From the SA Corrections Committee (SACC)

Here are a few of my own SACC and prison experiences I would like to share with you:

• SA’s willingly driving four hours to an SA meeting on the inside and even more joyfully driving four hours home again that same evening.

• SA’s on the inside meeting whenever and wherever they could to share their experience, strength and hope with each other, even without support from the prison administration.

• Inside SA’s willing to endure strip searches after an SA meeting with outside SA’s. (Not one SA member left, and that included two newcomers.)

• SA’s meeting on Sunday afternoon, driving long distances to attend the SACC meeting. They have offered suggestions, edited letters, addressed envelopes, listened to me whine and moan (I am sober but not well yet, but I’ll keep coming back!), and volunteered to write to another inside SA when they are already writing to several.

• The SA’s on the inside have supported and encouraged me with their letters… Their prayers have often carried me and their gratitude has changed my heart. They write to each other wherever possible. (We now have 21 on the inside SA’s mailing list, including one former inside SA who is now on the outside.)

• The Cleveland Friday night SA meeting signed over 30 Christmas cards for inside SA’s. A 17-year-old SA member helped address and stuff those Christmas cards.

• I have seen SA’s on the inside and outside serve and then serve some more. I believe it is called “willing to go to any lengths” to stay sober! And those that continue to reach out to the sexaholic who still suffers continue to stay sober, by the grace of God and this Fellowship.

Some comments we received from SA’s on the inside who received Christmas cards and letters:

• “It meant a lot to be remembered, although I’d only corresponded once before. I know from my own sobriety that it takes being grateful for sobriety to want to do service and help others.…”

• “Thanks again for being there. I’m at that point where I don’t really want to change, wish I didn’t have to, but know that I do have to. I know I’d never have the strength to do it alone, so I really appreciate your support.”

• “This card tells me that my efforts to progress are not in vain. Though I have my faults, you all have said I am worthwhile and that I am worth loving.”

• “W.C. (outside SA contact) is a wonderful person and a real encouragement. Thank you very, very much for contacting him for me. I know for sure that there is hope and feel that my bondage to this addiction has already been broken. I feel so free for the first time in my life, and I owe it all to my heavenly Father and you guys.”

• “I am now in contact with an outside SA member, who in fact is volunteering to come here to the jail bi-monthly to hold S.A. meetings.”

• “I am glad to know I am not alone in my struggle to stay sexually sober.”

• “I wish one day to be in a group outside with you all. I like your company and I know that you are truthful. I want to change and with your help I will do it. Love you all.”

If you would like to correspond with those on the prison list, please send us your name and address. We will add it to the list and we will send you a current list of inmate addresses. We suggest 1) when writing use a P.O. Box instead of your home address (sometimes your group or intergroup box is an option), 2) check with your sponsor, and 3) have some sobriety; make sure you have something to give away. Send your name and the address you want to be on the list. NOTE: This will be added to the SA inmate mailing list.