My son was senteced yesterday... I don't know where he will be sent... I am alone and very scared... I love my son very much... how can I help him throught this... Joey's Mom

JOEYSMOM, JUST REPLIED TO YOUR POST IN CALIFORNIA FORUM. JUST KEEP COMING BACK TO PTO AND THIS FORUM CAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT HERE FOR YOU! THIS PLACE IS GREAT THERAPY!! HAS BEEN FOR ME. JUST HANG IN THERE. ALL YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR SON IS KEEP WRITING HIM AND MAKE SURE YOU LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU LOVE HIM AND SUPPORT HIM. AND GO VISIT HIM WHEN YOU CAN. BUT BUDWOMAN CAN GIVE YOU SOME GREAT ADVICE ON THIS. I KNOW HER WORDS HAS HELPED ME. SO PLEASE HANG IN THERE. WE ARE ALL HERE FOR EACH OTHER!! ALSO, WELCOME TO PTO. SHERRON :wave:

I also replied to your other post. The only thing you can do to help your son is support him. You can't really do anything else. He is alone in the prison system.

One thing you need to realize though is the real prison system is not like Oz or other TV shows. It' s mostly very boring. He needs to establish himself and not allow himself to be a victim in prison, but if he can do that he should be OK.

Thanks again... I'm hanging... at least I'm trying...

Welcome to PTO JoeysMom...sorry to hear what you're dealiing with, but their a lot of us in similar shoess o lean on us if you want to.

Dear Joey'sMom, Glad you found us! Hope you can find some peace here. It's a place we all share/vent. It helps me keep a
little sanity. It's unfortunate but good to know someone understands what your going thru. What can you do? Write him letters, get his "true" friends to do the same. Get signed up to visit him (it took me 7 weeks to get approved)! After he gets "settled" in find out if you can get his favorite magazine sent to him. If you have a cell phone you can have your home phone forwarded to the cell so you don't miss any of his calls (but I warn it's expensive!) And each prison is different alot of times they don't get to call for the first few weeks 2-6. So write him a lot mail is the one thing they all look forward to. Visit when you can, write when you can, let the people that run the place know you are there and then they are less likely to mess with your son. Don't send large amounts of money to him at one time. Don't cry at viso or when you leave viso! Wait to you get to your car and ball your eyes out! Be strong for him. It's funny how sons need to know that mom can handle this. Go to the library and get some books on tape for the long drive home, so you don't go nutz! Go to the dollar store and stock up on cards, when you don't have time to write they are great, just a few lines and they get mail :) Also at the dollar store pick up a small clear makeup bag. It's great to hold what you need to take in to viso. Each prison is different so find out the rules for where he is. If you have a problem or must get a message to him call the Chaplin most are very helpful:) Find out who his CO (classification officer) is, and if he needs his GED who runs the Education Department. I know this because my 16yr old son was tried as an Adult and sent to prison is now on 2nd year in :(
Pray for him. Know God is with him. That's is really all you can do. Hope this helps. I'll pray for you both. Peace. cheryl

cheryl, I am so mad at myself tonight... Joey called me and I told him that his ex wife has said his son Joe Joe can write to him... I think it hurt Joey more than it helped him... Now I am in tears because I wanted to make him feel better... I just don't know how to make the best of this... I hate it !!! Patty

PATTY

I AM SENDING PRAYERS TO HEAVEN FOR YOU AND JOEY. I KNOW IT SEEMS SO VERY HOPELESS RIGHT NOW FOR YOU BOTH, BUT, THINGS WILL EVEN OUT SOON. IT WILL NOT BE QUITE AS HARD.

MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU.

DONNA

Thank God for nice people like you Donna... Love Patty

i KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. MY SON'S HAVE BEEN IN PRISON SINCE DECEMBER 19TH, 1994. ONE WAS 20 AND THE OTHER WAS 22. ONE LUCKED OUT AND WAS SENT TO IOWA PARK. THE OTHER WAS SENT TO BETO AND HAS HAD TO FIGHT THE WHOLE TIME HE HAS BEEN IN. HE (the 22 yr old) IS NOW ON DEATH ROW. I HAVE HAD NINE YEARS TO GET USE TO THEM BOTH BEING LOCKED UP AND ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF TO GET USE TO THE IDEA THAT MY SON IS GOING TO DIE. IT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY EASIER FOR ME. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU CAUSE I KNOW HOW MUCH IT HURTS.
I WILL PUT YOU IN MY PRAYERS. JUST TIE ANOTHER KNOT AND HANG IN THERE.
LOVE,
CHARLI

Joeysmom my thoughts and prayers are with you and your son unfortunately you are not alone I remember the day my son was convicted just before x-mas I havent been the same since why does it have to be this way ? I have learned to deal with the fact, it's hard but a reality just stand by him 100% he needs your support now more than ever. I love my son dearly and let him know in every letter that i love him dearly and no matter what as long as i live i will be here for him. Pray for him daily he will be ok. Be positive and never give up....hugs, JER

Oh Charli I just dont know what to say i read your thread and it breaks my heart i will also keep you and both your sons in my prayers, hugs, JER

JOEYS MOM, i AGREE WITH EVERYONE , YOU CAN ALSO SEND HIM BOOKS, PAPER, ENVELOPES. YOU CAN ORDER ON LINE. OFFICE DEPOT AND AMIZON BOOKS.COM. MANY OTHERS.just don't give up , and let him know you will always be here for him. GOD BLESS, AND GOOD LUCK. Tx. Mom