LTC Terry Lakin’s prison diary

Dec 21, 2010

Hope all is well. Don’t know how to start a letter or what to say. I hope I made a difference in a very important matter. It cost me a lot. But I now have to believe it turned out okay. There certainly are no do-overs. The important thing is for the work to carry-on so we never have this situation again.

Today is my fourth day at Leavenworth and my first day with supplies to write and send letters and hoping for a phone call today. Another soldier and I arrived Saturday AM shortly after midnight. We are considered in ‘reception’ status until we complete about a week of briefings and assessments. But they have a holiday schedule until after New Year’s Day. Although they are making some efforts we likely will remain in ‘reception’ status until into January.

Reception status is mostly lock down in my cell. We now get two hours of ‘rec time’ in the morning and afternoon. Rec time is cell door open to a common pod area with a four-seat table, an exercise bike that does not work, a flat-screen TV that we cannot watch, and two showers. Activity is playing cards or a few board games, working out in my cell between meals, reading the rulebook, Bible, and now writing letters. Looks like the routine for the next several weeks. We have limited stamps, envelopes, and I am writing with a small, soft plastic (almost rubber pen) that is not to comfortable.

After getting more integrated in January (hopefully minimum security) we may have more privileges. There will not be much use of a computer, limited phone, news, or TV. We have to order our own health and comfort supplies from a small provided list. We are allowed one order request per month and not more than $35 per month. I’m hoping they will honor my first order on credit- we have not been able to get money into our account yet – not having any communication with Pili yet. I’m hoping to get a small radio with ear buds so I can get some news radio. Had to work hard to decide about how many batteries I could get by with vs how many rolls of toilet paper to buy.

The trial seems long ago now. What a feeling of helplessness going through the process. I likely got the best outcome I could have- but it was painful.

After the trial I overhead someone say, “Well, he’s no hero now!” Sorry, I was not in it to be a hero. Just thought I was doing the right thing. I spent enough of myself and my family’s future for now. Others are going to have to continue.

Got to go now. Moving cells quickly. Phones don’t look good today. They brought a phone in but no one knows how we can call out collect. Sigh…

Terry