Estes Summer 2024
News & Class Updates

8/1/2019 Update

TOMORROW IS GRADUATION!!! –here is the list of approved guests: https://family.pep.org/estes/graduation/guest-list/ Reminder: the Estes Unit is an all-male prison.  Because many men are enticed by pretty women, ladies, please do not wear tight-fitting clothing to graduation.  This is for your loved one’s sake! Action item: please pray for all class members, that they will feel an abiding love and peace as they […]

Read More

Estes Summer 2025 Post-Graduation Update

PEP GRADUATION PICS ARE HERE!!! Here is how you can see all graduation pictures: Take a brief survey here: https://family.pep.org/estes/essm25gradsurvey (“Regular class updates” = class journals, class pics and GPA updates) The “Thank You” page will provide a link to all our graduation pictures – please save this link! It has been my honor to work with you. Have a great weekend! Blessings, Laura
Read More

June 27, 2025 Update

Dear PEP Families, Below is our final regular class update for PEP’s Summer ’25: Click here to see the latest class pictures: https://family.pep.org/estes/essm25photos/ Read how participants describe “a day in the life of PEP” through our weekly class journals here: https://family.pep.org/estes/journal/ (Click week # to read a particular post.) Enjoy reading the special graduation edition of our class newsletter here: https://family.pep.org/estes/esteschronicle/ As soon as graduation pictures...
Read More

June 19, 2025 Update

Dear PEP Families, This is the last week of class, and I want to ensure you see how well everyone is doing! Please enjoy the following updates: Click here to see the latest class pictures: https://family.pep.org/estes/essm25photos/ Read how participants describe “a day in the life of PEP” through our weekly class journals here: https://family.pep.org/estes/journal/ (Click week # to read a particular post.) We asked the men to write about which of PEP’s 10 Driving Values is their favorite and...
Read More

Graduation Update #3

Dear Registered Graduation Guests, Here are a few notes about this Friday’s PEP graduation ceremony: The Estes Unit address is 1100 FM 1807 in Venus, TX. With so many family members attending graduation, we tend to stress out the Estes Unit staff a bit, so please bring your most patient, positive selves to check-in on Friday.  The folks there at check-in are just trying to do their job. Parking info: guest parking is on the left-hand side of the Estes parking...
Read More

June 13, 2025 Update

Dear PEP Families, Here we are, almost at the end of class – can you believe it? Please enjoy the following updates: Click here to see the latest class pictures:  https://pepmedia.smugmug.com/Estes/Summer-2025/Week-14-Progress Read how participants describe “a day in the life of PEP” through our weekly class journals here: https://family.pep.org/estes/journal/ (Click week # to read a particular post.) As always, thanks for your support! Blessings, Laura
Read More

June 7, 2025 Update

Dear PEP Families, Welcome to PEP’s Summer ’25 class at the Estes Unit!  There’s plenty to go over in this first weekly update, so let’s get started: Click here to see the latest class pictures:  https://pepmedia.smugmug.com/Estes/Summer-2025/Week-13-Progress Read how participants describe “a day in the life of PEP” through our weekly class journals here: https://family.pep.org/estes/journal/ (Click week # to read a particular post.) Enjoy reading our monthly newsletter (with more...
Read More

Graduation Update #2

PEP Graduation Guests, Let’s discuss the elephant in the room: the dress code for graduation. (***THIS IS OVER AND ABOVE REGULAR VISITATION RULES***) We will have a number of male business executives attending graduation dressed in suits and ties, while female executives will be dressed in business suits (nice pair of pants, a blouse and a blazer). We encourage family members to keep this in mind when selecting an outfit. However, I am NOT asking anyone to go shopping for an event that lasts...
Read More

Graduation Update #1

PEP Graduation Guests, **IMPORTANT** Please read this graduation update ASAP: https://family.pep.org/estes/graduation-2/grad-details/ The class is getting so excited – see you all on Friday, June 20th at the Estes Unit! Blessings, Laura
Read More

May 31, 2025 Update

Dear PEP Families, Here are the latest updates on this class: Click here to see the latest class pictures: https://family.pep.org/estes/essm25photos/   Read how participants describe “a day in the life of PEP” through our weekly class journals here: https://family.pep.org/estes/journal/ (Click week # to read a particular post.) As always, thank you for your support! Blessings, Laura
Read More

May 23, 2025 Update

Dear PEP Families, Here are the latest updates on this class: Click here to see the latest class pictures: https://family.pep.org/estes/essm25photos/   Read the latest weekly class journal here: https://family.pep.org/estes/journal/ (Click week # to read a particular post.) Also, graduation RSVPs have been submitted to the Warden’s office. If your name is in green on this list, your registration is under review: https://family.pep.org/estes/essm25gradguests/ Thank you for your...
Read More

Week 8

Nov 19, 2019

Monday, Nov. 4, 2019 Today in class we had Toastmasters. The Toastmaster meeting was facilitated by Mr. Toastmaster, Jonathan G, who did a fantastic job today. The speakers who spoke gave their speeches on our fourth speech topic, “How to Say It,” out the competent communication manual. The point of this speech topic is to […]

Week 7

Nov 5, 2019

Monday, Oct. 28, 2019 As we woke up to this beautiful Monday morning, some of us got ready to go to Toastmasters or Computer Lab while the rest of us stayed behind in the dorm. We started our day with a cup of coffee to get our minds ready to do some studying. Some of […]

Week 6

Nov 5, 2019

Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 Several of us attended Toastmasters this morning while the rest of us spent our morning in the dayroom. Toastmasters is a public speaking course we take in order to overcome our fear of public speaking. We have to be prepared to speak in front of the executives who come to hear […]

Week 5

Nov 5, 2019

Monday, October 14, 2019 Today half of us had the day off from PEP and used it for some much-needed rest and study time. The other half of us had Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a class that helps us develop our public speaking skills. In Toastmasters, we have 10 projects or topics to speak on, whether […]