I'm afraid my son, Travis, is dying. He’s been in solitary confinement for six months. He thought a prison guard was the devil and punched him. He’s serving a 10-year prison sentence for first degree attempted murder. He thought a friend was Satan and stabbed him. Currently, he’s in the prison hospital of the California Healthcare Facility (CHCF) in Stockton, California. Travis has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He experiences delusions and hears voices.
Solitary confinement is killing my son. After all this time, a social worker told me they still don't have his medical records and are not sure of his diagnosis or his meds. Travis tells me the meds they’re giving him are not helping him. They just make him sleepy and he can’t see or think. I drive seven hours every Sunday to see him for one hour. He’s deteriorating week by week. I don’t think anyone cares. My goal is to get Travis out of the prison and into a true hospital. How can I find someone to help him? I need a miracle.
Travis’s Recent Letter to His Sister:
It’s good to hear from you. I’m still not doing good. But I know that that can change. I feel like I’m losing touch with reality. But I’m hoping to cope better. Writing you is difficult because not much has changed. I’m still trying to cope with being isolated. I know this is temporary and that helps.
I feel tired most of the time and I don’t feel like doing anything. I haven’t been reading because my eyesight is going bad. I feel hopeful things will get better. I have felt terrible. I feel like this isolation is killing me. I don’t know how I’m going to cope with 2 more months. I have a t.v. now but it’s not very pleasant to watch. I am having a hard time relaxing. I have a lot of anxiety about the future. I feel I’ve dug myself a deep hole and my life is over. The guilt I feel for coming to prison is catching up to me. I had a chance to do the right thing and I didn’t. I actually wish John was the Anti-Christ so my prison sentence would not be in vain. I know that is selfish. Reality is hard to face. I have to remind myself that there are people now going home and I have a chance too.
I’m not doing good. I saw Mom and Russell today. It was torture to not be able to communicate with them. Fear has got me in a grip so tight I can’t fight to get out of it. I am so frustrated Mom drives all this way to see me and it’s like I don’t even appreciate it. I almost don’t even want to see her because of the state of mind I’m in. It’s hard to talk, function, write, read. I don’t think I can write a book. At least I have a radio and I can listen to the Christian Companion Channel. That cheers me up some. I have no hope of getting better. I’m trying to think positive. But honestly I’m still alive. I don’t think God wants me to die like this. If only I can think positive. And seek life. I’m afraid to be alone.
This letter is just complaining. I look up to you. I hope you’re doing all right. I pray for you. You make my problems seem like nothing. I have been making up all my problems. You’re having real problems. Thanks for being honest in your letter. I feel so bad for complaining about me. I’m fine. I have nothing wrong with me. Maybe I can start my book. I’m ok. You are a blessing. I’m going to be okay. I’m feeling better already. Putting things into perspective I have no worries. I’ve been a coward. Praise the Lord. I’ve been delivered. I am really feeling better. You’re suffering broke the chains of my suffering. I see more clearly. I have to believe this. I love you. You are precious to me. Thanks for your honesty. Even though I’m sad you’re not feeling well. The Grammy’s are on. I love you. Love, Travis.
Travis’s Recent Letter to His Mom:
Mom, I love you. I got your letter today. I looked up your scripture. I think I’m doing all right but I’m not sure. I forgot what its like to feel healthy. I’m sorry if I’m scaring you. I’m terrified. My mental health is poor. I don’t know if I’m okay or not. It feels good to write you. I know I’m okay now. Thanks for your support. No one talked to me today. The only instruction I had was when I went to shower. I need attention. I don’t know what to say to these people to get their attention. I feel if I had someone to talk to I could work through my confusion. I am so overwhelmed by my time I have left to serve. I feel like I can’t breathe. Isolation is killing me. It’s really scary. My mind is very powerful. I can think of the worse scenarios. I love you Mom. Take care. Travis
My severely mentally disabled son, Travis Christian known as CDCR# BB8099, has been suffering since August 2017 serving most of his first year in the prison system in the solitary, known as the hole, at Mens Colony in San Luis Obispo California. He was transferred to CHCF Stockton, California in November 2017. He is kept in lock down isolation 24 hours a day. The facility will continue to keep him in 24 hour isolation until April 2018 when he'll be transferred to level 4 prison, the highest security.
My son is not a gang member just a mentally ill California surfer boy type, has the mentally of a teenager, and he's 31. When he's not properly medicated or is allowed to go off his meds, he can react violently because he fears for his own life. Travis is losing his basic motor skills, reading, writing, talking and eyesight from wrong medications and long term isolation.
At his sentencing he was given the choice: stay in a hospital for a longer-term or prison for a shorter-term. He was advised to take a shorter-term in the prison system but the shorter term is turning my son into a vegetable. My prayer is that someone will help my son live the rest of his 10-year prison term in a mental hospital that truly rehabilitates mentally ill prisoners. Patton Hospital in San Bernardino County would be closer to our family but Atascadero State Hospital would also help my son. Someone, please help my son, before it's too late to save what is left of him.
If you can offer legal help to Kathy for Travis, please send an email with your contact information to dede@soonerthantomorrow.com.
Travis can receive cards and letters. No books. Thank you so much.
Since this post, Travis, due to health reasons, has been moved. His current mailing address is the following:
Mens Colony
Travis Christian
cdc#bb8099
Mental Health Crisis Bed
PO Box 8103
Colony Dr.
San Luis Obispo, California
93409
Kathy says, "Travis doesn't have that big smile or light in his eyes anymore. Just blank stares."