My unexpected prison family journey began in 2011. It rocked my world when we received that middle of the night phone call about my son’s arrest. Then months later after his sentencing to state prison, the rocking gave way to shaking. Honestly, I felt like my life ended as I did not know how to move on with life. I secluded myself inside my own home—allowing the enemy to erect bars of despair and depression around my heart. As I…
Just weeks after our son’s arrest, a colleague told me, “Shonda, be sure you put your hope in God because man will fail you.” That sounded like good advice and I really intended to practice it. As the investigation continued, we hired an attorney and we learned more about the situation. The attorney shared information with us that gave us hope. In hindsight, I can honestly say I put my hope in the attorney and the justice system instead of…
As a mother who has an incarcerated son, I’ve had the opportunity to met other family members who also have loved ones imprisoned. In my conversations with others, I’ve heard heartbreaking stories how these loved ones did not receive a fair trial. They may be guilty of the crime, but received a sentence that does not fit the offense. Or they may be innocent, but convicted and sentenced to prison. The common thread in my conversations with others is that…
In a place of heartbreak and confusion after my son’s trial, conviction, and sentencing, I was confused by the actuality that not all the facts and evidence were allowed to be presented in the trial for the jury to consider. Combined with the agony I felt because my son allowed himself to be placed in a situation that led to his conviction and the heartache I felt for the victims families, I ended up in a state of anguish. Though…