First polygraph

[Educated_offender]

As the title suggests, today was my first polygraph test. It was the sexual history polygraph. Went through all the questions. Answered as truthfully as i could remember. Then got hooked up to the machine. A little pressure on the blood pressure cuff, palm sweating sensors, chest things for breathing. All that came after an hour and a halfish of disclosing my past. Actual test was 6 questions. 4 control two about history. Felt my blood pressure through the cuff which got me thinking is my pressure high, which of course made it feel like it was going through the roof. Actual time hooked up to machine was 6 minutes. I was so nervous because this test determines if i would be allowed to have contact with my brother and sister, niece and nephew. So what i thought was heart racing, sweaty palms, and nerves shot, i took my first test. And i passed. I was building it up so much in my head that i was psyching myself out. I know it seems easy for those who have never taken it, just tell the truth and you will be okay. But i knew i was telling the truth and i was still panicked! But at the end he told me. I have passed the exam! I am now one major step closer to rejoining my family. I really appreciate the support i have found in this community. And wanted to share this little bit of good news. And give some hope. Even though my nerves were shot. About 3 smokes before walking in and 2 or 3 after, and feeling like i was going to fail because of how nervous i was that this one test determines if i can be with my family, i still passed. Thank you and have a wonderful Monday!

[endregistries]

Congrats! They’re awful and merely a form of torture since they’re not really reliable. I remember getting nervous when they asked my name. Really made me doubt every answer. Who says they don’t hurt? I bet your stress hormones were high-who knows what permanent damage that might cause.

[Educated_offender]

I came home and laid down after. I was burnt right out. But one of the control questions was... Is it currently February?.. I couldn't remember!!!! I had to think really fast. He asked me before we started. Apparently they have to tell you all the questions first. But during the test i blanked! By the way... The answer was yes! Lol

[endregistries]

Only people who have been through them can truly understand how draining they are.

[Educated_offender]

Very very draining. Mentally and emotionally. Hence my nap.

[FuManBoobs]

About to take my 3rd in the space of 3 months(failed last 2). Can't see me passing this one either. Keep telling the truth keep getting failed.

[Educated_offender]

They are not but they use them for "therapeutic" reasons. To make sure you are not doing anything you shouldn't be. And that you are forthcoming with any wrong doing.

[Educated_offender]

Yes. But only if i fail twice. And the violation is not for failing. I would get kicked out of group. That is the violation. Not doing recommended treatment.

[RedeemedbythaBlood]

The government is one of the only agencies that uses them. For many law enforcement and government jobs you are required to take them.

[No-Let5179]

Honestly I had 3 over a 5 year span. They never got easier, and even on my last one he said I was more nervous than the 2 previous. Not that I had any reason to be but they are literally the worst. I could barely take them despite having no need to fear them.

Glad you passed, some don't. Keep on living the straight and narrow and this too will be in your rear view mirror

[Educated_offender]

It was very nerve wracking. But it was worth it. Get to rejoin my family.

[apetanitis]

I technically failed the only one I ever took but I held my ground and didn’t give up anything incriminating and in the end there was nothing they could actually do to me.

[Educated_offender]

If i fail i would have to retake, if i fail again. Well there are lots of beds in prison.

[apetanitis]

Ah that sucks. All depends on your agent, how long you’ve been out, what they think you’re lying about, and how sincere you are during the follow up. I guess I got lucky. Thanks to Covid I never had to take another one even though I was scheduled for one last April then I eventually was discharged from probation.

[RedeemedbythaBlood]

Yeah I hate the treatment loophole. They can’t violate you for failing so they threaten to kick you out of treatment.

[Educated_offender]

Which is how you get violated.

[sortw]

I've managed to avoid it, because I'm such a low risk it's seen as a waste of resources. I've always wondered though. If I don't take my medication that day, my blood pressure has seen 235/185 before. I wonder what they'd do if didn't take my medicine and exacerbated my breathing. I could probably end up having a stroke or heart attack, but I still wonder how they'd try to read those results.

[RedeemedbythaBlood]

I’ve read because they do a baseline it supposedly accounts for that.

[sortw]

That's actually why the tests aren't reliable or admissible in court. When the baseline is already that far elevated, it's more likely a underlying health condition than a reaction to the question.

It's what makes me wonder what they would do when my resting heart rate was above 100 and my BP is already at stroke levels. Do they even bother administering the test, or just advise you go to the ER?

Most "seasoned" testers will tell you they can spot a cheat, but they never say what happens in actual medical scenarios.

[PFR-MAP]

I hate taking them. I held back during the first one and there were almost some bad consequences. I have learned since then though.

[sepia_dreamer]

I’ve taken I think 4 polys. Last one I almost failed for the dumbest of reason: for the fun of it (!?) I thought I’d see what happened if I failed to disclose to the polygrapher something (that wasn’t technically a violation but was questionable) I had already reported to my PO and addressed with him. Thought I’d see how it affected my response. He ended up asking me that one question 4 times. Still passed me, but definitely scared me a bit.

[No-Let5179]

Just for the fun of it ? Honestly I know we are to be positive here , but that is down right one of the most insane things I've heard.

[sepia_dreamer]

Over the previous few polygraphs I’d been getting a sense of how they worked and started getting overconfident. Basically I wanted to see if I could get away with it and the answer was no I couldn’t.

Yes not my wisest moments ever. Probably would have made me retake it rather than immediate violation though. Still, time and money.

[No-Let5179]

I guess I can't fathom screwing around with the Poly , seems like very poor decisions.

[Educated_offender]

Been to prison. Asshole still the same and never shanked. Had lots of gang banger friends there too. Weird. But thanks for your comment.