My son just got sentenced to eight years in prison....

[Joanne98]

I would like to thank all the DUer's who gave me advice. (or tried too)
It ended up there wasn't much anyone could do. Believe it or not, 8 yrs was a good deal. He's up for parole in 2 yrs and since Texas has so many prisoners, 118% full, he will get half off so he will probably get out in under 1 yr. What did he do? (for those unfamilar with my saga) He was caught with a quarter ounce of cocaine. Everybody should read "Dark Alliance" by Gary Webb and Maxine Waters. The "war on drugs" is a fraud. But maybe someday, when we take the country back, we can do something about all the non-violent prisoners. Take you all for your support!

[Pithlet]

1. I'm so sorry.

I wasn't familiar with your story, but I'm dismayed to hear the result. I hope he gets out soon :hug:

[Joanne98]

4. Thankyou!

[liontamer]

2. I am so sorry.

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

3. This is tragic, I've been in your position. Good luck.

[Joanne98]

9. I'm thinking about joining The November Coalition....

Have you ever heard of them?

[BikeWriter]

24. No, I haven't. If I knew who sold to my kid I would disappear them.

[Joanne98]

42. It's bigger than that. I believe the US goverment has been selling

drugs but them I'm just a "tinfoil hat person".

[BikeWriter]

51. It's not like they've never been in the drug business before.

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. OMG, I'm really sorry...

:hug: At least it's not as bad as it might have been. I hope he can indeed get out in under a year.

[ceile]

6. I'm so sorry, Joanne98!

It does sound like he got a pretty good deal considering. We in TX tend to throw everyone in jail regardless of the crime. I hope he's okay.

[Joanne98]

11. My son got caught in the worse county! He paid 10 grand for a lawyer!

[ceile]

15. That's highway robbery!

I can guess at the county-outside Austin maybe?

[Joanne98]

23. You got it. A blogger from there told me they're all corrupt too.

I believe it. There were Dems there fighting hard in this election. They made some gains but not enough.

[ceile]

26. I don't even speed through there.

And I make sure that my car is cleaned out of empty cans, bottles of ANY kind. If they can get you for something-they will.
Good luck to your boy. I hope he makes it through this okay.

[Joanne98]

32. I just hope he doesn't have to parole there....

We're probably going to have to hire a "Parole lawyer". I didn't even know there was such a thing.

[ceile]

35. If you're not from the area,

I don't see why they would keep him there.

[Joanne98]

41. His dad lives in Austin. I hope we can do something.

[ceile]

45. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him.

And Austin is a great town so I hope that angle works out as well.

[BarenakedLady]

7. I am so sorry.

I can't even imagine your pain.

:hug:

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. I'm sorry to hear that

The real crime here is that non-violent drug offenders get extended prison sentences like your son. Hopefully one day this country will adopt a sensible drug policy

[Joanne98]

13. Are you a real Reverend? There are too many young people in jail.

My son became a trustee while he was waiting in county and they put him on suicide watch. Young people getting 20, 30 yrs for behavior that doesn't deserve that kind of punishment. It's so sad!

[Reverend_Smitty]

19. I'm not a real reverend

but I do agree with you about the absurdity of locking away people who would be better served in a drug treatment facility

[Joanne98]

31. They're using them as slaves. It's a scandal waiting to happen.

[QMPMom]

10. I'm very sorry,

[datasuspect]

12. i'm really sorry for you and your son

hang in there.

[Joanne98]

17. He's actually happy. They wanted to give him 20...

But he got a good lawyer. It makes all the difference. There really is TWO justice systems in this country. One for the poor and one for those who can pay!

[johnnie]

14. Oh man, that sucks

I remember when you first posted. Hopefully time goes quick and he is back to you all very soon.

Yes, the war on drugs is the biggest load of crap.

[blondeatlast]

16. I'm so sorry. A prayer for both of you is forthcoming.

:hug:

[Joanne98]

18. thanx...

[pitohui]

20. i'm sorry to hear this

stay strong

[LaraMN]

21. Oh wow, that's pretty tough.

As a Mom, that has to be really hard for you to digest. I'm so sorry. Hugs and good thoughts to you...
:hug:

[Joanne98]

30. Thankyou Lara!

[THUNDER HANDS]

22. how odd, I was interning today in federal court

and one of the cases I sat in on was a pleading of a guy who got caught buying cocaine in an undercover sting. He wasn't sentenced today, but in his plea agreement he could get a minimum of 20 years or a max of life.

[Joanne98]

27. "The Prison Industrial Complex" Prisoners are commodities now.

You should see what they're doing. It puts Jack Abramoff to shame. I'm in a big fight right now with a company that controls the phones in 2000 correctional facilities. Correctional Services INC! Headquartered in Toronto Canada and all the employees are in the Caribbeans. They charge 3.95 per minute. Prisoners without family can't even use the phone. It's cruel and inhumane and somebody should do something about it. I'm thinking about throwing up a research thread on them. But I've been working overtime for about three weeks and I'm to tired.

[trof]

25. God that's sad. I'm so sorry.

Yeah, our court/penalty system is so screwed up.
How old is he?
I hope he won't be in with the hard core bunch. It still won't be easy for him and now he'll have it on his record for the rest of his life.
What a waste.
Best of luck to you both.

[Phillycat]

28. Hopefully they have something similar to our PA "Options" program

where prisoners with drug-related offenses go through a 12-step based treatment program while in prison in exchange for a reduced sentence. I have spoken at several of the prisons here in Philly for AA (both men's and women's facilities) and it surprised me how much the inmates really wanted to get their lives together and were motivated to do so. I hope your son gets at least some of the help he needs while he is in prison. Cocaine kills.

Best to you, I'm so sorry this happened.

[Joanne98]

37. I'm trying to find out about something like that but he's in the

process of being moved. I went to AA for a couple of years. I should go back. Addiction runs in our family. Both my parents and now my son. It's ironic. I stopped going because I was getting in fights about the "war on drugs" and my son's situation. I think AA and NA should do more (politically) to fight the unjust sentences. I just can't shut up about politics. They kept making me read the principles over and over. I still see people from there though. They make the best friends.

[SKKY]

29. It sounds like he got a raw deal, but I do hope he'll take this and make...

...it a positive.

[redwitch]

33. I am so sorry.

I hope he will be OK and out in the fastest possible time. I agree that the war on drugs is wrong.

[xchrom]

34. it's got to be frightening -- but i'm sending all my best vibes your way.

please take care of your selves.

[graywarrior]

36. Sucks bigtime. I went through the prison thing with my brother.

It's not easy knowing they're in there and have to watch everything they say or do.

[Joanne98]

40. I can't even watch those MSNBC prison specials without cringing.

When you think about 2 million invisible people. It's a big problem. My son became a trustee and got put on suicide watch. He would have to sit and watch "at risk" prisoners. It makes me hate the religious right even more. This is suppose to be their job. I guess they're to busy fighting gay marriage to "visit the prisoner". I hope everybody with family behind bars makes sure to visit them or send them a card this Christmas.

[graywarrior]

49. The prison system is just another way to control votes.

And that's just a small part of this huge "business."

[buddhamama]

38. I am so sorry, Joanne98

I will light a candle for your son. for you as well. I can only imagine what you and your son are going through. :hug:

[Joanne98]

44. It could have been alot worse so were doing okay. Thanx .

[silverlib]

39. I am so sorry...

This may have popped up earlier, but what county? (I'm in Travis).

Peace

[SeattleGirl]

43. Dang it, Joanne98, sorry to hear this.

I agree; the "War on Drugs" IS a fraud. 8 years for a quarter ounce of cocaine? Good grief. Well, hopefully he WILL get out within a year. Take care, and the best to your son.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

46. I'm so sorry, Joanne98...

I'm glad that your son is as positive about this as he can be. I keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, and hope that he will be out much sooner than 8 years.
Hugs for both of you...:hug::hug:

[Joanne98]

47. Thankyou all. DU is the best. I don't know what I would do....

If I didn't know the best people in the world. I got to go. I'm working early. Goodnight and bess you all. I love you. I really do.
Joanne98

[cwydro]

48. If eight was a good deal

then I'll be happy for you, in a way. But how awful to be facing this...how old is he?

[GOPisEvil]

50. F'in Williamson County.

They're known for being a law and order place. I don't even like going up there. Too bad I have to cross the county line (barely) for work.

Best wishes to your son and you.

[ikojo]

52. I agree the war on drugs is a fraud and is

not fairly applied...the sentencing discprepancies between powder cocain and crack cocain need to be looked at...one is a drug of suburbia and the other a drug found primarily in the city but bought by suburbanites.

I hope your son does not come out of this a worse person.

[Shine]

53. I'm sorry Joanne

I'm not familiar with your story, but as another mother, I have total compassion for what you must be feeling right now. I wish you, your son and your family all my very best during this difficult time. :hug:

[cally]

54. I'm hoping you and your son

stay strong and remain close. Our prison system is insane but I'm hoping your son and you maintain hope and find a way out of the insanity. :hug:

[wildhorses]

55. here's hoping the next 365 go quickly for your son

:hug:

[NC_Nurse]

56. I have never understood the drug laws in this country.

I am so sorry your son got caught up in the absurd system we have here. I pray he
is released quickly. Love to both of you. :hug:

[L A Woman]

57. 8 years for THAT?

oh. my. god. i'm sorry.

[WindRavenX]

58. ridiculous, isn't it?

War on Drugs = fascism, PERIOD.

[Rage for Order]

59. That's ridiculous

The drug war is nothing more than throwing good money after bad. When will the gov't ever wake up to the fact that prohibition didn't work in the 1920's and it's not working today?

[grasswire]

60. from someone who has been an avid volunteer for criminal justice reform...

...let me tell you that the best thing for your son is to get lots of mail from many different people. The worst things in prisons happen to those who appear to have no one on the outside. Get everyone you can to write him letters, send approved packages or the approved form of money for his canteen account, etc. Once in a while send him an envelope by priority mail. Whatever you can do to be involved and obviously involved will be a form of protection for him.

[nini]

61. I'm sorry for your pain

:-(

I hope all works out quickly.