I was a friend to someone in Federal Prison for many years and really did not know what happens in prisons because Federal Prisons are much different than County Jails and State Prisons. Later on, I would become friends with inmates that were in State Prisons and started learning what really goes on and how the inmates were being treated. Then about two years ago, my son went to County Jail waiting his trial and the horror stories really started.
My son lost 30lbs in his first month, he had medical problems, phone calls weren’t coming, his mail was being held even legal mail and the list just goes. So, that is when I started researching, meeting other parents, other inmates and learning as much as I could. Now, my son is in a State Prison and it didn’t get any better. I am still researching, talking to parents who do not always have someone to talk to, other inmates getting as much information as I can and giving a voice to those who may not always have.
Having a loved one incarcerated is one of the most difficult things that you will ever have to go through especially if it is your child. As a parent your first instinct is to protect your child, however in prison you can’t. You spend a lot of time worrying and a lot of sleepless nights wondering if your child is ok because they haven’t you in a few days. Unfortunately, you can’t call them to see if they are ok. You can call the prison to do a “well check” but that doesn’t always work and who knows if the guards really did it or not.