Families of SOs Community Group
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My son is so depressed more now that before. He's only been out for 2 months now.
But we live in a city, when he was used to Floriduh. He's been busy dealing with his PO, SO treatment and the idea that he has to live this different kind of life.
Plus he was in for 30 months in Federal. I know that's not a long time but he had friends there and a regular schedule.
For those of you who have been to prison or others who have seen your LOs come out.. was there this period of depression and if so, how long does it last?
He's such a shy guy, so going out to meet people is not his thing. We've been going to Kung Fu classes a couple days a week, but even there it takes him a long time to feel comfortable being around people.. always has.
I'm not sure if it's just him being in a new kind of living situation, like the city (which he hates), missing his friends in the joint, dealing with SO issues or just everything. He wasn't so bad when he got out last month but it seems to be taking it's toll.
But we live in a city, when he was used to Floriduh. He's been busy dealing with his PO, SO treatment and the idea that he has to live this different kind of life.
Plus he was in for 30 months in Federal. I know that's not a long time but he had friends there and a regular schedule.
For those of you who have been to prison or others who have seen your LOs come out.. was there this period of depression and if so, how long does it last?
He's such a shy guy, so going out to meet people is not his thing. We've been going to Kung Fu classes a couple days a week, but even there it takes him a long time to feel comfortable being around people.. always has.
I'm not sure if it's just him being in a new kind of living situation, like the city (which he hates), missing his friends in the joint, dealing with SO issues or just everything. He wasn't so bad when he got out last month but it seems to be taking it's toll.
The Registry has taken people from 1945 who have never committed another crime making them guilty today for what they did 68 years ago, this is wrong. They are placing a 2013 picture of them with a crime from 1945 and not mentioning the year of the crime, again this is not right
My crime was in 1979 I have been allowed to raise a family, start a business live peacefully in society, report to the police once a year. This old Registry made it possible to change my life.
Today this is not the case, I have lost my business, major family problems, as I don't live peacefully in society any more.
They are putting a picture of me 2013 with a crime I did when I was 19 years old. This picture of me today is making people who see it, think I am still dangerous. The problem today is who ever see's my picture on the Megans Site today believes I just committed this crime and this is not true.
Having this label over your head makes life very difficult to live with, especially when every one knows what you have done and even if they don't you feel they do.
Megan's Web Site is playing with our shame and exposing our guilt to the public causing a life time of depression.
I took Kung Fu, welding, pottery classes and found working with the chruch helped. I found just being active helps. Its important that you dont get depressed tring to help. Each person needs to work out this new type of life for themself and have family friends someone to talk with.
Nak, When our son was released from prison after serving three years he was also depressed. It scared me because I expected him to be joyful to be out and home. So depressed, that he said being home was worse than prison. But he soon adjusted. It takes time. Just keep a keen eye on your son and watch for changes. Try to find things he might enjoy, which it looks like you have, and reassure him that as bad as it seems, it will get better. It is not hopeless and there are people working hard to make things better for him and others.
http://californiarsol.org/.
It is an active group, the web site is updated often with things California and beyond, and there is a well frequented discussion forum. It might make you feel better to get involved. They are making progress in that state. Slow, but steady.
ps. the oldest conviction date one could find on the CA Megans Law website (it may be illegal for some to view) is from 1952 with a release date of 1954 - no felony conviction since. Photo of a 90 year old man!
Is his record clear for all those years?
Yes, I am from California but the more I was involed with these different groups, the more up set I got. At first I thought it was helping to meet others as myself but I have to much self pity.
I use to ride to L. A with Janice for the meetings and I know other groups in the L.A area.
It is very common to develop PTSD and severe depression. Big groups can be VERY discouraging for many old time registered citizens because your always starting at the first step. The registered citizen with decades is very different than the just released RSO.
Depression is a life time because of the laws we are placed under today, I have learned over the last few years how to work around the law that had made me lose my mind. My 13 year old is now doing well at school and making freinds. He was my bigges concern but somehow God has worked gracfully within his life and mine but as long as we live in a fallen world suffering is part of life.
One would not know happeness unless we know misery the two will make us the person God wants to use.
I do like the topics I read on the Daily Strength, it allows me to read about others going through the same issues I do. I still get upset having to know I am linked with every sex offender. I know this sounds bad but I am not a sex offender. What I did over 35 plus years ago should not make me guilty of that same crime everyday.
The registry I once lived by did not tell the public about my past crimes, so I have lived my life for 30 plus years after prison not being seen for my crime but for who I WAS, I was free to live a normal life.
I was able to find work within the first week out of prison with good pay, later was able to start a business, buy a home, was able to participate with my kids school activities, I was respected. This is not so today, I can't even hire myself to work for myself, so I have another person work for me.
I had repaird over 70,000 Tvs in peoples homes for over the past 30 plus years, but for the last 7 years I am now dangerous. I have not done any thing wrong and yet I am being punished, as if I just got out of prison again. I have never in my life been___________ I don't even know how to explain it.
Medication is NOT going to restore who I once was, but I had found God before I turned myself into the police 35 years ago as I was looking for help. God has restored my mind, the process is a on going day by day learning to be thankful. As I have learned its ok to be pissed off knowing through out history people have suffered unjustly too. Jesus never commited a crime, yet he died for us! Its amazing He would do this for me and YOU
Today was a better day. We just got back from kung fu class. We take class together. It helps us feel normal to do normal things. Kung fu classes are just 1 step towards my sons happy life. Im hoping he'll find some musicians to start a band with. . . In time I know that will happen. Music is so much a part of his life. It kept him sane in prison and now at home.