Where to start...

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Ok, most people reading this know about my situation and how I ended up at Talladega FPC, but if you don't know the story, check out my wife's blog about dropping me off at camp. We both try to be very light-hearted about the whole thing (mainly b/c we have stressed over it for so long) and there's nothing more to do but move on with it. Yes, I committed a "white-collar" crime. Yes, I know it was wrong. And yes, I deserved to be punished. Now, I wasn't thrilled with my punishment, but I accepted it and I'm dealing with it.

So, why am I doing a blog? And how? Well, I really wanted a way to let everyone know what all is going on with me without writing a million letters, and plus it's a good way to vent. I'm writing this in the chapel at the camp (quietist place here) and going to mail it to Amanda (Hi!) to type online for me. Hopefully, she won't leave anything I write out (I'm not!). My blog will only be updated once a week, mostly b/c much doesn't change here. I look forward to your comments b/c Amanda will be sending me a copy of how my blog looks. I'll also supply my address if any of you feel like dropping me more than just a few lines.

I'm going to start at the beginning b/c that's the best place to start. I won't be holding anything back about what I went through, am going through, and how things are done. It's really not as bad as I thought it would be, but it ain't no picnic either.

July 18, 2007 is when I came to Talladega FPC. Amanda dropped me off and I had held myself together pretty well until she had to leave. Knowing that was the last moment that I would get to hold my wife and best friend the way I wanted to hurt worse than anything. Amanda had held up well until that point also. I hope I never feel that bad again! So, I get taken back to R & D, which is processing for incoming and outgoing inmates, and this is where you realize that this is prison. I'm told to strip naked and stand with my arms away from my side to be searched, then told to squat and cough. I'm thinking, "Way to go Josh, you've just been demoralized!" Seriously, I realized that for the next year I could be strip searched at any time. Not really something you think about on the street <--- (Yes, you will notice that I use certain "prison terms" as I describe things. Term # 1: Street means "outside world"!) Well, then I'm told to find some clothes on the shelf behind me and dress. I'm a big guy so it took some searching. Finally dressed, I have my picture taken for my ID, asked some basic medical questions (physical & mental) then sent to the camp. I had no idea of what to expect. We all hear these horror stories about prison but don't know what to really expect. When you are new off of the street, everyone can tell and they are actually helpful. I was given the basic rules:

Rule #1: You don't talk about Federal Prison Camp.
Rule #2: You don't talk about Federal Prison Camp.
Rule #3: Two guys per fight.
Rule #4: One fight at a time.
Rule #5: No shirt, no shoes in a fight.
Rule #6: Fights go on as long as they have to.
Rule #7: If it's your first time at FPC you have to fight!

Just kidding!! Truth be told, everyone here is pretty nice. Now I'm at a camp, the lowest security prison you can be at. No killers, or rapists, or C-mos (AJ here...I have no idea what that is?!). Just "white-collar" guys and guys that were dealing drugs or got caught with drugs in the wrong place at the wrong type scenarios. So the people were nice. I mean, guys were giving me extra shorts and shoes they had until I was able to buy some clothes to wear besides my uniform. They filled me in on what the camp was like and how people are. People always worry about homosexuals in prison, and yes there are a few here, but they don't bother anyone. It's not like Shawshank Redemption or anything. When I finally got my cube assignment is when I started to get to know some people. I still talk to the guys I first met here b/c of how helpful they were. I settled in on my bunk and wrote my wife. That's when I broke down. I hated myself for getting into this situation and all I wanted was to talk to my wife. No one said anything to me; they understood what I was going through and gave me my space. I went to sleep early that night hoping it would all just be a dream. It wasn't. Things have gotten much better emotionally since that first day. I've adjusted. I've moved into 2 different cubes since then, but probably won't move again until I go home. I have a job as a dorm orderly (I mop floors) but I am waiting for a job change. I'll let you know when that happens. I do a lot of reading in my free time (which I have a lot of). I've read around 100 books or more since I got here. Crazy! You have to find a way to pass the time here or you'll go insane.

I guess I should tell you a little more about the camp. Well, it is located next to a Medium Security Prison (guys with 25-30 years or more), but we never see anyone from over there. There are about 300 guys at the camp in 4 dorms (T, V, X & Y). I live in V-Dorm which is honestly the better of the four. We have a small TV pavillion, chapel, education building and rec yard. The rec yard has a weight pavillion, basketball courts, softball field and track. I've spent a lot of time on the track and working out (lost 60 lbs. so far and still counting (AJ - I'm very proud of you baby!!)). Walking or running on the track really helps you lose yourself in thoughts and kinda forget about things. The dorms have two and three man cubes; I live in a three man cube, but there is only two of us in there. We have a laundry room next to the bathrooms. We have two urinals & four toilets, six sinks and six shower stalls (there are curtains in there). Standing rule in the shower is only 3 people at a time in there. Showers 1, 4 & 6 are all that can be used. No getting too close back there and no one breaks that rule...it's just understood! We also have a tv room in the dorms with 4 TV's; you have to watch them using your radio and headphones for sound. (I'll come back to the tv room. Interesting prison politics here.) We have a telephone room located in the main building with 8 phones for 300 guys to use. A barber shop; guys here get their hair cut more often and changed than some women I know (not more than my wife though - AJ - I'm letting this slide b/c it's true) :) Then there is commisary, or the store. We can shop for food items, stamps, hygeine and rec clothes. Crap there is expensive. $50 bucks for a sweatshirt and sweatpants!! But hey, it's the government. You are only allowed to spend $290 a month at the store. I barely spend a hundred. The dining hall is small...and segregated. Now if you know me at all, you know I'm not racist. I just don't understand that mentality. 98% of the guys here (black and white) are racist. White guys, mexicans sit on one side and black guys sit on the other. That's the only place you see how racist it is, but people act it very openly. I've got guys that are black that I'm good friends with here and we just make fun of eveyrone. I'm like the only white guy that's not racist. People here are stupid!

On the topic of stupid people, let's go back to the TV room. Here, you must ask where you can sit your chair b/c people have their spot. You only get by the wall if someone died or went home. I have seen major arguments about chair positions. Football season was the only time I have really spent in the tv room. I'm very glad that this was my only season to have to watch here. I didn't think Auburn fans (AJ - I can't believe I'm talking about my fellow Auburn fans!) could be so bad. I mean, they all have a complex about being second fiddle in the state. And I don't care that they've won six in a row. When that school impacts college football like Alabama has then I'll pay attention to you! Anyway, Auburn fans and just Alabama haters have no clue about football here. A three yard gain on the first down gets cheered like a touchdown. This just proves my point that they don't know how to act when they win b/c they don't really expect to win.

Ok, that's enough there. I could keep going about that but I'm sure some of you (Aubies) will never read my blog again and the majority of comments I get will be about that one paragraph in what is currently 5 pages worth of writing. HAHAHA. I love hitting a nerve with the barners (AJ - and he thinks I'm going to keep typing this for him with that kind of talk!).

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the best days of the week. One b/c that's when you get visits. Second b/c you can do what you want, no work callout. During the week lights come on at 5:30 a.m. Yes, 5:30! You have until 7:30 to be up, dressed in uniform, bed made and at work. Lights are out at 10:30 every night, but you can watch TV till midnight. On Saturday and Sunday you can sleep till whenever. I have visits so I'm up by 7:30 and waiting for Amanda at 8. Visits are great and bad. Great b/c I love seeing my wife (aw...), it has really made my time here possible. I couldn't make it if I didn't get to see her. Visits are bad b/c they have to end and it's just another reminder of where I am and how bad I messed up. Friday night visits are 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. We play a lot of cards at visit. Spades, or Phase 10...sometimes Rummy. Amanda and I are pretty evenly matched at the moment.

I guess I should start winding this down. I've really enjoyed writing today and I hope you enjoy reading it online when Amanda posts it. My plan is to write once a week and send it to Amanda so she can type it. Once a week will hopefully give me enough material to have some decent posts, and it's the easiest way for me to do it without usins a million stamps a month. I really hope you enjoy this glimpse into what I'm going through. I'll have more stories next time. And if you have any questions, just post them in a comment b/c Amanda is going to send them to me so I can know what you all think. Be honest and ask anything you want to know about. If you would like to write me, here's my address:

Joshua Wilton Jones, 26172-001
FCI Talladega
Satellite Camp
PO Box 2000
Talladega, AL 35160

***Note: It must be filled out just like this with a return address***

I love mail-call! Until next time, take care and God bless you!Joshua W. JonesTopics for next time: Phrases I have learned, what people call me, Skeeter, Thing you don't say to someone, Thing you don't discuss (religion and politics), how George Lucas, The Skywalker family and Harry Potter have helped me, and some strange but highly interesting and entertaining books I've read and recommend.

Posted by Josh at 8:56 PM

5 comments:
Anonymous said...
I love you!! - Amanda :o)
February 12, 2008 10:23 PM
Chad said...
Awesome. Glad to see you in blogland. Just want you to know that Teale and I lift you and Amanda up in our prayers every night. You both are very good friends and we can't wait to have you home so you can come up for dinner sometime. On a side note, how about that recruiting class?
February 13, 2008 7:08 AM
Teale said...
Glad you are blogging now! We think about you a lot and can't wait until you can join us back on the *street*. Oh and for your little Auburn comments... sombody call the WAAAA-mbulance. :)
February 13, 2008 7:22 AM
Leah said...
Josh - good to hear from you! I love that you're giving us a first-hand account of your time. I'm sorry you're there, but you seem to have the right attitude. Congrats on the weight loss, too! Love ya!
February 13, 2008 4:00 PM
Belinda said...
Glad to know you are out in the blog world. I believe that it will help you. I'm a friend of Chad and Teale and have gotten to know Amanda thru their blog. I've been praying for ya'll daily.
February 14, 2008 5:53 AM
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