Comments on: About Michael http://michaelsantos.net Commentary from Inside Prison Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:37:45 -0800 hourly 1 By: ncm http://michaelsantos.net/about/michael/#comment-891 ncm Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:05:26 +0000 http://prisonnewsblog.com/?page_id=2#comment-891 I feel your pain. I'm glad I found this site. It is inspiring to see that you have become a better person and that you have not let all the injustice of our country make you bitter. As for me, I'm still angry, but I hope my son, which is the one incarcerated, does not become angry. Like you he is in jail for much more time than he should have been. My son, a person that was never in any trouble of any kind, made a mistake. His crime was non-violent; similar cases in multiple states that I have looked at and many federal cases have resulted in no-jail, no conviction or a misdemeanor. Instead the judge gave him 24 months and 3 years of supervised release. I can still hear the judge voice saying:" I know you will never do this again but I'm going to make you an example to others..". "...You seem like a smart person ... You will do okay when you are out". Like 'Trent Jones' above said: America has more people locked away than any other country in the world. It is shameful. Is this how we are supposed to help people to rehabilitate? Lock them up even if this is their first offense and this is a non-violent crime? I don't believe so. And then what? Would employers hire someone with a criminal record? Probably not. My son is also a writer. He writes fiction. I hope I can submit some of the writing that he sends me for publication and I pray to God that when he is out he is giving another chance. The chance the judge denied him. I feel your pain. I’m glad I found this site. It is inspiring to see that you have become a better person and that you have not let all the injustice of our country make you bitter. As for me, I’m still angry, but I hope my son, which is the one incarcerated, does not become angry. Like you he is in jail for much more time than he should have been. My son, a person that was never in any trouble of any kind, made a mistake. His crime was non-violent; similar cases in multiple states that I have looked at and many federal cases have resulted in no-jail, no conviction or a misdemeanor. Instead the judge gave him 24 months and 3 years of supervised release. I can still hear the judge voice saying:” I know you will never do this again but I’m going to make you an example to others..”. “…You seem like a smart person … You will do okay when you are out”.

Like ‘Trent Jones’ above said: America has more people locked away than any other country in the world. It is shameful.

Is this how we are supposed to help people to rehabilitate? Lock them up even if this is their first offense and this is a non-violent crime? I don’t believe so. And then what? Would employers hire someone with a criminal record? Probably not.

My son is also a writer. He writes fiction. I hope I can submit some of the writing that he sends me for publication and I pray to God that when he is out he is giving another chance. The chance the judge denied him.

]]> By: pclr http://michaelsantos.net/about/michael/#comment-796 pclr Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:45:30 +0000 http://prisonnewsblog.com/?page_id=2#comment-796 2013 is just around the corner michael. Stay tough 2013 is just around the corner michael. Stay tough

]]> By: Vladimir Gagic http://michaelsantos.net/about/michael/#comment-680 Vladimir Gagic Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:41:59 +0000 http://prisonnewsblog.com/?page_id=2#comment-680 Good for you. It is very inspiring to see someone take back his life in such a meaningful way. I wish you the very best, and I hope you continue with your cause once you are out of custody. Good for you. It is very inspiring to see someone take back his life in such a meaningful way. I wish you the very best, and I hope you continue with your cause once you are out of custody.

]]> By: pclr http://michaelsantos.net/about/michael/#comment-668 pclr Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:55:19 +0000 http://prisonnewsblog.com/?page_id=2#comment-668 That is a very stiff sentence you have received Michael. My heart goes out to you. I have several friends in trouble with the law and it really is a life changer. Wish you best when you get out. That is a very stiff sentence you have received Michael. My heart goes out to you. I have several friends in trouble with the law and it really is a life changer. Wish you best when you get out.

]]> By: Trent Jones http://michaelsantos.net/about/michael/#comment-438 Trent Jones Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:17:13 +0000 http://prisonnewsblog.com/?page_id=2#comment-438 I just had an older brother locked away in federal prison for a conspiracy to deprive the citizens of El Paso County of honest services. Instead of pleading guilty (as most people do in the federal system) he went to court and declared his innocence. He lost and the angry judge immediately tossed him in jail without bond to await sentencing. Of course this has been very hard on him and his family. He is a 65 year old grandfather who has never broken a law in his life facing federal prison. His now and future legal fees will completely wipe him out. It has been a life changing experience. Something I would not wish on my worst enemy. All of this has put me more in touch with just how broken our system of justice is. You are a prime example. 45 year sentence was over the top. Thank God you are getting out soon. Thank you for telling your story. Keep it up. Perhaps when you are out you need to talk to students in high schools and colleges and tell them your story. America has more people locked away than any other country in the world. It is shameful. There is so much that could be done to help people in jail turn their lifes around and re-enter society as good and productive citizens. I just had an older brother locked away in federal prison for a conspiracy to deprive the citizens of El Paso County of honest services. Instead of pleading guilty (as most people do in the federal system) he went to court and declared his innocence. He lost and the angry judge immediately tossed him in jail without bond to await sentencing. Of course this has been very hard on him and his family. He is a 65 year old grandfather who has never broken a law in his life facing federal prison. His now and future legal fees will completely wipe him out. It has been a life changing experience. Something I would not wish on my worst enemy. All of this has put me more in touch with just how broken our system of justice is. You are a prime example. 45 year sentence was over the top. Thank God you are getting out soon. Thank you for telling your story. Keep it up. Perhaps when you are out you need to talk to students in high schools and colleges and tell them your story. America has more people locked away than any other country in the world. It is shameful. There is so much that could be done to help people in jail turn their lifes around and re-enter society as good and productive citizens.

]]> By: Scott http://michaelsantos.net/about/michael/#comment-424 Scott Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:55:49 +0000 http://prisonnewsblog.com/?page_id=2#comment-424 see you on the outside, my friend... Scott see you on the outside, my friend… Scott

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