I don't have a child in level 4 but, I totally understand your worry and fear. My son is an addict and the drugs are everywhere in there. He is incarcerated in North Florida. Other inmates have made him call us from a cellphone multiple times saying if we don't pay the people he owes they will seriously hurt or kill him. I don't know what do. he was only sentenced to 1yr and 1 day which was just enough to send him to prison instead of county. I feel like the system is brutalizing my son and our family. I fear for his life daily. He said that some of the guards are involved so how do I report this and get immediate help for him when the system is failing so badly.

Oh sweetheart! That is so frightening ... I am so sorry. I think our justice system is crazy the way they just throw people - human beings , like cattle all together. There is no real rehabilitation for them and prisonos not always the answer. Let’s stick together. Have you called the prison and talked to his counselor? That always helps me to feel better when I do. My son has told me that there are guards who are doing bad things. You must pray and keep yourself UP. As up as you can. I will pray for your boy as well. Do you know how to do EFT? Emotional freedom technique? Look it up on YouTube and try it. It literally shifts me from fear to love.

Thank you for your kind response. I will try calling his counselor. I don't even know who it is but, I'll see what I can find out. I had not heard of EFT but I'll look it up. I'm willing to try anything. I'm also sending a letter to the judge that sentenced him to beg her for her help in some way.
I will pray for you and your son as well. God bless.

Yes, just call the prison and ask to speak with his counselor. I always find it best to just come straight from your heart, you know ? Your son is not just a number and he is not his mistakes. I believe there is help, but sometimes we must advocate for them.
You could get in touch with the warden as well. Addiction is a whole other issue - besides the fact that he is in prion and having to survive there. There are programs to help him. Just keep reaching out and try to develop as much as a relationship as you can. This has helped me immensely. And- TAKE CARE OF YOU. Self care and self love is essential for making sure we live our best lives under these circumstances. EFT is a technique that can STOP our fight or flight response ( fear, anger, guilt etc ) in its trcaks and shift us out of the anxiety. It has been a game changer for me I’m the times I am face down in my emotions. We need each other... you are not alone ❤️

Leenie, I am new to this group and to the role of prisoner's mom. My son just arrived at his "permanent prison" last week. He is a level 4 for at least 3 years of his 18-60 year sentence. He is 40 years old and by the time he is allowed to ask for parole I will be 84. I too am concerned for his safety as he is a sex offender. He has made a horrible choice and he needs to pay for it, but I just hope that he will be able to get out before I die. He basically has an 18-life sentence. He was told that he is a level 4 because of the length of his sentence.
I have visited him once since the end of July -on video while he was in the County Jail waiting for trial. Before that he was missing since mid-May and tried suicide 3 times during that time. He was in a mental hospital for 16 days and was diagnosed with Bi-Polar 1 and Mania and severe ADHD. They put him on 4 medications. The prison will only allow his anti-depressant. Took away ADHD and mood disorder and sleeping drugs. I am concerned that he will "lose it" because of not having meds and will be put in the hole. I have applied to visit him in prison but have not yet received the OK to set it up. I have spoken to him on the phone and shared letters with him but it will be good to see him and hug him in person.
So far, only a few people even know he is in prison or why. I had put off saying anything until he was sentenced and then put it off until I knew where he would be sent. This has torn our family up. His brother will not speak to him and he lost his parental rights to his daughter (my granddaughter). It's very hard when family members are so angry that they are not supportive. They have good reasons but it makes it hard for me to have anybody to share with. I have to choose my words very carefully when around certain people.
The problem is that his victim was a family member. How do I work through being there for the victim in the right way and still being supportive of my son?
I am still learning the ins and outs of the prison system and what is available to him. I don't want to "support him" for the rest of my or his life but I can't turn my back on him either.
I must say I always said that becoming a widow 15 years ago was becoming a member of a group I never thought I would be (or wanted to be) a member of. Well, now I have found myself a member of another club I don't want to be in.
Thanks for letting me vent!

I know exactly how you feel. My first time ever in trouble son has called me so many times in fear for his life. We just have to sit back and worry ourselves into sickness. I really wish there was a group we could attend to help ease our pain. Because nothing could describe this pain I am feeling. My son just had to go to PC because of gang members threatening him with a knife for canteen. Now we get no phone calls, no visits, and no emails. It's just not fair. I miss him so. I am sorry you also have to go through this pain.

Hi I have a son level 4 since 2009 we live in ca. He caught his case 3 wks after his 19th bday. He will 30 in Aug