I'm so sorry to hear this. I had hoped that you would do well.

If you want an opinion, though, I have to say that they should have given you more support (did they give you any?).

After all those years in solitary, it was bound to be hard.

I wonder how other men are doing (as they move back into the 'mainline.' I hope you connect with the attorney(s) (are you still in touch with them) and let them know what happened. Perhaps they will have some advice (for the prison) about transition.

I had thought to write that things will be very different - but you moved so quickly - and I wasn't sure that my advice could be helpful, anyway. I was also sure you'd pay a lot of attention to the environment (wherever you landed), and I knew that you are probably very good at figuring out new prisons & how to get along.

But I knew from the men that I've worked with that prison is a very different place than it was years ago.

Of course, they are not in CA - so I wasn't sure how similar their experience might be to yours -

but, still -

From what they told me, the 'politics' of how people get along is very different and my older guys didn't like it much at all.

It was always strange to me, because prison is much safer (not safe, just safer) than it was. From my vantage, I'm glad it is different.

But they hated it. They expected to get a lot of respect from the younger men, and that didn't (doesn't) happen.

I did look online and it seems to me that you have not moved? I imagine that you will not, then? (It has been awhile). I hope that you get another chance.

I wonder what you think you (and others like you) need in terms of support? I read somewhere that in England, they have developed small PODS that are almost like communities (and the men are very responsible for their POD). This turns out to be very effective (the men like it, there are no/few fights - and it's much easier for the guards, too).

I am not suggesting that this will happen there (or in any other prison in the US) - at least in the near future.

But it seems to me that they could put something in place that will help.

I'll write a bit more later, I did want to get this down in case they mail it out this weekend.

Be safe,

j

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