Breaking Down the Bars

Breaking Down the Bars : Rockville – “An Offender Mentality” w/ Dr. Stephanie Covington – March 9, 2011 Episode 4

Although Nicole started the show on a high note this episode, she landed flat. Yeah her! She was reassigned to a work release program after 3 long years behind the gates. She struggled with the fears of wondering how she will fit into society. Freedom can be scary when you haven’t had it in a while. But oh Nicole…don’t pack to soon. Nicole was caught in the shower with another woman. TOTALLY against the rules. Her case worker was concerned that Nicole received a conduct write-up 9 days before going home. After 2 years in jail without getting in trouble, Nicole found herself us against the wall. Although she was found guilty, they suspended the extra time penalty. She lucked out! By the episode’s end….Nicole headed out the door. I hope she does well, for herself and her children.  

Then there is Hannah. OH- Hannah. Apparently the final step in the C.L.I.F.F. drug program is truly a stressful one. The relapse prevention phase required her to go in front of a peer council who determined whether she was ready to move on from the treatment program. If she wasn’t, she’d need to start the treatment phase of the program over. To Hannah, she felt this was a step to “freedom” however her peer council seemed to have some serious concerns about her relationship with her boyfriend Joe. When Hannah was asked if Joe enabled her, she said no. I flashed back to the conversation she had regarding him helping her shoot up. Then when asked if her relationship with Joe was a healthy one…with tears in her eyes, she replied “Yes. As of today it is”. I am not sure her peers felt the same way. They followed up her interview with a few questions as they needed more clarification on Joe. As the panel pressed to find about more about Joe and his addiction, Hannah tried to cover and hide what would make him look “unhealthy” to the panel. When they asked if he used, she said that she forced some pills on him….BUT we all know that Joe has been going to a methadone clinic since before he even met Hannah. As Hannah informed the panel that she planned to go and live with Joe when released, the reaction wasn’t great. When asked if she would take a year off her relationship, her reply wasn’t what the panel had hoped for. They knew he used with her and/or watched as she did. That was all they needed. Hannah was heading back to step one of the program. The panel didn’t feel she had been honest and wasn’t aware of her error in thinking. Stunned by results, Hannah and her case worker talked about alternatives. Hannah noted Joe was in his recovery too, however her case worker helped to point out that two addicts living together is unhealthy….possibly even deadly.

Joe relayed the information to Hannah’s parents about her not passing the panel due to their relationship. Yeah- not happy. Joe realized it was because she was wanting to come home to “their” house. Her parents were so frustrated. Dr. Covington pointed out to Hannah that “the need to lie” about Joe was concerning. Hannah knew she was held back because of her relationship. Dr. Covington was more concerned she was not being as honest about Joe. No being honest indicated there was something to hide. Hannah just needed to focus on bring honest.

 A new inmate, Lisa Owens, was introduced to us in depth. I was glad to see that OWN choose a domestic violence victim to highlight. Her husband had been abusive, both physically and emotionally. As they were in the process of separating, her husband allegedly raped Lisa at gunpoint…repeatedly. Slapping her conscious to only violate her again. The morning after she shot him. Lisa was set to be released in 13 months only to be living with her sister, Patricia. Determined to keep her head up, Lisa tried to work through her mother’s death with her sister. Patricia inferred she hadn’t spoken to her sister about the shooting and appeared to have questions about it…since she had no clue that the marriage had been bad. I am sure in time those questions will be answered…especially if Lisa is living with her. Dr. Covington was able to spend some one-on-one with Lisa this episode. Helping Lisa to understand that holding everything in will harm her. If only she could deal with some of it and leave it there. Writing and meditating…a great start to working through her problems. Dr. Covington knows Lisa must find a way to deal with her feelings. By chance, the show happened to catch Lisa on the 9th anniversary of the day she shot her husband. In fairness, they allowed her husband’s mother to speak on camera. She doesn’t believe her son could ever have been abusive. Wishing she could forgive Lisa, his mother realized that Lisa may never feel bad for what she did and should serve more time. In time…I hope that Dr. Covington is able to help Lisa find peace and the ability to start again.  

I can’t wait to see what next week brings!

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