Yes! It's official...Jason is finally parole eligible! I'm praying that they will grant him parole soon. In the meantime, I am headed to Atlanta this Friday for the Georgia Department of Corrections' Family Day where we can speak with the warden and other GDOC representatives. To my knowledge, this only happens one day out of the year, so I'm on it! I've been waiting a long time. You can NEVER get in touch with the warden. I believe it is set up that way on purpose: He has no voice mail, no email, and you cannot leave a message to have him call you back, and of course he is never available when you call. I have faxed him and send him snail mail letters without response, as well. So, this will be a very important meeting for us. There are four things that Jason has specifically asked me to address:
1. Ask for information on programs for life sentences.
2. How are we supposed to order books? A little background on this...there is very little that prisoners are allowed to receive, and it must always come through a third party source. They used to allow books to be sent in to prisoners through Amazon, but they have now put a stop to that, for God only knows what reason. They expect inmates to now purchase books using the money they have on their accounts (provided by their family) which we cannot figure out, since this isn't the 70s when you could place book orders from a catalog. I truly don't think such a book store exists.
3. Discuss the many visitation issues/problems with the warden.
4. Safety concerns, particularly about gang violence getting out of control. Jason is not in a gang, but non-gang members suffer, too. Sometimes they get caught in the cross-fire, or they are punished for things that gang members do to each other (like last week's 7-day lock-down).
I was at visitation on Sunday, and in line for almost an hour. The visitors typically end up discussing prison topics during this time, and I was enlightened about rumors such as families will soon be required to supply toilet paper--really? I thought it was ridiculous when Jason told me that the inmates were required to bring their own spoons to "chow," as the prison did not supply them. I said "Plastic spoons?" Yep--plastic spoons. I already know that he has to pay for his medicine and doctor visits, when they allow him to be seen.
If I hear one more person talking about how good inmates have it...
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
PSEUDO-FREEDOM!
Yay! The 7-day lock down has ended. My sweet is free to roam the dorm. And shower. And get decent (by prison standards) food. :D I'm so happy I could cry! Oh wait...I did cry. LOL
So here's the scoop: Apparently there is a new law in the state of Georgia where if there is a gang-related fight (and that is a term used loosely), there will be a mandatory 7-day lock down of the entire dorm. And gang can be defined as real Crips versus Bloods type of violence or anything more than one-on-one fighting. Sigh. Is it just me or does it seem like they never solve the problem, they just make things worse for all? Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure does not work in a prison setting, so punishing everyone for the actions of one, or more than two as it were, does nothing but punish those who are unlucky enough to cohabit in the same dorm.
Even as I'm writing this, I can hear the collective sound of apathy. Unless you have been in a prison or have a loved one who is, the issue of humane treatment of prisoners is probably pretty low on your priority list. After re-posting a video on Facebook yesterday that I ultimately had to take down, it really hit home with me that there are so many people in this country who either just don't get it or just don't care. That pains me because not only is the love of my life in prison for something he didn't do, but he has also met other "good" guys in there who have helped him, and I feel for them, as well. Nobody should be treated the way they are.
So this brings up the debate: Government says that people are imprisoned to rehabilitate them, not punish them. Studies prove that their intentions are suffering miserably. And I agree that there are guilty prisoners who have committed heinous acts, and I want those people to stay in there. But even before Jason's unfortunate situation I have always disagreed with capital punishment because there are SO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE IN PRISON. Unless someone confesses or there is irrefutable evidence (like video of them carrying out the crime), you cannot be certain. I would rather let a few guilty go free than to put to death even one innocent person. I'm sure a lot of people would disagree. I can't even entertain the thought of what would have happened if Jason had gotten the death penalty. No, we won't go there...
Though it may be unpopular to do so, I will continue to try to bring light to the plight of prisoners in the US. I understand that there are some prisons here that do treat inmates well. But I think the vast majority do not. Imagine for a moment that you were locked down for 7 days in the Georgia heat with no air flow, only one shower in that seven-day period, eating food that is so bad you would rather not eat at all, no cold clean water to drink, as you are punished for something you didn't do. You have nothing to do except to talk to your bunk mate, and you are in a tiny space. You can't communicate with or see your loved ones.
Jason said it was as bad as being in the hole. The hole is solitary confinement. I told him about that Facebook post, and that I had shown the video to let people know that prisoners do not have it as good as they think they do, as I see people posting all the time on Facebook how well they think prisoners are treated. For the first time ever in the smallest voice I have ever heard him use I heard, "They REALLY think that?" It broke my heart to hear the hurt and disbelief in his voice. And then I changed the topic.
So here's the scoop: Apparently there is a new law in the state of Georgia where if there is a gang-related fight (and that is a term used loosely), there will be a mandatory 7-day lock down of the entire dorm. And gang can be defined as real Crips versus Bloods type of violence or anything more than one-on-one fighting. Sigh. Is it just me or does it seem like they never solve the problem, they just make things worse for all? Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure does not work in a prison setting, so punishing everyone for the actions of one, or more than two as it were, does nothing but punish those who are unlucky enough to cohabit in the same dorm.
Even as I'm writing this, I can hear the collective sound of apathy. Unless you have been in a prison or have a loved one who is, the issue of humane treatment of prisoners is probably pretty low on your priority list. After re-posting a video on Facebook yesterday that I ultimately had to take down, it really hit home with me that there are so many people in this country who either just don't get it or just don't care. That pains me because not only is the love of my life in prison for something he didn't do, but he has also met other "good" guys in there who have helped him, and I feel for them, as well. Nobody should be treated the way they are.
So this brings up the debate: Government says that people are imprisoned to rehabilitate them, not punish them. Studies prove that their intentions are suffering miserably. And I agree that there are guilty prisoners who have committed heinous acts, and I want those people to stay in there. But even before Jason's unfortunate situation I have always disagreed with capital punishment because there are SO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE IN PRISON. Unless someone confesses or there is irrefutable evidence (like video of them carrying out the crime), you cannot be certain. I would rather let a few guilty go free than to put to death even one innocent person. I'm sure a lot of people would disagree. I can't even entertain the thought of what would have happened if Jason had gotten the death penalty. No, we won't go there...
Though it may be unpopular to do so, I will continue to try to bring light to the plight of prisoners in the US. I understand that there are some prisons here that do treat inmates well. But I think the vast majority do not. Imagine for a moment that you were locked down for 7 days in the Georgia heat with no air flow, only one shower in that seven-day period, eating food that is so bad you would rather not eat at all, no cold clean water to drink, as you are punished for something you didn't do. You have nothing to do except to talk to your bunk mate, and you are in a tiny space. You can't communicate with or see your loved ones.
Jason said it was as bad as being in the hole. The hole is solitary confinement. I told him about that Facebook post, and that I had shown the video to let people know that prisoners do not have it as good as they think they do, as I see people posting all the time on Facebook how well they think prisoners are treated. For the first time ever in the smallest voice I have ever heard him use I heard, "They REALLY think that?" It broke my heart to hear the hurt and disbelief in his voice. And then I changed the topic.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
AND IT ONLY GOT WORSE
Well, it is now Tuesday. From what I understand, Jason is still on lock down. When will it end? I have no idea. I am despondent. And I'm worried about him...
Did I mention I don't have much support? Other than my friends, I don't get many pep talks or much support regarding my situation with Jason. I rarely hear from Jason's family and never from his friends. I don't have much family myself, but the family I do have either avoids the issue or flat out tells me I'm wrong. If I didn't have good friends who were always there for me, checking in on Jason's status and listening to me when I vent, I would probably go insane. My friends are the best!
There are people who actually make things worse. Right now I'm questioning whether it is me being oversensitive, or if there really are several people in our inner circle who enjoy talking down to me or who genuinely think I'm stupid. Of course these are typically people who aren't there for us, anyway, so I tell myself their opinions shouldn't count. I try not to dwell on negative and focus instead on positive. But they come around from time to time being judgmental or treating me like I'm an idiot. The adult in me says to just ignore them, but this is becoming a recurring source of irritation for me. And in my mind I'm also to the point of saying something to the effect of "If you're not here to help, leave me alone."
What do you think?
Did I mention I don't have much support? Other than my friends, I don't get many pep talks or much support regarding my situation with Jason. I rarely hear from Jason's family and never from his friends. I don't have much family myself, but the family I do have either avoids the issue or flat out tells me I'm wrong. If I didn't have good friends who were always there for me, checking in on Jason's status and listening to me when I vent, I would probably go insane. My friends are the best!
There are people who actually make things worse. Right now I'm questioning whether it is me being oversensitive, or if there really are several people in our inner circle who enjoy talking down to me or who genuinely think I'm stupid. Of course these are typically people who aren't there for us, anyway, so I tell myself their opinions shouldn't count. I try not to dwell on negative and focus instead on positive. But they come around from time to time being judgmental or treating me like I'm an idiot. The adult in me says to just ignore them, but this is becoming a recurring source of irritation for me. And in my mind I'm also to the point of saying something to the effect of "If you're not here to help, leave me alone."
What do you think?
Thursday, July 3, 2014
WHAT A TERRIBLE WEEK
As you know, I have been waiting a long time for July to arrive! It was very disappointing when Jason told me he spoke with the counselor and she still could not confirm or deny that he is eligible for parole this month. Really? It's been months since he asked her to check into and verify it. So she told him she would have to "check with the parole board." Well, good luck with that, since they seem to be an entity that can only be found on an entirely separate plane of existence. Ugh. This brought up all sorts of negative feelings for me...fears really. What if he's not eligible until January? What if January comes and he is denied? WHAT IF HE NEVER COMES HOME? But I can't think like that. Not and keep functioning, anyway. So I pepped myself back up, put on my positive hat and kept going. Until today...
No call from Jason. Well THAT never happens. It's extremely rare. There's only one good reason he would not call, and that would be if he were being transferred to a transitional center or was released. It wasn't that. I called the prison and asked if any of the dorms were on lock down. Of course, his dorm is. Why is that so distressing? Because it is a 3-day weekend, and I was planning on visiting him tomorrow (4th of July) and Sunday, too. At that point I was trying not to panic. Sometimes lock downs don't last very long. Unfortunately, a dear friend and fellow visitor texted me a bit later to let me know that the warden of security told her his dorm would be on lock down ALL WEEKEND. There goes my weekend. :*( We very rarely get 3-day visit weekends. Visitation is only on weekends and holidays. And I am 99.9999999% sure that Jason had no part in the cause for this lock down (which was a fight). Typically when things happen in his dorm he is at work. But they all get punished, and in this case friends and family are punished, too. He is miserable. I know he is. He does not know that I know why he didn't call, so he is imagining that I am freaking out. He's probably to the point of vomiting if he hasn't done so already (his reaction to stress). And he is hot. So hot, because when they lock down, they lock them in their cells, and they don't have doors like you see in the movies that are made of bars. No. They are solid doors with glass windows. No ventilation. And it is hot. Georgia summer heat kind of hot. And there is nothing to do in his cell. No TV. No card playing. I think, and I hope, he has a book to read to get him through the weekend, but I am not sure. No phone calls. No visits. Nothing. My baby is suffering. Alone. All I can do now is pray that by some miracle they change their minds and stop the lock down before the weekend--and visitation--is through.
And he does not do well when he has to go two weeks without seeing me. Time in there is like an eternity. But I am powerless. And sad and lonely without him, too. This has to end soon.
No call from Jason. Well THAT never happens. It's extremely rare. There's only one good reason he would not call, and that would be if he were being transferred to a transitional center or was released. It wasn't that. I called the prison and asked if any of the dorms were on lock down. Of course, his dorm is. Why is that so distressing? Because it is a 3-day weekend, and I was planning on visiting him tomorrow (4th of July) and Sunday, too. At that point I was trying not to panic. Sometimes lock downs don't last very long. Unfortunately, a dear friend and fellow visitor texted me a bit later to let me know that the warden of security told her his dorm would be on lock down ALL WEEKEND. There goes my weekend. :*( We very rarely get 3-day visit weekends. Visitation is only on weekends and holidays. And I am 99.9999999% sure that Jason had no part in the cause for this lock down (which was a fight). Typically when things happen in his dorm he is at work. But they all get punished, and in this case friends and family are punished, too. He is miserable. I know he is. He does not know that I know why he didn't call, so he is imagining that I am freaking out. He's probably to the point of vomiting if he hasn't done so already (his reaction to stress). And he is hot. So hot, because when they lock down, they lock them in their cells, and they don't have doors like you see in the movies that are made of bars. No. They are solid doors with glass windows. No ventilation. And it is hot. Georgia summer heat kind of hot. And there is nothing to do in his cell. No TV. No card playing. I think, and I hope, he has a book to read to get him through the weekend, but I am not sure. No phone calls. No visits. Nothing. My baby is suffering. Alone. All I can do now is pray that by some miracle they change their minds and stop the lock down before the weekend--and visitation--is through.
And he does not do well when he has to go two weeks without seeing me. Time in there is like an eternity. But I am powerless. And sad and lonely without him, too. This has to end soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)