How I Found Out My Son Was In Prison
I never thought I’d be a mother with a son in prison. I found out my son was in trouble when I was watching the news. They showed his picture and said he was armed and dangerous; I thought they were going to kill him.
He did find a lawyer and turned himself in. He was held in the County Jail and then sent for classification. It took them three months to classify him and during that time I only got to see him one time. They were very strict and firm about how I was only going to have the one and only one visit. When you visit you need to be prepared for the worst.
Once he was sentenced and moved to his first prison, we visited him almost every week until he was moved. I’d visit my son with my daughter, sister and/or my son’s father. Once he was moved to another location we visited him about once a month and would bring his son to see him. My son would send everything in a letter as he was moved to a new facility letting me know what I could bring and what I could wear. (He was moved to several prisons throughout his sentence.)
In the beginning I was always afraid when I was there that something was going to happen to him or us. I didn’t have any reason other than seeing movies. After he entered the prison system he was moved around the state to different prisons and sometimes it was difficult for me to visit him at the different locations. At one point when he was talking to a girl on the phone she said that he threatened her and they put him in the hole (solitary confinement) for a year. They didn’t listen to his side of the story.
When I visited my son in prison I felt like they treated me like a criminal, too. One time they told me that my pants were the wrong color and they wouldn’t let me in. I’d worn these pants many times and this was the first time anyone said anything about the color. When I asked about it the officer said, “I don’t care, I’m the boss here and if you don’t shut up you won’t come back.” I called the warden many times about the way I was treated.
Advice from a Mother with a Son in Prison
You need to find out what the rules are before you visit your son or loved one in prison because you have to follow the rules. Your loved one should be able to send you the rules and regulations. As soon as they get arrested you need to get the form; tell your loved one to send the form, even if he is in the holding tank. It could take three months to get approved to see your loved one. You cannot visit if you are not approved.
You can also look for the rules and regulations online. Get started on it right away to get pre-authorized.
If a family member has temper he or she should refrain from visiting so they don’t get in trouble.