In last week's post, I reflected on the purposeful sabotage of BOP policies with enacting prison reform laws. I happily share that one directive has been rescinded after only one week of implementation! Specifically, inmates earn time credits for good behaviors and other incentives for returning to the community as a transition from prison to a halfway house time or home confinement. One aspect of the Second Chance Act allows for up to one year in halfway house and 6 months in home confinement instead of spending that time in a prison environment. This law has reformed the prison experience since 2007. Then, last week's directive from the Board of Prisons manipulated this portion of the law and limited the community time to only 2 months. Rightly, BOP rescinded this directive after the out lash from loved ones and massive filings for punitive law suits. It's the small victories 🙂 BUT it should have never even been a directive. Oh, another positive update: Congress approved the appointment of Mr. Billy Marshall as the director of the BOP, which means the bureau's helm now has some leadership...The fate of FPC Morgantown and its closure status remains to be unknown at this time.
Over the past few years, I shared some of the exciting wildlife phenomenon from ducklings, to bird flu, to lap-sitting groundhogs... Presently, the bird flu seems to have been dormant over the past month and has hopefully moved on. The illness certainly culled much of the geese population and even claimed casualty of a beautiful blue heron. Now, we have a new feathered friend - an American Coot! By first appearance in the water, the all-black jacket and yellow-pointed beak appears to be a small duck bobbing along the small creek. The bird does not have webbed feet or a bill. The latest aviary sensation has caught much attention on the campus. Fun fact: A group of coots is called a commotion. (Thank You, Drew, for researching info on this bird)
I wish I had more updates to share from this past week. I'm doing quite well and have just been in the daily routine of plowing through the electrician apprenticeship, which has been going well. I should still a few more months until the apprenticeship will be complete. My parents visited for the 20+ time, which is way too many times for anyone to visit the rural hills of Morgantown. We had a wonderful visit, and I'm blessed to have their unconditional love! I am so grateful for all the love and outpouring of support that so many have expressed over these past two years, especially the Fisher family! Without all these support structures of family, I would have a much different experience, a worse experience of prison. Also, thank you for taking the time to visit this post and check-in. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful week filled with much springtime joy...continue to be mindful of any little miracle in your life this week 🙂