Author: jimletko_lbq1o1

The first RDAP module (12 weeks of the 36 week program) for my class ends April 7th.  The morning weekday classes create a routine that helps time pass.  Everyone participates at different levels, but it is a requirement to routinely provide group feedback, typically highlighting your own personal flaws and challenges with criminal behavior and…

Back in late November a memo was posted in our residential unit that the listing for the next Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) class, which starts January 13th and is scheduled to end September 22nd, would be posted at noon on December 19th.  I was like terrific, getting on that list would totally make my…

Bill Livolsi is the Deputy Director of White Collar Support Group at Progressive Prison Ministries and met Patti through the Evolution Reentry family support zoom call. He sent me a nice, supportive holiday letter introducing himself and a copy of The Body Brokers, a novel by Brian Cuban.  Patti and I decided to read this…

I mentioned previously that I only read two books in my entire life before arriving at the prison camp.  Both Catcher in the Rye and All Quiet on the Western Front were read in high school.  In 8th grade we spent the entire year on Lord of the Flies. Instead of reading it and trying…

Wednesday November 13th started as a typical morning.  My alarm was set for 5:50. I dressed in sweatpants, put a coat over my tee shirt, then walked from my residence unit to the administration (admin) building, got my half gallon jug of ice, dropped my ID at the control center (a requirement for my offsite…

On September 10th,  Kelsy celebrated her 27th birthday in Key West with her fiance Mo. We made a little tradition of breaking away to Key West with her and our other children during our spring break trips for St. Patrick’s Day and also for her 21st birthday back in 2017 and 2018. I love the…

Patti and I renewed our wedding vows during visitation on Saturday September 21st.  We got married on Saturday September 21st, 1996, so this was our 28th anniversary. Deacons Dennis and Mike from our church, Saint Catherine of Siena (St Catherine’s) were nice enough to make the long drive out together to visit and perform the…

This blog is recommended for those who are interested in the federal self surrendering process.  Patti is in a few support groups where she and I are helping people through this arduous process. These details relate to Lewisburg, but keep in mind most federal prison camps operate the same, so the process is likely very…

The Federal BOP shares almost the same menu across all prisons- camps, low, medium and high security. Here is the current Lewisburg Camp Meal menu: This changes very slightly each quarter. All breakfasts include two 8 oz fat free or 1% milk and a fruit (either a small apple most of the time or a banana…

On August 21st I finally started back in the commercial drivers license (CDL) class again. Me and another inmate are now regularly driving around the compound and learning how to shift through all the gears and double clutch the manual transmission.  So far 4 inmates have gotten their class A CDL and now many more…

It’s the morning of July 17th and we left Essex County around 8:15 am in a van.  We arrived quickly around 9am to the federal Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, NY. We go through the intake process where we are unshackled, placed in holding rooms, clothes are taken, sneakers thrown out and when I…

Shortly after May 15th, I got an email from my attorney telling me I received a subpoena to testify at the trial for Katherine Peterson (Katie.)  It was rescheduled several times over the past few years and has a new start date of June 24th. I explain to my attorney again that I have no…

My co-defendant Katherine Peterson (Katie) was acquitted of all charges related to our case on July 2, 2024 after a little more than a week long trial in Trenton, NJ. Five of us were indicted in September 2019 for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud, up to a twenty year sentence for each…

On May 1st I hit six months at camp, a big milestone for me, which is 25% of my expected 24 months.  That same day the residential drug abuse program (RDAP) staff confirmed they finished my initial screening and marked me as eligible.  This step was extremely important for me to continue on track for…

When I first started writing this journal it was February 1st, which made me recall that Patti and I formed Pittstown Pool Service on February 1st, 2020.  I never imagined starting this type of business, but a series of events would lead to this decision. In September of 2019 I was managing businesses that sold…

While listening to the radio on my tablet they advertised the Lewisburg Ice Festival. There was a 5k run this morning. They were broadcasting from Rusty Rail Brewing mid-day (that sounds like my type of restaurant), then there was a parade at 2:15, a polar plunge in the Susquehanna river at 2:30, and a chocolate…

There are a variety of educational and vocational courses offered by the BOP.  During your 28 day meeting with your case manager, they will print out your summary of what courses you are required to take to qualify for First Step Act (FSA) time off and if you need a GED. The list is customized for…

I got bored of my job at the garage. There was an entire week of no work.  Also the inmate who knew the most was not a good teacher and very critical and demeaning. He has been in prison for several years and has several more to go. I heard some inmates who are supervisors do this…

As previously mentioned, upon arrival I received a Tuberculosis screen (forget what that is called) and read 2 days later. The bump was gone, so I didn’t have it 😉 At one week I received a short physical and decided to decline the blood work.  A few days later I was offered a flu shot but declined it. Then…

I receive lots of letters, cards, books, magazines and pictures from Patti, the children, friends, and family. One card from a cousin on my dad’s side was rejected for having glitter. Patti has sent me batches of 4″x6″ pictures, Shutterfly calendars, and soft cover books from Amazon and other vendors who sell used books. If she…

My first holiday in prison camp was Thanksgiving and it was tough, especially with the four day weekend. Patti visited me the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving, but by Thanksgiving afternoon I was dragging and missing everyone a ton. We did get a decent lunch around noon, after waiting for over an hour for my section…

The rules vary slightly between facilities. Here at Lewisburg they are currently allowing 3 visits per calendar month. They can occur on weekends and Federal holidays between 8am and 3pm. You’re allowed a maximum of 5 visitors per visit. All visitors over 18 need to be approved in advance and a background check is required. The…

I’ve been in prison camp for just over 2 1/2 months, which is about 10% of my expected stay. My daily routine is still similar. During the week I get up around 6am, grab breakfast, lift weights at the gym, then get to a van for work at 7am. With my new Unicor job, I take…

It’s about 11:30 am Wednesday November 5th, 2 weeks in so far. My routine will be changing a little as I start working in the garage tomorrow. I’m not sure how much work they will have, but it seems like the best fit for my skills. If that doesn’t work out I can apply for…

I’m starting to get into a routine. Breakfast at 6am, workout, practice pool, interview again for job, wrote a letter to Patti, checked email, watched more random cube and locker searches. Seems like the warden does weekly walkthroughs. I heard the warden was in our unit just now. Many waited outside avoiding her, so I…