Treat ‘em Like Dogs (Please)

When my son was first convicted, I was thrust into an arena that was beyond my wildest fears. The chaos and destruction of my world was devastating. My son was suicidal and in a system that could not and would not help me help him. I knew in my heart that I would fight every day for his life.

I Used to Be Different. Now I’m the Same

Only when my personal reality was shattered did I realize all of my assumptions were built on quicksand. October 24, 2012 is when everything changed. That was the day my son went to prison. As one of the new friends I made in line waiting to visit him later told me: “Honey, that’s the day you became...

Memorial Day in Full Measure

“I guess I want people to know that while they certainly fought for country, they died protecting their buddies.” Perhaps then, the greatest wish of the fallen hero would be to continue to care for his buddies – those still alive, still struggling to adjust. To make things right and to make them whole.

When It Hits Your Doorstep: Vincia’s Story

If I could only look a parent in the eye who happens to also be a policy maker, I would ask, “how do you want my son to return to society?” Or better even, “is it starting to make more sense to care how my son will return to society?”

Criminal Justice Reform: The Victim’s Point Of View

Criminal justice reform is happening all across the country—reducing jail and prison populations through alternative sentencing. However, most professionals engaged in reform are focused solely on the perpetrators of crime, not the victims.

Ban the Box

I’ve heard so much talk recently about this “Ban the Box” initiative. I just learned a little bit more about it. Apparently, a company or an agency can eliminate the box on a job application that asks if you’ve ever been arrested or convicted of a crime.

Blaming Basil Eleby

Since the collapse of Atlanta’s I-85 expanse at the Buford-Spring connector, emotions have been ignited and people want answers. Why was he still on the street after so many arrests? How long can he be locked away this time, once and for all? What judges kept letting him out? Did the District Attorney drop the ball? How much is all this going to cost us as taxpayers?

Paying For Crime

But consider a third party, those who also pay when a crime is committed- the taxpayers. From a literal perspective, it is taxpayers' dollars used to build and maintain the prison system across the Land of the Free.