Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

jr214wifey · #1 03-05-2012, 01:00 PM

I am starting to get a lil worried & depressed over the fact that we don't have enough support letters or even support for that matter. BBY comes up for his 1st parole in July on a 6yr agg robbery charge. I kno tha chances of him making his 1st parole on a agg charge are slim but I feel like having no proof of support makes it even impossible to get approved. As of right now he has 1 support letter from our church pastor. Thats it. I have begun to wrk on my mine but I feel like all the pressure is on me to say the right things. IDK even kno where to begin with my letter. Ive seen examples but I'm not good at this. I guess alot has to do with nerves & stress. I dnt have very many ppl to ask for help or to write support letters themselves. His fam...well I rather not say exactly how I feel abt them but they are a lost cause when it comes to helping in any way shape or form. My fam supports me but Ive talked abt this subject with them & none have offered their help & I jus hate to ask. Idk why Im sayin all this but guess jus to vent & mayb get advise from others who've been here before. Thanks for taking a min to listen

**Renee** · #2 03-05-2012, 02:09 PM

Have hope! I only had three letters - mine, his parents', and his. In my experience, the board looks more closely at his letter than any other. As long as the letters show that he has continuing support, that should be enough! Good luck!

jr214wifey · #3 03-05-2012, 02:38 PM

THANKS Renee! This is exactly the kinda feed back I was hoping for. Seems like everyone always has tons of support letters & job offers & it kinda had me a lil discouraged. So was he approved his time around?

**Renee** · #4 03-06-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr214wifey

THANKS Renee! This is exactly the kinda feed back I was hoping for. Seems like everyone always has tons of support letters & job offers & it kinda had me a lil discouraged. So was he approved his time around?

My guy got a serve all in Oct 2009, but was released on his PRD in Jan 2010. It does happen!

WilcoMom · #5 03-05-2012, 03:23 PM

Its not the quantity of letters that matters, its the quality. They are busy people, and have a lot of reviews to do. They will not spend a lot of time reading mountains of letters, they are more likely to read one or two. You're better off with two very well worded, supportive letters. I think the one from the minister is great, and a well worded one from you will be the best thing you can do.

*Firebrand* · #6 03-05-2012, 06:41 PM

As long as he’s got you and has a good attitude about doing the right thing when he gets out, that’s all he needs. His day is coming where freedom is concerned and there will be a time when this is a memory of what was as opposed to what he is going through in the here and now. That time shall come and until then…..it’s a hard thing to say and it took me a number of years to see this, but the truth is time takes care of the relationships and the people in our lives that we’re destined to love and be close to. Those that fade are just that; they fade away.

The last two times I made parole I didn’t have any support letters or much comfort from anyone who was family and perhaps rightfully so in their eyes. Still, I got out and I’m someone who’s been to prison twice for robbery. I’m in the process of living down a 25 year sentence for robbery right now that is just past the halfway mark.

The Parole board is influenced by 3 things when it comes to granting parole and beyond popular opinion, one them is not support letters. The nature of the offense, how much time you’ve served on your sentence and what you’ve done to better yourself & behave are and always have been the things they consider the most. It’ll be alright. Don’t let anyone one else steal your joy or your hope. He’s blessed to have you and you’re to be admired for standing beside him through all this.

jr214wifey · #7 03-05-2012, 07:04 PM

Thank u Wilco mom I'm sure ur right & I am going to do jus that and leave the rest in Gods hands

jr214wifey · #8 03-05-2012, 07:09 PM

Firebrand I dnt think a million thnx wld b enuff for ur kind words. It's been a horrible day but ur words truly moved me. Thank u! And I am glad u r coming along on ur own path to freedom. Thanks & God bless!

ShoesHappen · #9 03-05-2012, 07:13 PM

My husband had ONE support letter, from me, and I basically told them what they wanted to hear about job offers, going to church, etc. He made parole that go around.
However, I doubt they even look at those, they spend an average of less than one minute per file.

jr214wifey · #10 03-05-2012, 07:20 PM

Wow rlly? Well congrats to u both! And thank for giving me hope again. I guess I'm not the only one in these shoes & if others have made it so can we

CenTexLyn · #11 03-05-2012, 09:26 PM

Parole votes are NOT made or broken on the support letters. I have seen favorable votes with no letters whatsoever and I have seen denials in cases where it seemed like half the western world wrote letters. The votes are based on the overall risk factors inherent in the case (ie. the likelihood of recidivism).

jr214wifey · #12 03-06-2012, 04:35 AM

Thanx again. The more that point is being made the more I realize support letters r jus a small factor in the parole process. I'm thankful for what we do have and the rest is outta my hands when it comes to the voting. Lol @the western comment!