Day 4: This is Not Reality TV

(395 Days to go)

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning.  I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about my son.

I feel so helpless. I can't fix this for him.

But what I can do is increase my knowledge.  Help him navigate this system he has become a part of.  So I went online and downloaded the Coffee Creek Inmate Handbook. Read the whole thing.

I highlighted the points I thought would help him and messaged him.  He still has not gotten his prescription meds.  In the handbook, it says that an inmate can fill out a "Kyte" form for their questions and needs.  A prescription is a definite need.

It also gave the inmates daily schedule.  Which includes lining up for meds.  I also messaged him the schedule. Although, I imagine he is already getting the idea of what to expect. Here is the schedule from the handbook:

"The following is a general outline of the housing unit schedule. Actual times may vary. 

5:00 am Special needs line. 

5:30 am Cell lights on. 

5:45 am Morning meal. AM Orderlies start time. 

6:00 am A-Unit Medical Triage Line. 

6:15 am B-Unit Medical Triage Line.

6:30 am O-Unit Medical Triage Line. 

6:45 am Q-Unit Medical Triage Line. 

8:00 am Medication Line O/Q. 

9:00 am Medication Line A/B. 

7:15 am Dayroom clean up, food carts to corridor. 
7:30 am Unit/Dayroom/Cell cleaning - all units. All bunks are to be made and cells will be ready for sanitation inspection. 
7:30 am Morning Dayroom/Yard for inmates on juvenile status. Televisions may be turned on and may be on different channels. 

8:30 am Dayroom for inmates with no restrictions (forty-five minute maximum per tier, odd days=bottom tiers first, even days=top tiers first). Yard – weather permitting. 

11:05 am Count – Inmates will be required to be sitting up on their assigned bunks for this count. Unit televisions will be off. 

11:30 am Special needs line. 

11:45 am Noon meal. 

12:45 pm Dayroom clean up, food carts to corridor. 

1:00 pm Dayroom/Yard – weather permitting. Televisions are permitted to be turned on. Unit televisions may be on different channels. 

1:30 pm Medication line O/Q 

2:00 pm Medication line A/B 

3:00 pm PM Orderlies start time. 

3:30 pm Clothing exchange (Mon., Wed., Fri. & Sat.) - 13 - 

4:30 pm Count – Inmates will be required to be sitting up on their assigned bunks for this count. Unit televisions will be off. 

5:15 pm Evening Meal. 

6:30 pm Dayroom clean up, food carts to corridor. 

6:45 pm Dayroom for all units, Yard – seasonal. 

7:15 pm Medication line O/Q. 

8:30 pm Medication line A/B. 

8:45 pm General dayroom closed. 

8:45 pm Evening dayroom for inmates on juvenile status. 

9:30 pm Special needs line. 

10:15 pm Count (not a sit-up count) 

10:15 pm Cell lights out."

https://www.law.umich.edu/special/policyclearinghouse/Documents/Oregon%20Inmate%20Handbook-Coffee%20Creek%20Correctional%20Facility.pdf

I also copied the above info and sent it to his fiance and my daughter. Apparently I am going a little overboard.  I have to remember that my brain functions a bit differently than other people.  I am very much interested in "too much information".  And planning.  

I need to remember that this may stress other people out.  Sigh.

One thing that has me worried is the prison culture. I've heard some stories about what it's really like on the inside.  It's not like Hollywood portrays it to be. Or reality television.

I played the piano in church this morning. Trying to focus on the music, the service, anything but my thudding heart and worries about my son.

After the service was over, a woman about my age approached me. She put an envelope on the piano with her name and phone number.

"I heard about your son", she said gently. "Our family recently went through something similar. I want you to know you can call me anytime".

I thanked her. I felt the tears welling up. Behind her stood a tall young man. He was smiling slightly, but his eyes looked sad.  He came up and hugged me. He told me he had spent 3 years in Coyote Ridge, the "toughest prison in Washington".

We talked. He shared some stories about prison life with me.  I was horrified.  But it felt good to talk with people who knew what I was going through. It is so difficult to be jolly and "Ho-Ho Ho" with good cheer when your son has been taken from you.

This young man assured me Andrew would be o.k. "He just needs to be aware. Watch out for the gangs. Be friendly and respectful, but don't trust anyone. Stay busy. Go to classes, AA meetings, Christian groups, work as much as possible and stay positive".

My heart is thudding again.  My son's fiancé told me I need to remember to breathe. My daughter said I am obsessing and I need to chill out.

I probably should keep myself busy like I advised my son.

To be continued...