Update from Jesup, GA

Stan is doing a whole lot better now that he's in a real prison. He has a job in the chow line, handing silverware & napkins out to everyone as they come by in the chow line. He has access to fruits and veggies (his favorite) in the normal food offered there and I can guess that he can get extra food because of his job in the kitchen. He's super happy to have a job as good as that one in there. He also has time outside every day so he can enjoy the Southern GA sunshine and even walk & run around the walking track there. There are basketball courts and a lot of room to walk and run. This was a major problem for Stan in Blount County and in Claiborne Co. Jails. I can remember Stan telling me on my first visit in Blount that he found a cell that had a part of the window broken so that if he positioned his head close to the window just right, he could see Maryvill College, which he loved so much. That was bittersweet for obvious reasons as he'll likely never work there again. I was so happy to hear about how much his situation has improved now that he's in a slightly more permanent place. We have all learned not to count on anything one you have a buddy in prison. He could be moved at any moment without any notice and reappear again on the other side of the country, so I'm hoping he'll stay put where he is. There is also a more proper library there and he's found many good books to read, rather than a slew of bibles and trashy books, that were so often found elsewhere. I hope to visit Stan down there but have to figure out if that's possible. We'll see how that goes as I'm waiting for another letter from him to let me know if I can.
Please continue to pray for Stan as he moves slowly through the calendar, month by month, day by day. Our time flies compared to his so please write him if you can spare a few minutes. I, myself, allowed a huge lapse in my contact with him and feel terrible about that. I'm back on it now, however, and have written him twice in the last week. Happy Easter to all! patrick

Jesup for 18 months????

We think Stan will be in Jesup, GA for about 18 months or so, and then he will likely be moved once again. it will be the same as before, with us knowing last minute when he moves, and then us having to wait to get contacted by him when he lands in the next place. -patrick

Stan has been moved to Florida...

I'm not sure if this is part of the classification thing or if he's been remanded to Tallahassee for the duration of his sentence, but they gave him a mailing address so I'm thinking the worst. We were all sort of counting on Ft. Dix which was a military base and meant sort of easier time than a real prison. I'll do some research and talk to Dan and find out what's up... patrick

Stan is on the move: Classification

Stan called just an hour ago to say that he is most likely being transferred tomorrow to the feds evaluation center in either Atlanta, or Oklahoma. There he will spend a few weeks and then be moved on to the prison in the system they decide on. We will have no imput to this but as you know the judge requested he be sent to Fort Dix here in NJ. It is about 1 1/2 hours south of me so that will be easy to visit . BUT, the feds will do as they want so who knows where he will end up. I will, of course, keep you posted.

I hope that all of your families are doing well, your children healthy and happy and your loves loving. Please keep in touch and thank you so very much for your care and concern during our pain.
Love, Gerry

Marjorie McCleave, Rest in Peace, Sep. 2, 2008

This was sent to me by Stan's Mother's Pastor, George Morris, on the morning of September 2, 2008:

I don’t know if you are aware, Stan’s mother died this morning. I’m her pastor. I was with her on Sunday. She was 92 + years of age.

Stan and I served on the Youth Council of the Southern New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. I believe in the 70’s. he was a teen at that time. He was much like his father – G. Stanley McCleave.

I was fortunate to be appointed pastor of Trinity UMC in Ewing, NJ. Stan’s dad built that church and move two inner-city congregations to their new suburban location. He was a pastor to his people. Greatly loved.

Marjorie was an outstanding person. I’ve appreciated my visits with her at Pitman Manor. She still led the choir and did a number of other things. Even Sunday, so very ill, but fully aware. In a whisper she said, “I’m having trouble talking.” We sat together in silence, I updated her about the church. We held hands and shared a prayer. I know she is in God’s presence today.

I’m not too far from Fort Dix. I’m going to follow your blog and when Stan is moved find out how I can visit him.

I will do anything I can to be supportive of him during this time.

My middle son was in prison for four years on an eight year sentence. I visited him every week. What seemed like an eternity, the time went by. I trust Stan understands that what has happened to him does not need to define him. Our “shadow” side sometimes gets the best of us, but is not who we are as persons. With a little help from his friends and by God’s presence with him, he will get through this valley.

What a good friend you are!!

George Morris
Senior Pastor
Haddonfield United Methodist Church

from jack Parker from this Monday (August 25, 2008)

Hey Dan. I've had it on my calendar for a long time but unfortunately a job has come up on Stan's sentencing date. I am not going to be able to be there. I did however get to talk to Stan yesterday in New Tazewell. The one good thing about him being moved is there is no visiting list so I can get in to talk to him.
He's pretty anxious in there with a tougher general population though. The I.Q. and rationality average is much lower in this new jail. As Pat had told us before Stan has fabricated a weapons charges story to protect himself from the other inmates in his cell block. I was able to observe on the video camera the other guys walking around in his block. It reminded me very much of observing animals in the zoo. The guys seem to be wandering about bored and constantly sizing each up in a push for dominance. Stan seemed like a fox in the hyena pen using his brain and caution to ward off the testing looks. They are all in a common room for 12 hours of the day and the visitation screen and camera are in this common room. I could sense the intimidation factor when one of them and then several of them looked over at the screen and were trying to see who Stan was talking to. I stepped out of camera view just to give them nothing to harass him about. He said that two other prisoners charged with sex offenses made the mistake of telling the others of their charges at which point they were beaten to varying degrees and for their protection are now in solitary confinement. Stan was warned upon entering this new jail by a friend whom he had made in Blount county. His friend had arrived earlier than Stan and had seen what happened to the others and caught Stan as soon as he was admitted. All these observations made it clear that it is very real.
On an up note if there is one.. Stan did not seem down or beaten spiritually and seemed to be using his street smarts to stay on top of his new game of survival. He has figured out that to stay on the good side of the more volatile cell mates he has taken the role of a good listener and offers no information about himself. He is staying mentally active by writing down stories of the various people he is in contact with. Reading has been a welcomed respite for him too but the new jail is very loud with the 12 hour group time and he has had a hard time concentrating.
I am hopeful that he will be on the lucky side and only get the 5 yr sentence although it is quite infuriating hearing what sentences some much more violent and destructive inmates have received. This has been a real eye opener.
I intend to go see Stan again if he is put back in a jail where I can get to talk to him.
Thanks for keeping me involved in the information chain.
Jack

97 Months in Ft. Dix

Today Stan was sentenced to 97 months at Fort Dix, an Army base in NJ that also has a minimum/medium security prison on site. So, it's a good news-bad news deal. The bad is that the judge in his case could have sentenced him to five years, or 60 months. The good news is that he's headed for a base where he will be able to get outside on a regular basis, exercise daily, and have access to a real library. He may even be able to further his education while there. His brother and sister-in-law are both attorneys in AL and spoke eloquently on Stan's behalf. Stan was taken into custody months ago, looking like we all knew him to be: neat, in a nice suit, showing meticulous personal hygiene and wearing an awkward embarrassed smile as he tried to hold back his tears. Today, he arrived in stripes complete with chains around his ankles, wrists, and torso. His fingernails hadn't been cut in 8 weeks until finally one of the US Marshals relented and allowed us to give him the clippers. Today he looked older, very tired, and deeply depressed and sad. Even his brother Dan commented that he looked ten years older.

At the end of the sentencing, we walked out of the Federal Courthouse all pretty devistated. But we walked out into a courtyard filled with trees and flowers while Stan was lead back to a holding cell made of concrete and steel. None of us can imagine what it would be like to be in his shoes. Now more than ever, we need to show Stan that we care for him and love him. As far as we know, Stan will return to the Claiborne Co. Jail and will be allowed visitors each Monday. New Jersey is a long ways away, so if in the next few weeks you could take the time to visit him, it will give him good memories for a long time.

Here is a link to Fort Dix where he'll be in a few weeks from now: http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/ftd/index.jsp