First Meeting with P.O.

I need to start by apologizing for not posting yesterday. By evening, I was really not feeling well and fell asleep in my clothes until morning (although I was woken a few times). I'm much better today, plus I was given the opportunity to start volunteering at my old job on campus, so today was a great day!!!

My first meeting with my PO went for 2 1/2 hours. He promised it would be the longest meeting we ever have. Here's pretty much what the meeting entailed...

The PO's office is in the downtown region of the smallish city I live in at a federal building. I walk in and I'm literally the only person in the entire entryway, except for three security officers. I'm immediately asked if I have any electronic devices - ummm, yeah, my cell phone. I'm told I cannot bring my phone into the building and I must go and put it in my car - along with any weapons I may be carrying. I say something like, "I almost took the bus here, it's a good thing I drove," which is followed up by them with, "yeah, it is..." So, if I took the bus, I wouldn't even be allowed to check the phone with security, I just would not be allowed in - period.

So, I go back to the expensive garage I had to park in, leave behind my phone (I don't have weapons...) and walk back in. This time, I go through the metal detector, which shows two 'hot spots' on my body - left hip and upper back. So, the only female guard wands me - it goes off on my zipper, my bra straps, and my bra closure. I think they have it all set a little too sensitive. After being pat down (I'm used to this), I am told to go up to the second floor and keep turning left.

I am the only one going up a grand staircase and on the second floor, the only person I see is another guard. This place is eerily quiet. If you wanted a good place for a haunted house, I think I found it. So, in the silent corridors, I turn left, left, and left and find myself at the federal probation office. It says, "come on in."

So, in my head, I had a picture of what a PO office would be like. Folding chairs set up in rows. Screaming children. Scary men with hating eyes. Okay, the DMV, only more chaotic and scarier. Instead, I walk in and it's empty. It is a small waiting room, with six cushiony chairs, a lamp, some brochures, and bullet-proof glass separating the waiting room from the administrative desk next to the door that leads to all the professional offices. With the box of tissue next to the table lamp, it looked exactly like a therapists waiting room. Once again, it was eerily quiet. The admin person was away from her desk, so I just sat down and comfortably waited in silence. I whispered the serenity prayer to myself.

My PO came out to introduce himself about ten minutes later. He has one of those names that is spelled a way that you think it's a common name, but in fact it's pronounced entirely different and you'd better not goof it up. He handed me an 80 question survey to assess my drug/alcohol abuse, mental state, and  thoughts about my acceptance of my crime. It's the kind of psychological survey that asks each question in three different ways to ensure honesty. I finished it in under five minutes.

The admin person showed up, opened the door, and asked if I was who I am. I guess they weren't expecting anyone else. This place was soooo empty - I mean, don't they have people that need to check-in? She explained she had been entering my information all morning into the computer - procrastination??

My PO brought me to his office. I discovered he has a law degree and he told me he's been working on all sides of the criminal process for a long time. He seems to like being a PO. He kind of made it clear that my educational/ professional background and my type of crime was not typical of the people he supervises on release. He said a lot of, "I guess I don't need to do [blah, blah, blah] with you..." It didn't stop him, though from being very tough on my restrictions on supervision.

Important to note, however, is that it is entirely possible to be released from supervision early. How does one do that? Follow ALL the rules, don't make them nervous about any behavior/ decisions, and always check in when you are supposed to. I have a goal of being off supervision by June 30, 2015. 

I had to do a drug urine test. A female PO watched me through one-way glass while I made a mess trying to catch enough liquid. I hate doing urine tests. I was embarrassed about the mess, and tried cleaning up the drips best I could. She said to not worry, they clean it up every night. Whew. 

My PO and I went through a lot of paperwork. There were forms I had to sign - like the fact that I'm prohibited from owning a gun or explosive device. I had no idea that some fireworks count as explosive devices under that rule and not only can't I do them, but no one around me can either. My PO said that a sparkler is the most advanced firework he would recommend.

It took a while going through all my rules and restrictions. He gave me a map of my state and showed me what constitutes my district. That is where I can freely travel. However, he is allowing me to the eastern side of the state for day-trips or quick outings. He may permit me to stay overnight on the eastern side for a GA conference coming up in August.

I am not allowed to travel anywhere else for 60 days. After that, I have to submit a travel authorization form at least 10 days prior to any trip I want to take. At least I no longer have to call in before/after every time I leave my house!!

I have to check-in once a month through a computer site. There's a report I will need to fill out each time. No matter what your crime was, the reporting is the same for everyone. The only other times I have to check in are when I'm needing to travel, I've had any police interaction, I'm called and told to come in, or my PO randomly stops by my home or work.

My PO is in support of my trying to get back in school. He knows that a job awaits me when I'm readmitted. So, for the next several weeks, my energy should go to that, and not finding an outside job. If I learn that I will not be back in school this August, I need to find a job and let the job on campus go. He gave me a bunch of job search forms to use as I apply for anything.

I have a form that needs to be signed at each GA meeting I attend. He needs proof that I'm as involved in GA as I claim. No problem. I told him about how Sporty and I started a new meeting for Friday nights. He said he may have some people to send to it (so much for not being around other felons -ha). As for that rule, I immediately got permission for Survivor and Hansome to be allowed contact with me, even though they have past felonies. When I explained how involved with GA these two are, he said he'd rather see me hanging with them, than people doing drugs who aren't felons. I hadn't realized that was the either/or scenario I must choose between.

My judge is also REQUIRING me to be in mental health treatment. My PO doesn't know why that is part of the judgment. So, he's sending me for an assessment at a catholic charities mental health center. I inquired on if it's a religious type of counseling, since I'm Jewish. He said that it's not religious, they are just the charity running it. I have to call for my intake within one week.

So, other general conditions of supervision include that I cannot commit another offense, I must allow them to collect my DNA anytime, I must support my dependents and meet family responsibilities, I must maintain a job unless given permission for school or other reasons, I have to give two weeks notice before moving or changing employment, no alcohol (it actually says no excessive use, but my PO wants me to refrain... fine with me!), I cannot be anywhere illegal activity is going on, I cannot be a special informant, and I must inform my employer about relevant information surrounding my felony (since I have a money crime, if I want to work at a bank, they must be notified... if I want to work at a bakery as a baker, they don't because it doesn't connect to the job duties...).

My judge added nine special conditions to my supervision, which my PO said is quite a lot and we agreed that she must've really disliked me. My PO will have access to all my bank accounts, tax records, and anything else financially-related I have. I cannot purchase or sell any assets without permission. I informed my PO about Hope and the fact that I may need to purchase a replacement scooter- he was okay with that. While it says that I cannot use any credit, get new credit, or loans, my PO thought it okay to reasonably use my existing credit and he'd okay necessary student loans. I am not allowed to gamble, nor frequent any place where gambling is occurring. I'm required to participate in a credit counseling program - although, my gambling debts are no more and within GA we believe in paying off our debts - not doing bankruptcy or working with a scamming debt consolidator. My PO agreed that the condition is a little out there and is checking with his supervisor on what we should do. So far, I like the reasonableness of my PO!

The big condition, of course, is my restitution. He started the conversation by saying he's seen people's restitution much, much higher than mine. Me, too - I know people who have millions due. While mine is not nearly like those, it's still a lot to come up with. The judge set my amount due at 10% or more of my income - no matter what my income is. So, if with my grad assistantship I am receiving $1200/mth - I would have to pay $120/mth. With a low income, 10% is a lot! Now, when I'm earning $3,000/mth in the future, and I owe $300/mth, at least I can live on $2700 minus taxes. My hope is to pay off my restitution faster than the 10% per month as I am able, so I can rid myself of the monthly payments.

So, that's what happened yesterday. Other than a contraband cell phone, urine dripped on the floor, setting off a metal detector, and a very expensive parking garage space, my 2 1/2 hours went pretty well. I hope my PO is able to see my seriousness in taking on these responsibilities, my acceptance of the situation, and my growth that helps me ensure that I am always trying to do the next right thing. I have no idea if my first PO meeting was typical, but it was okay. Okay, these days, is good!

The federal building was just as quiet as I made myself downstairs and back outside. Is it really possible that I was the only client visiting the entire building of offices yesterday afternoon? With budget shortfalls, maybe they are all on furlough...