Prince County Addictions Treatment Facility

In PEI, the legal system gives the offender many chances to reform themselves, and as we see in this section.

After months at the Provincial Correctional Centre, Reggie was released on day parole on August 1, 1999, to attend a treatment program at the Prince County Addictions Treatment Facility in Summerside. The conditions were basically that if he abused any drugs, he would violate his parole, and be sent back to jail.

His diary during the following ten days records his adjustment to treatment, his first taste of relative freedom after months in jail, and his plans for what he hoped would come next.

August 1

No writing this day.  Reg was released from the Correctional Facility to stay in a Rehab facility, but under controlled care, with drug testing, and strict rules.

August 2

Well, I’m in Summerside now and I like it here.  I was a bit sad yesterday leaving John behind, but we all have to move on.  I’m adjusting well here.  When I got here last night, I didn’t think that I was going to like it at all.  Its older and dirtier than Sleepy Hollow and all the guys are pretty young.  But I’m getting to know them and they’re all right.  And the guards here leave us alone most of the time.  No strip searches and other bullshit.  You don’t have to get up for meals here and the guys can smoke dope in their rooms.  The red tape, the bureaucracy, and bullshit of Sleepy Hollow is ridiculous compared to this place ….

I was surprised to see Jolene and Ferren at the program today.  It’s great that Ferren is there.  We get a lot of time off from the program and we drove around the town a lot and he’ll take me anywhere I want to go, which was McDonalds today where I had my first glass of milk in nine months.  How we missed it …

My councilor at the program is kinda cute and single.  I could easily take a liking to her.  I suppose that Ferren will be able to set me up with something while I’m down here.  I’m interested in buying his old car if I can get some cash together, four hundred ..  I’ve heard that St. Eleanor’s [AA] is pretty good, only three meetings a week.  I hope I can get in there.  I should have more info when I see Louis Buche tomorrow.  I’d be interested in living down here for the winter if I can get something going …. It really was nice to be free today after nine months in jail.

August 3

My second day at the program went well.  I think I’m saying all the right things, as I am now an experienced rehab patient.  I’m getting to know Jolene a little better and I think she’s warming up to me.  Perhaps I’ll get an opportunity to be alone with her soon, if she doesn’t take off….

Ferren sold his car yesterday, so his girlfriend Michelle drove us around all day.  I bought a pair of shorts.  I like wearing shorts now … I was supposed to meet Timmy today, but he didn’t show up, says he’ll be there tomorrow.  I’ve met a lot of people throughout the island during my time in jail, lots of connections.  I like it here in Summerside.  Hope I can stick around for a while.  The guys we met in jail here are ok.  I think I’d rather be here than in Sleepy Hollow.

August 4

Got through another day in the program easily.  I think they have a better program here than at Homewood … I took Jolene and [Counselor] to Burger King for lunch.  I was trying to get Jolene alone, but [Counselor] keeps getting in the way.  Will keep trying though.  Afterwards Ferren and I got six and sat by the water.  I’m worried that he won’t make it through.  If he gets caught, he’ll have to go back in the pen.  I should try and talk to him about this tomorrow … we were allowed to order from Greco here tonight.   I got a couple of donair’s.  Best food I ever ate in jail …

August 5

It was kind of a long day in the program today.  We had to talk about our childhood and some of them just went on and on.  Timmy came by to see me.  I’m hoping he can help me out Monday.  Jolene was talking about dropping out of the program.  I hope he stays but I doubt it …

I was at the Journal [Pioneer newspaper] this morning to talk to them about doing a story on Sleepy Hollow.  They’re going to check it out and we’ll talk to them on Monday.  I really hope this goes through.

I went to Shakers after the program and talked to a girl there for a while.  She was nice.  I told her I’d come back next week.  I might be able to get somewhere with her, she seemed to like talking to me although there wasn’t anybody else there.  The good thing is that I find it very easy to talk to women now.  I hope that I can stay in Summerside on parole.  I think I’d have a good time up here.  But in the meantime, I’m not looking forward to spending all weekend in here, after being loose this week.

August 6

I finished the first week of the program.  Everything is going well.  Jolene had decided to stay, but Elmer, an older fellow, was kicked out for dirty urine (codeine).  I don’t think that is right because he probably wasn’t even aware that to take it was wrong.  Alcohol is his problem. 

After the program I had a slice of pizza and talked to a reporter at the Guardian office about doing a story on Sleepy Hollow.  I am going to meet with him on Monday to discuss it.  Oh, how, I would like to make them squirm.  To get even ….

Paul M. told me that he would do everything he can to get me into St. Eleanor’s House and if not, he would recommend that I need no further treatment.  Somehow things will be alright ….

George was here to visit but I got the message too late.  I called his hotel, but he had already checked out.  I’m disappointed to have missed him, as I do not know how to contact him from here.  I’m glad that my addiction is behind me.  I think I’m really going to enjoy my freedom.  Too bad I have to spend all weekend in here though.