Our Last Christmas in Prison

Christmas Day, 2012, and Rod and I were up early to make the drive to Lompoc Camp where we would spend the day with Corey. This Christmas was especially significant to the three of us because it would be the last Christmas we’ll celebrate in a prison visitation room.

We made the 2 1/2 hr drive and arrived at the prison close to 8 am, and were happy to see we would be the first visitors in line. As 'seasoned' visitor veterans, we've long ago learned, and here at Lompoc even more so, it is always best to be among the first visitors processed, for two reasons: 1) better food selections from the vending machines, the more limited and 'preferred' items go quickly, and 2) like many 'regular' visitors, we have our preferred seating area, one we have experienced as not being as noisy with background chatter, crying babies and shrieking children (not to begrudge them the happiness they feel being with their daddys!) as are other areas in the more central seating areas. These 'choice' seating areas are limited, and also look out large windows to views! Imagine! Definitely not something we we were ever treated to in Coreys previous prison.

After standing outside in the cold, damp morning air, clutching our coats and scarves about us and chatting with other visitors, exchanging greetings and well wishes, on this Christmas Day, we were finally 'processed' and selected our seating. Rod and I were were both somewhat disappointed to not see a single shred of decoration. One would never know it was the most special holiday of the year. Justice Anthony Kennedy's quote came back to haunt me ...the one about extinguishing all hope, yee who enter these prison gates...For the past 8 Christmases that we had spent at the Taft Federal Prison, there had always been a large decorated Christmas tree, holiday décor on the walls and columns, even a volunteer inmate dressed as Santa who would make the rounds handing out candy to the children in attendance. However, it must be said (and was, by Roy L Smith) “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

The inmates holiday meal was being served at noon, it being fried chicken and the men were looking forward to it. Turkey had been served for the Thanksgiving holiday meal, so no one was expecting the same again so soon. As Corey would miss the meal, being in visitation, brown bagged lunches were handed out to the men as they finished up their visits and headed back to their units. Their ‘holiday’ meal would be a bologna and cheese sandwich and some cookies. We ourselves couldn’t complain, thankfully we are among the fortunate who can afford to purchase whatever we wish from the vending machines, for us the holiday meal we shared with our son consisted of whatever we chose to select from the vending machines filled with assorted processed burgers, pizza, sodas, coffee and assorted candy bars. We ate our fill as we chatted the day away, enjoying each others company, fantasizing over what our NEXT Christmas meal would be. Best of all was knowing neither Corey, nor us, would be spending another Christmas at this prison, not at any prison.

We had a splendid day, just being together, sharing our stories. We spend a lot of our first hours hearing about the classes our son has attended all week, it’s another way for him to not only re-process the information he has studied and practiced all week, but to bring us into the loop, make us part of the process he is undergoing. We all appreciate the opportunity we have to do that with our frequent, weekly visits. The program as conducted at Lompoc is intensive, extensive, and often stressful, and I believe sharing his thoughts with us lifts some of the residual stress from the week. Corey has now completed the 3rd of the 5 Module program. The time is passing quickly and with only two more modules, each 8 weeks long, he’s on target to complete the program by the end of April.

And now, as this holiday season comes to a close, I know it will be with even greater joy when, next Christmas, I will be describing our holiday celebrations far removed from a prison visitation room!

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~ Agnes M. Pahro