My sister (age 56), a California minister, has been sentenced to six months federal for perjury she didn't commit. She's been through the mill in terms of pd's, vindictive prosecutors, shysters and the like. She was pro per, and fought up to the morning of self-surrender to stay free, but the judge was on vacation and wouldn't read her very lengthy habeas corpus.

She had gotten letters about where to self-surrender (Rio Cosumnes), but since she had filed a stay and thought it was approved she didn't go. She had waited at the SF USM for the temp. judge to "sign" her motion (she meant "approve")--kept calling on her cell phone--was told yes, pick up the document from the clerk. Next morning saw it had been "signed," all right--with the word DENIED next to it! So she called the judge's office and was told she was now a fugitive. She explained she'd been waiting at the USM, but that didn't matter; she ended up having to s-s with them again, and has now been sent to Santa Rita jail. It's unclear whether she'll have to serve there (they take federal contracts) or will go up to RCCC after all.

We're sick over this, of course. I'm a former prison tutor in NYC, so I'm imagining the worst. Thanks for listening.

CBee
:angry:

Welcome to PTO!

Welcome to PTO!
Thank you, Lea-Ann. And best wishes to all of you--this is such a numb, helpless feeling, and I know many others have felt it too. Thank God we have the internet to help us cope.

I'm really scared for my sister. She is such a gentle person. I feel I could handle it better--she kept saying, even on the morning she turned herself in, "Oh, I won't have to go to jail, they'll see I'm telling the truth, people are different here in California..." 'cause (I think ) she was in major denial. Another sis and I kept trying to prepare her, that a federal court/prison really isn't California! She didn't want to hear it.

It all seems so unreal. :(

Hello and, welcome to pto...Thanks for sharing your story with us...I'm sure that you will find lots of understanding people here, support and, information here...Good to have you here with us...If you ever need an listening ear...I'm just a pm away...take care and, know that I will keep your family in my daily thoughts and, prayers...

Hello and, welcome to pto...Thanks for sharing your story with us...I'm sure that you will find lots of understanding people here, support and, information here...Good to have you here with us...If you ever need an listening ear...I'm just a pm away...take care and, know that I will keep your family in my daily thoughts and, prayers...
Thanks Lesa--all best wishes to you and your loved one, too.

Cbee,

Let me also say welcome to PTO and the Federal Forum. We're glad you found us. We're here to give back the understanding and support that was given to all of us when we also found our way here. We will all get through this journey together.

Cbee,

Let me also say welcome to PTO and the Federal Forum. We're glad you found us. We're here to give back the understanding and support that was given to all of us when we also found our way here. We will all get through this journey together.
Thanks, Vicki--I feel I'm among friends and it's only day 3 of my sister's ordeal. I've already learned not to count the days--and I forced myself to make a good dinner with lots of veggies so I don't start eating for consolation.

CBee

Cbee,

Sorry to hear about your sister. I have a 20 year old son who is in federal prison. His attorney told us that the Federal government has a 95% conviction rate. That is pretty hard to beat, even if you are innocent. The system is not set up for justice, just punishment. However, in my son's case the actual camp has not been too bad. Hang in there.

Cbee,

Sorry to hear about your sister. I have a 20 year old son who is in federal prison. His attorney told us that the Federal government has a 95% conviction rate. That is pretty hard to beat, even if you are innocent. The system is not set up for justice, just punishment. However, in my son's case the actual camp has not been too bad. Hang in there.
Momx3, it's the truth--the govt. has multiple agendas. I'm very sorry to hear about your boy--glad for you all that he's someplace decent. Thanks for your support.

CBee

CBee, welcome to PTO. I'm sorry to hear about your sister's plight. Actually from what I've heard about "California" jails/prisons, she might be better off with the Feds. She's going to a camp, right? Keep your head up and let us know if she would like some mail/correspondence from PTO members to keep her spirits up.

CBee, welcome to PTO. I'm sorry to hear about your sister's plight. Actually from what I've heard about "California" jails/prisons, she might be better off with the Feds. She's going to a camp, right? Keep your head up and let us know if she would like some mail/correspondence from PTO members to keep her spirits up.
MiamiChica, that's a great, kind offer--it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

Right now she's in a weird hold with the USM at Santa Rita, an Alameda County jail. But beforehand she had gotten 2 letters telling her to self-surrender to Rio Cosumnes near Sacramento, which is a county jail that contracts federal cases in. I called them and they said they only have about 25 federal inmates--I hope that doesn't affect the way she's treated.

She called me about an hour ago and I accepted the collect charges--my dh will have a kitten when the bill comes! Anyone know the ropes of accepting the calls cheaper? I thought I saw something somewhere about MCI--I'm willing to switch carriers if needed.

Hello welcome to the pto family and we will be praying with and for you

Welcome to PTO

hi cbee..i would have told you to call prison callsonline but being a federal prison richard cannot help..in federal prison they only get 300 mintues a month..your sis can buy a prepaid phone card for about 50$...if she goes to a jail that is not federal i would call richard or just click on the advertisement on the first page
Welcome to PTO you will find alot of supportive and caring people here
:wave:

hi cbee..i would have told you to call prison callsonline but being a federal prison richard cannot help..in federal prison they only get 300 mintues a month..your sis can buy a prepaid phone card for about 50$...if she goes to a jail that is not federal i would call richard or just click on the advertisement on the first page
Welcome to PTO you will find alot of supportive and caring people here
:wave:
Thanks, Christine--we're still not sure if she's being sent to an FCI or such--Rio Cosumnes is a weird situation because it contracts just a few federal inmates--so I don't know what that will do to her phone status.

I appreciate your kind reply.

CBee

Hello welcome to the pto family and we will be praying with and for you
Wifey, I need prayers. Thank you. And I'm in Brooklyn!

CBee

Welcome to PTO
Vielen Dank, und Gruess Gott!

CBee

CBee,
Welcome to PTO.....I too found this website. You will see that there are so many people here to lend an ear or a prayer. Just remember, no matter what happens, your Sister has her faith in God to get her through. You both are in my prayers....Stay strong.;)

CBee,
Welcome to PTO.....I too found this website. You will see that there are so many people here to lend an ear or a prayer. Just remember, no matter what happens, your Sister has her faith in God to get her through. You both are in my prayers....Stay strong.;)
Thanks, Melanalynn. I appreciate it and send the same for you and yours.

CBee

Hi CBee, sorry to hear of your tragic situation. Have been there, check out my story under Fed Introductions.
First of all, try not to worry all the time, that will not help your sister and you will get ill over this. I KNOW it's upsetting, but please believe me when I tell you that your Sis will be OK. She has her faith, and if she is in the FEd female system, the prisons are safe and pretty clean. Sure she will run into an assho?! or two, but she will be OK, no one lets the girls blatantly hurt or abuse anyone, and no one there wants trouble or they could lose thier good time.
I know the totally outraged and helpless feeling you experience when you or a loved one is INNOCENT, yet has to suffer because of some psycho prosecutor seeking a promotion or whatever! It is not personal, to them this is a business, and they do not CARE who they hurt.
I am here is you need me! You will make it thru this and so will your sis! The time will fly by!
Lisa