When a family can’t get ahold of an inmate (you go to the SHU) or something serious goes down and of course you can’t reach your institution you turn to Grand Prairie. As far as I know that is the extent of their power…getting answers to very basic questions. Although they are advertised by everyone else (including staff) as to having some power. When the BP process has stalled or failed, and you have tried everything else, you can reach out to Grand Prairie. They can email case managers/counselors directly. They are supposed to be able to hold staff accountable.
I remember my dad being concerned about reaching out to Grand Prairie when my FSA never started up and he wanted to find some answers. He was concerned complaining/or pushing for answers might cause problems. I remember I told him to hold tight.
I have been shaking my head at the countless stories I have heard from inmates conveying what Grand Prairie told their loved ones. Things like …they are springing into action and contacting a case manager to get answers. “An email was sent to XXXX, demanding answers…. should have answers within the next week or so.” There is real empathy (or at least that is what it seems Ike…. remember central office/Grand Prairie is on the outside ….so they are dealing with our families, there is some accountability). My favorite rotating story is Grand Prairie “shares in the frustration and this kind of thing is unacceptable…. XXXX staff member, is going to hear about it. “You are correct, your release date
Should be X, your right. you should be receiving X amount of FSA…. etc.…. etc.”. They do listen & they generally come to the same conclusions you do. But listening and claiming follow up seems to be the extent of their actual power.
It broke my heart to hear word from an inmate who has been down for a while…. that his wife recently received an update from Grand Prairie (& central office) that certain written promises about him being released via the cares act (yes, the BOP program that ended quite a while ago) will finally be moving forward. This is not the first or even 2nd time a promise like this has been made. Although I am 99% certain nothing will come from the Grand Prairie update. I am 100% certain he’s not going anywhere. I don’t understand why Grand Prairie even states the things they do. Do they actually think they can make things happen? Are they unaware? Or do they simply not care? I’m not sure I want to know the answer…. All bad. I do know family members are going mental trying to hold Grand Prairie /Central office accountable for their statements.
I will say this…. I do remember a couple situations where Grand Prairie has helped…. significantly…. (I know I wrote it down in my notebooks, but I looked all last night and I couldn’t find the specific examples) …. So, there’s a good chance I’m going crazy…. or maybe…just maybe… I want to believe that the BOP can do something good. Nah…I’m probably going crazy. It was in the early stages of my incarceration and I was detoxing.
So, what is my point? My point is you will hear comforting words from Grand Prairie (and maybe it’s real or genuine) …. but as far as them providing action or a resolution …. sadly, I have come to the conclusion your only recourse is a lawsuit (and that presents its own set of challenges)
