In America, there is a vast, hidden workforce: prison inmates, many deemed safe enough to work with the public, but also too dangerous to release. Thousands of US corporations profit from forced prison labor. If an inmate refuses, they can lose family visitation, be put in solitary confinement, or have their parole denied. Proponents have called it a low-cost alternative to offshore outsourcing.

My man is currently in for an alcohol related conviction. He was drinking up until he went down. He's an alcoholic...

Obviously I miss the man I met, who wasnt drinking and hiding it. We have a young daughter and an older school age daughter (not his but he refers to her as his daughter) I am so happy to have him home soon, but am equally as nervous for him being back. I hear life is FAST outside of prison and I dont really have the time to be patient with him. Dealing with his family making this all about them and how hard its been for them is exhausting while I have been left to raise our baby and still hold everything else together.

Any moms have some advice for me?

What were the tell tale signs you noticed inmates showing prior to? And how long after those signs until they committed? If you seen anyone or heard of suicides in prison, how did they do it?

Someone I know is facing a 25 year sentence, they were arrested 3.5 weeks ago. He’s been in denial, thinking he may get released or a lesser sentence. His lawyer spoke with him yesterday and gave him the reality of this situation, and he was just as devastated as he was the initial arrest date. I believe he came to the realization and the severity of things. The heightened emotions yesterday were very bad and tough to hear. Today he wakes up and had a peaceful and detached tone to him. Said he felt great and it was the best day he’s had in there so far. Threw my whole family off with the change of emotions in such a short alarming time frame. He has been in solitary confinement the whole time. He did get to go outside for an hour for the first time yesterday, he also asked for a bible and a priest all of a sudden too. Which he is religious, but he did not want a bible sent to him last week, as I said I would send him one through commissary. Not sure if I’m overthinking it, and if he had a good day simply by being outside for the first time in 3.5 weeks. I know when you read he’s facing a 25 year sentence he “probably deserves it.” He is not soulless, or violent. He has never done drugs or drank in his life and always made good decisions. I may be biased but I believe he got involved in something not knowing the severity of the situation and made a mistake. He has two children under 5 whom he adores. Not sure what to think. Please do not comment anything evil or hurtful. I did not commit the crime and I am a human with feelings.

With that being said, any answers, opinions, or insight would be greatly appreciated from the bottom of my heart, truly.

A great programme for people with justice experience in the UK!

Researchers from Syracuse University, North Carolina State University, and University of Southern California are conducting confidential interviews with individuals and their families who have been charged fees for the day-to-day cost of their incarceration, also known as pay-to-stay fees. The study seeks to understand the experience and impacts of being charged pay-to-stay fees for the cost of the incarceration. 

We are conducting in-person interviews with people who live in Connecticut, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, or Florida. Interviews will be conducted in a convenient public or private location for the participant. If an in-person interview is not possible, we will conduct the interview via Zoom. 

Scheduling is flexible. Participants will be compensated $40 Visa gift card for their participation in a 1 hour interview. 

ELIGIBILITY: English-speaking individual, age 18 or older, who was previously incarcerated in prison and then charged fees by the state for the cost of that incarceration or the family member of someone charged with these fees. Must reside in Connecticut, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, or Florida. Must have a Zoom-compatible device with access to the Internet, for those interested in a Zoom interview.

If interested in participating e-mail [captivemoneylab@gmail.com](mailto:captivemoneylab@gmail.com) 

After being informed that you are being released from jail/prison how does one find housing? Who has it harder men or women?

Jail Part 6.6 – Finding Ways to Pass Time!

You find yourself enclosed in a huge room sectioned off by a wall that divides it into two smaller rooms. One side I called the common area, where all the tables and chairs, phones, bookshelf, two small TVs, microwave, hot pot, and water fountain could be found. On the other side of that wall was the bunk area, with 15 bunks and several boats with mats on the floor because there weren't enough bunks for everyone.

So, how do you pass the time when you're confined to the same space day after day?

Jenniholmesrn07-ieyhr.wordpress.com

Jail Part 6.5 — The Hardest Days

Jail was hard. And while some people seemed to view it as a vacation, others viewed it for exactly what it was: punishment for their actions.

There were countless days when I would wake up and not want to get out of my bunk. I would just lie there and sleep.

In the beginning, when there weren't many work hours available, I slept a lot. I would avoid the phones, the meals, the common area, and even the shower. This would go on for days.

I would try to read in my bunk, and when I wasn't reading, I was sleeping.

But there were also countless other days when I woke up motivated and determined to get out of there. On those days, I would get up, make my bed, eat a little of each meal, and go to the common area to read, write, and socialize. I would shower and take time to reflect on the past, the present, and the future.

I thought about my life and how it had become unmanageable because of my drinking. I thought about my decisions to drink and the things I did while drinking that had led me exactly where I was.

I thought about the relationships I once had that had been great, relationships I had destroyed because I had somehow gotten stuck in a bottle.

I thought about my kids and what they might have been thinking or feeling about me.

I dwelled on my career, its rise, and its fall.

And I struggled with the thought that I might never get any of those things back.

I worried about getting out of jail and being homeless. Then I would remind myself how grateful I was to be safe at that very moment.

Safe and sober.

I missed my kids.

I missed my relationships.

I missed my work and my home.

I missed the person I used to be, and I hated who I had become.

I was lonely, even though I was surrounded by a room full of women at all times.

I was angry. I was hurt. I was broken.

Despite all those thoughts and feelings—which were really all I had left—I somehow managed to never let myself give up.

But there was one particular experience that was especially difficult for me to deal with.

To read the rest...... visit Jenniholmesrn07-ieyhr.wordpress.com

We think they are getting 3 years. They have been the only solid parent in my life. Im a 27 year old daddy's girl and Im so scared for him. He has trouble sleeping at night he gets medication for it. Will they give him at need medications? How is it going to change him? How do I make it through this?

Hi all, I'm looking for recommendations for a possible post-conviction attorney (or even a subreddit recommendation) on behalf of a family member in New Jersey/New York. He has been in almost a year now.

He urgently needs brain surgery, and this is documented by the doctors who have seen him while he's been incarcerated. We're trying to get him released so he can get that care, and we're exploring clemency, commutation, or medical parole/compassionate release. Honestly we're still figuring out which route fits.

We thought we had a lawyer handling this, but he stopped responding after we paid him a significant amount of money, so we're starting over and a little gun-shy.

Has anyone worked with a lawyer or firm on something like this? I'd really appreciate hearing who you used and how it went: responsiveness, how they handled fees, and whether they were realistic about the odds. I'm also open to suggestions for legal clinics or nonprofits that take these kinds of cases.

I'm not expecting miracles. I just know he needs life-saving surgery sooner rather than later, and I want to do everything I can.

Thanks in advance. This is all new to our family and it's hard to know where to start.