Date: 10/05/2018 12:56 PM CDT
Subject: Ps 34-35 update

(Thur - 10/4/2018). Thank you for your prayers these past few weeks. Today we have a vet meeting. It remains an uphill battle as we continue to demonstrate by actions that we are men of integrity and honor hoping that the IDOC staff will permit further steps toward "program" status. Too many oppose our efforts and most are indifferent so we remain stagnant in progress. Until Springfield steps in and gets involved, we will make no further progress in earning any reduction in sentences, access to Vet Court or support from VA healthcare. My own PTS struggles will remain untreated even after 11 years of incarceration. One of our vets is half paralyzed for 3 months and receiving no treatment. We suspect it is MS or a tumor. He has visibly aged, weakened as his abilities decline and looks 20 years older. The staff continue to accuse him of "faking". Another honorable vet was throwing up blood. After being ridiculed, chastised and accused of intentionally swallowing some sharp objects - this by the health care staff... he just left and received no treatment at all.

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Without program status or an assigned staff member there is no incentive to change behavior. While most of our 87 members are self motivated, there are the 5-10 that remain stuck on stupid and really hurt the reputation of the whole group. In the last 18-months we have expelled 5 knuckleheads and issued ten (10) 90-day suspensions. Half were suffering mental disorders, but we cannot get any treatment, and VA is not being allowed access. Very frustrating! Anyway, the two vets that were manipulating an officer were shipped out. The officer has returned to duty, so I guess he was not fired. That's good. Time will tell if he attempts any form of retribution on the vets or me specifically. Hopefully he will recognize how the gang and criminal element was trying to control him. Again - if we had program level support this whole incident would never have happened. Thanks for praying,
David