A good frined of mine ( I have posted about him in the past) is FINALLY being released on Friday after 17 years in federal prison. I am so excited and happy for him but very concerned as well. He was incarcerated at the age of 18 after going to trial on a non-violent marijuana offense. Both of his parents were killed in a traffic accident, his brother killed in a hunting accident and the cousin he was going to stay with when he got out was shot and killed accidently by another family member. He has lost all his immediate family during his incarceration. He has grown up inside the prison walls and I worry how he is going to make it. Financially he will be fine due to his inheritance from his family but we all know that you need more than money to make it, you need life skills!

Anyway, we will see how things go. CAn any of you offer any words of encouragement, advice or support for him?

Thanks!

Chrisa

he will need a friend like you to help him get started and make it like he should and i hope he survives this world out here because it can be a ruff world to those that have spend there whole life in. good luck to him and i hope he has a very good friend in you to help him through all this.

Give my congrats on being released!!!! Make sure you give him all the "Moral & Physical" support you can...I know I have been there and still am. He will fight demons that will constantly nag at him. But with some really good friends he can get through this. Sounds like he's already got a good one,being you and asking those questions already. Just tell him to come to you even if its justto cry,gripe or moan.....It will help more than you think
Roadiez

First tell him good luck and congrats on being released.He just has to take it one day at a time.And it also helps alot that he has a friend like you.

Take it slow!!!! All the things he missed while in are still here (except of course, his youth). All can be encountered and enjoyed in due time. Slow, savoring; and maybe take a meditation course to help with anxiety.

Finally some great news! :)

He for sure needs someone to give him moral support and "walk him through" all the changes (banks, driving, fast food, etc). That's what he will need at the beginning, along with some counseling for all the loss that has occurred while he was gone.

God bless!

I had a friend that was sent to prison at 14 and got out at 32, he never did learn how to follow driving directions it got to be a joke among us that knew the whole story. All I can say from that experience is try to cover situations before they occur, like debt cards, atms, cell phones, even though he might have seen these on tv and movies working them is an overload sometimes. It would embarrass him if a stranger noticed that he was not comfortable with things most of us take for granted so most of the time I would try to just stand close enough to quietly tell him what needed to be done. Eating out was an adventure at first, the choices would be overwhelming, or the first time they asked his name to be put on the waiting list at a busy restaraunt, he almost gave his DOC number, we laughed later, but then he was mortified. All I can say is tell him congrads, dont rush out and by big shinny toys enjoy each day of freedom take personal relationships slowly and while he can never regain the years lost, he has the rest of his life to experience. Good luck and God Bless him and you for being such a friend.

God Bless Him And You I'll Pray For Him And Just Be A Friend!!!!!

pOOR GUY TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT WHEN HE'S BEHIND PRISON WALLS, MY FRIEND WAS SENTENCED WHEN WERE 19 FOR ATTEMPT WHEN HE DIDN'T EVEN DO IT HIS RELEASE DATE IS IN 2032 I'M WOUNDERING HOW HE IS GOING TO FACE THE WORLD?

good luck I hope all goes well once you get out. I wish you the best and I know cjjack will keep us posted.

sunnie

Chrisa,

Tell him for me Congratulations and Welcome back!

You and I both know the best advice, take it slow, that there are going to be times when he is going to be overwelmed - espcially at first. You and I both know that.

Best thing just be the friend to him you are to me, and he will have one of the best support systems he needs.

Will call today towards noon.

Love Ya,

Patti

Congrats!