd, 2013
It has been 15 days since my release. I think it's been long enough now for me to safely begin politely blogging again.;) Where should I start? Hmmm Why not start at my release day...
January 18th: After being told that ADOC is required to transport me to my parole officer's office due to my being maximum custody and supervision level, I was driven to Northern Arizona and dropped off at his office. I arrived there at around 3:30pm. The transport officers gave me various paperwork, including an affidavit of identification (Lewis Complex's ID machine was down) and quickly departed. After a brief sit down with my PO (A very cordial and straight-forward guy), I was leaving the office for the 1 hour ride home when I noticed an error on my ID affidavit. Then another. And another! Returning to my PO, I showed him the error and took the document and said he'd take care of it and contact me. -This is the only document I had to obtain a real state ID, but it was useless to me. It had the wrong first name (Carlos), wrong Date of Birth, wrong Social Security Number and even wrong middle name! It did have my ADC#, height, weight, and last name, and MY PHOTO! Just wanting to get the hell out of dodge, I agreed to let my PO handle it and left.
After about 10 days with no ID, unable to do something as simple as get a mail box, I began to get restless and was able to get my state ID on my own. Then Satellite TV and internet. LOL
Comically, my PO informed me that my supervision level is only Medium and it was a mistake on ADOC's part that I was transported, rather than my having to pay the $800 cab fare I had previously been planning. Ooops :)
Since my release, I have went fishing every day, camping once (Huge mistake!) A water bottle froze over night INSIDE THE TENT) and have been living and enjoying life, as well as acting on future business plans. I even went to my first casino and left with an extra $40! And ate crab legs!
I am loving life and am getting in gear and rolling forward. Watch out now, I'm on a mission and all those who doubted my sincerity inside prison can watch me move forward and those who tried and try to get in my way now should just give up. I've got this! Thank you everybody who encouraged and stood by me and PPP over the years. You guys deserve your own credit for all this. You truly made a huge difference in this EX-prisoners life. Thank you.
Shannon (No longer in prison but still persevering)
It has been 15 days since my release. I think it's been long enough now for me to safely begin politely blogging again.;) Where should I start? Hmmm Why not start at my release day...
January 18th: After being told that ADOC is required to transport me to my parole officer's office due to my being maximum custody and supervision level, I was driven to Northern Arizona and dropped off at his office. I arrived there at around 3:30pm. The transport officers gave me various paperwork, including an affidavit of identification (Lewis Complex's ID machine was down) and quickly departed. After a brief sit down with my PO (A very cordial and straight-forward guy), I was leaving the office for the 1 hour ride home when I noticed an error on my ID affidavit. Then another. And another! Returning to my PO, I showed him the error and took the document and said he'd take care of it and contact me. -This is the only document I had to obtain a real state ID, but it was useless to me. It had the wrong first name (Carlos), wrong Date of Birth, wrong Social Security Number and even wrong middle name! It did have my ADC#, height, weight, and last name, and MY PHOTO! Just wanting to get the hell out of dodge, I agreed to let my PO handle it and left.
After about 10 days with no ID, unable to do something as simple as get a mail box, I began to get restless and was able to get my state ID on my own. Then Satellite TV and internet. LOL
Comically, my PO informed me that my supervision level is only Medium and it was a mistake on ADOC's part that I was transported, rather than my having to pay the $800 cab fare I had previously been planning. Ooops :)
Since my release, I have went fishing every day, camping once (Huge mistake!) A water bottle froze over night INSIDE THE TENT) and have been living and enjoying life, as well as acting on future business plans. I even went to my first casino and left with an extra $40! And ate crab legs!
I am loving life and am getting in gear and rolling forward. Watch out now, I'm on a mission and all those who doubted my sincerity inside prison can watch me move forward and those who tried and try to get in my way now should just give up. I've got this! Thank you everybody who encouraged and stood by me and PPP over the years. You guys deserve your own credit for all this. You truly made a huge difference in this EX-prisoners life. Thank you.
Shannon (No longer in prison but still persevering)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Final Confined Entry!
December 10th, 2012
As prison life and my fellow orangemen continue to swirl onward around me, in now what I call a chaotic ford, prison being the turbulent river, my remaining days seem to be significantly longer and pass by much slower. I am counting each day down now, 33 days and a wake up!
I have disconnected with everybody in orange and brown as much as humanly possible. I don't leave my cell for any reason, other than to shower and to use the phone. I speak to my cellmate, Jerry, a few times daily, usually about my plans in the free-world or to help him develop some of his own (he has 8 months left). I buy $40 in commissary a week for smokes, coffee, food etc. I am totally focussed on going home and staying out. Occasionally, I converse with a passerby, but generally I am outside of prison in my mind. I write and call my friends, family and my woman and am exclusively focussed now outside these walls.
My blogging will continue in 34 more days. I promise. Until then, feel free to read through old posts and discuss them. I will be responding to comments upon my release, so keep them coming! I'm happy, in love, feeling good and impatiently waiting to start anew.
Thank you all and see you on the other side!
Shannon
As prison life and my fellow orangemen continue to swirl onward around me, in now what I call a chaotic ford, prison being the turbulent river, my remaining days seem to be significantly longer and pass by much slower. I am counting each day down now, 33 days and a wake up!
I have disconnected with everybody in orange and brown as much as humanly possible. I don't leave my cell for any reason, other than to shower and to use the phone. I speak to my cellmate, Jerry, a few times daily, usually about my plans in the free-world or to help him develop some of his own (he has 8 months left). I buy $40 in commissary a week for smokes, coffee, food etc. I am totally focussed on going home and staying out. Occasionally, I converse with a passerby, but generally I am outside of prison in my mind. I write and call my friends, family and my woman and am exclusively focussed now outside these walls.
My blogging will continue in 34 more days. I promise. Until then, feel free to read through old posts and discuss them. I will be responding to comments upon my release, so keep them coming! I'm happy, in love, feeling good and impatiently waiting to start anew.
Thank you all and see you on the other side!
Shannon
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Lesson Takeaway
October 16, 2012
After 123 months of confinement for a residential burglary, I am now less than 90 days until I'm released on Community Supervision. Many people ask me what I've learned from this and what I'm taking away from this decade-long sentence of imprisonment. Well, let me now attempt to provide the answer to this question.
First, and foremost, I've learned that I cannot do drugs. Ever again. I must be vigilant for any and all potential triggers which could lead me to relapse into using. There is no "just this once"! I've recognized and made mental notes of these triggers. I have relapsed, despite such great strides forward in my life and so much waiting for me in society, so vigilance is a must. In addition, I must surround myself with only friends & family who are clean and who provide support, rather than stress me with negativity. Which I've managed to arrange for in my woman, my sister, my best friend Tony, as well as a few long-range positive friends like Shaun, Sue O. and of course I can't forget my tiny Brit friend Louise, who has been there for me for nearly 15 years now. Yeah, I've got anti-drug use friends world-wide who I can count on. Also, I have and will continue to cut ties with active drug users.
Over the years, I've lived around all types of criminals. Brutally dangerous murderers, sick & depraved sex offenders, desperate drug-addicted thieves, and so many others. I will try to remain in somewhat quiet, peaceful social circles. Obviously, I won't run background checks on potential new friends, but I've learned to choose my friends carefully and am a fairly good judge of character.
I've also focussed numerous years on my writing & art skills, as well as educating myself through tons of books and college courses I paid for. These skills and knowledge I will apply upon my release. Skills and knowledge I enjoy using, which I'm convinced will bring me joy and success.
I've been able to learn so much in the past 10 years and I'm taking it all with me in January. A home, a great woman who loves me, family, friends and a mind set to be clean, happy, free and successful. I'm taking with me everything I want and need on my release day.
After 123 months of confinement for a residential burglary, I am now less than 90 days until I'm released on Community Supervision. Many people ask me what I've learned from this and what I'm taking away from this decade-long sentence of imprisonment. Well, let me now attempt to provide the answer to this question.
First, and foremost, I've learned that I cannot do drugs. Ever again. I must be vigilant for any and all potential triggers which could lead me to relapse into using. There is no "just this once"! I've recognized and made mental notes of these triggers. I have relapsed, despite such great strides forward in my life and so much waiting for me in society, so vigilance is a must. In addition, I must surround myself with only friends & family who are clean and who provide support, rather than stress me with negativity. Which I've managed to arrange for in my woman, my sister, my best friend Tony, as well as a few long-range positive friends like Shaun, Sue O. and of course I can't forget my tiny Brit friend Louise, who has been there for me for nearly 15 years now. Yeah, I've got anti-drug use friends world-wide who I can count on. Also, I have and will continue to cut ties with active drug users.
Over the years, I've lived around all types of criminals. Brutally dangerous murderers, sick & depraved sex offenders, desperate drug-addicted thieves, and so many others. I will try to remain in somewhat quiet, peaceful social circles. Obviously, I won't run background checks on potential new friends, but I've learned to choose my friends carefully and am a fairly good judge of character.
I've also focussed numerous years on my writing & art skills, as well as educating myself through tons of books and college courses I paid for. These skills and knowledge I will apply upon my release. Skills and knowledge I enjoy using, which I'm convinced will bring me joy and success.
I've been able to learn so much in the past 10 years and I'm taking it all with me in January. A home, a great woman who loves me, family, friends and a mind set to be clean, happy, free and successful. I'm taking with me everything I want and need on my release day.
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