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In Reply to: Need some help from other parents whose kids have gone to jail posted by Karen (reposted) on June 22, 2002 at 06:41:47:
Karen, my son was caught with marijuana and put in jail at age 17. We left him there for 10 days hoping he would really change but he didn't. They said that since he was a first time offender, we couldn't leave him in there any longer. So we took him out and he went on probation. After several months his probation officer arrested him again saying he was not a good candidate for probation because he wasn't obeying the rules and paying the fines on time. So back in he went. For quite a long time, he thought it would be for 6 months. It was sheer hell - in a huge room with a lot of other guys, lights never out, always noisy, food terrible. He looked so pathetic and miserable. Then he was transferred to a nicer prison and put on a work detail and that was when he found out he would only be in for 2 months total. On his last day, the Sheriff got in his face and said, "Son, if you don't shape up, next time I'll make sure you go to state prison, not this Club Med place, and for a minimum of 1 year." He scared Paul to death. And Paul has never touched drugs since. Won't even let anyone in his car who smokes marijuana. He just doesn't dare. There is one thing he knows to the core of his being and that is that he does not want to do anything illegal. So my advice to you is to let the prison system do what it can to change your son's thinking. And pray as though everything depends on prayer, because it does. Prison shapes kids up. I know several who have been to jail who really changed when they got out. Just bring him money because they use it to buy stamps and get extra food. They're not allowed any books unless sent from the publisher. In every prison there is a chaplain, so get in touch with the prison's chaplain and get him to spend time with your son. Even if he doesn't do it personally, the chaplain will find an inmate who's turned his life around and ask him to befriend your son. God has ways of reaching people. But prayer is the key. If you are not covering your kids with prayer, you're really leaving them open to all kinds of things. If you need something to help you get started, buy The Power of a Praying Mother by Stormie O'Martian.
