<p>My son is going to prison in a few weeks, and I don’t really know what to expect as a mom of a felon. Has anybody had a connection to someone who did real time, not just a day or two? I did meet one mom on PRISON TALK for coffee, and it is nice to know I am not alone in suffering this sort of situation. Any advice for a soon to be felon mom?</p>
<p>I have no experience in this area, but just wanted to say my heart goes out to you! I hope you can find some sort of support base to help you through this. It’s so hard to watch our kids make mistakes but we love them just the same. My very best wishes to you in this tough situation.</p>
<p>I don’t but you have my sympathy. God Bless & Hang in there.</p>
<p>Jimmy Tayoun was a Philadelphia City Councilman convicted of bribery who served a few years in jail. He wrote a book for those going to prison for the first time that people have said was very helpful . Google can probably get you the title. Hope it helps…</p>
<p>No advice but best wishes and prayers.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you. Remember that attention your health is very important during times of stress, such as this. Try to get plenty of rest and eat well. It will help you get through the tough days. {{{hugs}}}</p>
<p>Nope, haven’t done time in prison. At least, not yet…</p>
<p>But it makes me think there must be tons of info online about this. Accurate, non-sensationalized, specific to each prison. Have you tried googling this, or is it just too scary? I am so sorry for your worry, I really feel for you. Just love him and visit him, I know you will!</p>
<p>I’m so sorry you are having this experience. </p>
<p>Do you know what prison he is going too? I believe that will make all the difference in the world. When you find out, google it.</p>
<p>I do know three people who have gone to prison. One was at Stillwater State Prison in Minnesota. He said the worst part was the constant noise. He also said he’d look forward all week to spending his job money on a candy bar, and then someone would steal it.</p>
<p>Another went to a state prison in Wisconsin. He got caught selling large amounts of weed, twice. His mother said that he was lucky that he had a good cell mate. The cell mate sort of mentored him, and cautioned him to stay on the straight and narrow so he doesn’t have more prison in the future.</p>
<p>Another spent time in the Hennepin County (MN) Jail. He said it was humiliating having his parents visit him. He finally told them not to come. They actually were in separate rooms, and conversed by video.</p>
<p>I asked a couple others I know who were prisoners about the stereotype of prisoners being raped. They both said that they were not aware of that happening where they were.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you, and I suggest you be kind to yourself and stop referring to yourself as a “felon mom”.</p>
<p>I think it is probably the unknown that is the worst. And then you worry about everything, even stuff that would never happen. I am sure that so much of prison is sensationalized, and particularly if one is not going to a maximum security prison where there are serious criminals, it may not be so bad. I hope he finds things to do to keep himself busy and make the time pass quicker.</p>
<p>i have a story- when i lived in kansas city years ago H and i went to the same hair dresser at a salon for four years and we loved him- when we told him this was our last cut and we were moving to texas he said ‘i have to tell you something. you were my very first customers. i learned my trade (hair dresser school) by going to school in prison. and i have been straight ever since.’ that changed my view about exconvicts ever since.</p>
<p>I have experience from the opposite perspective… My father served 28 years in prison for murder and he was released in 2010. He went in when he was a senior in HS (18) and was 47 when he was released. As a result we’re not really close. To be completely honest prison really hardens people, especially when you go in at a young age. My dad was locked up for so long that even two years later he hasn’t been able to fully adapt to society. It’s difficult for him to find consistent work and he has a lot of issues. I really feel for you. I won’t lie to you and say it will be easy and everything will turn out fine because I just don’t know. But if anything never give up on your son, and try to visit when you can. There’s a lot of disgusting people in prison but there’s also quite a few who just slipped up but ultimately aren’t horrible people. On a brighter note while in prison my dad got his high school diploma and even got his license to practice as an x-ray technician. He had a job and got in excellent shape. Just because your son is going to prison doesn’t mean his life is over but it will be harder just encourage him to utilize his time wisely. There are a ton of programs and resources and he can still further his education.</p>
<p>My dad’s best friend was in prison for 15 years for a crime he didn’t commit. While in there, he learned how to cook as well as got his GED and an AA. Even when he was cleared, it was still hard for him to get a job but the skills that he got on the “inside” proved invaluable to reintegration into the “outside”. </p>
<p>Someone asked up thread whether or not they could read and such. Yes, prisoners have a very large supply of books available to them. </p>
<p>Not everyone gets hardened. Even after 15 years, he came out the same gentle giant he was when he went in (or so I’ve been told… I was 0 when he went in and 15 when he got out so obviously I don’t remember him before). </p>
<p>Good luck. You’ll both make it through.</p>
<p>Yes, a hairdresser my entire family used once told me that her had been in prison for a # of years. He was a very nice man.
Best to you and your family</p>
<p>Faux,
Sorry I haven’t been around, my daughter has been sick. Do you know yet where he is going? I can see if i know anyone there.</p>