Families of SOs Community Group
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Hello all--it's been awhile since I've written, but I could use some ideas. Brother was released from state prison in Illinois about 4 months ago. His charge precludes him from using a computer while on parole and his parole is 3 years to life. (He had a relationship with a 17 year old, which is legal. But they took private pictures of each other which is illegal and he was charged with 1 count of CP). Anyway, he thought he would be allowed to use a computer for work or school, but that's not the case. Although the law does allow this with written permission from his parole officer, it just isn't done. I called the state parole office to see if I could help in any way or pay for him to have filtering software on a computer so he can go to school and was told that Illinois simply no longer allows that. She said it's a blanket rule and no parolee with his charge ever gets to use a computer. Period. However, she did say that if he can find any classes that don't require a computer, (or have anyone under 18 in them) he will be given permission to get an education. (Anyone else see the craziness in this statement?!).
As you all know--life without a computer in 2014 is pretty hard. He is getting very discouraged looking for a job that doesn't have computer work or is too physical. (He has a few health issues). I could vent on and on about the challenges of his life and how unfair it all is, but I know that I am preaching to the choir. You already understand.
Sooo…does anyone have any ideas about work or a small business he might try? He's not well educated in a formal way, but is an avid reader, loves history and politics, and is smart as a whip. He used to repair computers over the phone by dialing into a client's problem machine which enabled hime to see their screen to work through the problem. And he actually still does that when old clients call him--only he does it WITHOUT a computer on his side. He can still accurately advise people about correcting lots of different problems with their computers. I find this unbelievable. He really understands and enjoys technology and I am amazed at his talent and heart. And his parole officer can't stop him from doing that. Or writing a technology newsletter. The PO just scratches his head (a monkey with a math problem?) trying to figure out why this shouldn't be allowed, but he hasn't been able to find anything that makes it illegal. So Brother keeps on. Sadly--he's only making a very little money with some of his old clients. But it even that helps both financially and emotionally.
Okay--now that you know a little more about him--any thoughts about jobs he might try? Any fields that have a deck success rate for SO's? Or do you know of anyone who might be able to use a tech guy who can work amazingly well without a computer? Also he has lots of ideas for phone apps--actually some for sex offenders. But needs to study more about writing the code for this and you know where that's going. (No computer, no study).
Any thoughts or suggestions you have about this will be greatly appreciated. If he doesn't start earning some money soon he may have to go back to prison. We can only help him financially for several more months.
I try to keep all this in a small mental compartment and not let it out a lot, or I'll worry myself sick.I have faith that things will work out somehow, but I need to help him take action. Maybe one of you has an idea…
Thank you all for listening and letting me vent a bit. He has made some different choices, but he's a good man and I want to help him. I wish you all the best. As always, Miss Mare
As you all know--life without a computer in 2014 is pretty hard. He is getting very discouraged looking for a job that doesn't have computer work or is too physical. (He has a few health issues). I could vent on and on about the challenges of his life and how unfair it all is, but I know that I am preaching to the choir. You already understand.
Sooo…does anyone have any ideas about work or a small business he might try? He's not well educated in a formal way, but is an avid reader, loves history and politics, and is smart as a whip. He used to repair computers over the phone by dialing into a client's problem machine which enabled hime to see their screen to work through the problem. And he actually still does that when old clients call him--only he does it WITHOUT a computer on his side. He can still accurately advise people about correcting lots of different problems with their computers. I find this unbelievable. He really understands and enjoys technology and I am amazed at his talent and heart. And his parole officer can't stop him from doing that. Or writing a technology newsletter. The PO just scratches his head (a monkey with a math problem?) trying to figure out why this shouldn't be allowed, but he hasn't been able to find anything that makes it illegal. So Brother keeps on. Sadly--he's only making a very little money with some of his old clients. But it even that helps both financially and emotionally.
Okay--now that you know a little more about him--any thoughts about jobs he might try? Any fields that have a deck success rate for SO's? Or do you know of anyone who might be able to use a tech guy who can work amazingly well without a computer? Also he has lots of ideas for phone apps--actually some for sex offenders. But needs to study more about writing the code for this and you know where that's going. (No computer, no study).
Any thoughts or suggestions you have about this will be greatly appreciated. If he doesn't start earning some money soon he may have to go back to prison. We can only help him financially for several more months.
I try to keep all this in a small mental compartment and not let it out a lot, or I'll worry myself sick.I have faith that things will work out somehow, but I need to help him take action. Maybe one of you has an idea…
Thank you all for listening and letting me vent a bit. He has made some different choices, but he's a good man and I want to help him. I wish you all the best. As always, Miss Mare
As for his limitations--under his conditions of parole (ILCS 5/3-3-7.1) "if convicted for an offense under Section 11-20.1…cannot access or use a computer or any other device with Internet capability without the prior written approval of the Department". And the Department doesn't give consent. When I called the state parole office prior to his release I asked about filtering software, offering to pay for it. Nope. I was cheerfully told that he needs to find a different line of work. She said that there had been problems in the past with just a few parolees who got around that, so someone decided that there would be no access at all. I was also told that he can't live with anyone who has a smart phone, tablet or computer. And that he can only have basic cable. And we had to crack the camera lens in his phone so he can't take any pictures. (I couldn't find one without a camera, so the PO said we could break it).
I know that at some point in this process he may be given computer privileges again, but that could seriously take years. And he wants to be very cautious about irritating his PO too much with this. (He's on the same page with Rew). So for now he uses a typewriter and we fax each other (I live in another state). Oh--and I faxed him the article about the Indiana case regarding social media. His PO lets him go the the law library in town so I'm sure he'll start researching that. Will get back to you if he comes up with anything.
Thanks for all of your advice and support. As you know--it helps to feel all alone facing these challenges. And it really did make him feel better just hearing your responses. MWAH everyone! MM
You can fine the case and a few other in the Reference Library on www.wisconsinreform.org
Actually if someone wanted to take a case to the federal courts about the IL law, I think that it probably would be pretty winnable considering the precedent that is out there currently.
If your brother has been out only 4 months, it'll probably be another few months before the PO starts to consider it. My husband was told the same thing and in about 6-8 months he had the privilege to use a computer. I know that IL is far worse than here in WI, but don't believe everything the PO tells you at first. Remember their job is far more about power and control, making you feel like a bug to be stepped on rather than a human being that is trying to put their life back together. They use the mantra that all of it is for 'the safety of the public' which is bull in my opinion.
Interesting parole sentence... Like the DOC is going to give up supervision fees as revenue... what a bunch of crooks... so glad I don't live there... then again everyone in WI call Illinois folk, FIBs... :) Ivy, you're not one of them... :)
I agree if threatened with a lawsuit or actually filing one I think the tune would change.
It sounds like there is a mechanism to get access 'prior written approval' so if you can get their absolute denial in writing I'd consider threatening legal action (with the advice of an attorney).
Of course that'll piss them off so it's a risk.
Maybe even an attorney talking with the PO might help.
The attorney talking to the PO will piss the PO off... best to keep attorneys away from POs until you are actually ready to file and go to battle cause they are going to get nasty when that happens.
Check it out.
Also make sure to try at factories. They hire most sex offenders. They are pretty cool about it.
Have a nice day!
Pretty much anywhere there is limited interaction with the public and children will be better than worse. Jobs that are in manufacturing and assembly are usually pretty good and many of them hire through temp agencies in a rent-to-own fashion so the people there get to know you first before they find out any history.
But to me, knowing your real skill set, not just job descriptions from all your previous jobs is not a skills list. I compare it to Karate Kid when Mr Miagi was having him wash and wax all those cars, paint the fence and put together the building. All of those activities were less about the task and more about how it was done. The repetitious movement that was needed for the Karate Daniel wanted to learn. The same applies to your skill set that you carry with you and add to over time. It is not compromised of just the tasks you perform at work but how those tasks apply to all sorts of other things that you have yet to realize. This is why a well written Skills Resume will always go farther in the review process in a company than a Chronological Resume every day.
Again, if anyone needs help writing, tweaking, updating, revamping etc their resume, I am just a PM away.