Families of Prisoners Support Group
This community is dedicated to families that have been disrupted by prison. Having a loved one incarcerated or having been incarcerated comes with its own unique challenges that require support and understanding. Join the group to find others who know what you're going through, and to seek advice or share your experience.
As many of you might know, I was in prison for eight years for a crime I did not commit. I had been sentenced to a 20 year prison term after a jury trial.
About eight months into my sentence, my wife divorced me. I was bothered at the time, but I realized later it was for the best. Nobody knew when I would ever get out and she needed to get on with her life. Besides that, I knew that our marriage might not work once I was released because I was not the same person as I was when I entered prison.
But about two years into my sentence, I received a letter from an old high school friend, a lady who knew about my case and trial and knew I was innocent. We started writing several times a week for over six years and she is my best friend today.
She is why I have so much admiration for the ladies on this site that stand by their man, year after year, through all the hardships they must face, to one day be with their guy. Most of the older posters know I have written about the great respect I have for all you ladies.
As the years passed by, I became acclimated to prison life, but one by one I saw my inmate friends pack up their belongings and get ready to go home---but I was always left behind. I was happy for them, but I just wondered when I would ever get the chance to go home.
At times I was discouraged, but one time on the visting yard as I was complaining that everyone was going home but me, my friend looked at me and said, "Someday will be YOUR day. It is their day now, but trust me, someday will be YOUR day---the day you go home." What she said has always stayed with me even to this day.
So I say this to all the mothers, girlfrieds, and wives who have loved ones in prison. Someday it will be YOUR day and you will be reunited with the son or the man you love. I know it is difficult and the waiting is hard, but SOMEDAY you will be together again.
Trust me, that day WILL come and what a joyous day it will be.
Just some thoughts on things I have learned and a way to keep things in perspective.
God Bless all you ladies for just being who you are.
rewdiazepam
About eight months into my sentence, my wife divorced me. I was bothered at the time, but I realized later it was for the best. Nobody knew when I would ever get out and she needed to get on with her life. Besides that, I knew that our marriage might not work once I was released because I was not the same person as I was when I entered prison.
But about two years into my sentence, I received a letter from an old high school friend, a lady who knew about my case and trial and knew I was innocent. We started writing several times a week for over six years and she is my best friend today.
She is why I have so much admiration for the ladies on this site that stand by their man, year after year, through all the hardships they must face, to one day be with their guy. Most of the older posters know I have written about the great respect I have for all you ladies.
As the years passed by, I became acclimated to prison life, but one by one I saw my inmate friends pack up their belongings and get ready to go home---but I was always left behind. I was happy for them, but I just wondered when I would ever get the chance to go home.
At times I was discouraged, but one time on the visting yard as I was complaining that everyone was going home but me, my friend looked at me and said, "Someday will be YOUR day. It is their day now, but trust me, someday will be YOUR day---the day you go home." What she said has always stayed with me even to this day.
So I say this to all the mothers, girlfrieds, and wives who have loved ones in prison. Someday it will be YOUR day and you will be reunited with the son or the man you love. I know it is difficult and the waiting is hard, but SOMEDAY you will be together again.
Trust me, that day WILL come and what a joyous day it will be.
Just some thoughts on things I have learned and a way to keep things in perspective.
God Bless all you ladies for just being who you are.
rewdiazepam
I did just get mine home. I was one of the many that waited and waited and felt the time would never come, but it did 11 days ago, and wow it is great to feel normal again.
Keep posting things like you do It is helpful to so many to see it from a man that has been in prison's perspective on things. It is wonderful how you praise us for standing by our men, sons, brothers, etc. For me, if you love someone, you don't abandon them just because something went wrong. But I have seen some women that just can't wait. How can they not if they love them? I don't get it. But I guess there are all kinds of people.
It is nice to see that you see what we go through. Most of the time, men don't see what we do, or acknowledge it. Mine has though. He is home, working so hard on everything that needed fixing while he was gone. He has a job a week after he got out, he is working horrible hours, and says its what he needs to do to fix things. He says I don't have to live like I did anymore.
Women sometimes put down their men for not understanding what we go through. They think they are only thinking of themselves. That may be true in some cases. Not you though, and not my wonderful man. He truly appreciates my continued support throughout the years. I read it in his journals for treatment the wonderful things he talked about with his groups. Yes, he told me I could read everything
Thank you again.
So happy to see that your man is home and so happy that he is treating like you should be treated.
I hope you two have a wonderful forever together.
rewdiazepam
I try to take the knowledge I have gained over my long odyssey with the criminal justice system and the prison system and bestow that wisdom on others. In short, I just try to help others, especially the ladies waiting for their man to come home.
As you know I have a special place in my heart for ladies that continue to support their man when he is in prison.
I know all the ladies are hurting to a degree with your guy in prison.
I just wanted to assure you all that there IS a light at the end of the dark tunnel from all this. You may not fully realize it and some days will be difficult, but SOMEDAY it will be your SPECIAL DAY when you can be with the man you love once again.
Just keep the faith. That day WILL come. And when that day does arrive, like me, you will look back and say, "He was right. Today is MY day."
rewdiazepam
Thanks as always for your thoughtfulness.
That was something I needed today. Its hard waiting - especially since he has been sentenced to 30 yrs; and we are praying that he wins the appeal. Praying that this nightmare will end soon.