Hi everyone. I'm writing because this type of thing is very new to me, and I want to be able to do as much as I can do to help a friend of mine out. He's on death row at Mansfield Correctional Institution.

First, a question - I asked him to send me the order form for the CD's he's wanted, and he sent me an M&P order form... is there anywhere else that I may be able to order this from online so that it could be processed quicker? Is there an "approved" list of retailers we are allowed to purchase from, or is any place acceptable? What, specifically, are we allowed to send?

Also, I found my friend from an anti-death penalty website that encourages rehabilitation through compassion... and my husband was less than thrilled. Right now, my friend and I are writing a book together, about the death penalty, and his experiences, in particular. I didn't expect that I would get so attached to Willie, but now I find myself fearful that they really will execute him one day. After a few years, I've come to feel like he's a little brother, and I actually worry for him. Has anyone else experienced this?

Finally - about visitation... I'd like to go meet Willie, so that he and I can talk about our book, and so that he can see that I'm geninuely interested in his life, and welfare, but I'm a little intimidated by the whole death row thing... anyone have any advice?

Any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Take care,
atwg

Hi and welcome, aroundthewaygirl.

I think any of us with friends in prison and on death row in particular go through the same feelings as you do; well, I certainly do! About the cd's, maybe someone in the forum of the state he's in can help. What about amazon.com, they do cd's too don't they.

I have two very good and close friends of d/row. It took me a long time to feel I could cope with caring so much for someone, having the strength to be there for them no matter what, knowing they might some day be executed. I am very attached to my friends on d/row and when I read posts of those who have lost a friend/loved one by execution, it affects me deeply as I'm sure it does everyone here. The way I see it is that it is better to have shared, laughed, loved, cried and smiled together and felt what a true connection of friendship can be, than never to have experienced it at all. These connections are precious. All your feelings are normal and part of the rollarcoaster of ups and downs we will all go through. At least here you are with people who truly understand and feel as you do and we all draw strength from that and I hope you can too.

I have never visited d/row, but would like to when I can. I am soon to be visiting a max prison for the first time and am nervous and unsure, excited and scared and I think everyone must feel these things when they first go. Maybe someone who has visited at his facility will be able to talk you through it, that helps a lot.

Hope this helps a little and I'm sure there will be many more people along to say hi too.

Hi,
I know the site is going to be down so if you would like to email me I will give you some info on ManCI! My husband is on Death Row there. Just type John Spirko in your search for the Internet it will take you to our website from there. My email is on there as his representative. I also believe my Yahoo IM is in my profile on here.
Tracy