I have learned you have 30 minutes at a time to write on the Tru-lincs system, so this is a continuation of my previous journal entry.
Preparing for prison is challenging, as there aren’t a lot of “guidebooks” on each individual prison/camp etc. So I am sharing my personal experience at the Atwood Camp in the event anyone else is assigned here from the BOP.
There are women here from across the midwest. Most come from other prisons or jails, and the ones who came from the jails were relieved to finally be at a camp. There are a lot of mothers here, so a lot of women are very helpful to get you acclimated to how things work here. You won’t meet with the counselor until you have been here about 30 days, so it is good to set up a routine early.
I chose to send myself books from Amazon to arrive when I got here. Fortunately for me, they arrive last night, after I had only been here for two days. I chose books based on the work that I am doing for Community Health, advocacy for unhoused and SUD patient populations, a CBT book for my PTSD, books to start my non profit upon release, and a book on learning to speak Spanish, so I can be of more help to Spanish speaking populations. I have set up my day with “classes” self imposed, so I will do a different “subject” every day to have some sort of routine.
I wake up at 6 am every morning, take a shower and get ready for the day. I check the laundry list and sign up (today is the first day it has been open for me); I have been to the commissary to get toiletries, and long johns to sleep in, and a couple uniforms. I ordered shoes (my shoe size is 6, and the smallest at the prison is 7), and envelopes and stamps. Western Union is the fastest way your family can get money into your Commissary account, and it is only available weekly.
Meals here are hit or miss with quality/flavor, so I also got some protein powder shakes and a water bottle to supplement meals I don’t get in the cafeteria. There are 4 floors here (including the basement) so you will get a lot of steps in up and down stairs during the day. There is also a gym and recreation classes during the week. There are plenty of religious services and bible studies here as well.
One of the first things you should do when coming here is take the surveys online through Trulincs, and sign up for the 3 classes that are open to you when you arrive. There are certificate programs here that will help to reduce your sentence here. I am here for a White-collar crime, so at my first meeting with my counselor, I will set up something called a FRP (I think that is what it is called) to start paying restitution. I met with her today, but she said she cannot determine that until she sees how much money goes into my commissary. I don’t really need a lot, so I am budgeting $200 a month for my Commissary, and they can take $50 of it for restitution. That is what I am going to propose, but will do whatever I can reasonably do that satifies that part of my sentence.
On a personal note, it has been truly hard to be apart from my husband and kids. I miss them terribly. They do have a dog program here, so I miss my dogs even more seeing those sweet dogs that are here. I got an application for the dog program here, and would love to help any way I can.
Over all, I am trying to remain calm, and not cry too much. Once leaving prison, I would like to be able to share however I can to deter people from being in this situation. I look forward to the day I can be home again with those I love, and get back into the community I serve to do the work to be of help to those in need again.
Carolynne Noffsinger (Parker is what I am listed here as) 69123-510
12-6-2024
