en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2437664 Comments by Ajd5282 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/if-prison-has-taken-anything-away-from-me/#IDComment145263686 When reading this letter from the inmate it immediately hit me, and I was able to understand how he was feeling completely because I am in a similar type of situation. My best friend was recently arrested and charged with aggrivated assult with a deadly weapon, and terrorist threats and his bail is set at $150,000. He is looking to have atleast 10 to 15 years in prison. He has currently been in jail for 4 days, and I can only imagine the thoughts going through his head. I have been talking to him once a day and it seems that he is in the same situation emotionally, and mentally. He feels as if he is alone in his cell. Even though he has friends and family outside of jail that do care for him, he still feels empty because of the fact that he is in jail and is stuck in a cell. He is only given one hour a week for visitation. I personally think that one hour a week to see people that truly care for you is simply not enough. He has said to us that the only thing that has been keeping his head up while in jail was the fact that he has plenty of people that are there for him. I personally have been going through some hard times the past couple of weeks. I am being charged with 3 felonies, and could relate to what the inmate said when he said that love is what could help you through hard times. I currently have met a incredible female that is good enough to bring home to the parents. I can agree with the inmate when he says love gets people through had times. Having this girl in my life right now is the best thing that could have happened to me emotionally and mentally. She has been a strong force behind me, always being there for me, and always giving me good advice for different situations. I personally think love is a true component to helping a person with their problems. Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:31:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/21/if-prison-has-taken-anything-away-from-me/#IDComment145263686 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment141115058 When reading this article from this inmate I was able to relate and respond to most of what he wrote. He described what a man truly is in some cases. Woman often put a barrier up against guys and put a stereotype on males when it comes to how they go about the way they treat females. Most men aren’t ass holes like woman precise us to be, we are actually caring people. Im pretty sure when a lot of females in this class read this letter about what a man truly is they will open up to the fact that were actually nice guys. A couple of points that I agreed and related on with this inmate is when he said “A man will keep his woman safe from what ever may harm her, and be there when ever she needs someone to talk too.” I personally related to this statement because a couple of weeks ago while at the bar with some of my friends and my girlfriend of 6 years. A guy approached my girlfriend while I was getting us drinks and asked her to dance. She replied and said no because she was there with me, he then got mad and started cursing at her and calling her all types of names. (I guess alcohol isn’t for some people) but theres no reason to end the story seeing that the inmate already stated a man will do anything to keep a woman from harm, enough said. I also agree with the inmate because I think the man of the relationship should always be there when his girlfriend is in need of anything, whether a shoulder to sleep or cry on, a ear to talk to, or someone to stick up for her. A man should always be there. The “ass holes” that aren’t clearly were not brought up the right way as children. These are the type of men that are embarrassing what a man truly is. Another thing that I strongly agree with is when the inmate dedicated part of his letter to all the woman he has truly hurt or offended in his life. After reading this letter I hope woman have a better understand of what a man truly is, and what he stands for. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 23:28:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/what-a-man-is/#IDComment141115058 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/b-s-response/#IDComment137607487 After reading this, my misconceptions have been challenged and made me rethink them. First of all, I must admit I did think that most people that were facing life sentences committed murder or attempted murder, but i'm not surprised that Pennsylvania would have a law like that. I feel that particular law isn't unjust and is unjust. It honors the person who died by giving the people involved in their death a punishment. I feel the severity of the punishment should have varied by how much a person was involved in the death. B shouldn't have been sentenced such a long sentence, but should have been convicted of something. I would also bring to attention that B is truly experiencing the true purpose of prison, which is rehabilitation. I feel like most people that go in and out of prison truly don't get the true meaning and the significance of why prison was placed in this society. B uses music playing and art making as an outlet for the situation at hand. Most prisoners should take up some type of hobby to help them cope with difficult situations. B also talks about the drug use and the parental abuse ,and these two are some what of an cause and effect in B's life. Drugs were an early outlet for B when his father was physically abusing him, but now prison has provided a different type of outlet for him to escape to mentally through music, drawings, and paintings. This letter expresses what B wants us to understand about him and about how life works. This letter also provides a great insight on what a prisoner who is facing life in prison is thinking. Its basically like a diary or journal entry of an inmate which it definitely seems like it. This letter provides us audience with an idea of how courageous and humble B is for this particular situation. Not everyone should be put in a stereotypical group, because we all have a different way to express ourself no mater what people expect us to be. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:09:04 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/b-s-response/#IDComment137607487 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/07/who-am-i/#IDComment135948873 This article written by J.V.G. Struck many interests when I read it. “Who am I” brought up some good points about how people take freedom for granted. In the past couple of posts from the inmates, they talked about how they couldn't remember life outside of prison. I am glad to hear that J.V.G. Is able to retain most of his life outside of prison. Sometimes its those thoughts that help you make it through jail. Freedom is defined as being free willed, and having the ability to make choices by yourself. While being in jail you obviously don’t have these privileges, and unfortunately some people don’t realize what freedom truly is until they are in jail. This article touched close to home because I recently had a close friend that was sent to jail for armed robbery for 2 years. He is 20 years old now, and I can truly say his two years in prison in no match to what the lifers do but he came back a changed man. He is involved in many church, and group home activities to keep himself out of trouble. After talking with him he stressed the fact that the only thing that kept him strong in prison was the thought of his family, his child, and his remorse for what he did to the victim in the robbery. He felt bad for all the pain he put his family and loved ones through. He was only 17 when he made this bad decision that changed his life for ever. A lot of people put sterotypes on criminals and those who are doing life in prison. I personally think that lifers and people doing time are the same people that you and I are; caring,and have families that care about them. We shouldn't take advantage of what type of people they areand make steroetypes but we should accept them for who they were, and who they are trying to turn themselves around to. My perspective has truly changed after reading these chain letters from the lifers that are in prison. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:07:10 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/07/who-am-i/#IDComment135948873 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/aging-out/#IDComment132475737 When reading this article “Aging Out” from inmate Tyrone A. Werts I immediately wanted to start a petition to try and help lifers be eligible for Parole after a certain amount of years. I think that 25 years is enough time for a lifer to do in prison; he has enough time to realize his impact on society and try and change as a human being. Prime example Tyrone Werts, look at all he has accomplished with his life. From being involved in numerous programs, projects, and committees. When a jury sees all that a man can accomplish while being in jail for such a long period of time has done they should agree by enforcing parole for lifers. Anything past 25 years is just cruel and unjust. Not to consider the impact that it has on our everyday life. With crime increasing at a fast rate the jail is going to be filled up with way to many lifers, and other convicts. The cost of keeping an inmate in prison for a year is about 30,000 dollars. I don't see why the communities taxes have to be raised because the justice systems cruel acts. I feel like instead of keeping prisoners in jail and building new prisons and raising tax dollars I think the state of PA should set up a program that should let lifers get out of prison on parole after 25 years of their sentence. After proving a strong case to the jury of how, and why they think they should be released from prison. The prison can't expect a person to stay in a cell for the rest of their life without going insane. Thats why I think they should lower the life sentence, and allow lifers to get out after 25 years of their sentence on parole. But while on parole they should have to enroll in numerous activities that Tyrone did in jail outside of jail on a daily bases. They were once people like us to, I'm sure if you were in their shoes you would strongly agree with article to promote the decrease in lifers sentences. Fri, 4 Mar 2011 22:04:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/aging-out/#IDComment132475737 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130696463 When I hear the word fear a million thoughts run through my mind. After reading this letter from the inmate it changed my perspective on the world fear. Fear is apart of our everyday life even though we try to avoid it, we still live with this burden which is very unhealthy. In some religions across the world humans are taught to fear nothing but there “God”. But in todays world we let the littlest things shake us or scare us. I mean when reading this letter from the inmate there were many things that he said that I was actually scared of as well in the past. When he say “I fear not waking up every morning.” This is a thought that runs throughout my head all night. Nothing is promised to us so I have gotten over that fear by talking a look outside of my life and looked at the fact that death is going to happen no matter what. We shouldn't fear it or constantly let it burden us but we should try and live everyday to its fullest because you never know when your last day could be. Another line in this passage that related to me was “I fear never having a normal life”. Many people in today's society think that there all alone. That everyone else is living a perfect life except for them. I once too was this person; thinking that no one would accept me because I'm far from the regular person. Once again I took a look out of my own shoes and looked at all the strings attached to my life and realized that no one has a normal life. Every one will always have that certain thing that makes them unique or different from the normal life. An this makes us who we are. Many people deal with fear differently, some people live different life's because they are ashamed that there unique, and different life would not fit in to the normal life. Some people become addicted to alcohol, drugs, and other ways to vent there fear. I personally think that fear is a strong word to use, and should only be used when referring to a “God”. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:18:31 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130696463 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130696210 When I hear the word fear a million thoughts run through my mind. After reading this letter from the inmate it changed my perspective on the world fear. Fear is apart of our everyday life even though we try to avoid it, we still live with this burden which is very unhealthy. In some religions across the world humans are taught to fear nothing but there “God”. But in todays world we let the littlest things shake us or scare us. I mean when reading this letter from the inmate there were many things that he said that I was actually scared of as well in the past. When he say “I fear not waking up every morning.” This is a thought that runs throughout my head all night. Nothing is promised to us so I have gotten over that fear by talking a look outside of my life and looked at the fact that death is going to happen no matter what. We shouldn't fear it or constantly let it burden us but we should try and live everyday to its fullest because you never know when your last day could be. Another line in this passage that related to me was “I fear never having a normal life”. Many people in today's society think that there all alone. That everyone else is living a perfect life except for them. I once too was this person; thinking that no one would accept me because I'm far from the regular person. Once again I took a look out of my own shoes and looked at all the strings attached to my life and realized that no one has a normal life. Every one will always have that certain thing that makes them unique or different from the normal life. An this makes us who we are. Many people deal with fear differently, some people live different life's because they are ashamed that there unique, and different life would not fit in to the normal life. Some people become addicted to alcohol, drugs, and other ways to vent there fear. I personally think that fear is a strong word to use, and should only be used when referring to a “God”. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:16:54 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/24/fear/#IDComment130696210 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/13/the-other-side/#IDComment128944375 My faith in God gave me the courage to be still and listen to the person I hurt. Then I knew how to express my regret and remorse, so that there could be peace and healing in our lives.The man behind this letter is a man who is truly regretful for his immature and selfish acts. A 15 year old child that is murdered is never to be take lightly. It must of been hard for the inmate to face himself for a while after the situation. Taking someones life is something that is not accepted in today's society so it must have been hard for the inmate to face himself day to day after the murder. Everyday in prison must of been like hell to him honestly. Being trapped in a room with the thoughts of murdering a child is terrible. A couple of sentences that hit me the hardest was when he wrote "My fairth in God gave me the courage to be still and listen to the person I hurt. Then I knew how to express my regret and remorse, so that there could be peace and healing in our lives." When someone usually commits a murder and is caught that person will most likely go to a religion for a an answer or some type of forgiveness. In some religions its called a “repent”. When the inmate feels that everyone has turned their backs on him because of the murder he committed he will turn to religion to sort off give him that sense off forgiveness. I am glad to see that he was able to realize the size and impact of his actions and ask for forgiveness from the family and from his religion. Many would consider this inmate a cold blooded killer but in my eyes and many other peoples they can look past his previous actions. He was 15 when he committed the murder I think he should be convicted but not for life. I feel like he should have received more like 40 years for the murder. Give him enough time to realize his actions and hopefully find a new person in himself. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:17:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/13/the-other-side/#IDComment128944375 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/09/4092/#IDComment127464767 When I read "remember" a number of thoughts ran through my head. I began to feel bad for this inmate with life in prison for committing a murder. Having everything that he cared about, and who he thought cared about him losing contact with him just because he is in jail. He was obviously going through a lot of emotional problems while being in prison. It seems like since committing the murder at a very young age he has been haunted from it and all he can think about day in and out. He thinks about it so much that he cant remember any memories about what mattered and cared in his life. I honestly don't think I could ever forget about the things he couldn't remember. For the inmate this memory will probably never leave his mind. This man is 26 years into his 50 years sentence and has been in jail for so long that he has lost all that he ever knew. With no visits from any loved ones or friends must make this experience extremely hard for him. Maybe he didn't want to remember his past? There are a couple of sentences that stuck with me the most. "I cannot remember the last time I heard from a woman i dated, was friends with, loved, or thought I loved, or the one I married". Thats serious; this inmate has lost all contact with some of the most important people in his life, one of them was his wife. I have a couple of friends that are in jail for life or for a long period of time that have girlfriends with children that are still committed to the boyfriends or husbands in prison. For him not to hear from his WIFE at all is extremely hard on him. This must mean that his wife is really embarrassed of his actions, and wants nothing to do with him. Another sentence is "I can remember the pain, suffering and anguish that he caused his family, and the victims family". This might be the main reason why he is blind to his past. He must be haunted with his actions of killing the kid due to his stupidity everyday for the past 26 years. Thats a lot of terrible thoughts. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 03:23:22 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/09/4092/#IDComment127464767 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/the-other-side-of-life/#IDComment126070709 When first reading this mans story i was shocked but understood. Seeing that I from a community that has experienced a great deal of youth violence over the years. I personally was in a bad situation at a young age that altered my view on life. I was at my bestfriend's birthday party at the age of 7 while a gang approached his brother at the party about some other issues and stabbed him several times in front of all the children. For me personally i was shocked by the situation. This incident has made me appreciate my life so much more because you never know when your life can end. The kid that stabbed my friends brother was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is now serving his 12th year. He realized what he had done affected the lives of many people and he understood the impact of his act, and is now practicing to become a pastor. This is a good example when it comes to growing in the grace of god. The person in the incident was also in the same shoes because they both committed murder at a very young age and sent to jail. I believe that he made and immature decision in his life that had a negative affect on it. I feel like if he was in the same situation 10 years down the road he wouldn't have committed the murder, and gone about things in a different matter. I think the invisible strings we talked about in class played a major part in he decision to murder someone. Maybe something in his past made him lash out, like child abuse, being raped at a young age, or living in a bad environment. I feel as if the man in the story has truly developed as a person and realizes the negative affect he has had on the people around him as well as his life. For some it will talk a lifetime to realize the gravity of there actions on the community. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 04:15:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/the-other-side-of-life/#IDComment126070709 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cd%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment123701015 soc 001 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:56:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cd%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment123701015 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment122709821 I am thankful for Sam sharing this letter with our class. Even though he is doing life in prison he has realized what he did wrong and is admitting to it and trying to change completely, and I am glad to see that he was able to understand and move on. Some might say that a person who commits murder should never get out of jail and sit there for the rest of there lives in misery. I believe this but I also believe while the inmate is doing time in jail he or her is learning about life; how they can make their life better, others, and there loved ones and what their purpose is in life. I also believe that jail is filled with the worst men, but most of those men have changed due to life changing experiences inside, and outside of jail. The inmate is right by saying compassion is not a commodity held for the innocent. I believe that it can also be held by people who are convicted killers, drug dealers or who ever is in jail. I come from a very gang related area in New York and ive pretty much seen it all. From shootings, prostitutes, gangs, and drugs. I have seen innocent teenagers get convicted of murder and are facing 25 years to life. But then you have the incidents with actual gang violence ect. I am apart of the prison ministry at my church on Long Island that reaches out the community. Our goal is to reach out to convicted killers and gang members, and talk to them about how they are doing on the inside, and what they are going to do differently on the outside if they ever make it out of jail. We also talk to them about how in our religion “God” still loves them no mater what they have done as long as they repent. Being apart of this experience has changed my life for the better. Just knowing that there are so many people behind bars that are willing to change, and that have already changed. I believe jail can change anyone’s life around. Some for the better, some for the worse. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:03:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment122709821