What I would like to know is how many are out there that have been released from prison or who have had a loved one released and have successfully found employment, etc. We need to make people aware that life is not over just because you or your loved one were in prison!

Would anyone be willing to share their story??

Thanks!!

When my story has an ending Chrisa, I promise to come back and I will post.

Sheryl

Please do, Sheryl. I know in my heart that you are going to make it through this and have the happy life that you deserve.

Sheryl,

Whether you know it or not - you are already a success story!

I know how hard it is right now, but I have seen you grow so much, and look this difficult time straight in the eye with courage, fortitude and a developing determination to make it to the end of this journey a success!

I know you feel alone at times, but you are never alone! Every one of us at PTO stand with you and will face this with you and I for one KNOW that you will come back to PTO and post in this forum YOUR SUCCESS STORY!

Patti

To Chrisa and Patti -

You both inspire me. You lift me up, shift my being, keep my spirits high, fill me with gratitude, and I love you both. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love,
Sheryl

Patti is right Sheryl. You have shown such grace and strength throughout your ongoing ordeal. So many would have crumbled by now, but you show such determination to make it through this. YOU are an inspiration to others! Sheryl, you are one special lady and I am proud to know you!!

Come back to us as soon as possible! And always, always remember that we are here for you every step of the way!!

But you forget, I have crumbled, many times. And still I have bad days, or days that I feel like crumbling. It is a fight and a struggle to keep my head above water. The difference now is I have PTO to lean on for support, and many individuals who keep me lifted on a day to day basis. Support is the key. And being willing to ask for help, and then accept it. I still feel very needy and I look forward to the day when I can give back more than I take/need.

Sheryl

And when you feel like crumbling, we are here to hold you up. You just take it one day at a time and when it seems like it is impossible to cope we will stand with you. You will find strength that you don't realize that you have. And when you don't have the strength, we will give you ours!!

i went 2 prison in 93, got my GED & never went back(got out in 93)

My man just got out in May and is getting released from the halfway house this week. Within three weeks of his release, he had a job making ten bucks an hour which I think is great right out of prison at the age of 21 after being in since he was 17. He loves it. He is doing great at work and has had no problems in the halfway house. We just got our first apartment together and he is coming home to me this week. You will get your happy ending to and believe me, it is well worth it. Chin up, you'll make it.

My cousin's been out for two years and is doing well. He got married, got a good job and settled down. Then he got laid off, now he's on unemployment (who isn't?) but he is keeping up the faith and I know he is going to be just fine.

Also my best friend's dad was in for some real serious stuff and he has been out for years now working and keeping his family together. It's still a real struggle for him every day, but he's doing really great.

Both of them are clean and sober, they are good people who have friends and family like me who are proud as can be of them. Love 'em! :)

I was released in July of 2003 from the Holmes County Jail in Bonifay Florida and I am a success story. My trip down the wrong road began in 1998.At that time I was 36 years old,a Veteran of the United States Air Force, and had been married for 11 years. I had two beautiful children and a wonderful wife.I did not have so much as a traffic ticket. I walked out on all that and relocated out of state. I ended up getting divorced and got involved with another woman who had four sons and was physically and emotionally abusive.Although I was always employed she insisted on frequent relocation. The boys were enrolled in at least 6 different school districts in 3 different states. Despite her entire family advising me against it (her mom made me promise not to marry her daughter,on her death bed) we married. When we were living in Walton County Florida she got hold of my employers credit card number and ran up some charges. When the charges were discovered I was arrested. Despite what happened my public defender told me to plead guilty. I did and was given probation. I immediately began plans to move out of the residence I was sharing with my then wife. She continued in her illegal activities and I ended up getting arrested again. As soon as I was arrested my wife threw out all my property and stole my van to take the boys on yet another move. On my second arrest I was sentenced to an 11month 29 day sentence. During this time the LORD truly dealt with me. He led me to contact my first wife. At first this was as a friend but soon we were talking about reconciliation. The LORD continued to work in my life and my FAITH grew stronger. A couple of weeks before my sentence expired I was sent to Holmes County to face misdemeanor charges there. The judge gave me 90 days with full credit for time served in the other county. I figured the disaster was finally coming to an end. The Holmes County Jail Administrator Harry Hamilton refused to transfer me back to where I had to complete my sentence. Although I had the signed sentencing document he claimed I still owed him time. My release date came and went. Finally I sent a motion to the Court through the jail mail. Before the mail was even sent out I was released. Upon my release I reunited with my first wife and our two children. I had lined up a full time job but the extended time I had to serve in Holmes County caused me to lose that. I finally secured employment and the divorce from my second wife went through. On 18 April 2004 my first wife and I were remarried. The LORD has truly blessed me through all this. He gave me back what I destroyed. I have a civil case filed against the Holmes County Administrator because he held me over. I am also in the process of preparing to file for a pardon in Florida. The LORD has called me to the prison ministry. I am enrolled in a distance learning seminary program and very active in our church. I praise GOD for all HE has done. Despite all my failings HE put everything back together. :D :thumbsup:

aint enough pages to write my successes

I am quite a success story. I was in and out of juvenile and jail finally sentenced to 40 years in 1979. In 1982 my son was murdered by a drinking driver and that was the catalyst for me taking control of my life. I was released in 87 and started my own tv talk show called choices in 1990-1997 until my last child was born. I also started my company Dennis Mitchell Empowerment Seminars, in 1990 still going strong today. I also am a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the African American Soul (released Sept 2004) and co-author for Pre-TEEN POWER with my book to be released in 2005. I am considered one of the top speakers in the country, soon the world. Anyone who is willing to model the lives of other successful people and pay the price can create their own destiny.
Dennis Mitchell

What I would like to know is how many are out there that have been released from prison or who have had a loved one released and have successfully found employment, etc. We need to make people aware that life is not over just because you or your loved one were in prison!

Would anyone be willing to share their story??

Thanks!!

My boyfriend found a job 2 weeks out of the prison gate.Granted it is not his dream job BUT it is a JOB! Someone gave him a chance and at this point that is all that matters!

After being sentenced to five years probation with a felony I might as well have been inside. Getting a hard labor job has not been too difficult since most union apprenticeships don't ask but it's usually the most physically demanding that always have openings for outsiders. Im only 35 but can no longer take the demands of this work. I was laid off two weeks before Thanksgiving and HAVE to seek a career change. I will not let this felony hold me back! My felony was 13 years ago but it might as well have happened yesterday. What most employers fail to realize is that people in our situaton are so remorseful that we are usually the hardest working & loyal only because they gave us a second chance we will prove ourselves everyday. My last employer laid me off because the new foreman wanted his click in there. One day the boss set the employees up to steal including his relative and I was the only one who did not yet he still laid me off eventually. So in closing the success I see coming out of this is that if what Im working on doesn't work I will be going to adult ed classes or a paralegal school to work with and help individuals in our situation. I happen to be pretty knowledgeable as to what licenses we can get and how to present yourself in a professional manner. Maybe I can help get some people that are in the spotlight of fame and fortune to help spearhead a campaign in NYS to have the felony and criminal record expunged of one time felons, 10 years have passed, it wasn't a murder, rape, assault, or any type of crime that shows physical harm was done.

My partner is expecting to receive her voluntary surrender letter within the coming month. She will be in an FPC for five months. She has been employed with Home Depot for the last five years during our long journey in the judicial system. She is a Department Head and has done an outstanding job and has a great record. Now because of new policy, she will not be able to get on. This has really thrown us for a loop. Not only will our family be without her income for her incarceration, she will not have her job when she returns. I know this is a story in the making but, success stories help. Any pointers for what she should do upon her return home? She has 5 months of home confinement? If she is confined to the home, how does she look for a job? Should she be right up front and tell anyone she is applying with about her record? Need advice

Well i feel we are all a success story as the others have said we have all had our troubles with the law in one way or the other. Since I ahve been released I have changed my life to the max. I had owned my own business all my life with my ex so going out to find employment was hard to do. I did find a good job in the field i had been in ony because someone gave me a chance not because of what i knew only but to show my ex I could make it with out him no one else in our field would talk to me cause of my ex being theie friend they didnt want me to make it. But I did and then I also started making candles and soaps and selling them and have a great business there also. I am also a secret shopper it pays really well so if you are looking for a job you might try this. It takes a little while to get the good ones but when you do you can earn up to 10 to 12 an hour and some are on going jobs you do over and over so if you want to suceed I believe there is always a way. You cant come out and expect to be where you left off it wont happen and it will only depress you more and possibly turn you back to what you were living befoe its all up to you. Thats what they want and I will never give them that again. I knew that there was some where out there and someone that was going to see that I would make a good employee I never gave up and am always looking for more ways to make money to support myself and stay busy and stay away from the wrong kind of people because you are who you hang with I am a firm believer in that. They didn't make me do what I did but I know if I put myself back around them it would be to easy to fall again and you will and you know that. So hopefully eveyone will look in the mirror and say I am a success story and I willl over come all obstacles to do what I can to make it. You are all an inspiration to me and I am glad to have found this site it helped me as much as anything. Hearing so many good people out ther pulling for someone locked up and fighting for them made me want to help in anyway i can and i will neer forget the ones I left behind. God bless and I hope the New Year brings you all closer to being with the one you are finghting for and come back and tell us the rest of your sucess story.

I was in prison for 7-1/2 years before being released in 2001. I have been out now for almost 4 years, just bought my first house, paid off my first car and have a job I love. I have an incredible life with amazing friends and family that have helped me put my life back together after being incarcerated for that long.

My husband went back to his engineering position at an aerospace firm 4 days after he was released from prison.He has worked non stop since then, this was on jan 20th of this year.He is involved in church with me now, and our lifes have been enriched tremendously due to the trials we have been thru.

The week before my husband came home I talked to a subcontractor that worked with the company I work for (construction) and explained the situation to him and luckily he was willing to give him a chance. He started working the week after he got out and its been about a month now which for him is really good considering he hasnt worked in like the last 7 or 8 years. He has five years probation though and they dont make it easy on him at all so we will see how that goes but so far its been successful.

Thank you all for sharing. While I already feel in my heart that hubby's story will be a "success" story, I get so discrouaged with all the negative press regarding the lack of success of ex-inmates. I realize that people want to see the negative stories, and that's what sells, but I needed this today. I have faith that I'll be back on here next year #1 NOT being an outmate anymore :) and #2 Sharing my husband's success with you all.
Best,
Wendy

What I would like to know is how many are out there that have been released from prison or who have had a loved one released and have successfully found employment, etc. We need to make people aware that life is not over just because you or your loved one were in prison!

Would anyone be willing to share their story??

Thanks!!

my name is kristi-- (long story short) been running life since i was 13, top less dancer, ex-prostitute, ex-con.... after 27 felonies, in and out of jail... to prison 3x.. i had had enough one nite in a motel, no longer able to function out there.. got on a grey hound bus and left town... went to TX (lahacienda) and was introduced to a creative intelliegence (God).. there i began to find release (from all the failed attempts at release)... it's been 5 yrs now... i am substance abuse counselor and majoring in CJ (go figure)

what a 360 my God has commenced to bring out of me..i have finally been introduced to the woman i was origianlly intended to be :D

congrats on your recovery. Your are a wonderful person and should be very proud of yourself! Its not easy!!!!!

thanx ur right it wasn't easy but it has gotten much easier.... with true friends, and a + support network i can challenge everyday as a new instead of being stuck in what was or might be

I Am Home And Have Been Here For Almost Three Months. I Have Found A Great Job And Found Out Today That I Would Be Getting A Promotion And A Raise. So Yes We(sucess Stories) Are Out Here And Living Our Lives On This Side Of The Razor Wire And Doing Just Fine. I Love Being Free And I Will Not Ever Put That On The Line,there Are Too Many People Here That Love And Care For Me.

After playing the revolving door game for most of my life, 16yrs. total state, countless county time, I finally figured out what the problem was, ME! My last release was 3/2001 and I'm still out here. Been clean and sober eight years, same job since three weeks after my release, happy, healthy and free. I was lucky in that the kind of work I do, [Custom bikes and cars] doesn't force you to play the hide your past game. I have always been up front about who I am and feel that I should be judged on who I am today. While I am not proud of my past, I most certainly am not ashamed either. If someone has a problem with my history, then that's their problem, not mine. I think that the most important thing I have discovered is that you can't clean up for somebody else, you have to do it for yourself and then things start to fall into place. I am who I am today partly because of who I was in the past, and just to look back sometimes give me the strength and wisdom to know that I am moving in the right direction. Best of luck to all of you - Much Respect-