I can tell you that life will go on for you. It went on for me after they took my 21 year old son away in chains. He is in federal prison and just turned 26. His crime was on the internet. I have survived and you will survive this too. At first it will be very hard, but with time it gets better and you will get into a routine of letter writing or phone calls with your son once he is incarcerated. In the beginning, just take one day at a time or even one hour at a time. A good tip is to stay busy to keep your mind off of things. If you are a person of faith, you can pray as well and this can bring you comfort. Our judicial system is starting to lighten up on drug offences. I wish you the best and I hope all goes well for you and your son.

I am praying for you Briste, as well as your son. I know how very hard and heartbreaking it is. I am happy to hear that your son was the one who asked YOU to be strong. It was my son who kept encouraging me to be strong and telling me everything was going to be okay, and it was. It wasn't easy, each day felt like a month, but we got through it. He served 16 months and has come out a changed man. I feel so very blessed that God used our struggles for our good. As heartbreaking as it was, jail saved my son's life. God will see him and YOU through this. You are not alone in your suffering. God himself collects every tear and hears every mother's cry, and He will bring comfort and peace to those who trust in Him.

Hi,
My son is 31 he been serving @ 4 years thus far. It has been non stop. He appealed his case and won but now it starts all over again. He's the only one I have. I wasn't suppose to have children so he has always been God's gift to me. I understand how you feel, I've cried so much that I couldn't breath. I live my life day by day and try to cherish the things that I have. My mother is my best friend, she's 81 and been very sick and if I loose her I don't know where I will be. I feel as if darkness has been over my head for the last 7 years. I feel nothing but sorry and pain every day. As I write this the tears just roll down my face. No one seems to know the suffering I have. I am sorry for all of your suffering and truly know what it feels like to loose a son to such sadness. I hope one day soon you get to hold your son and celebrate a wonderful birthday with him.

I know how you all feel. I have one son and he will celebrate his 40th birthday in Dec. We are very close. I have been going through cancer treatment for the past 2 years and he was my rock. He did not do the crime but after 8 hours of abusive interrogation he confessed to something he did not do. He got 10 years minus 2 already served in County. His wife was with another man in 4 weeks who was his friend. She has since divorced him and gained full custody of the children. I have been with my grandchildren since they were born. Now she will not let me see them and they live just 45 minutes away. Although she is not remarried the girls call him daddy. She took everything and I was physically assaulted. We have lost all. I grieve and cry everyday. I continue with cancer treatment alone. I moved to a big city so I can visit him. I live in poverty. I am so broke-hearted. He tells me God has a great plan for he and I. I am sad. He has no one else but me. I pray it will get easier. I am visiting him this Fri for the first time and I am scared of that too. I understand. God bless all.

My son went to jail 2 days ago and will go to prison in the next month for 3-10 years. We don't know if there is a plea at this time. He served 16 months in the past and has been out for 18 months. He is a heroin addict and has stolen everything that we own and has broken into other people's houses. His current charge is because he stole my car and my phone. He is only 23. I am numb at this point but I know I did the right thing in reporting him stealing my car.

The stealing and heroin addiction has been going on for years. He is sick. Addiction is not the crime but the addiction creates the urge to steal which IS a crime. I've tried for 6 years to get help from school, doctors, coaches, insurance, doctors and the court. There is a major lack of help for addicts. Jail is not rehab.

I am new and lost. My son has plead guilty and will be sentenced in Nov. He came home for a week visit to say goodbye. He doesn't remember his accident other than waking up in back seat but he was drinking and his car was at fault and two people were killed in the accident. He was out because he was just accepted into the FBI nothing has prepared me for this. He was a Marine, in law enforcement and going into FBI and now going to jail in CO because of this. Don't know for how long and it is eating me up. How do other parents support their incarcerated child? Siblings at home? and take care of themselves? This can consume my thoughts sometimes, and I feel guilty when I go on with life.