View Full Version : From My guy to PTO


bella
11-07-2002, 10:12 PM
I got a letter from my honey for our PTO family and asked me to post it, so here it goes....

Dear David/Fed-x and the entire PTO family,
I'd like to start by saying hello to Fed-x and thanking him for the wonderful web-site he has created. (see the brilliant ideas one comes up with while incarcerated :)) Thank you for your patience and time in working to create a web-site that you had no guarantee would become what it has. As we say in Italy..."David sei grande"...which means "david you're big!". Again, I thank you. David isn't the only one who makes PTO possible, it's people like Shortie, Amelia, Monica Danielle, Sherri, KConnor, Pam, B-RAy, Budwoman, Phil in Parigi, my home girl Jd'swifey (love ya girl), Teb, Menolly, and the so many others who make up the "PTO Posse". You should all thank each other (as I know you do) for one anothers views, insight, ideas and knowledge. By continuing to first and foremost log on to PTO and also by continuing to get the word out and informing those who may need this wonderful website, there will continue to be support. From the inside looking out, I know and hear what society see and lables us prisoners as. We are parasites, misfits, scum of the earth. a threat to society, I can go on and on. But you know what...I can be openminded as to why people see us this way. I can especially expect it from the average US taxpayer. Prison is a big business. I'm sure we can all agree on that and spend hours discussing why it is. Let's just say we're a little part in a big picture; sociologically, politically and economically. It is a fact that "we" prisoners, of whatever state you're incarcerated in, are a benefit in continuing a vicious cycle. Especially when you're in a state like I'm in. Florida depends on it's prison system and residavism rate to generate money just as it does it's other 2 major businesses, tourism and citrus. How else can Florida generate money to build on Swamps and Marsh land? I will not go on about Florida, but again remember that the prison system as a whole is a business. The part I don't understand is why they use a 17 year old child (or younger for that matter) and sentence him to 40 years for dealing crack rocks, to prove their point? Where is the so called rehabilitation? It's a child being used as a pawn in a big game of chess. It's how the government shows Johnnie tax payer Look!! we're using your tax dollars wisely. Never caring that there's a human life at stake and the grief and tragedy it creats for their family. What I'm trying to say to you, my PTO family and friends, is that maybe, just maybe we can open peoples eyes by sharing with eachother. By sharing the stories of our trials and tribulations. By continuing to talk about love and hurt and what it is to want the best for your incarcerated loved one. We are not robots, We are people, human beings with a conscience. Unfortunately most of us in here have made mistakes that have led us to prison and we just need that one wake up call to change the way we live our lives. To have a happy future with the people and family who care so much about us. And most importantly to make it our business to never return to prison again. In our journey together, we can hope for the best, hope that we are a help not only to eachother, but to those who are just beginning a life involved with incarceration. To share our learned knowledge if only to save them a few tears, or ease some of their hurt. My days are more at ease knowing that Bella (my girl) can log on to PTO and relate with people who know exactly how she's feeling and what she's going through. I thank you for making my heart hurt a little less knowing that you , the whole PTO family, can be there for her when I can't. Again, I thank you.

B-Ray
11-07-2002, 10:49 PM
Well Bella, it looks like you have a guy that see's things in reality. That's so COOL, coming from the inside!!

tebkrg
11-08-2002, 05:28 AM
Bella,

Thanks for posting this! He wrote with such emotion and feeling attached, it is so nice to hear his view and opinion!

I am so happy that he understands the importance of PTO and how it helps all of us!

Thanks

Phil in Paris
11-08-2002, 06:22 AM
Wow !!!! Bella, this SURE is a very nice post, and thank you for sharing !!! :)


Thank you for sharing your views and your experience with us.
You have some things in common with Joey, my partner: he's from Italian descent, he's locked up in Florida, and he shares your view about this prison business !!! I gonna quote for you one of the first letters I received from him. I was wondering about how he got his clothes, if he had to pay for them etc.. So he sent me back a copy of the "canteen quarterly order form", I suppose you know what I'm speaking of, and here are his comments:

" I am going to send you something to look at. They passed them out last night. Ever since they stopped us from receiving packages from home any clothes or shoes must be bought from the state. They come up with all kinds of crazy things, to me it's extorsion, because if you don't buy from them, you can't have it! That's extorsion right!! Everything must now be bought off and from the state at whatever price they set. Prison is a businees here in America"

I suppose you agree with that.
Thank you again for your nice and interesting post
All the best to you and Bella :)
Phil in Parigi :D

Soul SLiver
11-08-2002, 07:22 AM
We've not met, perhaps some day we'll all throw a big shindig and PTO will get to meet you.

Your writing is incredibly intelligent (and I'm sure I'm understating your intelligence), I wonder if maybe you're interested in law or reform as a carreer?

Thank you so much for writing to us, it's always nice to hear the true feelings of others involved, and so often we focus on our own loved ones that we fail to realize the large span of emotions that run nationally and worldwide in the system.

Again Thanks

Bella, you're a sweetheart, we love ya dearly and man o man do you have a great guy on your side! I'm very happy that the two of you recently celebrated another anniversary and I hope to hear stories of many more from the two of you!

danielle
11-08-2002, 07:50 AM
Bella,
This letter was awesome. Thank you for posting it.
,
Thank you for your kind words. You are the reason that people like Bella and me and hundreds of others will never give up the fight to reeducate those who have no ties with the prison system. Humanity needs to be put into the prison systems of all states. You are the human face behind the number - the heart and the soul. Your value is no less because you are in prison.

You are obviously an intelligent and caring individual as is Bella. You are a part of our PTO family and whether you know it or not, and you have literally hundreds of friends all over the world. Welcome to our family - you are always welcome here.

Amelia
11-08-2002, 08:02 AM
Bella it sounds like you have a great guy there!


Your words wrapped up exactly how I feel. It isnt about making the prisoners better people so they can live happy, productive lives, it is about making a point and making dollars. I often wonder that if there are so many people in prison then how come all of the families don't get together and mke some noise and get things changed. I think PTO is the start of that. Bella has been a blessing to me and my family. Her kind words and love and support has gotten me through many a bad day. I can only think that everything happens for a reason and if Stephen, my husband, didnt go in then I would not have met any of the wonderful people here. You sound liek you have a good head on your shoulders and I know that you will do some great things when you come home. I am glad to have you part of our "family".Hang in there and keep you head high! GO YANKEES!!

Amelia :D

Menally-Ill
11-08-2002, 10:53 AM
Welcome to PTO! YOU are exactly what this site is about, and yeah, make no mistakes about it, we all think David/Fed-X is pretty grand also!

I don't quite know how I ended up in the "PTO POSSE". I can only assume that Bella's been talking about me...Hmmm... Not true, I tell you! Whatever it was that she said...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I SO agree with you about so many of your points. When you just look at how much money, say, a breakfast cereal company makes, supplying cold cereal to HOW MANY MILLION incarcerated people??? Lots of "guaranteed" profits there.

And the points garnered by politicians? So quick and easy for them, isn't it, to LOOK LIKE they are accomplishing something, by "getting tough on crime". When in reality, they are devouring their own populace. And when they are devouring the lives of say, a 17 year old, well sir, to be honest, I don't know of any wild animal that eats it's own young.

Ah, I'd bettter shut up, here. You don't want ME to get on a rant.

So instead I'll just tell ya, thanks for lending us your beautiful Bella. She is such a caring lady!

Oh, and what is this about us being here for her, when you can't be? You're here now, aren't you? You'd better be. Otherwise we're all talking to a figment of our imagination! YIKES!

You are REAL. And to each and every one of us, sir, you most definitely are a HUMAN BEING! As soon as you get yourself out of there, you come visit us, you hear? We will all LEAP FOR JOY TOGETHER on that day, o.k?

All My Love,
Menolly

SSK
11-09-2002, 10:20 AM
You fit eachother perfect, two great caring loving persons!

hoi !!!!!
just dropping by to say hi :D
take care overthere, know that Chaos and me are thinking of you and hoping your doing ok.

Tamara

Shortie
12-08-2002, 01:15 PM
Sorry I did not post this sooner.. Computer issues. So please forgive me. I just wanted to say hello and send some love your way.. Bella is such a great lady. I am sure you know that.

Hilde Bogaerts
12-08-2002, 02:09 PM
thank you so much for this letter. It meant a lot to me to read it while I was reading it I thought about my love in prison. He will be in prison for 15 years next year march. I often think that if he had done the same thing in this country( belgium) he would have been in prison for only 2 or 3 years, maybe less....there are times that I just don't understand the justice system in your country...how indeed they can put a young man in prison for the rest of his life, and more if they had a chance to do that...i mean my man has multiple life +20 years...and time goes by and nothing can be done...they seem to forget about the people they are so eager to send to prison. how come it is so easy for them to forget all about them then???? I truly don't understand and that is why whenever I can hear about someone like you, explaining to me what is going on, that I do seem to see things clearer...do write again soon...it was so good to read your mail...greetings from Belgium, Hilde

KRIS_NC
12-08-2002, 04:02 PM
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS LETTER AND ALSO I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO PTO AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE

flygirlaa2
12-08-2002, 04:03 PM
what a great guy you have. You are very lucky.

Thanks for the insite. It is mind numbing the things government does in the name of "justice". My man has been in for 10 years and has many more to go. I can't even imagine going from 25 to 35 in jail. Anyone will tell you, you're not the same person at 35 you were at 25. Who's interests are being served? Not the tax payers, not the community, only big business and the politicians. I could never sleep with myself if I need human missery and suffering to turn a buck. GRRRRRRR gets my blood boiling!

lulu
12-08-2002, 05:11 PM
that is so sweet. what a wonderful man you have