What do these numbers tell us?

Corrections

According to a study by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 7.1 million men and women were under adult correctional supervision in the nation’s prisons or jails or on probation or parole at year end 2010. About 70 percent (4.9 million) of the adults under correctional supervision at yea rend 2010 were supervised in the community (either probation or parole) while 30 percent (2.2 million) were incarcerated in the nation’s prisons or jails. At year end 2010, approximately one in every 33 adult U.S. residents was under community supervision or incarcerated. An estimated 962 inmates per 100,000 adult U.S. residents were incarcerated in state or federal prison or in local jails at year end 2010. (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Correctional Population in the United States, 2010, December 2011)

What are you going to say?

What are you going to say?

Just what are you going to say that day when you are going to court in support of your child/ren or love one?

As we both know that will not be easy for the victim, or for your self. You will have to make sure that you are security camera ready. Check with your local county court house to see the rules that apply to enter the building. Cause, this can only add to the tensions that will already be high. Especially, if this is a crime, that has involved individuals or property. Then the victim may have their family there and also supporters, media for their support.

So what do you say to the victim, the family and or, supporters? You both have been brought together on this chosen day in time. Being, brought together whether known or unknown by the force of the vary crime. Often, this meeting for the very first time in the courthouse, you will face your darkest night  And if it is a victim less case like drugs, burglary, just to name a few. You will still need to speak on the behalf of your child/ren or love one.

When, I had to face the people that my son tried to rob and shot at. I was devastated. All I could muster out of my mouth was I am sorry, to the victims, and quietly walked away. What else could I say, that relieve them of the sound of the shot gun blowing out their back seat window?

While, expecting the chance of being robbed at gun point, or even dying at that very moment was a great possibility, on that day, at that moment.

It was not until when all was said and done in court. And the question was asked did anyone want to speak. I took that chance. For after all the harm that was done, to all involved. I spoke. Whether they heard what I had to say. I spoke of the good that I had given my son. Yet, he had some how went, a stray. For I am a firm believer, that in order for a person to be rehabilitate. They need to know that there still is goodness in them.

Now after looking back at this situation, that could have gotten worst. I was blessed. He was removed from the street and placed in prison. Hopefully, he would see and reflect that I was trying my best to give him skills and a decent life. However, now he was going to have to use the skills and life lessons or developed some to use on his own. For now life was not going to be a bed of roses in prison. Plus this was a choice he had made for himself, and his family.

So, this just might be a time to say very little. Give your support for there are many things coming your way that you will be forced to deal with. Fear, worry and anxiety will be at your door. Do not let them stay. Prepare yourself, name calling only belittles a situation, it does not solve it.

Now for sure the facts that you are dealing, deal with your emotions and the tensions. Be prepared.

National Institute of Corrections News

National Institute of Corrections News

'" Few argue the importance of education in a youth’s life, but many fail to recognize the importance of a robust, engaging and quality education program in a confinement setting as playing a critical role in reconnecting educationally disenfranchised students to successful educational experiences. " taken from NICN

Since it is a catch and release program why not re-educate, before releasing?

The hurt

The hurt, the pain, and even the humiliation, or shame, just where do you keep it at?  Hided in a jar, with a cap closed tight, tucked deep inside of your heart. Or safely tucked away under your pillow for the night.

Where thoughts of the, So what! It’s time we should get some rest, is now over. But there is  a need that, we sometimes feel that we must punish ourselves for.  Many times we, do try to bury the hurt, the pain, and even the humiliation, or shame.

Only to have it take on a new form as in cancer, high blood pressure, and even colds and other illness.

For mines, I kept the pressure inside and have lived with the silent killer. High Blood Pressure. I felt that I should bury mines deep inside. The hurt, the what now’s. Fore I must suffer, was my motto. I’s my fault this happen.

However, as a mother, lover or care giver, it is important that someone is there for the criminal justice process. Someone needs to be ware of the laws and that if the love one is guilty. Then let justice be served. But how ever if it found the one is innocent let action be taken before it thirty to forty years before justice is served and they are really innocent. And served time behind they bars. I was told by a woman whom was innocent that the thirty days she served had an effect on her, mentally.

So, in ending. Make sure that you hear what is being said by all. Mouth closed and ears open. Emotions in checked. You may hear something that might or will enrage you. Peace be still. Understand what is taking place. Just what these people talking about, how do I choose an Attorney? How and where do I go to visit the love one in jail or prison?

Examine the situation and follow through where action is needed. And be an advocate where change is needed.

NICIC.gov: Thinking for a Change

NICIC.gov: Thinking for a Change

This shows how prison are now working at getting those incarnated to approach thinking about thing in a new direction.

Teaching moments

Yesterday a friend and I went to the movies. After the movies we went to the store since it was so close to the show. After spending our time shopping, it time to go back to our perspective places, our homes.

Upon retuning to the car to load it with our buying. We were approached by a woman and her young teen son. Asking for money to buy a gas can and gas. Now my mind flips on. Thoughts of what the .... is this all about? Why would you leave home knowing that the gas light is on?  Should we live life depending that strangers will always be there to back us up?

We are in the parking lot of a big box mega store parking lot. And this woman came to the store to beg for gas money to buy a gas can and gas.

What value are we teaching our child/ren? Teaching them to be beggars. Or, I am I so old school that I do not see this as a new way of helping? Or am I just so paranoid, with the fear of being rob in the parking?

After all I am a mother of a felon.

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Motherhood in America - Vision Forum Ministries

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Motherhood in America - Vision Forum Ministries