Funny how things work out. Last night I had a "minor meltdown", running on Fear for my son's future. He's been incarcerated now since ~June, sentenced for 4+ yrs. He is 21, accepting of his current situation, working towards a meaningful existence. That's his natural MO, once he is within a structured environment, so we can only pray for a positive end result. Anyway, I felt bereft last night, worrying about all sorts of useless things. Went to bed exhausted but did not sleep well. Got on another prison info site when I got up this morning and found this site---which is, of course, EXACTLY what was supposed to happen! I hope it does not take too long to learn how to navigate this site, or even find my way back here, but perseverance is my middle name. Funny how things work out. Respectfully, Pamme S., northern Calif.

Hi Pamela

Welcome to PTO !!! Glad you've joined us, you'll meet quite a lolt of nice and helpful people here !!
All the best
Philippe :wave:

Pamela,

Welcome to PTO!

Why don't you post your introduction in the "Introductions and Stories" Forum... You will learn this site in no time!

Hi and welcome to PTO! I too have a young son in prison and I know all about those restless and worried filled nights and days. You will find this is a great place to be! Welcome!

Pamela,

Welcome to PTO, from a fellow Californian. You will find alot of support, understanding, & information here. If you need any info on Calif prisons I'm an ex con & there are many others here that are also familiar with CDC. Check out the California forum there's alot of info there.-----Ken

You'll figure it out in NO time:)
Welcome...
You're right PTO is exactly what you needed.

Welcome Pamela,
Your right you found this site for a reason:) I know you'll find support here. Peace.cl

Well, what a treat to check into this portion of the site, and see several thoughtful, caring replies. Geez, what a waste of time last night was, worrying and all. Of course, I always cycle back around to my usual Positive mode, but it was heartwarming, truly, to read these Welcome posts! I will, by the way, post an intro to the site/forum recommended by "teb" ("tebkrg" I think). In the meantime, is there some sort of protocol to follow when one has a specific question? On some sites, it is considered rude or improper to just blurt out a question regarding incarceration stuff....somehow, I don't get the feeling that this site will operate that way. To david (fed-x), cheryl, gina, Ken, cepora(joyce), philippe, "teb", Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! I think that as a woman, as a therapist, as a compassionate human being and as a mother, with lots of life experience, then perhaps I will have some insights to offer in some respects. I look forward to sharing and receiving. peace, Pamme

Pamme, So glad you are here!!!

Hi Pamela...
Welcome to PTO....I felt the same way when I found this site..."I was led here"...there are so many kind and caring people here....I also have a son in prison here in California....he is on my mind all the time.....day and sleepless night. He himself told me to pray have faith and trust that God will take care of all of us until he is home,,,once again Welcome..and God Bless......Lucy

Hi Pamela,

Welcome, I'm Susan and I have a 19 year old in prison he has been there around about 5 months so far. I know all about those sleepless nights too.

As for you question please feel free to ask away.

I have not posted much lately here but I am always checking in to read the posts.

Glad you found this site it truely is wonderful.

Susan

Pamela,

Hope that you are finding your way around the site now that you have had some time to look about!

Post all the questions that you need support with or information on. Usually you will find a forum on the front page that addresses the information that you want and you are best to post to the proper category! If you don't think that it fits a particular category then post to the General Prison Talk category or there are others that are general. I am sure that you will always find someone with an answer or some advice!

Hope you feel at home!

ALITTLE PLEA FOR A SHOULDER TO CRY ON.I TRIES TO GO TO THE CHAT ROOM BUT CAN'T SEEM TO GET TO IT.I THINK I AM GOING TO END UP IN THE LOONEY BIN.I LOST IT AGAIN .I CANT KEEP GOING LIKE THIS.I TRY SO HARD BUT THE TEARS KEEP COMING AT VERY OPEN PLACES.I HOPE I CAN HOLD THIS TIME LILMAMA

LILMAMA, FIRST WELCOME TO PTO!!! I REALLY DO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH!!! I TOO HAVE A SON IN PRISON. HE IS ONLY 26, AND WILL HAVE HIS SECOND BIRTHDAY NEXT MONTH IN PRISON. AND HE HAS A LIFE SENTENCE IN TEXAS!!!! I TOO FEEL LIKE CRYING ALL THE TIME! AND DONT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN MOST OF THE TIME. I JUST HATE KNOWING THAT EVERY HOLIDAY THAT COMES HE WONT BE HERE. I AM CRYING RIGHT NOW!!!!!! I AM TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO GET HIS SENTENCED REDUCED, BUT JUST DONT KNOW HOW. CAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS WRONG IN HIS TRIAL!!!! FORGIVE ME FOR GOING ON ABOUT MY SON, GUESS I GOT CARRIED AWAY.ANYWAY I WISHED YOUR SON THE BEST AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL BE HOME BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHERRON:fb:

PAMELA

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU.... I KNOW SO VERY WELL YOUR FEELINGS. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THEM ALMOST 13 YEARS NOW. MY SON IS IN PRISON AND SENTENCED TO 52 YEARS. I CRY LESS NOW, BUT IT NEVER STOPS HURTING... I JUST TRY TO KEEP BUSY AND STAY AS POSITIVE AS POSSIBLE.

YOU CAN E-MAIL ME ANYTIME AND I WILL GIVE YOU MY PHONE. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU... I REALLY DO KNOW THE HURT.

BLESS YOU CHILD
DONNA

My son has been in prison since December 27, 2001 in California. He also went in when he was 21. He turned 22 in prison in March.

He got a 2 year sentence. He will serve 401 days and today is number 281. He has really done fairly well except for one 45 day stretch at Jamestown when they put him in Ad Seg.

He was placed there because an employee of the prison knew the family of his victim. He broke no rules and the warden wrote me he was not being punished. He was placed there "for his own protection". He was transferred in July to Folsom and is doing well there in the camp, not behind the walls.

I think the level they are placed in makes a big difference. Level III & level IV yards are pretty bad, I think. I don't know about priors or anything, but with a 4-year term I would think your son would be either a level I or level II.

I'm not familiar with Lancaster. Is it new? Maybe I just don't recognize the name, but I don't see it on the CDC website.

Serafine and dmb... So very glad you both have found PTO. My son was 24 when he went in prison. He was sentenced to 52 yearss and has served 12 1/2 of them. His case should have been tried with a self defense situation but it was not and he was convicted of manslaughter and AWDWWITK.

Over the years I have watched him change. He still has a heart and still cares, but he is different. I sincerely hope that things will work out for you both and that you can get your sons out of this situation ASAP.

May God Bless and Keep You

Donna