I’VE RECIEVED MANY LETTERS IN THE PAST 25 YEARS. ONE THAT STANDS OUT IS ONE I RECEIVED FROM A EX PRISONER WHO I MET WHILE LOCKED UP. THIS NOW GOOD FRIEND DID ABOUT 6 YEARS IN U.S.P.FLORENCE CO. FIRST TIMER EX CRACK USER. HIS WHOLE FAMILY HAD GIVEN UP ON HIM, LIVING IN THE STREETS IN CARS, WITH WHOEVER HE COULD GET HIGH WITH. WE MET, STARTING HANGING OUT PLAYING BASE BALL AND EATING OUR MEALS TOGETHER. AFTER A YEAR HAD PASSED I TOLD HIM: SON LISTEN TO ME REAL GOOD. IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO BE A MAN! YOUR MOM AND SISTERS HAVE HELPED YOU ALL THEY CAN. IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE AROUND ME YOU MUST GET YOUR LIFE RIGHT. WELL, HIS MOM WROTE ME AND SAID, E. YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT MY EX HUSBAND, MYSELF, AND MANY REHAB DOCTORS HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO ! YOU SAVED MY SON’S LIFE AND NOW THAT SAME YOUNG MAN HAS NOT USED DRUGS IN 6 YEARS NOW. HAS HIS OWN BUSINESS, MONEY IN THE BANK AND HIS FAMILY’S RESPECT AND LOVE. THEY ALL LET ME KNOW THIS THROUGH OUT THE YEAR WITH X MAS CARDS ETC.
— Edward S., SERVING LIFE, FIRST TIME DRUG OFFENDER