Fifty Seventh Visit to Taft

Friday started out as day full of excitement. Ron's high school friends, Philip and Ellen, were coming to visit, all the way from Phoenix. Philip and Ellen have visited twice before, a testament to what they think of Ron. Not many people will drive 500 miles to visit a friend.

I arrived early, just after 8am. I had heard it was snowing and I wanted to get to Taft before they closed the Grapevine. I got there so early that Ron was still in bed. He wasn't expecting me until 9am, but when he heard his name called to the visitors room, he was up and dressed in about 2 minutes.

Thursday morning, the day before he was scheduled to visit Ron, I got a call from Philip saying he had left his wallet in Phoenix and he did not have his drivers license. Did I think he could call Taft and tell them he was coming to visit without a license? I said, "Absolutely Not." No way would they let him in without a license. Just last week, a young woman who visits her boyfriend regularly came to Taft with a drivers license that had expired the day before. Although they knew her, she had to go to the DMV in Taft and get her license renewed. Three hours later, she finally returned to visit her boyfriend. So after that experience, I knew Philip was not getting in without a license. So he called his son in Phoenix, who Fed Exed his wallet to Kinkos in Los Angeles, where Philip was able to pick it up at 9am Friday morning. I thought surely we would have a great visit on Friday.

On Friday, about 11am I looked out the window to the area where visitors check in and I saw Philip and Ellen waiting to be checked in. Philip waved his license in the air showing us that he had picked up his wallet. The next thing I knew, Philip and Ellen were talking to guard in charge and he was escorted out the door, back to his car.

His visit was rejected. Why? He was speeding in the parking lot of the camp. There are lots of speed bumps and a speed limit of 20mph, but in his zeal to see Ron, he drove over the speed limit. There was no discussion, no warning, just rejection. We were both so upset by this, so I went out to talk to the guard. He explained the situation, saying the rules are the rules, and there are no exceptions. I felt especially badly for Philip and Ellen who had made the long trip for only this purpose. I guess it was never meant to be, from the time Philip left home without his wallet. I told them later when we talked, that the next time they would see Ron would be in San Diego, when he returns.

Overall it was a disappointing day, but it did give us time to talk, something we never tire of. He shared with me some Taft stories, not about himself, but about others, who have had a difficult time. Ron says it's all about attitude. The way to survive without problems is to keep a low profile and have a good attitude. No arguing, back talking or disagreeing with your superiors. Just blend in. This makes the prison experience easier and without incident. We're in the homestretch and Ron has had no incidents, so he just needs to hang in there with his great attitude a little while longer.