Category Archives: Mailbox Responses

My partner of 7 years was incarcerated for 10 months. It caused me to become homeless for two months. Also, (it caused) depression, anxiety and anger. (I have visited) because it helps us both emotionally, also its a religious obligation for me as a Jew. I am very much in favor of forensic diversion (only violent & repeat offenders go to prison, not drug addicts, not mentally ill) -Joseph

My son, whom after Katrina happened got out of control and left high school, and finally was arrested in New Orleans. I wrote to him 3 times a week and pray. He is off drugs in there and getting his G.E.D., so I guess it could have been worse. (I would visit him) but he’s in New Orleans and I’m here and cant get there. At least he is not at Angola. Black males are screwed in Louisiana. – Chancey

I have to struggle to keep my kids maintained, try to keep money on commissary, make sure we eat, and they have school in order… all by myself. -Anon

My son was once  incarcerated and it is changed the way I now deal with him. Where in the past I have tried to protect him from these harsh realities, I now stress the importance that he not allow himself ever again become a part of the system. This is not to say that I didn’t do all of this before, because I’ve always tried to give him both of these lessons when he was younger. But after talking with him after his incarceration I can understand the loss he felt by my not being there. But now that he has seen and felt for himself all the things I tried to tell him about this place, he now has a better perspective and we have a better relationship. I’ve always tried to help the younger people find a way to escape this reality however I know have a better perspective of what some of the younger people who have mothers and fathers in prison seem to go through. It also had the underpinnings of the loss I’ve also felt in morning or missing out on certain events with my family . Where as now this question gets right to the loss The loss I feel in having to endure the death of family members, in which I could not attend funerals. The loss I had to endure in a relationship with my now ex wife because of coming to prison, the fact that I can never really give the comfort a person would give to their family members when they are experiencing some form of hurt on their own because I can’t be there. These are but just a few of the things I have to endure because of this loss. -Charles

The numbers keep increasing and there’s not apparent solutions in sight. I feel the state is not doing enough to provide a safer school systems and a better environment in general for the majority of people. The absence of someone with an empty space that is hard to fill. One of the consequences is that the figure is getting distant, becoming more of a memory. My parents use to take us all boston to see our brother but as time passed by it became more difficult, and after he was released he was completely estranged for me. A lack of a good education system as well as a lack of a safe place to grow and healthier environments is affecting the life of the kids of the underclass. It seems like there are not enough resources to provide a better quality of life for our residents. Too many abandoned neighborhoods lack of playgrounds, rec centers, community centers, and job training programs. sometimes when I walk in an underserved area it seems like I’m walking on the streets of a third world country. Kids growing on the this environment will hardly find space for inspiration. Add to this the fact of the mother or father figure is behind bars in the lack of inspiration discipline is caged. -Cesar

I find these facts to be troubling especially when you consider that so many people are incarcerated due to the war on drugs and that people with a felony record have such a hard time earning a decent legal living Since most prisoners will be the released I think it’s important to let family member know that he or she has not been forgotten or abandoned. Also family is the first and best source of a support system that can help an ex offender stay out of prison. -Mark

It does not impact my life having incarcerated uncle. the incarceration of my son’s father impacts my son because he does not know him. -noni

I would visit (an incarcerated family member) to give them support, while they pay the price for doing wrong. -Anon

I had many members (of my family) locked up. Do the crime you do the time! Their incarceration doesn’t impact my daily routine. You make your bed now lie in it! -Dane

It’s saddens me to hear these facts. It also gives understanding to the violence and disruptive behavior of our youth. I’m a father that’s been incarcerated I come from a family where several relatives spent time incarcerated. Incarceration creates obstacles that are difficult to be overcome physically and mentally. -J

We have a trustworthy legal system. I’d rather live here than anywhere else due in part to our criminal justice system and the right to a trial by jury. -Anon

Well, raise children with an ideal of knowing what’s right and what’s wrong and watch the results -Anon

I visit my father because I would like to have a relationship, and show him that I do love him very much. I need him in my life no matter what. -Anon

It’s kind of upsetting because I never grew up with my father. It hurts everyday I see my mom hurt, and it hurts at the end of the visits. -Myan

My son been in jail for 26 years ever since he was 14 years old. He got on drugs at 14 years, now he is 40 years old . Out of those 26 years I see him only 3 times. They sip him from Jail to Jail and State to State, you lose contact of where he is. This system has made sure many of us don’t get in touch with our loved ones. We have to deal with it. We have to deal with our problem that the system put us in outside of the jail. -Anon

The impact on my daily routine is severe I go to sleep at night and wake up to a reality that is surreal. The first couple of hours I move about mechanically, I do the things I normally do without thought. Without any given notice a variety of the motions rise up and then the flood of tears. My appetite is bad. I used to enjoy food, now I only eat because I feel weak or I don’t want others to worry about me. I have acid reflux and constant indigestion. All I want to do is sleep but that’s impossible because I still have to work although my coworkers has been very supportive I can’t help but feel embarrassed and humiliated. I am learning new things also I’m learning how to put money in my sons prison account. I’m learning my sons pp# number. I’m learning how to encourage my son when he calls but all I wanna do is scream, “What were you thinking!?!” I’m going to be strong for his children who miss their dad I’m a believer that you never stop learning well I’ve learned about all I want to learn about prison life. My daily routine will never be the same. My life in my family’s life will never be the same. If it were not for my strong faith in God I probably would kill myself. So I pray, read my bible, and love my son and family. I have to believe me there’s life there’s hope. -Anon