FYI...guys and gals

I spoke with our lovely Marti at the parole board today (victims unit) and she told me that they are working on Feb 2003 hearings at this time.

Did know what dates the rest of you were waiting on..

Oh ...by the way, she's wasn't able to tell me anything about HB539 or the news stuff on the BOP web site (articule 16)

You know if there people don't know what the heck it is, who would? Or do you think they've been told not to "talk" about it with us public people yet?

I'm so sick of there mess, I wish the feds would just shut them down in there tracks...

I know I said i was going the even think about Kenny making parole, I was just going to wait and plan on his ESO date, but for some reason I'm back tracking it in my mind today....god I want him home!!!

DeniseJ

you are a crazy normal person......lol

crazy normal ? ok there ragland whatcha trying to say girl? LOL...I'm have one of those days that i could bite the head off a rattle snack...LOL...this to will pass...I hope it will anyway.

Denise,
We are "only" 5 months delayed at this point, as we were supposed to have one in January 2004. So anyhow, I have a "I wonder" thing.......We have no victims in our case, as they have all passed on (died)in the 26 years he's been there. About 1 or 2 months back I sent a letter to the board telling them that all the victims were going to be unavailable to contact, thus making his case smoother in some ways. I even sent them the obituary notices so they would know I wasn't just blowing smoke to get them to look at his case, lol.
When I was there last week to visit him **sigh** (heart, don't fail me now, **beating wildly at the memory of being with him**) he asked me to go to the board and talk with someone in the victim notification office and sorta bring it up again. I didn't go. I feel like a rat in some ways because he seems to think just because I CAN do these things (physically go there), that it means it will bring about some kind of change. I told him what is being said in here (PTO) about them not knowing WHEN those criteria will be effective, but you know, he just wants me to check it out. So...........what I'm wondering is for your opinion. Do you think I should call or email or just wait like the rest of us, and assume that IF anything were going to be done about it by me sending them the information, it will be?

And if you DO think I could call about it, who do you suggest I call? Although, to be honest ~~~~ I would much rather email.

I'd sure appreciate anyone's suggestions. (Thanks)

Care

Care ...call Marti....334) 242-8728 ...she is very very nice lady and has always given me the answers to most questions I have...she's never been ugly or talked bad, I've been very impressed with her whole attiude...as a matter of fact, i wrote a letter to B. Segrest about her last year....I promise you, you will feel better once you've spoke with her. It is her job to locate all victims, who knows it just might help, it sure as h*ll isn't going to hurt!!!

Well Denise I was told that my son wouldn't qualify for article 16 but she would have their attorney check on it. He was out due to his mother being sick, so I was asked to call back in 2 weeks. So I call back in 2 weeks and as soon as she answered the phone and I told her who I was she said oh that isn't in effect yet. Now I know as many people call there on a daily basis that there is no way she remembered "me" by name. If this article 16 was not in effect yet why did she tell me an attorney would look at it???? How in the heck did this one guy get a chance at parole when he has I know 2 class A felonies and has to be considered violent??? Somebody needs to check on them and how some are being called up and some ignored. Is article 16 only going to apply to those who have connections???

Denise, thank you so much for your quick reply. I tried calling there but only got her voice mail. I didn't want to leave a message; feel its best to call back. So I'll try again later. I am embarrassed to admit it but even after all this time, I am still so easily intimidated by those in authority. **sigh** I just don't have the tenacity (if that's the right word) that others seem to have when it comes to being assertive. I wish sometimes that I was more aggressive but as Popeye says "I yam what I yam" ~~ and I guess at this late date in life, the chances of me changing is pretty slim. Well I'm gonna try again when the lunch hour is well over and hopefully be able to connect with her. Thanks again.

Care

(((((AWWWW))))))

IF THATS THE CASE


I WANT A CONNECTION...

I don't understand there mess, you are talking about he same guy that was in the paper last week...yea, i bet they checked on it alright. I think tomorrow, i'll make another call to Marti and see if she can explain that one to me!!

what is this article 16 everyone is talking about

http://www.paroles.state.al.us/rules.html#Article%20Fifteen

thanks denise...

Denise, You are soooo right. That Marti is a warm voice and I wasn't even intimidated by her at all! She was very helpful and answered my questions. (I didn't, by the way, even MENTION the Article 16 issue or ask when these new guidelines would take place.) Anyhow, she told me that they are now working on March 2003 and expects that in the next two weeks, they will be asking for the April 2003 cases to be pulled. And she said that they just got a lot of new help so she feels they will catch up quicker now and felt that my husband's case would be scheduled well within the next year. (He was due just this last January.) MUCH better than the 22 months we read about not that long ago.
So thanks again for encouraging me to call her.

Care

Well.... this is all a little encouraging seeing as how we are waiting on a February 2003 hearing.... but a little discouraging too as my guy's longtime cell partner was scheduled for January 2003... and has yet to be scheduled. :(

But, who knows. We really weren't expecting to get scheduled 'til the August/Sept. range anyway...

hey girls,
my guys date was for aug 17,2003,if they are about to start pulling april dates,where does that leave aug dates coming up,I think I'm so tired that my brain is not working tonite.
I love you girls your a lot of great help and pull me through just reading your post,you girls make me stronger. love tina

Tina, just my opinion ~ but at this point I don't think you can even guess when a date might come up because it jumps erratically and like Lysbeth said, there is guy she knows that has been waiting since January 03 and they tell me yesterday that they are about to start on April 03 in a couple weeks. Way too unpredictable. But I know its impossible NOT to try to imagine when he'll get a date. **sigh** Hang tough is about all we can do.

Care

thanks care9,i gota go to work now but i'll talk to you a little later today.
tina

WOW they are working fast I just spoke to some lady like Tuesday and she said they are working on Febuary 03 cases.Well we're waiting on March 04.SOOOO it looks like all of are still gonna be playing the hurry up and wait game a while longer.

ok, i'm back to my old self today....the heck with them, I refuse (one more time) to play the emotional roller coaster the BP&P likes to play with ours (and our love ones lives) its ok the release drug dealers and bad check writers YEARS before they are required to but run us (violent offenders) over a year behind. (don't misunderstand, I happy for those inmates and there families that have and contiue to have some breaks) but a crime is a crime and a sentence is a sentence!!!!!

DeniseJ

and to make matters even worse, if they get parole granted and ask for an out of state transfere, it takes forever. Lewis has been paroled for 9 weeks now and nothing yet!!! it would seem that in 9 weeks someone could have mailed a packet to Georgia. I don't mean to grumble, at least we do know he is coming home. But omg, his parole hearing was 18 months behind to start with, now after 9 weeks it would seem like someone would know something. but guess what, no one I talk with seems to know anything. Their reply in " be patience, these things take time". now I work on an assembly line making far less than these people but if I stopped the process and said be patience, these things take time.... I'm out of a job!!!
sorry guys , I woke up grumpy this morning. I'm just tired of the b/s.
sue

Sue,
I don't have any words of wisdom or even anything I could say that would be encouraging that wouldn't come off sounding patronizing so all I will say is that I'm sending you a hug and all the good energy that I can. Tick tick tick tick tick. That's the clock that helps measure time, even when it FEELS like it is standing still. Nice to know that no matter what it FEELS like, things are moving forward and eventually the day will come when Lewis will be home. They can't keep you apart forever even though it feels like it some days.
********{hug}}}}}
Care

thank you for the hug Care. I know that we are one of the very few that is coming home. this last race to the finish line should be easy, but it is very hard and flustrating. Lewis and I talked about that just last night. but when I think that it could be years instead of weeks, it kinda puts things back into prospective for me.
I need to send you my e-mail addy. the old one was getting 25 or more e-mails each day from unknown senders that contained a virus, which I got the netsky virus.
thanks for being there for me
sue

sue 9 weeks thats insane. i know when i met lewis he seemed like he was going crazy just waiting around. i really hope you guys hear something soon!

thank you Cember. I know Lewis must be going insane with the wait. he seems to hide it pretty well with me because he doesn't want me to worry about him..
((((hugs))))
sue

Sue I'm like you I would be so out of sorts,knowing he has already been granted and their still playing their little games.But as we all know the good Lord will have him there with you for you to hold really soon.I just hate the way these people want to play the hurry up and wait crap,it drives be batty.I bet Lewis looks like a new daddy in the waiting room,pacing the floors back and forth.

lol Leeslady, I can just see him pacing back and forth now! it's probably good that he has a job that keeps him very busy or else he would go insane.
oh yeah, this hurry up and wait game is uncalled for, but it seems like they want control for as long as possiable.
God is going to move in this situation though, we just have to hold on to that. so many prayers are going out for all of here and I know God hears and answers.
speaking of holding him, I've got a visit with him in the morning and I've got to get in the bed.lol even after 10 years, I still don't sleep good the night before a visit.
sue

sue,I pray that lewis will be home soon and out of the control of others soon,I know it is very hard waiting,just keep in mind that you know hes coming home and we will all keep praying that it is very soon for both your sakes. Also remember that god is in control over any of those stupid people and maybe god has a reason for the wait,I'm very sure that God seen you guys this far and he will finish seeing you through to the end,as I've said before you are a wonderful person and a very strong woman,you have helped so many people that come here for help and you have always helped me ,just reading your post helps me get through the days and nights,we love you sue,and i'm so glad lewis is coming home to the woman that has been his strength,so now he can be your strength and you can love each other in the same home again,I would love to meet you two some day,I know you are good people.
love yur friend Tina (Conmanslady)

Tina,
thank you so much for your kind words. I love each and everyone on pto and especially our Alabama forum.I would love to meet everyone and give you all a big hug. you guys have also been my support and source of strenght. I know that god will see us all through these times and bring our loved one's home.you are all amazing ladies and dear friends to Lewis and I.
once Lewis get's home, he hopes to do something to make a difference in the way violent offenders are being pushed back for parole. he is an amazing man and is certainly deserving of my love and respect. he has a heart for people just like I do and I know he will never forget the suffering of all the families we have met during this time.we are blessed by god above to have met some of the best people on earth, that includes each and every one of you guys.
((((hugs))))
sue

Sue,
From what it sounds like, you are going to get to visit today. Just think (as if you haven't already been doing this) this could be the last one inside the walls. Yaaaayyyyy!!!! It can't be much longer.........every second brings you closer.
I can't help it......Ever since I got home from Alabama, every waking thought is like "last week at this time, I was......." [fill in the blank] :-) And last week at THIS time, I was sitting in 'his driveway' waiting to see him for the second day in a row. Gee we almost ran out of things to talk about, having two visits in a row. Haha.
hugs to you today. God bless your visit.

Care

thank you so much Care. we had a wonderful visit today,the mood was joyful and we had a great time together. We talked about this possiably being our last visit because there won't be visits for 3 weeks now. as I was leaving, several of the families I've come to know and love were telling me goodby. they said they knew in their hearts that they would never see me again. that made me sad but it also gave me great joy because Lewis will be home!!!!yes! yes!
Care, your memories of your visit have a special place in your heart, that's why you wake up to them every day. I pray that god will make a way for your husband to come home and both of you live happily together in love.you are a very special lady and you deserve much happiness. ((((hugs)))) I want so bad for this to be over for you two, so you can be together. I'm believing it's going to happen too.
love you
sue

Sue,
For some reason your post to me made me cry. I think it's because there you are walking on Cloud Nine waiting for Lewis to come home and yet expressing your desire for James and I to finally be able to be together out here. That really touches me deep inside, Sue. I'm almost speechless (I said ALMOST! lol) Your sensitivity and kindness to others during this time when it could be so easy to be wrapped up in your own happiness ~ wow. Does that Lewis guy have ANY clue what an amazing woman he has?

Much love to you,Sue.
xxoxoxox
Care

Care,
now I'm crying. I honestly care deeply about others happiness and especially yours. I know somewhat of your situation and I know that the amazing lady is you. I admire your strenght and courage.
I'm not going to leave pto once Lewis comes home because of all the ladies that I care so much about.I will be there to rejoice with each one when their loved one comes home.
thank you for your sweet words care. lewis say's that it was my compassion for others that has helped him change his life. he gives me too much credit though.
you and James are in my prayers.
((((hugs))))
sending much love
sue

Sue, Thank you for your prayers. I know the Creator is not like this, but doesn't it sometimes feel like you pray and pray and pray and those prayers never get heard. Like the Creator turns and looks and says "Oh, it's only her buzzing in my ear." And puts me on Hold. (with not so much as Muzak to keep me company). So then somebody ELSE prays for you, and he is like "Oh wow, now there is a different voice I don't recognize asking for something for James and Care; I should take a closer listen."

So once again, thank you for your prayers. **********{hug}}}}}

Care

Care,
I have felt like that many times. I pray and pray but nothing. but then something really good happens in my life and I know that I was heard and that others was praying for me. there have been times where i felt like I may as well talk to my 2 cats because at least I knew they were listening. sometimes I felt like I just couldn't pray at all. I have a prayer list and I talk to god every night about the people on my list. sometimes I forget to ask him for anything for me, but it seems like it's then that he comes right up to my door and walks right on in. so I ask him to send me hurting people and let me be a blessing to them. so when i pray for you and James, it's because god sent you to me.You, Selena, Cember, Ragland,Lysbeth,Lisa,Brandi,tina,Denice,and your loved one's were all sent to me from god above. this mess with the violent offender back log is being petitioned before god and He is going to make a move in your lives, I believe that as the truth.
Hugs
love and prayers
sue

Sue, It really helps when there is somebody else who can stand in the gap and stand strong in faith when a person just doesn't have the tenacity to hang on by themselves. I know we all experience that on the forums and that's such a blessing to have them. I wonder how differently my relationship with James would have been these past 26+ years if I had but known I was not crazy for loving him. :-)

Your gifts to all of us are under-appreciated so let me say that IF IF IF IF IF I lived in a different financial bracket, I'd arrange for a small parade complete with a brass band (a small one, not a full piece one) to celebrate the day that you and Lewis are reunited. **Alas** you'll have to settle for good wishes and prayers.

love, Care

Awww, Sue...now you got ME crying (not like that's hard to do these days...I cry over everything....). You (and Lewis) have been such a blessing to me and Kevin. I truly believe (as me and you have discussed before) you and Lewis are our guardian angels!! Your prayers mean so much to the both of us...and (I think I speak for all of us) ya'll are a TRUE BLESSING to us. I wish there was SOME way we could repay you for all ya'll have done for us. We love ya'll...and we pray for ya'll every night!
Love,
Selena

friends here is something that may help some of you put a chair in what ever room you choose and when you feel the need to pray talk to HIM as tho HE were sitting in that chair and do the same when you are feeling lonely and want to talk to your loved one. this is not an act of craziness, desperation maybe but who's gonna know but you. and when you pray dont be like the old woman who had a beautiful view of a meadow that could be seen out her b'room window.only thing was a tree was blocking her view. so every night she would pray that somehow that tree would be moved so she could have the view. but each morning when she got up and looked out she would say"just as i thought it's still there" you got to believe. sometimes i know it's hard to have the faith that we need with what all we're going thru but we have to get ourselves into that area. and remember pray without ceasing.

thanks for that, we all need to be reminded sometimes!

care, how sweet you are. a band to welcome my baby home sounds wonderful, but your good wishes and prayers mean the world to us.
Selena, you know that we will alway's be there for you.there is no repayment needed. we love you guy's and that is all that matters.
IM- you know when Lewis first got in prison, i would set him a plate at the table. it was my belief that God would bring him back home and the plate was my representation of that belief. all through these years I've continued to do things that others would consider nutty, but I've represented my belief in god's promise to give us our hearts desire. my only desire was to serve God and have my husband home. soon God will have my home and life complete. you and your wife are in my prayers,(if your on pto, you go on my prayers list).
everyone have a super day and know that god is still God.
sue

Thanks for that IM....I really needed that. Faith is something that can't be taken lightly. I know of alot of people who say "well, I prayed and prayed and nothing happened..." Like Sue has told me (and Kevin too)...God doesn't do stuff on OUR time...it's on HIS time...and he's ALWAYS on time. We all gotta remember that. God knows what's best for us....always. He is totally in control of everything that happens...ya know? I believe that God has all his best angels surrounding all of us...here on PTO or not...and that is such a relief to know.
Sue, you know you and Lewis mean so much to me and Kevin...we love ya'll so much and we always will!! And you're right...that's all that matters. But, I'll always feel in my heart that "I owe you one..."
huggs,
Selena

Selena,
I often smile when I think about my firstborn's conclusion on why it doesn't SEEM like God hears our prayers. He is now 35 (or is it 34, I always forget) Anyhow, when he was little he came to me and told me that the reason God doesn't seem like he has heard our prayers is because it's like there are so many people praying that he gets confused so he put the prayers on a cassette tape (he had just got his first very-own cassette recorder/player!) and your prayer gets answered as soon as He gets around to YOUR tape. :-)

Care

Awww...that is so sweet. I haven't heard that one before. :)
huggs,
Selena

Now that was just too cute.Maybe we just need little reminders like that from time to time.

Glad to hear that the board are at least working on the violent offenders backlog, we were denied parole in 2002, set off for one year, hoping to come back up in 2003, but yet to have a date set, and if they are just now on Feb, and we were secheduled for Nov. it seems that we have a very long wait, again. But at least they are doing something.FYI...guys and gals

I spoke with our lovely Marti at the parole board today (victims unit) and she told me that they are working on Feb 2003 hearings at this time.

Did know what dates the rest of you were waiting on..

I 'am new on-line and really do not know if I'am being read or not, but like 2,5000, or so they say, I'am waitin for my husband to be rescheduled behind the victim notification act, and we were hoping of Nov. of 2003 so now I really wonder where we stand, but then no one can or will tell us anything except "they are working on it" and thats so sad. Oh well, just apart of the life we live I guess. Any imformation will be helpful. Small town usa

Hi small town usa...welcome to pto. Glad you found this great support group. There are quite a few here waiting just like you and will have info to share. As for our son we will just be happy to get a parole review "set". Parole board says he has to do 5 years before they will even think of reviewing him. So it's tough but we are all hanging in there. That is why this place is so great, really nice people here and very helpful information and the lastest updates on prison news in general.

My husband falls under the victim notification act, but the victim is dead, and the family does not care because this will be his third hearing and he was not opposed the first two times, and he will not be opposed this time, The guy that was actually in the store, got out years and years ago and even he was not opposed, therefore I know that even if the victim was not dead she would not oppose my husband because she testified that she had never seen my husband. when ever he gets another hearing date, we are seven months behind now, and only God knows when they will get to him, because he was sechelued to come back up in Nov. of 2003, with the back-log, I have very little hope of hearing from them this year! But I'am still hoping. If there is no victim to notify, it seems that it is a waste of the States time and money, and he should really be reclassed, and not even fall und that act, any throughts, ideas or imformation on that. Need help to help my husband.

Hi Small Town and welcome to pto.
I really don't know how to help you on this. My husband was 18 months behind when he finally came up and was granted parole. they made 2 efforts to contact the victim's family and finally called me to see if I knew where to contact any family member. so even though no one opposed your husband the first 2 times, they will still contact family members, as well as the county DA where he was charged, who may be the person opposing parole. you might want to call the DA and ask if he opposes parole and let him know of any positive changes your husband has made while being incarcerated. all of these people want to see drug programs completed and strong institutional support. have him get support letters from any high ranking offical's at the prison. you can also write him a support letter for the board.
good luck and hang in there
sue

Hi Small Town,
When I spoke with the PB about the fact that the victims in my husband's case had all died since he's been incarcerated (and went so far as to send them copies of the obituary notices) I was told that they "have to have" someone to notify and if they didn't, it would take really long for them to find somebody. She advised me that if I knew anyone who would be considered the 'next in line' victim-wise that I should send that name and address to the Board so that they would have that in his file when he was scheduled, and it would save time and effort in them FINDING one. We are now 6 months delayed in being scheduled so I guess we still have a wait yet. But she did tell me his would be "well within the year." And she said that they are catching up ....

Keep on being strong and like Sue said, write letters to the Board telling them about how he has improved (and don't forget to mention he is remorseful) and talk about preparations and support he has or will have when he is released.

You are stronger than you think,

Care