Sorry, but the go fund me posting is a violation of community rules. Rather than a flag, I thought maybe a reminder would be better.
https://talkingsober.com/t/talking-sober-rules-and-guidelines/79120/2
Hi everyone, checking in here to let everyone know I’ve been corresponding with Knives and they are doing well. The institution is (and has been for a while) on various lockdowns (because of COVID concerns) but still they are getting outdoor time, weather-permitting. There is a Japanese maple tree in the yard: they enjoy twirling the leaves between their fingers on trips across the yard (6 laps back and forth is 1 mile / ~1.6 km).
Knives is looking into education programs, perhaps cosmetology, perhaps a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (with an idea of pursuing a Master of Psychology, focusing on forensic psychology - they have an interest in what causes criminal behaviour); the program they choose will depend on which have spaces available, and on whether there are any delays due to COVID (many things have been delayed, including most education programs). They remain optimistic that they will find a program they like.
In the meantime they are keeping busy journalling, listening to music, and reading. They enjoy National Geographic (I got them a subscription to the paper magazine, and the National Geographic History bi-monthly magazine), and listening to music and other media on the electronic tablet they’re issued in the institution.
They are grateful for the community and the support on Talking Sober, and appreciate everyone listening and sharing. I will send everyone’s love in my next email to them. 
Awe thanks for the update Matt!!!
Please tells Knives I say Hi when you write them next. Happy to hear they are making the most of their time. I love Japanese Maples, we have one in our yard.
That’s great to hear! Tell knives I’m pulling for them.
Thank you for the update Matt. I was just thinking about knives yesterday and was wondering how they were doing. I’m glad they are doing well in spite of their situation. Send my love next time you write. 
Thank you for the update. It’s good to hear from them. Please give Knives my best regards!
Thanks for the update Matt, you’re a great friend to Knives and all of us
Hi all, I got an email update from Knives today and they asked me to update everyone, so I am copying it here for you guys:
Hi! I’m not sure if you responded to my last email, but I got your books! Thank you! Still locked in 22h a day with nothing so I’ve spent the last few days teaching myself palmistry. It’s very elaborate but super fun so far. It’s getting to be really nice outside which just adds to the sadness of being trapped in here. They said it should be a couple months yet. I hate it. But, in a few days I’ll have six months clean and sober and six months down being here already.
Feel free to update the sober forum on my behalf if you’d like.
Thanks again for everything. I hope you’re well.
They send their love and appreciation to everyone here. I emailed your responses above to them, so they received them.
Yay! Congratulations on 6 months Knives!
Thank you so much for the update, Matt. I really appreciate you.
That is great, thanks for the update Matt!
Woooohooo Knives so good! Congrats on your 6 months clean.
Palmistry has always interested me too, what a great way to invest your time. Keep growing.
Is anyone here responsible for the writing magazine subscription that is being sent to Allysia?
Oh and updates:
They are back to an… almost normal schedule, back outside every other day and programs are getting back up and running. We’re both pretty blown away that their mental health programs are actually really solid and they feel like it’s some of the best therapy they’ve gotten since they were 12. Its still prison so lots of ups and downs and petty drama from the other Inmates but they’re holding strong.
They still call me like 10 times a day so if you want me to pass anything along I certainly will
Thanks for all your support! You guys are the best
It’s good to hear Knives is doing well considering the circumstances
Prison is well prison, your gonna have petty bullshit, just a matter of swallowing your pride and doing the best you can to take the high road.
It’s awesome Knives can get that mental health treatment they need. Forward and onward
Hi friends, I have an update about @Knives69. I have been messaging back and forth with them, and I got them a subscription to National Geographic (they are a fan 
, which was near to discover because I am a big fan of NatGeo too!). They have now been inside just over a year.
Overall they are in a constructive place and trying to make the best of it, but it is hard. They have been getting some counselling and therapy programs with mixed results; they haven’t been feeling it in their previous program but are just beginning Cognitive Processing Therapy and have higher hopes for that. They’ll have more of a sense of that in the next few months - it depends; they’ll take it one step at a time.
They did share with me that they are not in a great place mentally. I get the sense that they are finding the space wearing away at them, grinding them down. Their attitude and their messages are constructive but you can hear some deflation in their tone. I feel for them.
They asked me to send everyone their love. If anyone has a message for them I will pass it on
Allysia wanted me to get on and let you know how much you all have meant to them throught their entire sobriety journey. We were on the phone today reading through this thread, reflecting on everything they’ve been through, everything I’ve been through, everything we’ve been through and… it was emotional. I have a really strong in person system of recovery so it’s hard for me to remember to get on here and keep you guys updated but things are the best they’ve been in a long time. They have finally not only committed to but are actually starting to work through their trauma therapy. Those are the toughest days, Fridays, when they go into therapy and Allysia’s not always super stoked to dig into it but their PTSD score just keeps getting better which is crazy. We both continue to be impressed by the therapy they’ve recieved in there and they continue to say it’s the best therapy they’ve ever recieved in their life. They went through this huge whole ordeal where they got charged for “drugs” that weren’t theirs but their cellmates and despite having no awareness of it and no contact with it and providing a clean UA they were still found guilty of possession to our shock and were about to get sent to medium and booted from their treatment program. After weeks of me incesantly emailing and calling headquarters and a miriad of superiors and Allysia filing a really well written appeal and collecting statements we ACTUALLY WON THE APPEAL and the charge got dropped and they got to stay put in minimum and their treatment program and awarded back the good time they subtracted. DOC staff is frustrating, no, infuriating 99% of the time and to win an appeal like this is a pretty big deal. They are in communication with work release now and might get out on it sooner than we ever thought which is amazing. Despite things falling way apart there for a while things are finally back to “good” and thought you all might want to hear. Thanks again for everything all of you have been to Allysia.
Thanks for updating us Brett! Allysia is in our thoughts and we’re glad they’re walking their path, and it seems like it’s a path that’s working for them - happy to hear that Thanks for sharing 
Oh wow, that is an amazing win!!! I am so happy for you all. 
The DOC is confounding and infuriating for sure. I am incredibly impressed with the level of therapy they are receiving. More than incredibly impressed actually. Another wow moment. I have been following, but not sharing on your thread. I know this is a huge win. 
I hope their time continues uneventfully and they have some good time taken off and a work release. I hope therapy continues to help heal.
My brother is in for 5, has about 4 left, hoping some time off as well. He was just transferred very far away (5th transfer in 7 months) but we are hoping this is where he stays til he returns up north for his final programming / therapy for reentry. It has been so hard on my elderly folks who worry they will never see him again. 
The video visits are not good where he is now, nor is the messaging. Telephone calls are a blessing. I like writing letters and sending articles. The Out of State DOC liasion (who is a really good guy and actually answers my texts and calls) says this new place is safest for him. It is sad cuz he was on parole b4 and went to his PO asking for help for a program to get into cuz he was relapsing and he got 5 instead, no program. But hopefully this time will help him heal and move beyond. He has always taken responsibility for what he has done, so a plus. His programming therapy starts when he has 18 months left. Your post gives me hope for him.
On top of this our stepson was arrested last month on some painful heartbreaking charges and that situation is messy AF and a lot of trauma around it for the other side of my family and the victims. A lot I don’t want to think about, but it effects us all and brings up so much. My heart is heavy for all the victims.
Anyway, I don’t see many folks on here with loved ones inside, so wanted to share. I am glad things are feeling good for you and Allysia. Sometimes where we are turns into something unexpected. They are so lucky to have you by their side. I am really happy to read your post and the positives happening, tho they are hard fought. Sending strong hugs to you both. 
One thing I’ve learned about DOC is that calling in, writting in, emailing superiors MATTERS A LOT 
It’s hard at first because they answer everything slow and super vauge which makes you feel initially like its not making a difference but it completely does. In how they treat your loved ones, in how much bullshit they feel they can dish out without any repercussions with programs, work positions and mental health things, the list just goes on. I have a lot of guy friends that have been and they’ve all said the same thing. If they know they have a loved one watching every move they make, every injustice they normally get away with, they will watch how they treat your loved one WAY more carefully and get them gone as soon as possible so they don’t have to deal with you anymore. I feel so bad for the countless inmates that have no one watching over them from the outside.
Thanks so much for the update! So glad that @Knives69 won the appeal and work release sounds so positive. Nice one Alyssia! 