What Current Prison Policy Means to People Like Me

People are being released from prison. Obama has commuted some sentences, but even moreso, people who were sentenced under mandatory minimums are starting to get their sentences reduced because Congress passed laws that took a new look at drug crimes. Ten years for a non-violent drug offense really is too long behind bars!!!!

So, what does this mean for people like me - people like Freckles? Well, according to my P.O., the federal probation offices are about to get SWAMPED with people getting out of prison who have spent a lot of time inside. They need to reduce their loads.

Every month, a new list of people are being brought before the judge to have their federal supervision ended early. For some, it's earlier than even expected. The federal probation office needs to release the people who are doing everything right on supervision so that they can handle the new caseload. They are starting with people who had LONG federal supervision sentences - like 5-10 year federal supervision sentences (some already serving 4 years without a single violation). Those people are finally being released fully from federal supervision. Ah, real freedom!! They earned it! Still a felon, but not having to ask permission to leave the state, being able to get a passport again, and not having to check-in all the time - well, that is something!

My P.O. says that my name will be on that list soon --- "perhaps sooner than I thought." I was happy to hear those words. I hope Freckles hears those words soon too! I know her supervision started after mine, but still, I want her freedom too. I believe Lola's supervision is to start soon... I hope it doesn't have to last forever as well. As long as we keep paying our restitution, do the right next thing, stay out of trouble (which we were never in before), and give back to society, I think it's a blessing to be able to move forward with our lives.

I'm not sure when my name will be on that list and sent to the judge. I'm just grateful to know that one day, soon, I will be able to pick up the phone and tell my dad that I'm going to visit and not have to worry about getting permission for the trip.