hello everyone, my names Heather..I served 7.5 yrs. in Mitchellville..the only Iowa womens state prison from 95-2002. I have been out since Feb. 18, 2002 and have not been in any trouble since.

I also gave birth to my only son in Mar. 5, 1996-while in prison. I have literally been thru hell itself. But I am here today making it as best I can.

I has (2) 25 yr. sentence for armed robberies..they were concurrent..so ran together w/(1) 25 yr. term. I had been on probation (paper) for years prior. I was on Intense probation while committing that crime that landed me in prison.

I planned 2 armed robberies and my sons father helped w/both. He actually did them but I planned them detail to detail. I pretended to be a victim. He couldn't wait for me while I was in..so there went our engagement. I still wasn't able to reconcile w/him when I got out as he was in a relationship w/someone else.

I have since worked at 1 place since getting out. I started out loading and unloading semis for 4 years. I also went to college..but I didn't finish cause all the job fairs wouldn't look twice at me w/the prison time I did.

I have since been promoted now..I have my own office, and love it. I cannot disclose where I work since I find prejudice everywhere I go if I mention it. Human resources knew when they hired me, but I don't need everyone else in my business. I want my work ethic to speak for itself.

I regained my citizenship from the governor in the fall of 2004. Unfortunately just missing the presidential election..so I couldn't vote! And in 2014 I will apply for my firearm rights. (with a letter of recommendation from Gov. Villsack).

I don't know much else to say...I love I can make my own decisions out here. I can't say I love the world so much out here...alot of heartache, and pain out here don't get me wrong..I just pretty much love the fact I can make decisions for myself now. I can eat when I want, use the bathroom..BY myself, I have doors for privacy, I can drive, I can yell if I want..its great!

I am 31 now..I got out at 26. I haven't been lucky enough to have another child yet. I been married since 2003, own our own house, I have a step son, and 2 dogs!

Any questions let me know! :thumbsup:

Congrats on your success since being released :)

congrats from one ex inmate to another

Thank you both.

Congrats. I hope that things keep going well for you.

I guess I'm stupid! I didn't know about losing your citizenship. Please explain.
And I'm glad you are making it... I agree, this world is full of heartache.
IGIT

yes I had to discharge first..off parole. Than I had to write the governor/and emailed him..and I waited about 5 mths. and got a certificate in the mail telling me my citizenship was restored along with a voter reg. card. He also told me that in 10 yrs. from that date..I can apply to get my firearm rights restored.

This is in Iowa though. I know in every state your rights to vote and such are taken but in every state I am not sure how they are restored.

Iowas laws changed this last fall that now you can just write upon discharge and u get them back automatically instead of waiting so long.

So thats good.

Wow.. way to go!! I'm sure you felt so great to get back into normal life with a great job and getting your citizenship back.. =) congrats to you!