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

inantit · #1 01-17-2012, 11:27 PM

I was a member of this site back in 2oo6 when my dad was in scdc...i forgot the password and had to create a new account....but I remember there were allot of "regulars" on here....people knew each others names...the mods communicated with the members...there was a ton of info and even more support! People were arranging get to gethers and birthday celebrations....it was allot more interactive and allot better! People were researching new legislation...starting patitions...and acomplishing things! State representatives were contacted by the masses and changes were happning...slowly....but still! Weres kahlan? Whats happened? Barring 2 or 3 members who are ever so helpful, nice, and informative....theres nothing going on here! We need to rally up yall! Look back at the stickies and threads from 2oo6 at the commradade happing in this very thread....its a far cry today from what it was...we have the power to change that! Everyone has a skill...some are better at things than others....lets all offer up our individual skills to make this more than a q&a forum....lets make pto great again! Anyone with me?

inantit · #2 01-17-2012, 11:35 PM

I just remebered....back in 2oo5 or 2oo6 there was a lady named sheila or sherry...and her husband went to scdc for 2 years...well she found out she was pregnant and wasnt working. She had relocated to sc with her husband and had no family here. She didnt wamt to go back home (canada) because she would mever see her husband..or even be able to tlk to him because.of international phone rates....and pto members threw her a baby shower...one guy rented her his beach house to live in until the baby was 6 months old for free....thats an extreme case but I thought I would bring it up just to drive the point im trying to make home....this.site has the potential to do great things..and we are all great in our own right...so we should really step up and see what we can do....any ideas from anyone appreciated....im not quote sure how to start, but I wanna start! Dont be shy....speak up yall

GailSC · #3 01-18-2012, 07:21 AM

Count me in!!!!! I'll be around for the next 6-1/2 years unfortunately. It really helps to share with others who really understand. And if they're in SC, that makes it even better!!!

-Gail

seeyouin10 · #4 01-18-2012, 07:45 AM

I will be around for the next 9 years and some change unless we get a miracle. The only reason I will be leaving the site is if he is released, but I'm sure even after that I will check in and provide updates, etc. I try to help people based on my experience within SCDC to the best of my ability. I remember how overwhelmed I was when he first went into R&E and I had no idea what to do. It was from this site I learned I could write him without the housing info and there was a good chance the letter would make it to him. Lo and behold it did and he was able to write me back. It was actually pretty funny because he couldn't remember our home address so he had to get it from my envelope. It's amazing the things you don't remember or forget when push comes to shove.

I wasn't here many years ago, but it did look like it was a much more active board at that time. I think once people's LO's get out of prison, they want to forget the experience as much as possible. It is, after all, highly traumatic. It's something I would never wish on anyone to have to go through.

JRO14 · #5 01-18-2012, 10:06 AM

My names Pam and I'm in!!!I'll be here for at least 5yrs and would love for this site to get going. I hope to get to know all of you and eventually be able to meet yall in person,that would be great!

seeyouin10 · #6 01-18-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRO14

My names Pam and I'm in!!!I'll be here for at least 5yrs and would love for this site to get going. I hope to get to know all of you and eventually be able to meet yall in person,that would be great!

I agree, that would be awesome. I am in Lexington so I'm kind of centrally located in the state. It would be nice to have people to talk to that truly understand what going through this mess is like. Family members are great (sometimes), but having someone who truly understands offers a whole different level of support.

seeyouin10 · #7 01-18-2012, 11:30 AM

Oh yea, and I nominate inantit to be the organizer! : )

Hitmansco · #8 01-18-2012, 04:17 PM

My pp gets released in 2028

GailSC · #9 01-18-2012, 04:56 PM

I'm in Lexington too! My son is at Evans in Bennettsville.

avitaia · #10 01-18-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GailSC

I'm in Lexington too! My son is at Evans in Bennettsville.

My husband is at Evans too. He has 7 years.

inantit · #11 01-18-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeyouin10

Oh yea, and I nominate inantit to be the organizer! : )

Lol...i kinda figured that! Maybe with help ill be up to it! Im a dreamer...some of that type A personality may come in handy with the organization of things!
btw....my name is Jamie...and my boyfriend ( who I call my husband legal issue...long story) is in prison for the next 2 years! Im up for doing anything I can so we can qll benefit from one another...support each other....and maybe even make some really good friends along the way!

mossyoaks · #12 01-18-2012, 09:47 PM

I'm with you sister! (or brother?). Forums on the internet where folks with 'something' in common can share, ask questions and get answers is one of the most revolutionary and socially redeeming aspects of this world wide web. Over the years, I've gotten advice/help in repairing my BMWs, fixing my appliances, understanding DIY building skills, maintaining my Toyota, discussing addiction, pet health and most importantly understanding the SC Prison System! These forums are great!

When my son entered into the SCDC, I was pretty broken up emotionally. I have never even known anyone that has done hard time, let alone a family member. But after finding PTO, soooo many of my questions were answered.

And now that I have been able to visit my boy regularly and speak with him on the phone almost daily, I'm at peace.

All of our situations and backgrounds are different, but we all have one thing in common. That's the beauty of this site.

I hope I can offer comfort to others as I have been comforted with the information I've gotten on this forum.

I pledge to make PTO a regular stop in my daily internet browsing routine and hope to see others here as well.

inantit · #13 01-18-2012, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mossyoaks

I'm with you sister! (or brother?). Forums on the internet where folks with 'something' in common can share, ask questions and get answers is one of the most revolutionary and socially redeeming aspects of this world wide web. Over the years, I've gotten advice/help in repairing my BMWs, fixing my appliances, understanding DIY building skills, maintaining my Toyota, discussing addiction, pet health and most importantly understanding the SC Prison System! These forums are great!

When my son entered into the SCDC, I was pretty broken up emotionally. I have never even known anyone that has done hard time, let alone a family member. But after finding PTO, soooo many of my questions were answered.

And now that I have been able to visit my boy regularly and speak with him on the phone almost daily, I'm at peace.

All of our situations and backgrounds are different, but we all have one thing in common. That's the beauty of this site.

I hope I can offer comfort to others as I have been comforted with the information I've gotten on this forum.

I pledge to make PTO a regular stop in my daily internet browsing routine and hope to see others here as well.

Hi mossyoaks...im Jamie (sister.) Nice to cyber meet you! How is your son doing? Where is he located at? My hubby is still in R&E...this is his second time in scdc for driving charges. Once was for driving under suspension and now for failure to stop for officer....he has 2 years this time, and I, like you, find pto invaluable! matter of fact im going right now to start a thread in the mail forum...im trying to revive the sc portion of the site! Lol

GailSC · #14 01-18-2012, 11:45 PM

I saw on the SCDC website that spring packages will be available to order beginning March 13th!

inantit · #15 01-19-2012, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GailSC

I saw on the SCDC website that spring packages will be available to order beginning March 13th!

Thanks...ive been wondering ya know! Lol

seeyouin10 · #16 01-19-2012, 06:32 AM

Yay packages!! He will be SO happy. I think he still has stuff leftover from the fall package last year. Lieber is ordering Chinese food for them on Friday that will be delivered in a little over a month. The last time they ordered out it was pizza. His order is expected to be around $20. Holy cow.

I never knew it was so expensive to have a LO in prison. Between phone calls, canteen, travel to/from visitation, etc., I am amazed at how much I have spent so far and he's only had access to all of these things since July 2011 after leaving R&E.

GailSC · #17 01-19-2012, 06:35 AM

I hear ya!!!!!! Between canteen, books, gas each weekend for the 2 hr drive to visit, and money for the vending key ... CRAZY expensive!!!

seeyouin10 · #18 01-19-2012, 07:49 AM

Oh God, I totally forgot the vending key. I learned last week I can pay off the $250 DNA fee they charge when the guys are admitted to SCDC. When they told me the balance owed on the fee, I did some quick math in my head and I was like, "Oh my God...I've sent him over $2,000 since July!!" Holy crap!! If the public only knew how little SCDC supplies and how much families have to spend, they would stop screaming about the money it takes to house inmates. They just have no idea what the truth is.

GailSC · #19 01-19-2012, 08:58 AM

I know!! I've been overdoing the canteen money , but I just feel like its ALL he has!!! At one of our visits he had figured that if I keep sending $75-100/week, I'll have given him over $32,000 over the course of his time!!! Holy crap!!!! Not EVEN counting the other stuff!!! No wonder I'm freakin broke!!! lol.

seeyouin10 · #20 01-19-2012, 09:23 AM

I feel like canteen items are the only items (outside of the package) that he has close to "home" kinds of things. We were talking last week and he said how much he wants to go to Waffle House for the All-Star Special, go to the gas station for his Monster Loca Moca and would kill for a pack of Camel Crush cigarettes. The simple pleasure I get from going to McDonald's and getting a caramel frappe is a luxury he hasn't had in 9 months and it breaks my heart. It especially kills me when the facts of his case are starting to really come to light and it's looking like he should never have been sent to prison in the first place. It just seems like there is no justice in the world anymore.

choclgs · #21 01-19-2012, 02:41 PM

I think most people browse and look for information much of the time. Many of the members I'd gotten familiar with don't frequent PTO much because of family responsibilities beyond their loved one being in SCDC, they've been released and don't look back, or they need a breather.

I've fit in all of those categories. I've spent hours on here researching answers that I've needed, sought it as a refuge to feel like someone understands ~this life~, and taken a vacation from it to regroup and deal with anything not associated with prison/internet.

So don't feel like the lack of recent posts or activity means no ones around here. I'd encourage all of you who've just become members to browse other forums beyond SC's because a lot of folks here share our experiences, they're just miles away

Kahlan · #22 01-20-2012, 09:23 PM

Thanks for remembering me! I spent quite a lot of time here and met some great friends! We did have get-togethers and called each other on the phone. I spent many hours working on the SC forum and keeping it updated with descriptive thread titles and legislative information. I was completely lost when my guy was arrested. I walked around terrified but feeling numb. I didn't have anyone to talk to and didn't know how to find out what was going to happen to him or even where he was. This site saved my sanity and gave me friends that I could turn to. Some I'm sure will be friends for life!

I had visions of him coming home with loads of knowledge and helping me answer the questions of others. But he came home not wanting to talk about it and even though I loved him with all my heart, there was a lot of adjusting to do for both of us. Before that, I started having trouble at work and had to cut back on my time here to try to keep my job and I was needed to help some of my family members with problems that they were having. PTO worked with me to keep me on as a moderator but I just couldn't keep up and decided to step down.

Things are better now. My job is mostly ok and my guy and I are doing fine. I still love him with all my heart and wonder how I ever got along without him for 5 years. I'm planning to stop by more often. Keep talking to each other and caring for each other. It helps more than you know! Thanks again for remembering me and I will see you around!

- Kahlan

lteal1979 · #23 01-20-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeyouin10

I feel like canteen items are the only items (outside of the package) that he has close to "home" kinds of things. We were talking last week and he said how much he wants to go to Waffle House for the All-Star Special, go to the gas station for his Monster Loca Moca and would kill for a pack of Camel Crush cigarettes. The simple pleasure I get from going to McDonald's and getting a caramel frappe is a luxury he hasn't had in 9 months and it breaks my heart. It especially kills me when the facts of his case are starting to really come to light and it's looking like he should never have been sent to prison in the first place. It just seems like there is no justice in the world anymore.

We are at a loss as to what we should do to help our son. I am open for suggestions for organizations to plug in to or places to look for information. As soon as I can get my act together, I plan to make a little noise about the rediculous charges and sentences given by the courts and the lack of common sense in our legal system. If I am smart enough to connect the dots, i know our legeslators can see what a mess is being made by people who just don't care.