The Pelican Army: My stay in the Penal Colony

Hello.

What's going on in the life of Charles Thompson?

I heard you are at Cordilleras

This stay is a behavioral rehab opportunity given by the Redwood City criminal court to remedy what was considered aggressive or bothering behavior to the public. I lost $200 because some person I encountered took my cash envelope that my bank gave me. This was in the corner parking lot of Menlo Park's Santa Cruz Blvd. I assertively grabbed it back, and swung a fist at him. The police arrested me without question or incident. I did not get my $200 back. My case with the penal system was adjudicated deemed lacking competence. I had to go to Atascedero State Hospital from 2022-2023.  It took them about 1 year just to get me in front of a judge, that ended up telling me "You're going to Cordilleras."

While at Atascedero I did what the opportunity required. I had no choice, I did not want a felony. They gave me lorazepam. This was a prison hospital, basically. They provided recreation that had included bowling for prizes, outdoor recreation 2x per day, and on your birthday you get a cake with ice cream. The commissary system was a big catalog book. I don't remember what it's called.  I called Dan for some support, but he was sick. He answered my call and said he was at the Emergency Department (ICU), for respiratory disease. He had a respiratory illness. As time progressed I found out he made it just fine. I got to listen to Juice WRLD's "Stuck in a Maze" song at one of the group therapy sessions.

Cuffs on hands and feet 

I did get an IRS letter while at Atascedero, but I lost it. The exact date I'm uncertain of, but I recall the state hospital stay was in 2022. Of originally having been deemed lacking "competency", I cleared as having mental capacity to be represented to a judge by my attorney.  I was returned to the Maguire Correctional Facility by Sheriff's law 🚓, from Atascedero. I finally got to see a judge in mid-to-late 2023. I had stayed at Maguire Correctional Facility for 8 months at least, and afterwards I was told it is time for court. The judge told me "You're going to Cordilleras". I had to spend 16 or more months just to hear a judge tell me that I'm going to Cordilleras. It sucked but finally the Sheriff dropped me off at the Redwood City, CA complex direct from the jail. It was in a jail van.

Readied for Cordilleras by Judge

I was transported to Cordilleras and they did my intake. I do not recall too much of this, but I had to do mostly remote communication via Zoom employees of Telecare. They were told by the court that they are to deal the intake me for behavioral rehab. Cordilleras has an effective staff, capable of dealing with some mild violence incidents well that I saw so far. These residents are mostly people who cannot/do not take care of themselves (don't change clothes, failure to thrive, etc.) or have a danger to self or others. I have been in a fight here plus threatened with death threats.  After about 3-4 months of stay I was told that there is no jail case anymore and I was out of the felony. They prepare and feed 3 meals per day and snack for some 60 beds I'm told.

DMV Ride to get Identification 🪪

There are a series of new buildings that have been built, and we're told that we'll be transitioning a move-in to said facility by New Years or earlier. I'm given a chance of  passing the GED with my own private room! For a proctor exam I need my California ID. So when I get to speak to a social worker I'm going to tell them to get me a ride to the DMV. It is such a sad waste of life to not be allowed to get one. I am trying to ask a friend but he has been busy, and I'm uncertain if they will transport me to the Department of Motor Vehicles.