I have a year to go before his earliest release date, but...I am nervous everything won't get lined up properly. He's in Arizona and I'm in California, so he will need an interstate compact for probation and parole (which is 2 different agencies in Arizona, but perhaps one in California). I spoke to a very helpful woman at the Interstate Compact office in California this morning. She told me that there are really no guarantees that his probation and parole can get transferred to California (ARRGHHH). Apparently the probation officer (or whoever) who will be in charge of his case has the most to say about it all. She told me that it may be required that in order to get the interstate compact, we might need to be married (we have a baby though - shouldn't that count?) and he will probably need a job lined up!! How am I supposed to get him a job?? How can he line up employment in prison?? Has anybody done an interstate compact with California? All the departments I spoke to today in Arizona and California told me that really no paperwork can be started until 90 days prior to release. I can see problems already. (I was hoping to take this year to make friends with the probation department...make them cookies, etc. LOL.). My guy's counselor told him Friday that he should start everything rolling now so nothing will get bogged down anywhere. I was actually excited about having a "job" to do to help. Now I am worried how I am supposed to find him a job. Also, if I start an on-line business, do you think that might be good enough for the probation department? They can't make him stay in Arizona with no place to live and no job - he will be running the streets again and that didn't turn out to be such a great idea!

Your internet business might work, if by that time you can show it's making enough profit to support a payroll and all the taxes of running a business and having an employee. Otherwise, it would be considered as a hobby.

Hi! I'm back to PrisonTalk after a long absence. Now, we are getting down to our last days of dealing with imprisonment, and getting to parole. Does anyone have any advice for me? My husband will be transferred from New York to Pennsyl***ia. AND THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE!!! NO ONE wants to do their job and move his paperwork along, so I want to take action, even if I have to go to the ACLU. I am willing to listen to any and all advice. This is a difficult task, advocating for loved ones behind bars, but if we won't, who will? P.S. I just found out that I passed all my tests to get my Masters in Journalism and I want to tell the whole world!!! Stay strong everyone. I'm glad to be back.:D :D :D My husband is going through the exact same thing, except with NY and Pennsyl***ia. My advice to you is and it is hard work, go online and find prisoner advocacy agencies or groups and they may have programs to help him find a job, and register him with the unemployment office. Believe me it takes time, patience and much love for that man. You will be on the phone for hours on end and up late nights like I am. But it is worth it. And you must be legally married because the parolee must have a relative in the next state in order to transfer there. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS...I DON'T CARE HOW LONG BEFORE HIS RELEASE THAT YOU START THE PAPERWORK FOR IT, THEY WILL FIND A REASON FOR A DELAY. We are going through that right now. Just want to prepare you for the crap. Stay strong. It's not impossible.

Good luck to the both of you. You will be in my prayers.