The RDAP Camp

Another move! Just two weeks into adjusting to his move to Lompoc Camp, Corey got the word to rack up! He was being moved to the North Camp, aka the RDAP Camp. This came as a big surprise, not expecting that to happen for a month or more. I was initially excited because I thought that meant he would be beginning the program right away. Not! Seems they simply had a few empty beds in the RDAP Camp, so were wanting to fill them, Corey would not be enrolled in the drug program for another few months. Much to his chagrin he also learned that while housed at that Camp, even if you are not enrolled in the program, you ARE, not surprisingly, expected to live by the much stricter rules and the more controlled environment just as the "Dappers" (enrollees) are, as well as attend various meetings and workshops, although you wouldn't receive any credit or time off the program for starting early basically.

Thanks to the corrlinks email system that Lompoc uses, Corey was able to send us back and forth emails over the course of the day, he'd write just before loading the transport to be taken over, and he'd write after settling into his new housing unit, describing his bunk and living situation. I was constantly running into the office all day to check for the latest NEW Message from Corrlinks! There are a number of things right off the bat he saw to be an improvement over the Main Camp, those heading the list being the housing accommodation (less men in the dorms, better, sturdier beds and thicker mattresses) and fresher and slightly larger rations of food. For the first time since Corey has "been down" he has a bed that is long enough for his 6 ft 5 inch frame! No longer will he have to rest his ankles on the footrails of his iron bunk, or drape his feet off the side of the bed, or lay curled in the fetal position!

Rod and I were able to drive over to Lompoc at the end of that first week, just this last friday, and visit on Saturday. As we drove slowly down the highway that runs parallel to the Correctional Complex, I strained my neck to take in as much of the DAP Camp as I could, so I could ask him where abouts his unit was, where such and such was located (chow hall, meeting rooms, etc) so I can picture him there, in his new surroundings, going forward. Like our first visit, two weeks ago, we got there early, about 15 minutes till 8 ( even though the sign states no visitors allowed till 8 am). We saw a few cars already slowly heading down the long driveway to the Camp parking lot so decided to take our chances as well. And good thing, because at that we would be 5th party in line. They don't open the Visitation Bldg until 8:30 (or 8:40, whenever the guard on duty gets around to it) so we must all stand out in the open, and its cold and damp those coastal mornings. I learned last visit to layer my clothes, to dress warmly! With a t-shirt, a sweater, a wool blazer and my London Fog trenchcoat I STILL was shivering after 20 minutes. The cold and damp goes right to the bone. Sadly we were to discover it would not be all that warm inside either that day...but maybe it was just that I had gotten so initially chilled, and just couldn't quite warm up the rest of the day. Corey was wearing simply his shortsleeved green canvas shirt and pants, I wanted to bundle him in my coats! But so not allowed! He seemed to manage ok though, he's learned to ignore all manner of discomfort over these years.

We loaded up on vending machine food and drinks and settled in to the days visit, as always so good to be together again, sharing our stories. The day passed much too quickly, and by 3 we were hugging our son and then waving goodbye. It is a 2 1/2 drive from our home in Bakersfield to the Lompoc Camp, happily the traffic was light, despite it being Memorial Day weekend, and as Rod and I relived the day, recalling again the stories we'd all shared, the new information and details Corey imparted to us re his new surroundings, we were surprised to find ourselve so quickly back in our own front yard!

"To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there."