Doves

Yes my Doves are almost touching. This is very bitter sweet for me. I am beyond excited and cannot wait to pick mike up. But I also know that this is my last trip to M'town and my communication with you guys will be reduced to phone, email, and blog. I could not have gotten through this without all of you at one point or another.

Kim H.

You did for me and set the example on what I needed to do for others. What got this whole group started was Kim talking with me one night for two or three hours in April 08. She is the one who explained visitation in great detail. Met me in M'town for my first visit. Met my family with open arms and made an unbearable situation bearable.


I have made great friends, friends that I hope I will have for many years to come. If any of you make a trip to the coast of NC, you better contact me!!!! If you look at map of NC I live on the second river from the top. I love to go to the outer banks, so if that is your destination for vacation let me know. I hope to see each of you in the future. I am from Lansing, MI and Mike is from Buffalo, NY so we make trips north also. The next time we are headed north I will let you guys know.

Civil Trial

My loved one was shot by the Modesto Police Department the night he was arrested. He has filed a civil suit against them. His trial date is set to begin on October 20, 2009. If he wins this trial it could make a huge impact on his current sentence of 30 years. Please keep us in your prayers. I will keep everyone posted. Thank you and God Bless.

LeeAnn

LeeAnn,
Your doves will be kissing in less than 45 hours...I am soooo happy for you, Mike and the kids...You have done so much for all of us...This situation drove me totally insane, I had no idea how I would survive another day through this. Then I met you...You have been such a great friend and just wonderful all together...Although I wish I never had to live through the mess, I am very thankful that I have I had the honor of having you along my side as we traveled this crazy roller coaster together...I wish the best for your family...Looking forward to us working together to help our men get their lives back.
Love,
Melanie

September 7

Has anyone noticed that WVU has a home football game Labor Day weekend? Hotels are going to be at a premium. If anyone finds a good deal pass it along.

Angel Project

Mike told me that they are having the guys sign-up for the angel project. The angel project is a project done by churches local to us, the families. The guys fill out a form with our address, children and ages and the churches make sure that our children get gifts from Dad at Christmas. I am not sure if all facilities participate, but it is worth asking. At M'town they need to ask their counselor.

HWH

Tina called me last night and she gave some tips. I will try to remember everything she shared. Their phone and email accounts are turned off around 1:00 the day before they are released. So there was no way for John to know that she had arrived safely in Morgantown the night before. They gave them an extra hour longer than mapquest said it would take to get there. She said that they told them that pickup was between 7:30 and 8:00. They do not walk them out to the guard shack until 8:00. They drove straight there with very short quick stops and got there with 10 minutes to spare. The guys are not allowed to drive. Once there, they allowed him to leave at 5:00 for a "hygiene pass". They had to return with a receipt from a local store dated that day. They were allowed to grab something to eat. They were not suppose to go to a private residence or establishment that had alcohol. They were not allowed to bring food or alcohol back. It takes two weeks for orientation and home confinement paperwork at the fastest. It takes five days to get cleared for driving privliages. They have to approve the place of employment. Visitation hours at their facility are 9-11 a.m. on Saturday and 1-3 on Sunday. They can ask for passes to dinner or lunch on the weekends. Cell phones and laptops are not allowed. The phones are pay phones. It costs $1.00 for ten minutes for a local call. They can not receive phone calls. The food is better.

As we each go through this step of the process if we share our experiences we will be able to determine what is standard and what is unique to each facility.

Big Month

Well August is full of mile stones for our group.

Ms. Barbara and D.R.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as Monday approaches. All the guys that have gone ahead of you say that once sentancing is over a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders. I pray this is true for you. Please let us know how it goes.

Tina
Tuesday you get to bring your beloved John to HWH. Enjoy your drive together, and let us know how HWH works. You are the first ones to experience it. We all know that each one is different, but as the stories come in we will be able to figure out what is the same HWH to HWH.

Me and Mike,
I get to pick up mike on the 18th, two weeks after John and Tina. I will keep you all updated.

Zonir,
Your Dad reports the 25th. It will be fine, feel free to call. Ask any questions you have, we will be glad to answer them. We all had the same questions.

Mel and Chance,
You guys reach 30 days left this month. It seems that the calendar stops moving this last month. But at the same time it is over before you know it.

While each of us reaches our milestones and the others watch, it puts each of closer to the end of the sentances we are serving. None of us are serving a life sentance, we all have a release date. As we all know this is a situation that will effect all of us for the rest of our lives until HR 1529 Second Chance Act of 2009 expungement for non-violent first time ex-offenders is passed. Please call, write, and email your represntatives about this legislation. Just as you would regional or the warden about liquid soap, toys in the toy room, meals, showers, visitation regulations, heat or air in the units, coats, the vending machines, and the list goes on and on. If you would complain about those things that will only effect you and your family for the short term, why not something that will effect you for the rest of your lives?