Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes

Remember this post? Yeah So there's an update. Seems he's been moved from Jail Backlog to Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center "where all inmates go to start their correctional experience. At DRDC, they are assessed and classified to ensure proper placement in one of the department's permanent facilities."

I don't know if  he's going to be serving the remainder of his original 2-and-a-half year sentence (he only served a year) or if he's going to be let out to complete the remaining months of his parole.

There's a certain amount of satisfaction I get from knowing he's behind bars again. A lot of it comes in the form of "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes." He knew what was required to meet the terms of his parole... and he chose not to meet those requirements. I can't see any reason that he couldn't have worked with his parole officer to make sure PO knew where he was and what he was doing. Most POs want their people to succeed: Get clean, stay clean, be good, stay good.

But this boy-o doesn't want to do that. He's an alpha dog and nobody can tell HIM what to do! He's too cool for school and will not allow anyone to tell him what to do!

Which ironically has been the problem the whole time.

I told him to be honest with me. But he shouldn't have to do what his girlfriend says- who's she to go telling him what he can/can't do??.. right?

So I left. I took away his toy.. er, girlfriend. He didn't like that- he still claimed that she.. I was still his so he could still do whatever he wanted.

So I told him to leave me alone. Again, who was I to tell him what to do?

I got a protective order. Now, both I and a judge were telling him what to do. Still doesn't matter- he is an alpha dog and can do whatever he pleases!

Well, judges don't take kindly to being disobeyed, and he got arrested and convicted with a felony.

Now his freedom was REALLY encumbered!! Sure, prison time and probably costs/fees associated with that. But also, a felony record means he can't vote or own a firearm. Having a felony record will make it more difficult to get a job, find housing, get a loan and the list goes on.

After a year in prison, he was released on parole. He had a court-ordered babysitter and was required to report in regularly. Dang if he didn't dig in his heels and refuse to report.

And he got arrested again.

Are you seeing this pattern?

Request -> push-back

Bigger request, bigger risk for violating -> Push-Back

BIGGER REQUEST.... -> PUSH-BACK -> BIG HAIRY CONSEQUENCES

Big request, big risk for violation -> Still Push-Back.

The boy seriously can't handle following the rules.

Like I said, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.