Transfer Complete

Sam was transferred to Camp George West in Golden today, less than one week after receiving his work release papers. This kind of expedience in the prison system is unheard of. The typical pace of processing an inmate is as slow as humanly possible. Now, after 18 months of pure drudgery, this new plan is picking up momentum at a pace that is quite unnerving.

Camp George is a minimum security correctional facility with the job of preparing prisoners for release and is merely 10 minutes from our homes. There are educational and work release opportunities. I don't know how long Sam will actually be there. Sudden and unexpected transfers like these are unusual and clearly show desperation by the state to create space wherever they can.

There are several reasons why Sam may be a candidate for release as these state run facilities begin to fill up with all the transfers from closing private prisons. First offense, no history of violence, gets along well with others, he worked to obtain his GED immediately while incarcerated, and most importantly, the prison system is bulging at the seams. He also received many visits and letters and books while incarcerated, showing a substantial and loving support system that is ready to embrace him.

Now that Sam is out of Crowley, I can finally admit how much I hated that place. The armpit of hell. Most of the staff just didn't seem to care. Now that I know they were all losing their jobs, it makes sense. Regardless, the environment felt incredibly toxic and I am so grateful we can now only look back on it.

One reason I despised it so much? Last summer, during a tornado warning, the prisoners were locked down and the guards left. Over the loud speaker, the prisoners were told that if anything goes down, they are on their own, as if they didn't even matter. As a parent who would normally call bullshit on crap like this, I had to remain silent because doing so might make things worse for Sam. Silence in the face of injustice is not my strong suit.

Sam is a fantastic young man with a heroin problem. Sure I am his mom and biased but anyone who knows him will agree that he is a funny and kind soul who is loved by so many. He is someone who people like to hang out with because he is so chill and comes up with the best one-liners.

He has so many reasons to live and thrive and now he is quite likely to receive the tremendous gift of being released much earlier than expected. Will he recognize it as such and honor the opportunity?

I can't predict the outcome but as his family, we are ready to support him and love him and fight for him. We are also ready to accept the fact that we are merely spectators who have no longer have any actual jurisdiction over his life.

Yesterday, we thought we had months rather than years to prepare for Sam's release. Today, we realize that it could be merely weeks.

Tonight, we decided that we will paint and fix up his room at his Dad's house so that it feels new and different to him when he returns. Why? Because this is what parents who can do nothing do. They place importance on potentially meaningless tasks in hopes that it might make a difference.

It was my idea and Sam's dad agreed whether he really wanted to or not. At least it will give us a focus.

We plan, the Universe laughs. Where there is life, there is hope. #nomoreshame