PizzaLisa,

Most inmates remain at the reception center approximately four weeks, so if he has been there for two weeks, he still has about two more weeks to be there. Since they told you he is classified as medium eligible, I assume that he has already been classified at the reception center. Once an inmate is classified, as soon as there is an empty bed somewhere he is shipped out.

If he could wait it out until he is shipped to a different prison, I think the conditions there would be much better than at the reception center. The reception center mixes all the inmates together, so the “bad guys” and troublemakers are placed in with the first timers, which can become a problem.

I think they are just threatening him and they will not do anything else, but I realize that both you and he are scared.

PizzaLisa, you will not have to endure this for six years, as we will get him into some form of protective management if he is that scared.

For the time being, he can ask to be placed in protective custody---PC. I don’t like the idea of inmates going to PC, as it shows the rest of the inmate population---the general population---the he is either a sex offender, a snitch, or a gang dropout; PC is for those inmates who are vulnerable in the general population. Once a guy goes to PC he has a label that is undesirable for the rest of his prison days.

But right now he is scared. He can ask to go to PC and he will be safe there. All he has to do is talk to his case manager or one of the COs. I have to warn you that they will ask who is bothering him. He absolutely CANNOT point out the inmates who have threatened him as that is considered snitching and he does not want the snitch label on him. Snitching is one of the BIG NO NOs in prison no matter what.

Going to PC here at the reception center is much better than going to PC once he gets to his destination prison. Most of the guys here at the reception center will be sent to a different prison than your son, but I have to warn you that there will be someone at his current prison who will show up at his destination prison someday and see your son. Then, the word may get out.

The best solution to this is to tough it out there at the reception center and hope the next prison will be better---which I think it will. He can avoid the showers, avoid the yard, and avoid any place where he is isolated and unseen by the COs. If he does that, they probably will not physically bother him. I am assuming they have open dorms there, but if there are cells, he needs to stay out of the cells. Many attacks will occur within a cell.

Let me know what happens as I am concerned. I know it sounds rather stupid of me to tell you to relax, but PizzaLisa, we will get him into a prison that is much safer. Just try to hang on.

rewdiazepam

I don't have any sound advice for you, but just wanted to send you some positive thoughts.

Rew is right, once your son gets moved into a prison things will be different/better for him.

My honey is in Orlando at this time as well. Still haven't had a phone call but we're able to email. I would say, any advice that applies to bullying in general will apply to bullying in prison. If they see he is weak, they will take advantage. As hard as it is, he has to keep his head up, his back straight, and do not step back from them. Good luck and best wishes.

PizzaLisa,
I don't have any advice, and I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope and pray things are a little better for you and your son now that he's probably been transferred to his assigned facility. I feel your pain, as my brother is in for the same charges. It's tough for everyone involved. I think rewdiazepam has some good advice. I just joined this support group page and am looking forward to hearing other people's stories, questions, advice. God bless.