Hello, My husband was released after 12 years for armed robbery, almost 3 years ago. We got together shortly after his release and were married 6 months later. He is doing very well. At first, he had trouble opening up and trusting people and the changes in the world since he had been down were sometimes overwhelming. He got a job right away, in a slaughtering house, hot nasty work but he hung in until he had to have his gall bladder removed and they let him go because he hadn't passed his probationary period yet. It took another 5 months to find someone who would give him a chance and that job lasted two months until his boss cussed and then shoved him and my husband fought back his urge to fight and shoved his boss away and walked off. He immediately told his parole officer and he had a witness statement to back him up so she didn't sweat him. He then got a good job doing roof coatings from a man who saw the person and not the felon. Within 2 months he was named crew supervisor and he continues at this job today. He also got off of parole 1 year early. He has been a blessing to me and my young daughter whom he treats as his own. Ladies..........this man loves to do laundry!!! He fully understands that we have a partnership and that it takes two. He still has a problem trusting people sometimes and he still has a touch of road rage but we are working on those issues. One of the drawbacks is that he still has family members who can't or won't let the past be the past and see how far he has come. But, to my eyes, its their loss because he may have gone in a mouthy kid with no regard for anyone but himself, but he came out a man who just wants to have a good life and family and a man who goes way out of his way to help others. At one point, while checking on an elderly family friend who had recently been robbed, HE became a suspect because of his record, of course, the DNA and fingerprints, not to mention the physical description didn't match so they left him alone. But, even though it scared him to death he hasn't let that stop him fom being a good samaritan to anyone in need. I'm just so proud of him, I wanted to let people know that you can have a good life if you take things slow and work hard and don't let people knock you off your square.

My man has been down for 5 years, with 10 1/2 months to go. I totally believe in him but his family has alot of doubts. I know this isn't very uplifting for him, but he would never say that. He just says, they'll see!!
Your story is so encouraging for me and I look forward to posting our own success story in years to come!! Thanks!!

that is so wonderful. I hope that things keep going forward for you and your family.

Hon, you're telling the story of the triumph of the human spirit. Glad to know it's still alive.

Thank you all, just hope my story can inspire some and let them know that the road may be tough but its all worth it in the end. I am a former Correctional officer and I understand the difficulties inside and outside. There need to be a lot more resources for people who want to be successful.

Thanks for sharing, your husband has grown into a man, he no longer is that kid that went in, you're right hindsight is always twenty-twenty.

As far as family goes it will take time, but they will come around. I am all for self improvement and in fact spend alot of time and energy nurturing those in most need of it. I keep in contact with a young man that came out of prison two years ago. He was 20 when he went in and was 26 when he was released. A month after, he applied to college, two years later, he will be graduating with an Associate's degree (next month) He plans to further his education and start his own business someday. I see him keeping his vision in sight as he strives relentlessly toward his goal. He feels it and believes it so strongly. It sounds like your husband and my pal have a strong will to live that comes from a place deep inside of them. There are definitely spiritual forces at work here. Thanks for sharing!

That is a wonderful story best of luck to the young man

Great to hear your husbands story! There is a future out here for everyone if they just, as you said, "stay on their square".

Congratulations to your family for much success!

Great Story, God Bless