:thumbsup: I just found this forum today. Never knew it exsisted. I am currently on parole, trying to finish a 10 to 20 year bit. I only have 3 years and two months left to walk off. Man -- it's been a long road, but I need to tell you-- I'm living proof that the system can't keep us all down. I've been doing the parole boogie for almost seven years now. I've got a great wife, and two sons. I'm running a Dairy farm and staying out of trouble, and i'm even going to church on a fairly regular basis. There really is life after prison. Don't get me wrong. It's not all easy. I suffer the same set backs that all ex-cons do, but I have a woman who believes in me, and lifts me up when I'm down. I have too much to lose to screw up now. Nothing on this planet is worth risking my losing my family. I sit and watch my two boys play in their sandbox, and I think about how far I've come. Praise Jesus for second chances!! I'm more than willing to talk to any of you that are frustrated, or need a little encouragement. Don't let the system win!!! Be a success story!!

congradulations to you. keep up the great work. its nice to see that people can make it past all of this. i just hope my husband is strong enough to do this....

Welcome to PTO! I'm glad you found us and I hope you stick around to be there for others... Too many have questions and there's not many that are here yet that are making it on the outside to answer them... Congrats on your success story and I hope it continues!

Deb

Congratulations---you are almost scott free!! I think you will be a great asset to this site. So hang around if you dont mind all the questions. I wish you the best.

One

WELCOME!! I love hearing success stories such as yours! We need to hear them and thank you for sharing!

I look foward to hearing more from you.. we need positive influences here.

mrsd

Yay, inspiration! We need it and appreciate it - thanks! :)

Thanks for posting. You give me hope. I will be surrendering soon for 12-24 months and leaving my husband and daughter behind. It's so good to read about happy people who made it to the other side.

Sheryl

I think your story will be a great inspiration to many. We look forward to hearing more from you in the time to come.

Welcome to PTO :wave:
There is hope and i think that is what we are all searching for
thanks for sharing

Hi Never Again and welcome to PTO. You sound so warm and encouraging. My question is about probation.What is the difference between parole and probation? My son will be on probation when he comes home. What all does that mean? Does it mean that they can't go certain places, drink alcohol, etc? This is all so new for me I just don't know what to expect. Thank you for offering to help us...

Hi Never Again and welcome to PTO. You sound so warm and encouraging. My question is about probation.What is the difference between parole and probation? My son will be on probation when he comes home. What all does that mean? Does it mean that they can't go certain places, drink alcohol, etc? This is all so new for me I just don't know what to expect. Thank you for offering to help us... Probation is at the county level. Parole is State or federal. As for your sons stipulations----It's hard to tell. Restrictions are based on the type of crime. They go case by case, but you can bet there will be some. All you can do is wait and see, but no matter what they are---he'll have to play the game. When he proves himself, some restrictions will probably be lifted. Take care now.

Thank you Neveragain...I hope my son's name will also be Neveragain2 :-)

NEVERAGAIN,

Thank You! You are, as are others, an inspiration! You have been down a tough road and are making it! Proves that others can too!

I have been home since March of 03 and am on paper till December of 2008. I have kept on the path since March and because of you I know I can walk that path till 2008, and will someday be my own woman again!

Neveragain, your screen name, says it all!

NEVER AGAIN!

Patti

I have a major question.....
Congrats to you, and I have a question I figured you might know. My husband has a parole hearing in August. He is also scheduled to discharge in December. If he makes parole should he take it??
Some inmates are saying he should just stay and come out without any probation time, others are saying take parole(he would have 3 years probation).

What is the best thing to do? :confused

MissinBen,

Linda and I had discussed this early in our ordeal, if I had the strength at the end of my time we had planned that I would max it out, there was no way I was going to allow the state to have any further control over me after I did my time.

However, in the end it did not work that way - thank God! I still shudder at the thought of six years away from family and friends.

That is a decision that is entirely up to you and your husband.

Patti

So you did or did not take parole? I see that you put Thank god it didnt work that way but I am not sure which way you are talking about ? Just curious how it worked in your situation?
If he is offered parole he said that it takes a different amount of time, its all in how long it takes all the paper work to get to everyone. So lets say he takes parole in August(if Offered) and then they jack around for a couple of months then he might as well have waited till his discharge date in december? right or wrong? becuase the other inmates keep saying wait wait, but then some are like get out of here ASAP because you never know what could happen while you wait, and what if he gets a write up for no reason and loses levels or his good time?

Hmmmm so confused

MissinBen,

I am sorry I confused you yesterday, I wanted to answer your question, however, I got in a jam for time getting ready for work. I am in the same boat this morning, so I promise you I will get back to you as quickly as I can, if not tonight, then at the very latest Friday, since I am off then and will be able to put my full attention to your questions.

Again, sorry for the confusion.

Patti

Dear Missin Ben:

I can imaging in what difficult situation you are, because your dear love after August (which is the Parole interview) he will just have about 3 months remaining to be totally free! and on the other lady case she has to wait more than 6 yrs. Uhm it is thought to take this decision. We are in a similar situation with our son. The only thing I can suggest you is to meditate, PRAY and contemplate the possibilities, and follow your heart. But, if you can not follow your heart, think very well the pros and cons. I wish you the best and whichever decision both of you will take, I really hope it will be for the Best. God Bless You. ~Hugs ~Tita

Never Again do you have any suggestions on where to begin with getting a job as a convicted felon? My son will be coming home in December and is so anxious to start working. I know it is going to be very hard to get a job once you have to label yourself as a felon on the job applications.

What I have heard is to leave that question blank. Then if an interview is obtained your son can explain and try to sell himself for the job.

For myself, I will be looking for work as a convicted felon too. But not until I do my time. I will try to contact all who know me, try to start a little network, and maybe by word of mouth or referral... if someone knows me and knows someone else in a hiring position, then I will have a better chance of getting my foot in the door, and being given an opportunity to prove myself.

Best of luck to your son.

Sheryl

Thank you Sheryl, that is a great answer. I never even thought about just leaving it blank. That way you are not putting down false information.

Bertital3,

thank you for your reply ! I do need to make a pros and con list, the only problem is thats exactly what I am searching for the pros and cons. Any help in that area? I pray daily and ask for guidance but I am still so confused

Dear Missin Ben: I Think if God and the Parole Board approved for my son to get out, I will not doubt any second to bring him to his home with his family. We have to follow for sure and be extricted to all the restrictions, and rules and regulations that the PB may impossed, but yes I will get him Home and with God help everything will be ok. My best wishes to you and I hope your decision will be the best. Good Luck! ~Much Love ~Tita

this is to NEVERAGAIN!!!!!!!! the one who started this thread -
WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY!!
You are an inspiration!!!
I wish you all the best!!!

Never Again do you have any suggestions on where to begin with getting a job as a convicted felon? My son will be coming home in December and is so anxious to start working. I know it is going to be very hard to get a job once you have to label yourself as a felon on the job applications.If you go to your local employment office and tell them the truth about your record---they will most likely have a list of employers that hire cons. Try it out

I have a major question.....
Congrats to you, and I have a question I figured you might know. My husband has a parole hearing in August. He is also scheduled to discharge in December. If he makes parole should he take it??
Some inmates are saying he should just stay and come out without any probation time, others are saying take parole(he would have 3 years probation).

What is the best thing to do? :confusedIf you can get out----than do it!!!! A riot could break out tomorrow and you might never go home.It is a lot easier to sit and wait at home for your parole to be over, than to sit and wait on the inside for your walking papers.

Neveragain....do you mean unemployment office? I do not know of a specific employment office?

Neveragain....do you mean unemployment office? I do not know of a specific employment office?un- employment. sorry

so then that moves me to ask you this...
an ex convict can collect unemployment, or can he use the services they offer, such as free job training? This is something I would love to know, my husband would love to get Carpentry Certification and the Unemployment office runs a center called Workforce1 and they give people vouchers for free job training, would he qualify?

I agree that being out is better than being in. After hearing some of my son's stories you never know what might happen!

Welcome NeverAgain. Thank you for sharing your success story. You are an inspiration. I will definitely tell my husband about you. Glad to have you at PTO :D

so then that moves me to ask you this...
an ex convict can collect unemployment, or can he use the services they offer, such as free job training? This is something I would love to know, my husband would love to get Carpentry Certification and the Unemployment office runs a center called Workforce1 and they give people vouchers for free job training, would he qualify?I don't know for sure, but you'll never know if you don't ask them.

Being an ex-con does not preclude you from receiving services. I would suggest that you visit your local One Stop Center-locations listed at www.workforcenewyork.org to see what reemployment services are available and that you are eligible to receive.

this was emailed to me, after I has asked them...about being qualified for services, but not unemployment specifically, but the training and workshops they offer. :)

Just found this discussion and wanted to than you Neveragain. I'm in the same situation and its nice to see somone else getting by. Peace.

thanks again NEVERAGAIN for your help...and Good Luck to you!