Day 2: County Jail

continued from Day 1....(397 Days to go)
"Hello Baby", I heard my son say through his fiancé's phone. We were all suddenly energized. We could not believe he was able to call us so soon. He was in the holding cell of the Multnomah County Justice Center.  He felt positive.  It was better than last year when he was first arrested. Now he knew his fate.  He wasn't certain what facility he would end up to do his time, or his exact release date. But he knew he would be transferred to Coffee Creek within the next day or two.

Coffee Creek is a correctional facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. All male prisoners in Oregon begin their incarceration journey there. It is where they undergo assessment. It is essentially an intake process.  Coffee Creek is also a prison for female inmates.

All of the people we have talked to say that the most difficult part of incarceration in Oregon is the 4 to 6 week intake process at Coffee Creek. You are mostly locked down in a cell with one cell mate for approximately 20 hours a day. You released into the common area for meals, walking and for assessment every few hours. During your out time, you can use the phone.  But you are not allowed visitors.

I knew it would be hard on my son. My heart was aching.

But his first call was positive. He was feeling hopeful about the future. I know how much he loves his fiancé, their baby boy and his life on the outside. But this is something he has to do to ensure a solid future with them.  I was proud even though my feelings were raw.

Later that evening, when I was getting ready for bed, the phone rang. It was my son!  He sounded strong, but his voice was breaking. "I miss my son", he said choking on a sob.  I told him he is in good hands.

Then I told him how we got to his apartment, and my daughter looked frazzled.  The baby had been an angel, but the dog and her own 2 year-old daughter, my granddaughter had been wild little hellions!

He laughed as I told him the story.  Then he told me the good news:

"They took off both of my ankle bracelets! I feel so much lighter!"

(He had a GPS and an ankle monitor for most of the last year).

My heart warmed. I am clinging to every bit of good news like a life preserver. 

Day 2 down.