Here's another example of bureaucracy at work.
I had a visit with my parents today, and I was told by the officer in the back where the inmates enter that I would be having a non-contact visit behind the glass.
"That's not right. Would you mind checking up front to make sure?"
After a quick phone call: "Yeah, it's non-contact."
We only get three contact visits each month here, so I started doing the math in my head. I've had one contact with my parents and will have another with my brother next week. New Year's Eve I have some friends coming but...ah, my parents think my friends can have a contact visit so they are saving one for them. They don't know that only family can have contact visits.
I told the officer my deduction and said to clear it up as soon as I got to the window.
As soon as I sat down across the plexiglass from my parents, I picked up the phone and explained the situation. My mom left to ask the front desk if we could move to contact. One officer seemed to be congenial but the officer on duty would not allow it. Next, my father went to talk to the warden.
My parents had called ahead to schedule a non-contact visit instead of contact. The warden said he would change the visit to contact except the visit had already started. We had not been sitting for more than 30 seconds out of a two-hour visit while I explained the situation to my parents! Thirty seconds! I think it was actually that he did not want to go back into the computer to change the visit and instead did what was easiest.
On my way out of visitation I told the officer in the back what had happened. "If they called back here, I would have told them your visit had just started," he said. "You weren't in there but maybe 30 seconds."
My thoughts exactly.
I had a real treat yesterday. I got a visit from a friend I hadn't seen in nearly four years and we were able to talk for nearly four hours.Eric is a friend that I met at the church I attended. While working on a degree at TCU, he also played drums for our college worship band. Through the whole legal process he has been a big support and we have kept in contact through letters during my entire incarceration (even if some of our correspondence had long breaks in the middle.)
After he graduated Eric did some traveling in Central America and ended up settling in Columbia teaching English. My letters are scanned by my mom and emailed, and his replies are received by my mom via email, printed out and mailed to me. Not the most elegant way to communicate but it works.
Last week my boss got a call from her mom, the warden's secretary, and asked me,"Who is Eric Tabone?"
"How do you know that name?" I responded with much surprise that she knew my friend's name.
"He just got a visit approved for four hours."
Awesome! Two weeks in the states and he's got me on his itinerary.
When I saw him yesterday he was the same Eric I remember, maybe a little slimmer than the last time I saw him. We jumped into conversation like we hadn't missed a beat. I got to hear all about Columbia and his plans to start his own business teaching business English to employees of multi-national corporations. And I shared my experiences from behind these walls. It was a really fin time and it made me even more anxious to get out and share conversation with more friends. I got a lot of encouragement from him.
It's friends and family that have made this experience bearable through letters, cards and visits. And Eric is no exception.
Yesterday I received a visit from the president of the organization I worked for prior to my incarceration. Yes, it was in the middle of the week - prospective employers have that privilege, along with clergy and attorneys. We also happened to be the only people inn the visitation room other than the supervising guard in the corner. It was certainly a different atmosphere than the usual din of the visitors all around. Nice to be reminded of quiet every now and then.
I found out about my boss's visit a couple of weeks ago and was actually quite surprised that it would take place. I never had much interaction with him at the office and have been absent for over three years. I guess it helps that I have loving parents who also work at that office, a place filled with more love for people than I've experienced any where else. When I heard that he was coming, I was at a loss for what we would be talking about. I'm fairly worthless as an employee here and don't expect to get out for almost two years.
We sat down and I was asked about my prison experiences. I was able to share how God has been working in and through me over the past few years. Then I heard about how the organization has grown and changed since I left as my boss told me his excitement about how God is shaping how Bible translation is done. It made me miss being involved in the process, even in a small capacity.
After I explained my post-release goals, including education mostly, he surprised me with a discussion of how I could work from behind these walls. Really? Apparently there's a load of writing that needs to be done each quarter for project updates that I might be able to help with. Now we're trying to figure out the logistics of getting things back and forth, if it's possible at all.
I came away very encouraged, not just that I might get work, but that the president of the organization took time out of his very busy schedule to check up on someone who has only been a small part of operations years ago. God's community continues to surprise me with amazing blessings.
Hooray! Lockdown is over! It could not have come soon enough.
My cellie was making enough noise to annoy not just me., but the surrounding five cells, too. I expected to get quite a lot of reading done, but only finished one book and got fifty pages into the next (Halting States by Charles Stross and Empire by Orson Scott Card, if you're curious.) The first hot meal on a full tray is always a welcome sight after disappointing johnnies thrice each day.
Yeah, my cellie was out of control all lockdown. One of his friends is in an adjacent cell, so he was constantly banging on the concrete walls, which gave a deep reverberation, and yelling through the vents. When the walls weren't shaking, he was singing to himself in his bunk with his new street-purchased radio, or just making weird noises. When asked to stop, he would take only a temporary break, maybe thirty minutes. When he moved in he said he was glad I as white. "Black guys are too loud," he said. Little did I know he was going to be louder than any cellie I've had yet.
My only respite was a visit from my parents on Sunday. I was surprised to see visitation run during lockdown, but sure wasn't complaining. I might have been a little loony after being in the cell for three days with a noisemaker, but if I was, they didn't say anything. I also got to eat some better fare than the johnnies. Just talking to someone would have been enough, but those two hours felt like a vacation. Today, it's back to normal, and considering the past few days, that's a good thing.
I had a visit from Sandy and Betsy today. This second meeting was far less awkward for me. I knew what to expect instead of spending the day wondering. It was different right from the start when I recognized both of them, and they also knew who they were looking for. Their smiles upon seeing me were the kind of encouragement I get from anyone else who visits me.
We sat down at a table and launched into conversation. I heard all about their Christmas and family dynamics around the holidays. They asked me new questions about my life here and prior to incarceration. The rest of the two hours were spent just talking life in general like any conversation you might have over lunch with a friend.
What a great Christmas gift to see these two wonderful women. I am so blessed by all the friends, some of which I barely knew before my arrest, who write me. Contact with these folks has been such motivation for me. The community of Christ is amazing and full of good surprises. I really appreciate all of you who write, even if it does take me a little time to write back.
* Three Friends - acrylic by Harry Rich
Today was a day I had been anticipating for some time. I had the chance to finally meet two women - mom and daughter - that I have been corresponding with for at least a year. It has been really cool to get to know them through writing, but sooner or later I would have to see Sandy and Betsy face-to-face so I could put a voice and personality to the letters.
Moving to this unit so close to home allowed our introduction to come quickly. When I heard from my mom that they would be coming today, I was pretty excited. That excited feeling mutated into anxiety, then nervousness. This would be my first time to meet them, and it takes place in a prison. What kind of meeting is that? Also, I haven't talked with any women I don't know in years. After being around men 24/7 won't it be awkward? As the time drew closer I had all these thoughts going through my head and I wanted everything as perfect as it could be. It felt kind of like a first date with someone you've never met, except in my case it was two someones.
Okay, so I'm waiting in the visitation room for Sandy and Betsy to arrive through the door. Will I recognize them as the people in the photo sent to me? Yep, there they are coming in. Now, are they going to greet with a hug? Yep, arms out from Sandy and a wonderful first embrace. And Betsy, too. We sit at a table and Sandy goes to get snacks. Rumored to be a talker, I was hoping Sandy would get us through the two hours, but now she's gone. What do I talk about?
The first few minutes were strange but I settled into the fact that, yes, these are the same people who had been writing and, yes, they are both wonderful people. We talked all over the place - what prison is like, vacations, living overseas, family, music, on and on. It was as if I had been reunited with two old friends. The two hours flew by far too quickly. As we hugged goodbye, I couldn't help but hope to see them again soon.
This is my first weekend in Venus and since my folks are down in Galveston for my brother's birthday, they invited some friends to come here to see me. I think my parents were initially met with shock when the friends heard I was so close, then exuberance when they found out they were able to see me so soon.
At all my other units, except Goodman in Jasper, only family was allowed contact visits. All friends could only visit from behind tempered glass windows talking through a phone. So imagine our surprise when we met today when we were able to hug before sitting down at a table across from each other. The wife even sat beside me for a few minutes until a guard came by and told the wife to move to the other side of the table. Throughout our conversation I received slaps on the arm just because it was possible. What a great surprise to learn that all visits are contact. It's so much nicer to talk face-to-face instead of having a glare in the way.
Many of the staff here have said that they are committed to rehabilitation, since this is one last leg before going home. I heard something similar upon my arrival in San Saba, so I was a bit skeptical here. From what I have seen so far, they are actually serious here. I'm going to try to take advantage of any good opportunities allowed so I can cast off the institutional dross I have collected.
Today I had a great visit from my two best friends from back home in Fort Worth. They have been married since I came to prison and I haven't seen the husband since before I was arrested almost 2 1/2 years ago. Even after all that time he was wearing a shirt I got for him with my employee discount at American Eagle. Some things never change.They brought a roll of quarters and when the wife asked me what I wanted from the vending machines, I said Sprite and Skittles - my usual for a visit. She said she would get me something else and wanted to know what else to get. "Surprise me," I said.
Well, surprise me she did. She came back with four bags of sweets and four bags of chips in addition to the Skittles and drink. It was a glutton's heaven.
"You better eat quickly if you want to finish it all." she said. After my thanks, I said I would probably have to share some with other guys, which I did. That was a lot of food.
As I stuffed my face with junk food, we caught up on all the goings-on where we are. I told them all about my new unit and I heard how all my other friends were doing. They shared their plans for moving up to Indiana so the husband could take on a short-term missions coordinator position. If it happens - and it looks like it will - they will be leaving next summer. That means I need to get out sooner rather than later if I'm going to spend any time with them. I already missed their wedding. Life goes by quickly out there while I'm at a standstill here.
I had a very pleasant surprise today. My parents made the trek form Arlington to Dayton to visit me. I didn't think they would be coming so soon, but I was sure glad to see them.
When I found out that I had visitors waiting, I got ready as usual - putting gel in my hair, brushing my teeth, and doing a quick shave. I don't have super white clothes anymore, so I had to figure out which one of my sets of clothes had the least stains. After the prep, I headed out of the dorm and over to the admin building where visitation is held. On the way I realized i had no idea how to get in the building. From my side I saw the mailroom window and a small courtyard with a few palmettos, flowering plants and a koi pond - a koi pond! What the heck? The courtyard was enclosed by a gated chain link fence and had a door at the opposite side that led into the admin building.
Because I had no idea what I was doing, I stood there and looked around like a dunce until I heard - click. The gate behind me had opened to the courtyard. I looked down at it, then looked around to see if anyone was coming. Nope. Guess it's for me.
I moved inside the courtyard, letting the gate close behind me and resuming the dunce pose while wondering what a koi pond was doing in this place. Click. Hey, the admin door opened. I moved into a 5 X 5 room with two new doors. Which one do I go through? I stood there a bit, then - click. These clicking doors have served me well so far, so I guess I'll follow them again. Success! I found the strip search hallway leading to the visitation room.
After a quick strip and redressing, I found my folks. What an adventure! I got to fill them in on all the new stuff going on and hear how everything back home was going. This unit's visitation has windows to the outside unlike the unit I came from that my mom likened to a bunker. What a blessing.
As I write this I can't help thinking that the clicking doors are probably very similar to the way some animals are herded from pen to pen. Hmmmm...
A koi pond?!!!
I had a great visit today from a couple of friends from my parents' church. They came once last year and we have been writing each other the whole time I've been in prison. It was really cool to see them. I don't get to talk with solid people older than me other than my parents. It's so good to just hang out, talking about life and plans even if it is over a phone through a glass wall.
I told them about all the recent trouble I've had in the dorm and how it's pretty much gone now. They were encouraged about my plans for school and parole, although I'm still not sure how it will come together. But, if I've learned one thing in the past month, it's that God looks after His children.
It has been such a blessing to have friends who continue to keep in contact with me. I love hearing how things are going out there. I was humbled by all the love shown to me through letters and cards on my birthday last week and I pray that God returns it all to everyone in blessings of their own.
My sleep this morning was abruptly cut short when one of the sergeants woke me up to tell me to meet him in the hallway. There were only two reasons I could think of for why I was called out and neither of them were likely. The first was that I had a disciplinary case. I couldn't remember doing anything worth a case or being confronted by any guards, so that was probably out. The other was that the mailroom had read letters I had sent out about the dorm situation with the rumors and they were going to move me for my safety - a stupid move because it would look far worse if I moved like that.
I groggily put my clothes on and stumbled into the hallway with blank expectations and a lot of anxiety. The sergeant told me to wait in line with some other guys. He called us into a room one by one. My fears were relieved when the first guy came out and said it was a urine test. Ha! I'm probably the least likely guy to fail a urine test, but whatever. It's easy.
So that was my first and lesser birthday gift of the day. The second was an unexpected visit from my mom. I had some friends who were planning to come but wrote to say they wouldn't make it, so I as expecting a normal weekend. What a blessing to be called out for a visit right as I laid down to go back to sleep! I am so grateful for the friends and family who have made the effort to make my birthday and incarceration more enjoyable.
This weekend we had an unexpected cancellation of allvisitation. The H1N1 virus, better known as swine flu, is apparently on the move. It must be much worse that what I read about earlier this week in the news if they are limiting contact with the outside. The Sunday New York Times from last week said only that it was bad in Mexico and only a few confirmed cases were in the U.S. I don't remember reading about any deaths caused by the disease.
The cancellation really caught us off guard. Fliers were posted Friday afternoon, though there is no way we could have notified visitors before the weekend. Our only form of communication is by mail. In an amazing act of kindness, the warden sent a special guard around to each dorm taking names and phone numbers of expected visitors so the staff could notify visitors by phone. I was pretty surprised by the humanity shown by the administration here during the weekend. They usually couldn't care less about any difficulties we face.
I was looking forward to seeing some friends who I don't get the opportunity to see very often. It was a bit of a disappointment. It must have been an inconvenience for many folks out there who had planned a major excursion to see their locked up loved ones. I hope this disease runs it course quickly so guys can see their family and friends.
Today, for the first time in almost three months, I had a visit from C. I also hadn't heard from her by mail since that last visit. I wasn't sure what was going on - if she was too busy with school, work, and campus life, or didn't feel comfortable communicating with me. It was a huge blessing to see and talk with her and catch up on everything that has been going on.
I had been worried a little bit that after we split in June, we might drop communication entirely. I've seen that too many times with guys around me for the past year and a half. Going off the map for three months almost had me convinced that it had happened to me. Boy, was I happy to see her today. Even though we aren't romantically involved anymore, I still consider her my best friend. There's no one else that I can open up to as well as C. I can't say for certain, but I think the same is true for her. I really hope she finds a mentor of intimate friend she can be herself with because it's kind of tough to be that from here.
Seeing such a good frines was such a pick-me-up. Though I was disappointed to see her go, I came out with a glow. I look forward to getting out of here so those kinds of friendships can continue and multiply.
Best Friend
I had a good visit from my folks today. We even got extra time. What a blessing!
Recently my family went to New Mexico on vacation to visit White Sands, the Bluegrass Festival in Weed, and a few other random spots around Ruidoso and Lincoln National Forest. My mom told me about some of the trip last week, so this time it was my dad who gave me his impressions from the trip. Once again, I wished I could have been with them.
With about thirty minutes left, the guard who watches the time went out and a younger guard took his spot. I don't know if he was being nice, forgot to tell us our time was up, or was just giving us the extra time up to 5 o'clock when visitation is over. In my case, we got to hang out for about 45 minutes beyond the usual time limit. Even so, the extra time added didn't seem long enough.
Here's another example of bureaucracy at work.
