Families of SOs Community Group
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I am living in a new world now and I have so much to learn. I talked to my son one day and he put me on the phone with another inmate who had some questions about his case. Since then, this man has called me many times telling me that my son shouldn't be in prison and that he wants to help him get out. My son said he's a paralegal who works with veterans (but he's also an inmate). He is due to get out soon. He sent me a power of attorney for him and asked me to find a place to live. I did find him a place. Now there is a problem. He has be released to someone, but he has to live with them until his parole officer says it's ok for him to move. He asked me to call the parole office and let them know that I was his power of attorney and I would be in control of his money and would be checking on him. This isn't what I signed up for! He can't live with my husband and me. My son shouldn't be in prison, but I would rather work with the lawyer. Please help.
First of all, you don't even know this guy and neither does your son. You have no idea about his case or his circumstances or even if he is telling you the truth. He might be the number one hustler there in prison just looking for someone to scam.
Secondly, you have enough on your plate dealing with your son's situation. You do not need more problems.
And lastly, I was in prison so I know that some inmates will befriend new inmates, who are naive, and attempt to get involved with the family, who is naive and want to help. I cannot say that this is happening here, but it is highly possible.
You don't need another inmate knocking on your door late some night----or the friend of an inmate harassing you and your family. This is why I tell every family with a loved one in prison to have them tear off the return address of every piece of mail they receive from the outside and flush it. Inmates can be nosy and find a return address and cause problems for the family.
You don't need to be running errands for another inmate and agreeing to be POA was probably a bad decision to begin with.
I have seen and heard of families getting scammed for money and other things by an inmate using the very same technique this guy is using on you.
Tell your son you don't have time to help. Continuing with this involvement can lead to nothing but problems for your family.
rewdiazepam
An inmate sees a new inmate come into the pod. He befriends the new inmate who is naive and wanting to "fit in" with the other inmates. In other words, the older inmate starts to "run a game" on the newer inmate, as he sees the new inmate vulnerable and a possible mark.
The newer inmate, being naive about the system, is easy to manipulate. He accepts the inmates friendship, as he is probably a little scared and feels more secure having another friend. Problem is, the inmate getting scammed knows nothing about the other inmate.
Then the older inmate convinces the newer, naive inmate to allow him to talk to a member of his family. The family is also very naive about prison and other inmates. If this older inmate shows interest and is willing to help their son, then they feel as if they should help the older inmate. After all, the family is worried about the safety of their son in prison since it is his first time.
It starts off innocently enough, as the scammer makes small talk with the family, but it soon escalates to such things as POA, money, contacting an attorney, and a place to stay after release. This is called the "set up" and it sometimes works quite well.
The scammers play on people's fears.
Families will do anything to make it easier on their young son, so they go along with the "game." Before you know it, you have a released inmate knocking on your door or harassing you.
I have seen just about every game imaginable run on families and inmates, and it is so sad when an innocent----and well meaning family---gets caught up in this nonsense.
I have even seen it go so far that the newly released inmate will tell the family they must pay a certain amount of money or he will have their son harmed in prison.
Just stay away from characters like this. Yes, there are some really good guys in prison, but there are a lot of con artists, scammers, and inmates who are just pure trash.
Most inmates are not choir boys.
rewdiazepam
My son has only been in about a year and a half, but we have learned so much from Rew.
This guy may have ligit reasons but my gut feeling is he is a scam. Also BE CAREFUL with what you say or do, this guy could cause problems for your son while he is there and make trouble. The best thing to do is contact your son and explain that you are not able to assist this man and he should seek advice from a legal attorney and PO
Hope this helps you