Still Learning - "Inmate Hustles"
It is funny I have been here 10 months and I am still learning the ways people hustle around here. Most people here have a hustle to make money. Some people cook everything from pizza to chicken strips, some people do laundry (iron and fold your clothes', cut hair, you can even get a massage in here if you need it. I get one every other week, Chiropractors and Physicians are here...although we lost Doc Randy which was tragic. (Dad Comment: Doc Randy is now home. Tragic to Scott means he is really missed). I always wondered how shoes make it in the camp (shoes other than the ones on commissary). Of course, they could be coming from the outside like other things.... but they aren't, not with the frequency they turn up,
When arrive at prison, they strip you of everything you’re wearing and you get the option of sending things home in a box. This is kind of a surreal moment for most people. Depending on the guard (he might not feel like doing work) you might not get to send anything home as well as some things you care about. So, the shoes end up being thrown out. Somehow somebody finds these (most likely an orderly). Some pairs go to new inmates via the chapel (which has a program to donate shoes). Some get sold on the compound. They are sold for somewhere between 20-100 bucks (you pay in stamps). Not a bad hustle. Although if you don't have a receipt for your shoes they can be taken at any time by a guard and you’re walking barefoot to your unit (you don't want to walk barefoot around here EVER).
Craziest thing I have seen or heard at the LPC (Ojo edition).
Wow I did not expect I would ever write about Ojo again but his story will just not go away. Earlier this week one of the case manager's (the one he does NOT get along with) came up and informed him he was leaving but not in the way he thought. He was informed that he was being brought up on different charges and the U.S. Marshalls were coming to pick him up.... WHAT????
Now Ojo thought his case manager was messing with him.... which was possible.... but we really don't know. We were in the visitor room when Ojo left and he was being driven out by the town driver (We thought that was a GOOD SIGN) .... we waved and cheered him goodbye. Later that day we learned that he was driven to the medium prison and then picked up by the Marshalls (not good). They are number of possibilities here. He did in fact win his appeal...but he just won the right to have another trial....
Maybe the prosecution will offer him a deal taking into account time served. However, I doubt Ojo will take it. The worst part for Ojo was being a felon. I think clearing his name is more important to him then his freedom. Time will tell what he decides. It is also possible additional charges were filed as result of him winning the appeal. Prosecutors often retaliate maybe it is something to do with the existing charges and he simply restarting the process. We will, see?
We lost another friend to the SHU (special housing unit) for possessing a CELL PHONE. I mention this because I know a lot of people are reading this that are about to go into a camp. Every place is different. Phones are everywhere, but they are a risk. I know inmates who have had a cell phone taken from them on multiple occasions and never got in trouble (one in particular has had at least 6 phones taken without incident). But depending on the guard, depending on his mood, depending if the SHU has vacancies, you may or may not get away with it.
This particular friend was in RDAP and it was just spectacularly bad timing. Some of his closest friends didn't know he was using a phone. RDAP had a shakedown, SIS (search & seizure) came in and tore the unit up (very mellow for them...they just went through lockers, but its more than the average search). Our buddy was in the bathroom on the phone. We have a band room here that he and others frequent. He was using the phone to download music videos they could use to teach themselves.
The guard saw him in the bathroom and he panicked and tried to flush the phone down the toilet....it didn't work and he was caught.
A number of his friends went to bat for him and reiterated this was a onetime thing.... but to no avail. Hopefully he is back soon...however this most likely will set him back 4-6 months in RDAP. Solid Guy, who most likely just used a phone briefly and got caught, it is a bummer.
Let me say this about phones. I understand why people have them. I do not have a wife or children so I don't have that pull that makes having one tempting. So, I get it. However, the risk of potentially going to Low or Medium is serious. Even the people that are disciplined in their phone use seem to eventually get caught.
I have two questions people keep asking that I think are relevant. The first is ...how to deal with their case manager/counselor? How hard should you advocate for your FSA/Halfway house/other rights? I always ask people that transfer in from other places what the other camps/prison staff are like (so I can get a perspective other than just Leavenworth). Here is
what I will say. I have heard scenario's where the staff is far worse than here.... I have also heard stories about staff that is far more helpful. Your case manager has a tremendous amount of power.
At Leavenworth if you piss them off, they will make sure you suffer (one of our case managers keeps a list of people that anger him and if you’re on that list forget about getting anything you want...that's not a rumor...the list is by his computer for inmates to see). You piss them off by bugging them or giving them extra work (I'm not saying you can’t push to make them do their job, but you have to be careful).
I wish I could tell you that everyone can navigate this reality but it is not true. If you are savvy with people and you can find common ground with your CM you stand a better chance. There are all sorts of scenarios where guys go in to push their rights coming out dejected and in a worse position. If they like you then good things can happen. I choose to go in multiple times to my case manager (for questions or updates) however I learned really quickly if he was not in the mood, I would exit and come back another day. Its maddening but you have to be patient. It took me several brief meetings before I told my case manager..."These are the things I need to know.... you can tell me and I will be out of your hair, otherwise I will keep coming back,” (Please understand I said this in the nicest possible way...I was not being a tough guy, I did want him to know the easiest way to get rid of me was to answer my questions). My advice is plan what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. Be prepared and respectful and most of all be patient.
I have helped people have better success with our case managers. The things I suggested were not rocket science. They were sales techniques I used commonly when I worked. First off, all our case managers either went to Kansas state or were Jayhawks (Kansas university) They are super proud of this fact. Like most men they have their favorite sports. Talk basketball (which Is huge) or some topic related to the university/sports. The chiefs are huge here (I talk chiefs’ football every chance I get). I even had a friend make a Jayhawks mousepad for a case manager (there are people that work in the carpenter shop that can do just about anything craft related...Tap into them). If you can make it personal for you and your case manager you get better results. Nobody should be above doing whatever it takes to improve their chances. Find out who the staff hangs out with and if you can’t connect with them connect with the people they like. There other ways to get favor other than the direct route. If there are open to discussing your background do so.... tell them how you really are receiving little benefit here and the lack of programing opportunities has you doing next to nothing. Sometimes it works.
The second question is... what was something you know NOW that you wish you knew at the BEGINNING of your sentence?
That one is easy. I wish I knew more about stamps (the currency in here). I was told little about this and it really plays a huge role here (and everywhere...although some places trade other things like mackerel...yes, the fish). I know I have tried to explain it in my early newsletters.... but I think I just confused everyone. Regular used postage stamps are put together in books (so 20 stamps make up 1 book, which equals 5 dollars). These are regular USA postage stamps you use to mail things (they are used/older/worn). When I first got here, I thought you could figure out a way around them. Everyone told me I was wrong about that... They were right. You need stamps for just about everything. Most things cost a book. Each stamp is worth 25 cents (again they are put together with a rubber band in groups of 20 stamps - which is called a book - which equals 5$). Even the guards/COs know all about them. You are allowed to carry up to 3 books (15$) on you without being confiscated if you are searched). You can get coffee, get your laundry done, haircut, buy essentials, ice cream, food, you name it. Some people try to trade commissary for them but it is rare when you find someone that will make that deal with you consistently. I bet less than 10% of the camp does not use them in some way or fashion (less than 30 people out of close to 400). So, my advice is learning what you can about your camps/prison currency prior to getting here. I hear people cash app in order to purchase these. They find clever ways to do this without using a phone.
So, as you get closer to the door you start hearing more stories about half way houses. There are 2 case managers at the LPC. One of our case managers does not really like to give out any halfway house time other then 3- 6 months. Our other case manager can offer up to 12 months (usually you get 6 months). People get frustrated hearing another inmate got something they couldn't get so I don’t go bragging if you get longer than 6 months. A friend of ours left about 6 months ago. Funny side note he actually got inmate of the month 3 months in a row at his halfway house for being one of the only NEW residents to pass a drug test on multiple occasions (wow.... low standards). For being inmate of the month, he received 2 meals a week for the month from any door dash restaurant he wanted (not bad right?) His case manager gave him the option of going to halfway house or staying here. Sometimes if you know you are going to a brutal half way house people choose to stay. Sometimes the halfway house is worse than the camp/prison. He chooses to go to the half way house since he had his own company and he wanted to start back at work. However, the half way house would not allow him to work there (or for any immediate family member). Often multiple halfway houses in the same city are owned by the same people. He met with the head of these units and asked to transfer to a closer halfway house on multiple occasions however he was never moved. He got a job working with a friend...and here is the rub...he had to drive 110 miles each way to work (for his entire stay). I can relate to this since somehow, I am stuck being sent to Fresno....I could have been sent to any other halfway house in CA and it would have been better (LA, SAC, SF, SD... any of them would have worked. Friends in all locations but Fresno). But that's the BOP. I have come around on this though and have a far better mindset.... I got some killer advice from a person I trust here and I plan on getting the most gangster job I can (Walmart, convenience store, HA we will see). I will continue to lean in to this crazy experience until I'm home and do Fresno right.
Another inmate who left wrote us this past week and he included his halfway house rules. They are fascinating.
Here they are - Rules of the half way house (Lincoln, Nebraska).
The halfway house is CO-ED. 100 Men / 55 women. The men are allowed outside on the even hours (between 6am - 8pm). Women are allowed out on the odd hours. NO SUSTAINED fraternizing (no idea what “sustained fraternizing” means).
You are allowed computer access and a phone (there are firewalls on the internet). Everything you do is monitored. You have daily chores. You need a pass to go anywhere.
The pass breakdown is as follows:
1.) Hygiene products (once every other week). 4 hours to go shopping for necessities. You need to provide a receipt for any purchases
2.) Social pass - (once every week). 4 hours is allotted for movies, dinner, family time, etc. Must have receipts.
3.) Job seeking pass (unlimited). 4-hour blocks to look for jobs. Must have proof that you applied. (So, let’s get this straight in addition to telling a potential employer you are a felon and need a job you need to also ask them for a signature proving you applied.... this should go great). CANNOT WORK for family...also you must save 10% of your check for saving.
4.) Home pass (Once a week). The passes start at 8 hours, then go to 12, 24, 48-hour passes. After you reach the 48 hours pass you can get that pass every week and go home for the weekends.
SCAM UPDATE: Next Page
This scam has hit big time here. We have multiple families being contacted by friends of inmates (or BOP employees or friends of BOP employees) here saying that a Leavenworth Inmate is being released immediately due to a Warden exemption. They need to send a transfer fee of $1,000 to a cash app address for immediate processing and travel expenses. Evidentially it is super convincing bit. 4 buddies of mine (all reasonably new) WIVES or PARENTs got contacted. 2 of them paid the 1K. Here is what is super sketchy...all of the inmates have the following similarities. They all are white collar, they all have the same case manager/counselor, and the calls come from a blocked number that reads WASH DC. They request venmo, cash app, or zelle claiming the government can’t work with their bank. Let me put it this way...The BOP will never immediately release anyone while asking for money for relative or friends and there is NEVER a cash app/Venmo/bitcoin address associated with anything. This is crazy.
24 days left. Hope everyone is well. Be Safe.
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