<p>I found out my son will be going to a prison with the worst reputation! There are many prisons we thought he might get,but not this one. Even if he behaves and keeps to himself, there are other factors. I am trying not to do things out of order. Our son hasn’t spoken to us since he went to our central reception facility-he is waiting to get his pin number. His attorney feels this place wouldn’t be so bad as he will be in a minimum security unit, and most of the action is in the medium or worse unit. My husband thinks we just have to wait and then make noise if there is a specific problem. This is a problem I hadn’t thought about. I would call up the DOC Commissioner if I thought it might help. I don’t want to name the prison here,just as I haven’t mentioned the specific charges against my son. I don’t want prison to be a “nice” experience, but I don’t want to put his life in danger either.</p>
<p>fauxmaven-I have been following you through this and I am so sorry there is an added worry now. Praying for you and your family right now.</p>
<p>My goodness. I hope everything turns out okay. I assume you are looking for support on other websites because there are probably places especially for people with your concerns.
Prayers.</p>
<p>Isn’t the minimum security unit, in effect, a separate prison?</p>
<p>Yes, I am now on PTO, the CC of prison talk, but I like the overall clientele on CC better. A minimum security unit is a part of the prison, but I don’t know if there is interaction during outdoor time or not. This place is the opposite of a farm!</p>
<p>I admit that I dont know anything about prison hierarchy, but is it possible that even though the prison has the reputation for being bad, that having the prisoners segregated into minimum security, medium security & high security, might actually be better and safer than a prison where most prisoners are in the same general population?</p>
<p>Most prisons control inmate movement as a form of security. They do not let inmates with different security levels interact. They may share the recreational facilities but not at the same time. If you son is in a minimum security unit, he should be protected from the higher risk inmates. Inmates can move to lower security levels based on time and behavior. The more time that passes without the inmate receiving infractions, the more likely the inmate is to move to a lower level of security. Your son should have received information regarding what behavior constitute offenses within the prison. If your son avoids committing offenses, his stay will be much better.</p>
<p>All prisons segregate the various levels of security, but some prisons don’t have high security prisoners. I guess that he can try to transfer to a full minimum security place after 6 months if he behaves. I just want him to SURVIVE the 6 months.</p>
<p>I don’t have any advice but my heart goes out to you so much. Many (((hugs))) and please be assured of my ongoing prayers for your son.</p>
<p>Just try to remember that as Moms, we tend to worry a lot about our kids. Think of all the times you have worried about your son and NONE of it came to pass. I think we are just wired to worry that the worst will happen, but the reality rarely lives up to our fears. Thank goodness.</p>
<p>Hang in there. Your son is smart and won’t do anything to bring harm to himself.</p>
<p>I want you to know I’ve followed your story and I pray for you and your son. I will continue to pray for his safety and your peace of mind. I’m not that knowledgeable about this, but I couldn’t imagine they’d let the murderers comingle with the white collar criminals. I hate to think this, but you mentioned previously he was sorry for being caught, not necessarily sorry for the crime. Maybe this glimpse into more hard core felons will be the jolt to set him straight.</p>
<p>Hang in there mom. Deep breaths. What are you doing for yourself that helps you take your mind off of this? Even if you have to go through the motions at first, I’d highly suggest scheduling yourself A LOT of activities to keep you occupied.</p>
<p>I agree with those who say he will not be mixed with the real bad guys. there are different levels in each prison. He will be more or less with his own “kind” – some better, some worse. He should keep to himself and stay as busy as he can.</p>
<p>I’m not a parent (not even an adult) but it breaks my heart to see you suffering and worrying for your son. I can’t give advice on how to stop worrying about a child as I’ve never known that experience. I do have an anxiety disorder, and something that helps me calm down a bit is to think that “I’ll worry about it the moment it happens, if it happens at all.” By that, I mean you should assume everything will be OK and only worry if you hear that your son has been hurt. That way, you won’t make yourself sick with worry. Life so isn’t fair, but we have to fight anyway!</p>
<p>No advice, just support. </p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>Hugs to you, Fauxmaven. No advice from here either. You are doing what you can in communicating with your son’s attorney to get info and options.</p>
<p>Hugs from here as well - will be following along with you on this journey.</p>
<p>Big hugs, Faux; I so wish things were going more easily for you and your son.</p>
<p>I am so sorry about this additional worry, Fauxmaven! I have been following your story, but haven’t posted because I don’t have any information to offer. But my heart is breaking for you, and I just wanted to post that.</p>
<p>From what others have posted here, it sounds as if your son should be physically safe. I certainly hope that this is the case, and that you get solid information to this effect very soon. What is his lawyer saying? You might have already posted this in this thread, that I just read 5 minutes ago, but my anxiety level is high enough that I’m not thinking clearly. </p>
<p>You are a wonderful mother, and your son is fortunate to have you. I hope that he goes through his sentence without problems, and that he comes out in a better frame of mind.</p>
<p>Just another post to say I’ve been following your threads and thinking of you. I hope you can continue to stay strong under the incredible stress of going through this with your child. Hugs of support for you. It’s impossible to know how much this must hurt.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to you, fauxmaven. I imagine the latest news just piles on the distress of the situation, but I think your Dh has the right idea. The lawyer probably also has some familiarity with the prison as well, and if he thinks this is ok, it probably is. As long as you can visit often and have communication, I’d let things play out and hope for the best.<br>
{{{hugs}}}</p>