Merry Christmas Rob Fans,

Unfortunately it is not so merry for the folks at Devens this year. Rob just called me with some disturbing news. Apparently a meeting was called by the unit leader, Mrs. Patterson, today. She started her speech with a tearful eye when she had to tell the inmates about a message she had just received from the Department of Justice. They have decided to impose new guidelines for inmates entering into the half-way house. The rule used to be that most inmates would qualify for the last 6 months of their sentence at the half-way houses. However, from now on they will go to the halfway house for the last 10% of their sentence (at a 6 month maximum). They are not "grandfathering" anyone. In fact, one inmate, due to leave tomorrow, has to unpack his bags and settle in for several more months at the prison facility.

As most of the news we get from the prison seems to change frequently, I am not sure exactly what will happen six months from now. But if this new policy remains in affect, we are definitely going to suffer. What this means for Rob is that instead of getting released to Coolidge House in June, he will have to wait until October or November. It means he will not be able to qualify for weekend passes. He won't have work release in July the way we had hoped. And he won't be able to spend the final 10 percent of his sentence in home confinement because he will just be entering the half-way house at the 10 percent point. Needless to say, Rob is devastated. I am trying to stay positive as usual. I will try to get more information about the exactchanges and pass them along as I learn anything.

As for the job at the recreation trailer Rob was going for. Well it did not happen. Rob is still the tool room guy for the time being. He is learning to deal with it though.

This is sort-of interesting. I had asked a friend to print out the web site and send it to Rob about a week and a half ago. Instead of getting the print-out, Rob received a slip of paper saying something about the mail going to the investigative department. I got a little nervous about that, but realized that no laws were broken and Rob was within his rights to have provided the input he had sent me for the site. After about a week they finally gave it to him! I was actually a little surprised about that! They send back some of the most innocent things sometimes. But I am happy he was able to see it. Meanwhile, I am looking for new ways to promote the site. Please share your ideas --and also any feedback about the site itself would be greatly appreciated. (good and bad) :)

Thanks to all of you who sent holiday cards to Rob! He was really surprised! Can you believe there is actually a Christmas tree in the visiting room? And Rob told me the inmates all had a special treat today at 2:00. They were released from work early and had hot chocolate and cookies! (just before giving them the bad news. :P)

That's all the news for now.

Merry Christmas!! :)
Shannon