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.
My son has been in prison for 12 years. He's a "lifer" and his earliest opportunity for parole is 2009. There's an appeal pending that may get him released sooner, but I've learned not to have expectations. My son has severe ADHD and is probably bipolar. Over the years he's been on many different combinations of meds and I swear they use inmates as guinea pigs, and over medicate them to keep them docile. But it seemed that they finally had him on the right combination and his mood and behavior were steady. Then my state DOC decided to hire a private, for profit company to take over mental health needs. A psychiatrist came in and made radical sweeping reductions and changes to patients medications - most of which were decided before even meeting with any inmate! My son has had two medications discontinued/changed. Need I even say that the reason is that these are the more expensive meds? It's not about treating inmates properly. In fact this idiot told my son in an interview "this is prison - not a hospital!". Now my son is a time bomb. He's trying very hard to keep to himself and keep from being provoked, but a lot his problems are biological and out of his control. And the scary thing is that this crap is going on with all prisoners in my state. When there are more murders and suicides and riots, the public wont get the back story of "these prisoners had their medications removed or radically changed". It makes me sick!
I have a 27 year old son that has ADHD and depression. He has had problems with alcohol and drugs since he was very young. He has been in and out of jail but was arrested again last week and it looks like he will be doing prison time.
Its so heart breaking - I have been on the web off and on all day trying to find support groups or something for mothers. 9 months was the longest he was in jail - but now this, I just don't know how I to deal with all the fears, concerns, guilt, etc.
I sure hope they will evaluate him and get him on medication.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was hoping my son will be given the opportunity to learn a trade or something to help him when he is released.
Getting my hopes up for anything seems to also end in disappoinment! It really is beginning to harden my outlook on people and family.
Thanks for your reply - any other sites that you have found helpful?
Now.... meds. Don't I know they tried all sorts on my son. He is in for 25 yrs. At his request they have used he as guina pig. He was so angry and has been written up alot due to his situation. So 6 months ago they started. He has been on I bet 20 different ones.
Ironically, I found this site when he wanted me to look up his latest, which he is still on. It works best for him he says. Keeps him heavily medicated. He thinks that way maybe he can get out earlier for good behavior. They are super strict on everything. So strict he probably won't get out earlier for good behavior. So he stays drugged out of his mind. His meds are older ones that they very rarely even prescribe anymore because of the side effects and dangers are really high risk. Nothing I have said will change his mind about it. He is bipolar and ADHD. I have to say his frame of mind IS much better but his meds scare me horribly.
My son had back surgery while in there to remove a cist about 6 months ago. I was scared stiff that they might kill him just for the heck of it. Who do they really have to answer to. I was extremely glad when he recovered from that. And not paralyzed either, it was on the spine.
It is so hard to trust them with our loved ones when we know some of the crap they go thru. All the reports we here too in the news.
Anyway sorry to vent a little there. As moms we just want them where we can take care of them ourselves. (definitely not there)
Good did come of it though. Those meds led me here to a very loving and supporting group. I googled his meds and daily strength popped up. Everyday since has been easier because of this group.
Love all you members of Families of Prisoners!!Thanks for being here day or night! Keep coming back ladies you will find the help you need to get through this.
Rhea