Hi everyone,
I am new to this site. I found this site doing a search on Google.com. I never thought I would be expressing my feelings online, but after viewing the site and reading others comments, I thought this would be the best way to communicate with people who could relate. I have a brother who is in prison, he has been there since October 2003, and is facing a lot of federal time. This has been the worse experience of my life. Me and my brother are two years apart, I am older. We are the best of friends, so it is very hard for me. We come from a very loving family. My mom and dad would do anything for us. My brother just went down the wrong path, and it not only hurts him but it hurts the entire family. I think the hardest part for me is seeing my parents go through the pain, and trying to be strong for them. Also, seeing my nephew who was just born in Feb. 2004, and knowing my brother is going to miss out on so much with his first born. I am the only girl out of four brothers, and I stay in the same area as both of my parents. So I see and talk to them all the time. They are divorced, but I am very close to both of them. I saw my dad cry for the first time on Christmas Day. My fiance and I went over to see him and give him his gift. I called my older brother because we both pitched in to buy him a camcorder. So, he was on speaker phone talking with my dad, and my dad began to cry, when we gave him the gift. He told us he was just hurt and it felt like he had lost his son. I have always looked at my dad as a strong man, so to see him cry really hurt me. I did not say anything, I held back my tears as he talked to us about everything. Even now as I sit here and write this, I cry. I try to be so strong, for my family, but it is hard. I see my brother twice a month with my father. Every visit it gets harder, because I know in June he will be sentenced, and they may move him to another state.

Oh sweetie, I wish I could reach throught the computer and give you a big hug... I know how hard it is to be in your situation... Your family is lucky to have you though and the love that you have for them radiates through your writing... I know that you'll find the support and encouragement that you need from the pto family... There are so many loving and caring people on this web site that it's unbelieveable...

You should send your dad this way too... I'm sure that there are many who can relate to what he's going through and who would be willing to help him also...

Glad you decided to post and Welcome To PTO!!

Thanks so much for the support!! I wish I could get my dad to visit this site. He does have a computer, but he has no idea how to use it. When I see him again I am going to show him this site. I think he needs to read about others, and realize that he did everything he could do for us. I think this site will be good for my mom and dad. I know they both think that they could have prevented my brother from getting into trouble. They both did an excellent job with us, my brother just decided to be a follower instead of a leader. We are all going to get through this together. I would just like to thank you again for the support and welcoming. You will be blessed for the things that you are doing. I will now be praying for you and the entire PTO family.
Oh sweetie, I wish I could reach throught the computer and give you a big hug... I know how hard it is to be in your situation... Your family is lucky to have you though and the love that you have for them radiates through your writing... I know that you'll find the support and encouragement that you need from the pto family... There are so many loving and caring people on this web site that it's unbelieveable...

You should send your dad this way too... I'm sure that there are many who can relate to what he's going through and who would be willing to help him also...

Glad you decided to post and Welcome To PTO!!

Hello and Welcome!

:wave: Hello and Wecome to PTO!!!

Nkk I to was very close to my brother when I was young so I feel the pain you have,he to went to jail many times and many times I was left alone. But we made ti throught it by visiting and me keeping EVERYTHING POSTIVE for my famly and him. I spent my nights alone crying and yelling why But never got a answer. The problem now is my brother was killed in a motorcycle accdt. last year and there is no return on that, so now I spend time trying to help others,and with your brother in prison you may fine time to help him and others in there to as far as legal and things go.Also it keeps your mind busy.

nkk, I just read your post and can relate to it in so many ways. My sister is "vacationing - BOP style" and I am trying to deal with it. Not only is she my sister, but she is one of my best friends. I, too, have a very close family and we all live close to each other and are part of each other's every day lives. We are all trying to pull together and be there for each other and her - some days it works and other days we fall apart. And she, too, has left behind kids - that makes it even harder. I was so re-assured when I found PTO - it was evidence that people get through this and they survive and they may even thrive. I, too, have passed on this website to my parents (who like your dad, have a computer but don't really know how to use it ..lol). I'm pretty new here and don't know much about prison or PTO, but I know about families and missing one of your siblings, if you ever want to talk, feel free to pm me. In the meantime, (as I tell my sister in every letter I write) - Stay Strong!

Lori

Hi everyone!!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. I have been very busy! I started a new job and also am in the process of moving. Tonight was my first time really sitting down and getting online. I would like to thank all the people that wrote and responded. My brother is doing well, I saw him last Sunday. Also, I got to speak with a man that works for the judge. He asked me about my brother, and if I could talk to the judge what would I say. I could have went on for days but I just told him what I wanted him to know most of all. I am so glad that I found this site, it helps me!! I will continue to pray for all members of PTO!!

Welcome to PTO!

I also have a loved one with the feds....
Please stop by our Federal Forum as well...we have built a good amount of information up!
http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=186

Diane

Thank you so much for the support!! I'm glad I have others that can relate to what I am saying. My fiance asked me why do you go online and chat with people about your life. I told him "because these are people who understand." I can talk to him about anything, but there is certain things he can't relate to because he is not in the situation I am in. It's hard to see my family going through this, and also hard not being able to see and talk to my brother when I want to, because he is my best friend. Thanks again for showing you care and understand!! Please keep in touch!!

I just wanted to say hello and welcome

U will find much support here

I have my only living brother incarcerated at the Neal Unit in Amarillo. He is serving 20 years for aggravated assault. This is mind boggling since there are people in prison who have killed someone and they are serving less time than he is. Both of my brother made stupid choices in life, and look where it got them. My younger brother paid with his life for his choices, and my older brother Darrell is paying 20 years for his choices.

I will never understand our Judicial system, it sucks big time. But anyway, his first parole hearing is in the year 2007, I hope he makes it. He has no cases against him and her works everyday and administers the Gospel to other inmates as a Church Elder.

5 years ago, our younger brother James died in prison due to guard neglect. He was suffering cardiac arrest and the guards ignored his pleas for help, later his cell mate came back from work and Jimmy was near death, he made the guards take Jimmy to the infirmary and by the time they got to him, he died in the ambulance while on the way to the hospital.

Those bastards will pay in due time, my brother and I will see to that. The Chaplain who was at the prison where Jimmy died has the correct information that led to Jimmy' death in his own personal files, and they do not match the records that the prison officials have in their so called files. He will release them to Darrell when he is paroled, Darrell just happened to be sent to Jimmy's old unit before he was sent to the Neal Unit permanently. And while he was there, the Chaplain told Darrell the real story behind out brother's death. There were also two other inmate witnesses to the events that led to Jimmy's death, all will reveal itself in due course.

I will be there when they are exposed for their corruption and neglect.

Sincerely,

A sad sister:(

Greeneyes, Hang in there hon, take one day at a time and don't let the anger eat you up... I agree that these horrible people should have to pay for what they did to your brother, it's sickening!! I feel sorry for them, because I'm a firm believer that everything you do will come back to you... I'm glad you came to PTO... We're all here for you...God Bless...