White Collar Support Group: Coronavirus Updates from Prison

The writers are members of our White Collar Support Group that meets online on Zoom on Monday evenings or are part of our greater community. They are all currently in Federal Prison camps for white collar crimes. As they can’t attend support group meetings while they are in prison, we are in touch regularly on Corrlinks prison email. They each send me prison coronavirus updates to post on prisonist.org. – Jeff Grant

Click here to read our article, “After Trauma: The Time for Spiritual Growth.”

____________________

Dear Family and Friends, Just an update for you all…  My name was called up today and I was greeted with papers to sign for home confinement!!  This is the official packet that makes my early release official.  The packet that I just signed off on will now be routed to all the internal officials in Greenville.  After they sign off electronically it goes to the STL office.  They review it and then a date will be generated.  This means I should be home  2-4 weeks from today. Sending lots of love and hugs your way,

____________________

I will be able to participate in the group again. I am so looking forward to it. Save a spot for me at the Monday, May 4th [White Collar Support Group] meeting!! Please give everyone in the group my best and tell them that I am eager to ‘see’ them again.

It has been crazy here these last few days. First we are having Qt at the Medium, now we are not. We are supposed to have an A&O on Monday, so maybe we will find out then. Lots of men being paged for papers to sign. The Probation Departments are swamped so right now they are giving us all ‘rolling 30-day furloughs’ papers to cover us until Probation and Region can finalize HWH dates for some, and HC dates for others. I suspect that some of the inmates getting furloughs that still quite a bit of time left on their sentence MAY get called back here after the ‘State of Emergency’ is rescinded. I hope not, but it is possible. I will, or XXX will, update you when I learn more this week. Miss you my friend,

Update: Quarantine Starts Tonight! So, it looks like we will NOT have access to phones or email for the next 14 days while on Qt. All of us have prepared with extra books, mags, decks of cards, and we all made a trip to commissary today, so we are ready as we will ever be. It will be hard to be out of touch for 2 weeks, but the end result will be worth the wait. I will call you on the 29th!

____________________

Dear Family & Friends, A letter from the Warden came out today with the following information:

Effective April 13, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) extended movement restriction until May 18 and then measures will be reevaluated. This means we are in full quarantine in our dorms with no movement outside until May 18.We will have “access to medical care, showers, phone, video chats and email in small groups at designated times on a limited basis.” They’ve asked us “to increase our sanitation and hygiene efforts.” They asked us to wear a mask whenever in a public setting. Encouraged to avoid touching our face, wash our hands frequently with soap and water in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Campers with an imminent court deadline will be afforded 2/hrs per week on legal work in the library.

Campers DO NOT NEED TO APPLY (even though I have) to be considered for home confinement. “Case management staff are urgently reviewing all inmates to determine which ones meet the criteria established by Attorney General William Barr. Department also increased resources to review and make appropriate determinations as soon as possible.” While campers are being reviewed for suitability, any camper who believes they are eligible may request to be referred to Home Confinement and provide a release plan to the Case Manager (I have done this and am awaiting response). The BOP may contact family members to gather needed information when making decisions concerning Home Confinement placement.

They have provided two links to share with family and friends that will be updated regularly pertaining to home confinement: https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/20200405_covid19_home_confinement.jsp and https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/index.jsp.

If I have any other information, I’ll definitely keep you posted. In the meantime, stay safe. There’s a saying, “if you’ve seen one pandemic, you’ve seen….one pandemic.” Among the few predictions about COVID-19, it seems safe to say that it will become the subject of many histories of its own.

____________________

Dear Family and Friends,

I was just called in and notified that I made the pre-qualifying list for early release to home! :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After the paperwork I just completed, my unit manager will send it to central office (RRM) for furthur processing, and then a date will be generated to allow me to come home. As soon as my unit manager finds out the date after central office clears my paperwork, I will be able to come home!!! He did say this is a lengthy process and not an overnight fix, but it is the first and very important step in coming home!!!

____________________

April 23: I guess you have heard of the confusion and problems the BOP has been experiencing with the CARES Act COVID-19 related releases. A few days ago there were 45 men here in Qt, then suddenly 17 got called out and told they no longer qualified. From what I read the DOJ changed one of the requirements to be a minimum of 50% time served. From what I understood the threshold had been lowered to 25%, then I guess minds changed.

It was really terrible to see the expressions on friends faces as they packed up their stuff to head out of the Qt section. Their families were devastated I am sure. Those of us that remain are on edge, afraid that the DOJ will pull the plug and cancel the releases. So we are doing our level best to stay focused and not to let our emotions get the best of us. Things are fine otherwise, passing the time as best I can. It is a good feeling knowing that in 6 days I will be home with my children and family.

Feel free to keep me in the loop on any related news. Miss you two and I will talk to you soon.

____________________

From Evolution Reentry: A letter from the Warden came out today with the following information: Effective April 13, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) extended movement restriction until May 18 and then measures will be reevaluated. This means we are in full quarantine in our dorms with no movement outside until May 18. We will have “access to medical care, showers, phone, video chats and email in small groups at designated times on a limited basis.” They’ve asked us “to increase our sanitation and hygiene efforts.” They asked us to wear a mask whenever in a public setting. Encouraged to avoid touching our face, wash our hands frequently with soap and water in accordance with CDC guidelines. Campers with an imminent court deadline will be afforded 2/hrs per week on legal work in the library.

Campers DO NOT NEED TO APPLY (even though I have) to be considered for home confinement. “Case management staff are urgently reviewing all inmates to determine which ones meet the criteria established by Attorney General William Barr. Department also increased resources to review and make appropriate determinations as soon as possible.”While campers are being reviewed for suitability, any camper who believes they are eligible may request to be referred to Home Confinement and provide a release plan to the Case Manager (I have done this and am awaiting response). The BOP may contact family members to gather needed information when making decisions concerning Home Confinement placement.

If I have any further information, I will definitely keep you posted. In the meantime, stay safe. There’s a saying, “if you’ve seen one pandemic, you’ve seen…one pandemic.” Among the few predictions about COVID-19, it seems safe to say that it will become the subject of many histories of its own.

____________________

Dear Jeff: Happy Easter to you too!

One of the things that makes me hopeful is that thru our society’s collective experience with the CV, and ‘stay at home’ orders and quarantines that ‘Our Community’ can help the rest of society understand what it is like for the thousands of men and women, like us, who live and have lived their lives in isolation, in prisons, and afterwards. The loneliness and sadness, the fear of abandonment and the fear of being forgotten, the building up of emotional walls, the loss of hope, and the toll it all takes on our mental health. I am hopeful that thru Our Community’s outreach, society will help us find an alternative to mass incarceration, a process that serves no real rehabilitate purpose.

That said, I am grateful, thankful for my family, friends, and my health. And I have hope this Easter. In 17 days I will be home with my family, ready to contribute to society in all ways big and small.

____________________

Jeff; I have really been blessed this week. I found out that due to the Corona Virus I will be finishing the rest of my sentence on home confinement! There were ten of us in XXX that received this blessing. They finalized travel arrangements for half on Friday. They are going home the 21st, 22nd, or 23rd. I am in the half that did not get finalized but I anticipate that one of those dates will be mine as well. Needless to say both my parents and I are in shock. I have three and a half years left. I filed in court last year to ask the court to grant me home confinement for the rest of my sentence so that I could help Mom take care of Dad. However, that is still in the appeals process. Now, thanks to God, I will be there for them.

The one thing that my brother is concerned about is my reentry from a psychological perspective. I have been down for nine years now. I told him that I was planning on joining your group. I would also like to have a conversation with you when I get out to talk about your reentry and the things you did right and wrong and the things that other white collar guys did right and wrong Thanks

____________________

Just wanted to wish you and your family a Happy Easter.  Despite it being anything but traditional, it’s still a time to reflect on life, renewal, hope and new light.  God is always working.  It’s nice to see many good intentions of people coming together and helping one another despite the difficult times.  When I find reasons to smile and be thankful, I think of my family and dearest friends.  We are together in spirit and we choose joy.  Covid may have no boundaries, but the strength of our faith, hope and love is unstoppable.  I had to smile when I saw this 93 year old self-sufficient woman practicing self-quarantine on TV.  She had a sign above her that said, “I need more beer.” Her humor and positive outlook allows her to move past the difficult and still appreciate life. 

Many amazing accomplishments happened even just 50 years ago when people were in despair.  Apollo 13 is celebrating it’s 50 year anniversary today of achieving the impossible.  It’s through our faith, strength, love, passion, history and tenacity that we get through difficult times together. Hope you are all hanging in there.  Thinking of you.  Missing you. Sending big hugs, warm thoughts and wishes for brighter and happier times ahead. Love,

____________________

Sun. April 6: The news yesterday broke about a case here at XXX. They have been taking self surrenders and buses even as late as last week. The warden’s assistant came in after the news broke and LIED to all of us denying the confirmed case and DENYING she has the virus after we just saw the news with confirmed reports from the hospital. She was pregnant, baby was delivered and she is positive and on a ventilator dying. She was NOT put in quarantine when she got here and I saw her on the track as early as 2 weeks ago. What they are doing here is a joke. I am terrified. Fights breaking out all over and guards using this time to add further punishments and verbal abuse. I am in the XXXX and last night after they denied the case they MOVED about 10 people to different rooms. We have no cleaning supplies. None. We have no feminine products. The food is getting smaller and smaller and inedible (bagged dinners and breakfast). I am scared. Please pray for us and let the public know. There is also something taped to the counselor’s door that says the attorney general has NOT authorized anyone to be released under the CARES act. Warden isn’t even here. More later. Thank you for supporting me and for checking in. Praying for you and your family too. xoxoxoxo

____________________

By letter:  Jeff, things you need to know. The BOP made a big deal that it isn’t moving inmates between institutions. This is patently false.  Today here at FCI XXX we received a number of inmates by bus. To be 100% accurate, it was MCI bus #XXX, with the license plate XXXXXX.  These inmates were taken to the Medium facility and supposedly put into quarantine.  

To make matters worse. one of the detail bosses ordered 2 of the detail inmates to clean the inside of the bus. When they refused, and after they explained why, they were sent back to the camp. Another inmate was ordered to do it, and he did. The bus drivers were only wearing gloves and one was wearing a painter’s fabric mask. Both drivers did not hesitate to go into the CO’s office and hang out in the area.

If you decide to put this out to the public, please make sure it can’t be traced back to me. No one is taking protective measures.

____________________

Hi There, I thought I would share the following notice that was posted on our Bulletin Board. Hope it helps you and your loved ones be extra careful. Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Many Blessings to you and Your Loved Ones. XXX

How a person gets infected is once someone else who is infected with the virus touches or coughs on a certain surface and you happen to touch that surface you are infected too. The symptoms are high fever, dry cough and respiratory problems. This virus attacks the lungs and is very contagious. That’s why we are being asked to maintain a distance approximately 6 to 8 ft. from others. If you touch something wash your hands immediately and DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE as the virus enters the body through the mouth, nose and eyes. Touching your face is the primary way of entering your immune system. That is why we are being asked to wash everything with water, soap, alcohol and antibacterial.

Duration of time the virus lives on each object :

Change(money) / coins : 4 hours
Plastic : 5 days
Cartons : 24 hours
Metal : 3 days
Crystal : 4 days
Shoes : 5 days
Clothes : 4 days
Natural Air : 3 hours ( after some one sneezes or coughs without covering with mask or arm/elbow)
Air Conditioning : 5 days
Paper : 5 days
Wood : 4 days
Gloves : 8 hours
Aluminum : 8 hours

____________________

Everyone. It’s Sunday afternoon, day 5 of the Lockdown.

All is going about as well as one could expect. We are doing all that we can from going stir crazy, and I think God that we are at a camp and have some limited movement… up and down our ‘street’ (hallway). Me and 2 others find a way each day to get in some sort of bodyweight exercise. And I will recap these in another email. It is important for my own mental health that I DO NOT sleep the day away, but I have to say that it is tempting.

I haven’t worked for the last two days as they have been limiting inmate activities. The job definitely makes my day pass quicker. I am hopeful that I will get called in tomorrow, and for the remainder of the lock down. Please say a prayer that I do.

The hardest part of what is happening is that we all worry about our families ‘out there’. All we hear on TV is the ‘worst of the worst’ news. And there are also those ‘snake oil salesmen’ (carnival barkers) inmates who prey on others emotions telling anyone who will listen that they have ‘inside’ information and we are all going to get released after the lockdown is over. It is so, so wrong. Some men are so desperate that they will believe anything.

I know you all worry about us, but I believe with all my heart that YOU have it harder then we do. You have real life to worry about; work, paying bills, putting food on the table, etc. All I can say is please don’t worry about us. We are all going to be fine. The one thing we don’t get here is access to diverse, and accurate, news sources. So if you see an article that would be of interest, copy and paste it into a new email and send it to me. I will share it.

For now we only get 90 minutes to use the phone, email and see TV. Which in reality means 1 phone call – as we have to wait 1 hour between calls – and maybe 2 computer sessions – as we have to wait 15 minutes between sessions. Remember that I love you and miss you. And I hope to get another email out tomorrow.

____________________

April 2nd: Four BOP prisoners at Oakdale (Louisiana) and one at Elkton (OH) have died from Coronavirus. Oakdale is a ‘Low’ prison and Elkton is a Camp. Prisoners at these low-level prisons are much more susceptible to the virus because we live in very close quarters, while ‘High’ and ‘Medium’ prisoners have cells with one or two prisoners per cell. Putting Camp and Low prisoners on lock down is the exact opposite of what should be done!

The barracks building I am in is a 6,000 SF warehouse-type building with 142 inmates (capacity is 155); there are no interior walls in the barracks area. Imagine putting 142 people in 3 average sized houses and telling them they have to breathe the same air 24/7, and then bringing 5-10 DIFFERENT people (guards) from the outside every day to mingle with the 142 prisoners.

During the Town Hall meeting yesterday a Camp prisoner was told he would be disciplined if he used a bandana or handkerchief as a health mask since that would be considered a disguise!

There are several prisoners at the Camp that have health categories of Level 2 and Level 3, which puts them at significant risk. (Level 1 is life threatening). How the BOP and Justice Department can justify risking the lives of elderly prisoners with no violent history is beyond me. This is immoral.

XXX has several federal and state prisons, and a high number of border law enforcement and prisoners. Prison(er) issues are a common story in the local newspaper. It’s only a matter of time before this story gets out, and people will be outraged!

____________________

Weds., April 1st

The Assistant Warden (AW) concluded a “Town Hall” meeting with the XXX ‘camper’ prisoners a moment ago. Please pray for my health, and for the health of several prisoners in this camp who are over 70 years-old and in poor health. (Our oldest prisoner is an 84 year-old retired doctor; it is immoral that he is in this prison).

Here are the key points:

1. We are on lockdown for the next 14 days, meaning all 142 men are confined to the barracks. This is a national Bureau of Prisons (BOP) action as part of Phase Six of their COVID-19 mitigation plan.

2. All guards and staff have their temperature taken daily before they are allowed to go to their work area.

3. TWO BOP-XXX GUARDS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, but Staff claims they contracted the virus while they were on vacation, and they did not have access to any prisoners.

4. Everyone is required to practice social-distancing. (This comment was met with some derision since they called everyone to the front of the barracks for the meeting, while the staff leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they spoke).

5. One prisoner questioned the truthfulness of some of the information, and he was immediately removed from the meeting.

6. When asked about comments made the past few days by Attorney General Barr, policy makers, and politicians to have all low-risk prisoners over age 55 to be released to home confinement, the AW said “there’s nothing to that – it’s just politicians talking.” (For context, there are approximately 17,000 prisoners in BOP Camps, and it’s estimated that about 3,000 are over 55 (there are 33 at this XXX prison camp). Two days ago AG Barr stated publicly that he believes releasing older non-violent prisoners to home confinement may be a more effective way to manage the virus. A BOP prison in Louisiana has 7 cases currently which was a result of 4 guards testing positive for the virus and bringing it into the prison; one prisoner in his 50’s has died. As of yesterday, 28 BOP prisoners and 24 BOP guards have tested positive for COVID-19, and there is risk for a “wildfire” in some prisons.)

____________________

Dear Family & Friends:

Some updates from XXX:

No visits will be allowed by family, friends and legal counsel for the next 30 days. After 30 days, it will be reevaluated. As a result, phone call minutes have been increased to 500 minutes per month vs the 300 we had. A modified staff ratio will be present on campus – currently we have the kitchen supervisor, one person in front in admin and then they call another person in from the men’s FCI when count is requested. Total skeleton operation. No one has been tested positive for Covid within the system which is good news. These measures are taken to ensure that the virus does not come from the outside.

Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. I’m ok. Please be careful too.

___________________

Hi Jeff –

The XXX federal complex includes three prisons; High, Medium, and Camp. There are ~ 1,400 prisoners at the High, 350 at the Medium, and 150 at the Camp. Last Thursday a new prisoner with “flu-like” sumptons arrived at the High which caused all three prisons to go on lock-down pending the results of his test. However, Camp prisoners were required to go the Medium and High to cook meals for those prisoners. Campers were NOT allowed to go outside, but we were forced to work at the other two prisons. Very aggravating!!

Yesterday (Saturday) around 1p local time the prison staff announced the tests were negative, but the lock-down would remain in force through the weekend. Again, very aggravating! We have heard that the lock-down will end Monday.

The complex has implemented the BOP changes of 500 phone minutes and suspending visits for 30 days.

____________________

March 15, 2020
Sunday

Dear Family and Friends

Friday, at 12:30pm, we were all recalled back to the Camp and told to remain in our rooms (they call it our ‘cells’, but I hate that term). We had no idea what was going on. And there we remained until 3:30pm at which time we were directed to the big TV room for a Town Hall with the Warden. Yes, the Warden. He spends most of his time across the street ‘behind the fence’ at the Medium, so we knew it was important.

The Warden announced the new BOP protocols to be proactive against the Corona Virus. All the steps seem logical, at least to me. I am sure the BOP put out a national press release about it. The initial 30 day restriction on visitation and volunteers from the outside make sense to me. That is not to say I am happy about it, but it needs to be done. However, the BOP increased our monthly phone allowance from 300 to 500 minutes to make up for the lack of visitation!

I am also glad they say they are going to put a halt on transfers between facilities for the next 30 days. That also makes sense. I do hope they will be vigilant with the CO’s who come and go every day, making sure they are not a source for introduction of the virus.

That said, this was not the big event for the week. And what I am about to tell you hasn’t happened here in the time I have been at El Reno, that is until now.

This past Wednesday, one of the Camp inmates committed suicide. He intentionally overdosed on his blood pressure and other medicines. This is very sad.

His name is XXX. And I can personally attest to the fact that XXX is a troubled soul. I, along with two others, shared a room with XXX for 4 – 5 months. I decided to move out of the room earlier this year (January) because I was at my wits-end and I knew that the longer I stayed the more I would become someone I didn’t like.

XXX is a very smart guy. He had been to state prison in California before his time in Federal Prison for identity theft/Social security fraud. He didn’t have too much longer to go on his sentence, but he was a very angry and bitter guy. He misplaced his blame on others and his anger and bitterness turned inward and his behavior became more and more anti-social.

I am certain that the administration here knew he needed help. He was constantly getting in trouble for one thing or another, for breaking rules that our children could have followed. Instead of helping him, or transferring him to a medical facility, they ignored him.

No one I talked to is really sure what set XXX off on Wednesday. Maybe it was just the culmination of small things that built up over time. I do know that he would tell any one who would listen “I am going to die in here. The BOP will never let me go.” The truth is XXX would have been out of here in 12 – 18 months, but he had convinced himself that he should have been allowed to leave sooner because of the FSA/Over 60 Home Confinement program, but the BOP was denying him out of spite. We will never know.

Was XXX disliked, yes he was. Did he do things intentionally to try and make those around him as miserable as he was, yes he did, constantly. But that isn’t the point.

It is so sad that XXX felt like he had no other option than to take his own life. Did some inmates try to help and counsel him, yes we did. Did some inmates pray with him, yes we did. Did inmates show him kindness and compassion, yes we did. But he could never see the light at the end of the tunnel. He couldn’t recognize that his life was of value, and he could never see or believe that he could make the world a better place.

I hope XXX has finally found peace.

_________________________

Dear Jeff,

Let me tell you what it has been like here at XXXX – a complete cluster fuck. No one seems to know what is going on and the right hand is not talking to the left.

They have put us on controlled movements and let us only out to eat unit by unit (there are 8 units). Lunch alone takes 3+ hours. They just cleared out my unit entirely to make room for a flight that is coming in for them to be quarantined- even though they told us that they were not moving any inmates around in BOP custody. So every single unit is completely full- does that not make it a breeding ground for sickeness?!

They want to take precautions- I get that. But there has to be a better way to do it than the way that they are.

____________________

Hi Jeff,

We have NA but it’s inmate led. So far they are letting the campus administer it. We are also currently allowed to teach GED classes but they are less than 10pp. All volunteers are not allowed to come in to do the ministry and or reentry classes they were administering (Trauma, Criminal Thinking, Reentry 101). Hope this helps!

____________________

Jeff: When I was talking with my son (17 in April) yesterday he rightly pointed out that all things being equal, most of us at the Camp are about as isolated as we can get. And he is right. What I worry about, and I didn’t get into this with him is if the BOP is lax in their day-to-day screening procedures at the front gate (contractors, truck drivers, CO’s, etc.) we inmates are in trouble. Yes the BOP has stopped the transfer of inmates and self-surrenders are being quarantined for 14 days across the street at the Medium in the SHU of all places.

I choose to believe that we are being protected, but that will not stop me for praying for protection for all of the inmates here. There are plenty here who are severely immune compromised, and we know the BOP is loathe to release inmates before they are good and ready to, regardless of what Congress wants.

As you know, being locked away from family is stressful enough, but in a time of crisis it is especially frustrating and frightening. The BOP must focus on keeping the inmate population truthfully informed, and keep them from becoming too restless and frightened. Inmates distrust the BOP for good reason, so they are going to have to work extra hard to overcome this. They should also loosen some of the dumb Camp restrictions that cause unnecessary stress…. and believe me this Camp is stressed!

I do know this much, once this crisis is behind us, and I am back home with my family, I don’t think there will ever be a situation that I cannot face.

Jeff, talk to you soon. And if you have time keep me in the loop with relevant news and developments.

____________________

Pastor Jeff –

This is a great writing, and it’s very timely with all the “opportunity” that surviving coronavirus is going to bring to all business sectors!

The ‘Magical Thinking – Entrepreneurs Beware’ paragraph is indeed a “tough one”. An old proverb states “any strength over-emphasized leads to weakness”; entrepreneurs can feel invincible especially if they have succeeded in the past. One of my all-time favorite business books is What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (Marshall), and it essentially warns entrepreneurs that certain conditions and actions may have led to prior success, but assuming that those same conditions and actions exist now is a fatal business mistake. Thank you for sharing.

____________________

We were on lockdown for three + days (March 13-16) because an incoming prisoner to the USP had “flu-like symtons.” The test results came back negative on the 15th and the lockdown was lifted 1.5 days later. Campers were somewhat irritated because we were forced to go to the USP and FCI to prepare meals for those prisoners, but we were not allowed to go outside at the camp.

All classes involving over 10 people have been cancelled, including church meetings. This past Sunday (Mar 22) we asked if we could split into groups with fewer than 10 people, but we were denied. Amazingly, the Assistant Chaplain stopped at the library where 6 of us were reading to inform us that gathering for a “religous service” of even 6 people was prohibited, but we could stay in the library! (A couple of hours later about 8 of us gathered our chairs together in the barracks to read and pray together). Two Natives (the only two attending) who engaged in their Sweat Lodge ritual this past Sunday were written-up by the Assistant Chaplain for violating the ban on religious congregating! Less than two hours later I was playing cards with these two Natives. Orientation was held today for new incoming prisoners, and BOP staff split them into two groups of less than 10 so they could conduct their training. Hypocrites!

Yesterday I and one other prisoner were called to the Warden’s office to clean her conference room which is undergoing light remodeling. The guards there (FCI) are routinely violating the 6-foot distance rule with us and with themselves, even though there is no legitimate reason for them to get that close to us or themselves.

BOP employees are being tested for COVID-19 as of this past Monday.

____________________

Jeff;

I am the head of education here at the camp and very involved at the church. So, I know what is happening both here and in the Low next door. All group gatherings have been banned. No GED classes. No ACE classes. No church services. No exercise classes. Nothing. In the Low they are basically under 23/1 lockdown. They have to stay in their units except for an hour in the exercise yard each day and meals which are served by unit. The camp only has 75 guys so, with the exception of no classes, we are not affected.

The only suggestion that I have would be to set up some sort of group email. Guys could email in thoughts questions etc. You or someone on the outside that is familiar with running support groups could create answers to the questions in addition to some thoughts for that day. Those questions, answers and thoughts could be bulk emailed to all who are in prison and part of your organization. I am one of the thousands of guys who receives emails from FAMM so I know that it can be done, I’m just not sure what the logistics of bulk email are into this system. Hope that helps.

____________________

Federal Bureau of Prisons Coronavirus Webpage: https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/

Federal Bureau of Prisons COVID-19 Action Plan: https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/20200313_covid-19.jsp

Petition: HOME-CONFINEMENT TO LESSEN CAMPER’S EXPOSURE TO THE DEADLY COVID-19 VIRUS: http://chng.it/DF4JCGfh2b

Some Recent Articles About Prison and Coronavirus:

Prisonist.org: Scared White Collar Sh*tless: Reporting to Prison During the Coronavirus Pandemic, https://prisonist.org/scared-white-collar-shitless-reporting-to-prison-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

Prisonist.org: Coronavirus Updates from Prison, https://prisonist.org/white-collar-support-group-coronavirus-updates-from-prison/

Prisonist.org: 12 Things to Know When You Report to Prison During the Coronavirus Pandemic, From Inside a Federal Prison Camp, https://prisonist.org/white-collar-support-group-12-things-to-know-when-you-report-to-prison-from-inside-federal-prison-camp/

The Marshall Project: When Purell is Contraband, How Do You Contain Coronavirus? Handwashing and sanitizers may make people on the outside safer. But in prison it can be impossible to follow public health advice, https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/03/06/when-purell-is-contraband-how-do-you-contain-coronavirus

The Hill: ACLU calls on Justice Department, Bureau of Prisons to release inmates vulnerable to coronavirus, https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/488244-aclu-calls-on-justice-department-federal-bureau-of

The Crime Report: Huge Parole Caseloads Called Threat to Public Health in COVID-19 Pandemic, https://thecrimereport.org/2020/03/17/huge-parole-caseloads-threaten-public-health-in-covid-19-pandemic-warn-agency-chiefs/

NPR: Prisons And Jails Worry About Becoming Coronavirus ‘Incubators’, https://www.npr.org/2020/03/13/815002735/prisons-and-jails-worry-about-becoming-coronavirus-incubators

CT Mirror: To contain coronavirus, release people in prison. Do not let Covid-19 become Katrina in Connecticut, https://ctmirror.org/category/ct-viewpoints/joseph-gaylin-noora-reffat-and-arvind-venkataraman/

Business Insider: US jails and prisons are ‘fertile grounds for infectious disease’ and preventing the spread of coronavirus behind bars will be a challenge, say experts, https://www.businessinsider.com/experts-keeping-prisons-free-of-coronavirus-will-be-a-challenge-2020-3

Prison Policy Initiative: No need to wait for pandemics: The public health case for criminal justice reform, https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2020/03/06/pandemic/

Government Executive: Federal Prison Employees and Others Question BOP’s Readiness for Coronavirus,https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/03/federal-prison-employees-and-others-question-bops-readiness-coronavirus/163692/

My Record Journal: State organizations seek prisoner release due to virus concerns, https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/State/Organizations-seeking-release-of-prisoners-due-to-virus-concerns.html