Lost My Job and Doubting Myself

[Stormchild]

Bones:

Here are two books you might want to look at, sooner rather than later.

"Flying Blind, Flying Safe" by Mary Schiavo, no relation to Terry, who was the Inspector General at FAA when Valujet went nosefirst into the Everglades...

"Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis, who spent some time at Salomon Brothers before the investment banking business cratered in the mid 80s.

Why am I suggesting these books?

Because, ma'am, you might very well write one too, and then every bit of what you have endured will be grist for the mill. And looking at these books you can very easily determine what is safe to say and what is not, who can be named, and who cannot.

[BonesMS]

Bones:

Here are two books you might want to look at, sooner rather than later.

"Flying Blind, Flying Safe" by Mary Schiavo, no relation to Terry, who was the Inspector General at FAA when Valujet went nosefirst into the Everglades...

"Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis, who spent some time at Salomon Brothers before the investment banking business cratered in the mid 80s.

Why am I suggesting these books?

Because, ma'am, you might very well write one too, and then every bit of what you have endured will be grist for the mill. And looking at these books you can very easily determine what is safe to say and what is not, who can be named, and who cannot.

Thanks, Stormy!

I'm hoping I can find them in the library.

Bones

[Ami]

Dear Bones,
   Why did they hire you if they want to do away with the program ?                          Ami

[BonesMS]

Dear Bones,
   Why did they hire you if they want to do away with the program ?                          Ami

I'll try to explain.

There is a substance abuse treatment organization, that is being paid through a state contract, that was placed in this local prison.  The local prison administrators do NOT want the substance abuse treatment program but cannot say "No" to the state.  Therefore, the local prison administrators attempt to throw up any roadblocks they can, in front of this substance abuse treatment organization to stop us from doing our work and try to force the substance abuse treatment program, within their local prison, to shut down.  It feels like a "tug-o-war' with me caught in the middle of this "power play".

Bones

[Ami]

WOW- talk about feeling unwanted. I am sure that it is  something that you don't need. Sorry , Bones   
                                                                                                                           Hugs to you       
                                                                                                                                    Ami

[BonesMS]

WOW- talk about feeling unwanted. I am sure that it is  something that you don't need. Sorry , Bones   
                                                                                                                           Hugs to you       
                                                                                                                                    Ami

Thanks, Ami!

I called my new boss yesterday morning and informed her about what happened when I tried to go to work.  She told me to bring my tools with me on Monday and she will speak with the Facility Administrator, again.

Bones

[BonesMS]

I just hate the stress!

Bones

[Ami]

Life just seems so stressful sometimes,Bones, doesn't it.? You want to say,"It's not fair." I want to say that,too. I guess that it is an immature attitude,on my part.
  I am sorry that you have to go through this. It seems so political and unneccesary                             Love to you     Ami

[BonesMS]

Life just seems so stressful sometimes,Bones, doesn't it.? You want to say,"It's not fair." I want to say that,too. I guess that it is an immature attitude,on my part.
  I am sorry that you have to go through this. It seems so political and unneccesary                             Love to you     Ami

Thanks, Ami.

I know life is never fair and, at the same time, I have absolutely NO patience for political game-playing and the B.S. that goes with politics.

Bones

[Sally]

Hi Bones,

I know what it's like to be in your kind on bind.  I've worked in government and I'v worked in prisons.  I felt that working in a prison was like Jean Paul Sartre's "No Exit":  We make our own hell and hell is other people.  Dealing with prison staff is horrible.  But, working in a prison can be unpleasant and there are bad people behind those bars.

Yes, you cannot bring in "shives", etc, things we take for granted (like the small bottleof aspirin in my purse) are not allowed inside prison.  In a prison, the prison staff views all things as potentialweapons which an inmate could use as a weapon.  I wouldn't be surprisedif you are body searched each time you go,  But, this is prison!!  and it is very mind blowing.

I'd like to suggest that you try to detach yourself from those who try to foil your efforts.  Remember you are there to help your clients.  Of course, the prison thinks your work is molly coddling BS.  But, Bones, realize the prison guards have very little education and that prison administration is propobably very pro law & order.  So, please realize who your're dealing with.

Think about how hard it's been for you to find a position.  Please don't let the jail staff mess up what definintely will be an excellent learning experience.  Please keep your client's welfare in the forefront of your mind and detach from the animosity of the jail staff.

Love,
Sally

[BonesMS]

Thanks, Sally.

When I went in to work this morning, I learned that my boss had a stern talk with the C.O. staff to get across that bringing in stationery-related stuff is NOT contraband and to quit hassling her staff.  This time, they let me go to work without hassling me.....finally!

Bones

[Stormchild]

 
 

that is a GOOD sign, Bones! You know this but validation always helps

[debkor]

Bones,

Remember when you look at the Co's and the administration of the prison staff, don't forget, a lot are N's themselves or at least have many traits. 

You guys in the *HELP* rehabilitation dept with substance abuse are the outsiders.  It's their domain and you have GOT TO BE THERE!! through the state but would of never really been invited in if it was up to them.
They don't give a damn, I believe.   They are there to punish, control and keep them in line ONLY. 

I know a lot of police officers and my husband was a firefighter.  If you are any less then they are then you are considered an OUTSIDER!! 

Sorry you are going through hell and back. 

Deb

[BonesMS]

 

that is a GOOD sign, Bones! You know this but validation always helps

Thanks, Stormy.

There is a major hurdle that needs to be resolved yesterday, and that is in regards to the Counselor-in-Training paperwork and the required appropriate supervision that all  trainees MUST have.  Today, I was informed that I was expected to conduct a session of group therapy...ALONE...in this prison setting.  Officially, I am still a counselor-in-training and that designation is NOT certified.  Trainees are NOT supposed to be conducting group therapy, or individual counseling sessions, without close supervision by a Board-approved supervisor.  The Maryland regulations are strict about that and the Licensing Board are sticklers about that for good reason.  This protects the clients, the trainees and the substance abuse treatment program.  My supervisor, who is a transplant from out of state, doesn't understand the ramifications of that.  I asked her to please get clarification on the Maryland COMAR Regs BEFORE we find all of ourselves in a bad mess.

Bones

[BonesMS]

Bones,

Remember when you look at the Co's and the administration of the prison staff, don't forget, a lot are N's themselves or at least have many traits. 

You guys in the *HELP* rehabilitation dept with substance abuse are the outsiders.  It's their domain and you have GOT TO BE THERE!! through the state but would of never really been invited in if it was up to them.
They don't give a damn, I believe.   They are there to punish, control and keep them in line ONLY. 

I know a lot of police officers and my husband was a firefighter.  If you are any less then they are then you are considered an OUTSIDER!! 

Sorry you are going through hell and back. 

Deb

Thanks, Deb.

Bones