Hi, I've guess I'd better introduce myself. My real name is Lorin and I live in Australia. This is all new to me but here goes.... I was at my local library, and there was this book there on unusual things to do on the internet. So I took it home and one of those things was to write to an inmate with "little or no contact with the outside world" So that got me thinking about how awful it would be to be locked away, and never to get mail, and how lonely I'd be if I were in that position, and I decided to write to Craig from Georgia. So now we've been writing probably 4 times a week since August last year and he has become so important to me. And now I'm coming over there to visit him and I can't wait. But one thing though, this site is heartbreaking. The justice system over there shocks me and I wonder how you all cope with so much sorrow. But I think sites like this are so very important and hope that things will change very soon. And they will. There is a groundswell of support for you all throughout the world, even Amnesty International have starting saying that conditions in some prisons are worse than a lot of third world countries. The difference between Australia and the U.S.A is that voting is compulsory over here and prisoners are required to vote. I think thats how things will change. I mean think about it, there are 2 million people in Prisons in the U.S.A. and they all have families. That's a lot of voting power. Anyway all the very best to you all, you sound like remarkably strong people.

Welcome to the group!! it is wonderful that you are writing to a prisoner and even coming all the way here to visit with him..you are a special person!! WElcome!

Hi Lorin, I'm pretty new here myself : )

Loren:

A very hearty welcome to this site. I admire you for writing to an inmate in the U.S.A. I have heard many wonderful things about Australia. You guys probably have one of the better run countries in the World. You stay out of problems and try to handle your own situations in your Country. We would probably be better off here in the US, if we would use that strategy.

Hope your visit here is a good one. Georgia is only about 250 miles away from the State of North Carolina where I live. I hope along with visiting your inmate you get to see some sites while you are here.

The USA has a great deal of History to offer. There are many exciting things here. We are a good Country also, we have just gotten a little off center with our Justice System. But, in time, I know we will get it changed.


My Best

Donna

Lorin...
Another welcome to PTO!! Look forward to getting to know you better.... :)

Lorin, glad you found us and thank you for getting involved! Australia is a great distance, thank the lord for the internet and people like yourself who become involved without having to experience it first hand. (I mean by having a love one taken out of your life) Do you have any experience with the prison system "down under"? I've tried to contact a few people who have websites down there but no reply.

I don't know your interest but we would be happy to open an Aussi forum if there were ever a need.

Take care and welcome to the PTO family.

David

welcome and we look forward to getting to know you better

Thanks Guys. Please don't get me wrong, there is no way I would ever come over there and criticise your country. I lived over there for 2 years and I just loved it. The people are the friendliest in the world. It's just the prison system thats not so good. Over here the prisons are run by the gov. There's talk of them going private, but that would be a bad thing in my opinion. And the sentences they hand out are not as long as over there. They really do try to keep people out of prison if they can. Parole is usually given after 50% of your time is served. And all in all I think the prisons aren't too bad.

WELCOME!