I am glad you got it too..I understand that feeling...when I go to visit my husband they pat him down when he walks in to see me and it just makes me cringe..There is a guy that goes around and takes pictures when we visit and we had never had him take one because I just don't want it......We did finally have one on our last visit..I think he wanted it to show the others....It is weird to see them in those uniforms...It is a dose of reality..How is your brother doing? Do you get to talk to him much? Is he in a medium security faucility or will he be? Any chance you will be able to see him? My husband lost weight and now he is gaining weight..they won't let him work out because he has a hurt leg..I think you are an exeptional sister do you know that? The fact that you are feeling this with such heart is a testiment that he is a good guy too! More brothers should be so lucky!! Hang in there!

Thanks, mskim! I don't get to see him he is in Duluth, MN and I am in Alabama. We email daily and he calls me 2 or 3 times a week. I guess he is "lucky" he is in a prison camp, it is lowest you can get for security.
He called me yesterday and it was really nice. He is talking about things he wants to do when he gets out and how his release process works. He lost about 20 lbs when he went in, i think he is the same now. wish i could say the same,LOL
How is your husband doing? when is his release scheduled for?

My husband just started a 6 month program...he is due to be released in late January...after the holidays..My husband is in a place like that...It is low security because they are all "non violent' offenders and they risk alot if they get kicked out...they are in a dorm like setting and wear jeans and denim shirts...they had a band come play for them yesterday and it really lifted everyones spirits... it is a very intense program but it has great results from what I have read about it..My husband likes what he is learning and is really embracing the good he can get from it..he is 300 miles away, just far enough that it is an overnight trip so I can't go as often as I would like..plus it is a beautiful drive but not so safe in the winter time...Your brother is smart...tell him to keep his focus positive...people really do come out of an experience like this with a stronger spirit and much to teach and share..I have heard many stories because at first all I could see was doom...I know there are people thinking I am naive and that is okay...I have achieved alot in my life and gotten by on nothing but did my best to keep my chin up..at times it was against all odds I stayed positive and waited out the storm..that is what I am doing now..Thank you so much for asking..my husband is doing ok today...tomorrow may be different we just don't know..he has a counselor that he had to check in with on the first day and read from his journal...it was about me and he said he lost it...I have only seen him cry a couple times in 8 years but he broke down..I think what they do in these programs is break them down a bit so they can help them face the pain and deal with it..who knows, all we can do is hope for the best and make it out sane! Nice that you get to email! Again, he is a lucky guy to have you!!

I got a picture a couple months back of my brother too. I cried too, and took it everywhere with me for a while. I loved it, but it also disturbed me more, he looked vacant, and I agree about the eye thing. I suppose in an environment like that, he has to adapt, switch off a little I guess? It's a way to cope. But I get the hole 'it made it real he was there' thing, because sometimes you forget the reality of it, and carry on, and talk as normal on the phone, until he mentions the word 'cell' or something, and it hits you. Stay strong, he needs that. X

I, too, am glad that you got the picture, but just imagine what your heart must have been feeling when you opened the envelope. I appreciate your openness and honesty that you share with us. Sending you a hug!

Thanks so much ladies! This group has been so wonderful and helpful to me. I feel so close to some of you ladies. I wish our bond was for a different reason, but good things can come from bad situations, right??
Hugs to all of you:)

Thanks so much ladies! This group has been so wonderful and helpful to me. I feel so close to some of you ladies. I wish our bond was for a different reason, but good things can come from bad situations, right??
Hugs to all of you:)

Thanks so much ladies! This group has been so wonderful and helpful to me. I feel so close to some of you ladies. I wish our bond was for a different reason, but good things can come from bad situations, right??
Hugs to all of you:)

Thanks so much ladies! This group has been so wonderful and helpful to me. I feel so close to some of you ladies. I wish our bond was for a different reason, but good things can come from bad situations, right??
Hugs to all of you:)

Thanks so much ladies! This group has been so wonderful and helpful to me. I feel so close to some of you ladies. I wish our bond was for a different reason, but good things can come from bad situations, right??
Hugs to all of you:)

sorry for posting it many times my computer locked up than went crazy!!!

Hi Stacy, It's this site, quite a few of us stutter regularly with it, don't know why.

Glad you got his picture. I guess we forget that some haven't been to see their persons yet. And I am supposedly used to this prison stuff, as a veteran of it. But yea, I have his picture he sent while I couldn't go see him. Such a blank look on his face, I look at it several times a day, its up on my desk. I swear if you look at it over and over, they are trying to scream out to us, or tell us something. I watched guys at the prison tonite come in from their units not for visits but just to have a picture done, and none of them smile. It's like they shouldn't, or they forgot how to.

Stacy, I think from all you have told me awhile ago, your brother is doing ok. And will make it through just fine. The fact you can email everyday is awesome, we sure can't do that. God forbid they touch a computer somewhere. They would never get to.

Stacy, did you see mine had a heart attack last week?

We took pictures with him, and Emmy, and me, him and Emmy, those were more happy pictures, but still sad, they are missing so much, and for what?

It sounds that the federal prison where he is at is much lower key than the hell hole some of ours are in, but that does not make it any easier to have them gone, or for them. They are still devoid of all normal life.

Stacy, did you see we are writing a book?? Everyone's input is really wanted. A expose of sorts on the justice and corrections departments in the US