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Monday, June 3, 2013

They Always Get Their Man

Two stories this week reminded me that your acts always come back to bite you. In January, 2012, one of our aides – Randy – went home after serving over thirteen years for cocaine distribution. Randy, as I’ve previously written, was an extremely bright, hardworking man. He has done extraordinarily well since returning home and now owns a very successful workout studio and spa in Richmond.
            Back in 1998 when Randy was arrested the distributor above him was also indicted. That man made bond. On the eve of his trial he fled the country. Randy faced the music. He did his sentence, got his personal trainer and nutritionist national certifications and prepared for the real world.

            Friday, the Richmond news reported that Randy’s co-defendant had been picked up in the Philippines. He was being held, pending extradition to the U.S.
            Too often we think we’re getting away with something. Years go by and secrets, illegal acts we’ve been involved in seem to be undiscoverable. There’s a reason people talk about Karma, or reaping what you sow.  Eventually, the truth catches up to you.

            Then, there’s Tony. Tony arrived at this facility two months before me in 2009. He was an ok guy with a big secret, a serious underage sex conviction that had his release date as 2026. Normally, sex offenders keep to themselves and try to get along under the radar.
            Not Tony. He saw himself as a victim of the system and became a thorn in the administration’s side. Every day he filed paperwork pointing out officer missteps and demanding more computer access for inmates (a no no given the number of sex offenders now in this re-entry facility).

            You can only poke the tiger so often and as I learned early on: You have to pick and choose your battles. What are you willing to risk for an issue?
            Tony thought he was above the prison; he felt entitled. The prison disabused him of that idea on Friday. He was transferred, to a higher level 2/low 3 (Greensville), by “special order of the warden.” Not even a “school hold” could keep him here.

            There are times when you have to be willing to stand your ground in here, but that can’t come out of an arrogant view that you don’t belong here. Tony pushed and the warden pushed back.

 

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