Coming Home

My son who is in prison has been granted his parole. He will be moved to a halfway house the end of the summer. Then he will be coming here.

Besides being frustrating at times the process is amazing. Long but an interesting study.

Months before an inmate is eligible for parole he requests in writing for a parole hearing. Once it is determined that all requirements have been met and all the paperwork is properly filled out a hearing is scheduled.

Most parole hearings are not like you see on TV or read about in the news. They are more like meetings of the parole board. Often the prisoner is not included.

The board decides whether the minimum amount of time is served according to the original sentence. They figure in "good" time meaning allowances for good behavior. Any fights or infractions of rules that are on the record are considered.

Family ties, where the parolee will live, and job prospects can figure into consideration. If the inmate was convicted of a crime of violence against another person (my son was not) statements from victims will be considered.

In the meantime the inmate has given the name and address of the person he will be living with until he can live on his own. That person is contacted by someone who is responsible for examining the home.

They need to check criminal backgrounds of each person residing there. The house is inspected. They want to see where the parolee will sleep, etc. They also need to make sure no weapons or contraband are on the premises.

If everything passes approval that is sent on to the parole board. The prisoner is notified about whether it has been approved so he can make other arrangements if necessary.

Once the parole board reaches its decision the prisoner is notified in writing. If he is to be paroled he is happy and excited. Then he sits and waits to be informed as to when.

My son was informed at the beginning of the year that his parole was approved. He waited several months to be told when he would finally be sent to the halfway house.

We still do not know how long he will have to stay at the halfway house. We also do not know how often he will have to report to a parole officer or any other details or restrictions he will have to follow.

He is busy getting paperwork together for the things he will need to take care of when he comes home. A drivers license will be important because he will need identification. So he will need proof of who he is and where he lives to get that. Others things will need to be taken care of when he gets here.

While we are awaiting his arrival we are making plans for all the things we want to show him. He did not grow up here because we lived elsewhere when the children were children.

I am trying hard not to be excited but it is hard. I really was beginning to believe they would not let him out until after I died.

Anyway I will finally get to see my son. And he will get to see his children. It will be good for all of us.