How the Move Went, Motivation, Send a Prisoner You know a Card or Money For the Holiday

I've been delinquent in my posts but wanted to update on how the move went.


No problems with the police in both the town I moved from and to.  
I've had no problem with anyone in town, whether at my home or doing business in town.
The switchover of home and work addresses with the Sex Offender Resgistry was easy enough, though one has to remember to explicitly remove your previous address(es) as "active" addresses with the SORB.  Otherwise, your old addresses will still be listed and if you're not living or working at those old places, and the police come by to do a check, then...
It is very nice to have the extra $65 in hand, instead of the money going to probation.  Not having to wait for my PO or visit the courthouse is still a very nice thing.


My goal for the winter is to complete most of the book so I can publish next Spring-ish.  Living this "new life" on my own is slightly intoxicating and busy, which I have conveniently allowed to affect my motivation with regard to my writings.  I also have my 12 year old yellow lab who, along with his sister/littermate, have been my companion since I was released from prison in 2001.  Though quite comfortable and happy, his chronic condition - megaesophagus - and old age require a fair amount of care that I gladly give.  Needless to say, my dogs have brought me great joy and comfort, especially in unhappier times.  So I suppose I'm busy restarting my life but at the same time I really have to focus on writing before I start forgetting...

Updates and Such

Fall is here and I've been off probation for about two months now and I have to report it is still a good feeling to be off probation!  And I was thinking: I need to update the name of my blog and twitter account to reflect my recent changes.  So my twitter handle is @RSOoffProbation instead of @RSOonProbation.  The blog title has changed also though it may change again.  The web address stays the same for convenience sake.

Though I'm a little delayed in getting into the new apartment, I was able to make a few out of state trips to see friends, which was exciting for me.  I've really had no problems with my new life, other than the usual on again / off again struggle to find one job providing consistent work, but that is nothing new to me and thousands of other RSO's.  It is unfortunate, but many Americans are now experiencing what it is like to be an RSO and long-term unemployed and how that status really affects the obvious (income) as well as health, family, friendships, and general happiness.  There are several well known psychological studies which find if you can't meet your basic needs (housing, food, transportation, etc...), your health and happiness are significantly impacted.  This doesn't mean one needs to make $100k a year; depending on where you live it could be as little as $25k-$30k or even less.  Oddly, maybe this bad economy and stagnant/slumping job market gives the long-term unemployed public an empathetic glimpse into what we RSO's have to endure?  Perhaps not, but maybe.

Finally, I recently did something of a prison orientation with one of my first clients before he started his 4 year prison bid.  Working with him over the phone brought back many of the same fears and anxieties I had before going in and trying to convey the prison experience, what it is like, what to prepare for - all that information, is not so easy to do with a living human as it is to put on a blog post.  I'm confident he'll come out the other side okay.
-Richard

Radio Interview: A Level 3 Speaks Up

Erik at http://monstermartorg.blogspot.com/ gave a great radio interview to KIRO in Seattle.  While you're at his blog, check out his August 24th post on mentoring a fellow level 3 offender.
-Richard

It's Finally Over!

I am officially off probation!

I just found out today the judge signed my paperwork off on the 22nd.  As those of you who've been through something similar know, it's such a relief to be done with probation.  I'm not really celebrating too much tonight - it's a Tuesday after all - other than having a bourbon old fashioned or 2 and buying a few lottery tickets.  What a long journey it's been...

-Richard

It's 100 Degrees Out and I hope My Judge Feels Like Doing Paperwork

I stopped in the courthouse this morning and the ladies behind the counter said my file was just sent up to the judge and is on her desk for review.  I should know something today or Monday (I hope!).

It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over...

This should be a joyous and vibrant post with me talking about the bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut I enjoyed and other such celebratory things.  Instead, this post will be about frustrating news, though my celebration is just on hold for a little.  I'll explain.

First, I am off probation - yay! Second, I am still on probation - booo!  Confused??  I was as well.

To have my probation officially terminated by the probation department, a judge needs to sign off on the report she receives from the assistant chief of probation.  The report gives the background of my offense, if I've had any violations, if I've satisfied all of the conditions of probation, etc...  This part I knew.

What I didn't know was that it could take from a week to a month plus to have the paperwork signed.  During this time, one is technically still on probation!  I pressed my PO as to what this means.  Essentially, he explained though I don't have to visit with him, pay fees, go to mandated counseling, I am otherwise still  on probation.  Asked if I can travel out of state, which I had planned to this week, and he said no (thank God I asked that question).  My PO also explained if I were to "get in trouble" again that would be a probation violation, which opens one up to much unpleasantness.  (Also, the judge overseeing my case has been on vacation, which could delay things!)

When an inmate is released from prison, he has a specific date on which he is released and is given a nice certificate signed by the superintendent saying he's done with his time.  There's really no confusion at all: you're either on one side of the wall or the other.  Like most probationers, when I knew what my release date was, I assumed I was free and clear afterward.  Imagine if I had gone out of state, been pulled over in my car, cop realizes I am on probation somehow, I get arrested, extradited, probation violation for being out of state without permission... you get the idea.  Am I over-thinking this-yes.  Do I have to over-think this-absolutely!  Many people on superior court probation (and quite possibly on probation elsewhere in the country) probably don't know about this "delayed termination" and they should.  Be sure to ask your PO about any such situation like this.

I have some employment lined up and am moving into a nice apartment once I get off probation.  I was planning on having been moved in by now but, rather frustratingly, it'll have to wait.  It's been a long probation and I'm a little antsy to get my life started up.

A Couple of Weeks To Go...

Last week I visited the probation office for a mandatory office visit and to pay the rest of the probation fees I owe as well.  The secretary counting my money found the stack to be $20.00 short, which it wasn't, but after a few recounts I officially paid off all of the fees to probation!  Then the bookkeeper behind the counter said "wait, no, he owes $130.00 on top of what he just gave us".  I just stayed cool and my PO went over to discuss it with her but I was kind of annoyed since the bookkeeper was the one who gave me the amount I needed to pay to have a zero balance and now she is saying I owe more.  As I mentioned in a previous post, ones probation can be extended after the scheduled release date if you owe probation fees, restitution, fines, etc...Thankfully, my PO ironed things out and I owe the Commonwealth nothing more than two more weeks.

I then told my PO I wanted to also pay probation the $110.00 DNA collection fee.  I paid the fee while incarcerated, the fee was refunded in 2001 due to a lawsuit, but I forgot about it until earlier this year when I was informed it wasn't paid.  However, here in Massachusetts, probation doesn't handle DNA fees, the State Police does.  So I then drove to the nearest post office to mail them the money order. Only problem is the State Police typically take several weeks to process your payment and to mail you a receipt.  This receipt is proof to your probation/parole officer your DNA fee was paid.  Unfortunately/fortunately for me, I have less than "several" weeks of probation left to serve.  If I cannot get proof of payment to my PO, then they won't release me.

After calling the State Police and explaining my situation, I was informed my PO could fax a request to the State Police seeking confirmation I paid the fee about a week after I mailed in my payment.  This way, I can avoid the nail biting at the mail box each morning hoping a receipt was in the mail.

25(ish) Days Left on Probation

Just a quick post here...
So far, so good.  Thankfully, the anxiety dreams have ceased.

Last week, I went to see my counselor for the last time (last time under the mandate of probation, that is).  Besides forking over money I desperately could use to move out next month, I was happy to have seen him and fulfilled the counseling requirement of my probation contract.  From here on out, I'll be attending counseling because I choose to.  Next week I will pay off the balance of my fees at the superior courthouse.  Afterward, there is only one more visit with my probation officer!

To be released from probation here in Massachusetts (superior court), my PO informed me he has to submit a report to the judge who oversees my case about two weeks before my scheduled release date.  From what I can gather, probation will go over my file and make sure everything is in order, that I've satisfied the conditions of my probation, and paid all of my fees.  On the day of release, probation submits a form (I'll get the exact form name for a later post) which essentially says I should be released.  As of today, no court appearance or examination in front of the judge in court is necessary since the release paper is part of the paperwork for the day.

My PO said I could just call in to be certain I was done with probation next month but I will be stopping in one last time to pick up a copy of my release paper, which anyone being released from probation should obtain for their own records.

Anxiety Dreams

I have 38(ish) days left on probation.  My papers say I'm to be released July 12 but probation says it's actually the 13th.  A few weeks ago probation said their official printout indicated release was supposed to be in November-also incorrect.  You really have to stay on top of things and make sure you know what probation's paperwork is telling the officers.  Anyway, release day is coming up soon.

I've been trying to compare the last days of probation with the last days of incarceration.  Situationally, they are different,  but for me, the cognitive processes are the same.  When I was incarcerated, there was always this generic rumor and fear someone was going to fuck up the end of your bid by attacking you, getting in a fight with you, snitching on you, or somehow otherwise getting you in a situation where more time would be tacked on to your sentence by forcing you to lose good-time or picking up another bid.  Call it neurotic, but it was just part of wrapping up on the inside.  Not that I made enemies in prison, but think about it: if you pissed off someone bad enough and he knows you're being release soon, he might just want to get to you before you leave.  Never underestimate the power of grudges and of guys needing to save face in prison.

Wrapping up  probation presents a different set of neuroses.  My victim and his family are on the outside; would they want to get back at me somehow via lawsuit or worse?  Is all of my probation paperwork in order and fees paid?  Am I going to screw up on the last days of 10 years on probation? etc...  I can go on.  Other than having a surprise balance to pay probation, everything is fine.

In the past week,  my brain has decided to incorporate some worst case scenarios into my 4am REM sleep. Some reasonable dreams and some crazy-ass dreams.  My first anxiety dream revolved around a scenario where I was in a mall (danger) telling some boy I saw not to drink the water from the toxic water fountain and reflecting pool (even more dangerous to do).  I then had the sinking feeling that I had violated probation by having contact with a minor without adult supervision and that I was going back to prison.  Nice, right?

Do Not Even Think About Fucking With Me, Sex Offender!

Another dream I have been having the past few nights revolved around me having to go in front of a judge to get released from probation.  The "fun" part of this dream was the judge overseeing my case was Patty Hewes of the show "Damages" on FX -  the only legal "drama" I have watched since being released (the show is totally about the characters and less so about the cases).  If you know who and what Patty Hewes was like then you already understand my concern.  Needless to say, in the dream she was not sympathetic toward me.  Patty Hewes (played by Glenn Close) was a New York City attorney who was ruthless, relentless, homicidal about winning/losing a case, and got what she wanted most of the time.  I don't remember the dialogue of the dream other than "fuck I have Patty Hewes as my judge"!  Of course, she is the type of lawyer you absolutely want on retainer.  So thank you Glenn Close: you have totally mind-fucked me for the past few nights!  I wonder what Freud would say about all this.

Anyway, the reason why I am writing about this is to convey the fact that some of these anxieties and fears may creep up on you, haunt you, and follow you 'til the end of your incarceration or probation/parole.  I hope it's normal.

Intensive Parole For Sex Offenders

In the relatively rare event you or someone you know is granted parole from prison and is a sex offender, Massachusetts (and other states I'm sure) have a program tailored specifically for SO's.  The difference is stark when comparing and contrasting being a SO on intensive parole (especially if you are a Level 2 or Level 3) and being on superior court probation.  As difficult and demanding as some of the conditions of intensive parole look to be, and these terms become more elaborate and invasive the higher your SORB dangerousness level is, doing prison time outside of the wall is the better choice.  Some elements of parole are in probation, but when you look at the requirements for Level 2's and 3's on parole, that is where the difference really lies.

I know a RSO who successfully went through intensive parole after about 8 years being in prison so it's definitely doable

Here is Massachusetts program and terms for intensive parole for sex offenders:

Intensive Parole for Sex Offenders

Offenders classified as Level 1 by the Sex Offender Registry Board, or appealing Level 1 classification are subject to the following conditions:

You will agree to allowing shared communication among Treatment, Polygraph Examiners, Probation/Parole, District Attorney’s or Attorney General’s Office, other law enforcement officials, and the Court; and disclosure to any others as deemed appropriate. 

You will enroll and participate in a treatment program for sex offenders approved by the Parole Officer. 

You will develop and abide by a Relapse Prevention Plan, which has been reviewed and signed off by an approved sex offender therapist.  You will assume responsibility for paying counseling costs.

You will be required to take a Polygraph Examination every six (6) months or more often, if required, at the discretion of the Parole Officer.

You will not have contact of any kind with the victim(s) or the families of the crimes you have been convicted.   A family member will include spouse or person who lives with the victim in a relationship similar to marriage, child or stepchild, sibling, parent, stepparent, or guardian, aunt or uncle, and grandparent.  

You will not use the internet without permission of your supervising officer and you must submit to an examination and search of your computer to verify that it is not used in violation of your supervision and treatment plans.

You will not possess, own or use computer programs unless approved by the Parole Officer.

You will not engage in the use of personal ads or the internet to contact or meet people.

You will not view pornography of any type or enter adult entertainment establishments.

You will not possess any equipment or devices which are designed for the purpose of restraining or confining a person (e.g. Handcuffs, restraint chains, etc.)

You will not possess any camera(s) or other equipment used for the recording, playback, or storage of images or filed unless approved by the Parole Officer.

Any home plan must be approved by the Parole Officer prior to relocation.

You will not pick up hitchhikers regardless of whether you are the driver or passenger of the vehicle.

You will not frequent places where individuals under the age of 18 congregate, such as parks, playgrounds, schools and not attend movies with the without permission of your parole officer.

You will not engage in any employment or activity involving the unsupervised caretaking of any other individual.

If you are on parole for a sex offense, you will be fitted with a GPS monitoring device and conform to any requirements for the implementation of the device. You will adhere to any Exclusion Zones as determined by the Parole Board and remain out of these restricted zones at all times. (This condition is effective 12/21/2006).

Offenders classified as Level 2 by the Sex Offender Registry Board, or appealing Level 2 classification are subject to all the above conditions, including all the following additional conditions:

You will not travel out of state at any time unless approved by the Parole Board.

You will not have sexual, intimate, or living arrangements with any individuals without the individual being informed of your Parole Status, sexual deviancy, and criminal history.  You are responsible for advising individuals who meet the above criteria of your crime.  You must reveal to the Parole Officer the name of anyone you are involved with, as stated above, and the Parole Officer may confirm compliance.

You will keep a daily log of all activities; to include all personal appointments, a detailed driving log to include the starting and ending odometer readings, times, places, and persons visited.

You will not socialize or otherwise have contact with individuals under the age of 18 at work or at social situations unless accompanied by an adult who has been made aware of your sexual deviant tendencies, as approved by the Parole Officer.

You will adhere to the Parole Board’s established curfew of 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. You are required to be home between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM daily, unless otherwise directed by the Parole Officer.

Offenders pending classification, or classified as Level 3 or Sexually Violent Predators, or in the process of appealing Level 3 classification, are subject to all above conditions, including the following additional conditions:

You will be fitted with a GPS monitoring device and conform to any requirements for the implementation of the device. You will adhere to any Exclusion Zones as determined by the Parole Board and remain out of these restricted zones at all times.