More for those interested.

http://tinyurl.com/p6b47ra

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This topic frustrates me SO much. Incarceration for non-violent offenses is plainly wrong. The damage done to all involved is a clear indication of just how wrong it is- financial, emotional, social damage to both the inmate and his/her loved ones. But Rew, aside from reading articles and books and signing petitions and writing letters to congressmen, what can we do? If I have learned anything from this terrible experience, it is that I am powerless over the system that has me and Adam in its completely effed up clutches. I have struggled so hard with the awareness that I can't DO anything that actually affects the way things are. I feel like I am walking a tightrope- below me is the DOC, always, always there, and at the end of the tightrope is the hope that when he gets home, we will no longer feel that presence in our lives. But the truth is, I know we will. We're scarred for life. And then there is the knowledge that really tears me up- the knowledge that we are just one family in two million whose lives have been damaged by this sick system.
What can we do??

Angela,

The "system" has morphed into a well-oiled machine, running downhill on a greased track with no end in sight. It is so out of control and unjust that the outcomes----high incarceration rates, broken families, men who have a tough time after release from prison----are predictable.

In fact, the prison system has become a self-fulfilling prophecy-----lock people up, don't make an effort to rehabilitate them, and they will come back. Wash, rinse, and repeat.

Right now too many people are profiting----making too much money and gaining too much power----for anyone to attempt to change it. Just think, COs, private prisons, GPS manufacturers, polygraphers, psychologists, etc. all profit from having men and women locked up. Many small towns survive with the employment a nearby prison brings; the first prison I was at was located near a small town of less than two thousand people and closing the prison would have wrecked their economy. The people in power don't really want this revolving door to nowhere to stop as everybody wins in their eyes---except the poor inmate's family, who is made to pick up the pieces.

Economically prison costs this nation billions of wasted dollars, but they also are a big part of our economy. Does not make sense? No, but that is what is happening.

Writing politicians does little good, except for us from a psychological standpoint. Politicians laugh at petitions and they get thrown in the trash.

As you know, I have been a huge advocate for the families of prisoners and prison reform for a long time now. I have come to the conclusion that this probably will not stop until enough people in America are touched by this ruthless system by having a family member in prison. When enough people are directly touched, and people demand a change from their politicians and leaders, things will change---but not a lot until then. When our lawmakers realize that they can no longer keep our prisons full with their "tough on crime" mantra and realize that the public wants them to be "smart on crime" things will change.

I educate and speak out as much as I can to influence people and change their minds about our criminal justice system and corrections. There is not a day that goes by that I don't speak to someone about the plight of our "system." Some don't listen, but many do as I am a well-respected person in this area.

And you are right, Angela. Imprisonment for a non-violent crime is just stupid and counterproductive. We should only be locking up people we are truly afraid of instead of people we are only mad at.

But we have to plod on.

I do want to tell everyone that there IS indeed life after prison. I am a living, breathing example----and I was a sex offender who dealt with the registry. We have to learn to live a different life, but it can be a happy one just as well.

In passing, I have mentioned my story several times, not because I am important, but because my story should inspire hope in everyone.

TRUST ME, you can be happy with life after prison. You just have to make up your mind to deal with any differences.

Let's keep the faith and stick together. I know I will never quit until I breathe my last breath on this earth because I truly love the families and their loved ones.

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Thank you AGAIN.....