A Family in Prison

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By Anonymous, vero beach, FL

I was five when I watched my dad get led out of a courtroom in handcuffs and shackles. There were so many people moving around, I wasn’t sure what was really happening. One thing I did see very clearly

Photo credit: Kathryn W., Austin, TX

and will never forget was the tear rolling down his cheek. That was the first time I had ever seen him cry. Almost 11 years have passed and I still remember that day perfectly. That was the last time I saw my dad outside prison.

Being young, only in kindergarten, I was frightened by this terrifying place. Surrounded by barbed wire and razor fences, I thought it was a horror house. That first visit was just the first of many times I’d go through the process of being frisked and walking through metal detectors.

That first time my family and I stepped into a large room filled with dozens of men wearing blue uniforms, I wondered if the other inmates’ loved ones felt the way we did. The convicts looked almost like clones – until I saw my dad. He looked much thinner and really frail. My mom started crying, and he came over and hugged her.

It felt so surreal, like I was dreaming. Now I can hardly remember my dad without his uniform. Some mornings I wake up and, for a split second, forget he’s not home anymore. Then it hurts even worse when I remember where he is and that my mom and I will never have him back.

It hurts to think of all the special memories my dad didn’t share with us. All the birthday parties and family vacations he missed. It’s one of the worst feelings in the world for a girl to know that her father won’t be there to walk her down the aisle.

While my sisters, mom, and I are out living life, Dad is in that horrific place every minute of his life, only getting to see his family one day a week. My mother and I feel so much pain not having him with us, but I can’t begin to imagine his pain and suffering every day in there.

We continue to hope for a miracle. My dad will be eligible for parole in 2023. We continue to pray that an innocent man will be freed from his life sentence for a murder he did not commit.

This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.

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This article has 57 comments. Post your own!

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Destiny said...
Mar. 7 at 11:39 am:

i am sorry and hope you see your father out of jail

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Zoughii said...
Feb. 13 at 5:50 pm:

I know it must be so very hard for you but here is a quick inspiring story for you: about forty years ago my pop's best friend was sent to jail for a murder he swore he didn't commit after many years people started to lose faith and started to believe he did do it and that he would di in jail as he had been sentenced to life. 23 years later my pop was walking down the main street of a town close to where he lived when a man who my pop did not recognise walk up to him and said you don&#... (more »)

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sillyaardvarkabc said...
Feb. 13 at 5:44 pm:

It is amazing how strong you have been, and the phrase that stuck out most to me was "It's one of the worst feelings in the world for a girl to know that her father won't be there to walk her down the aisle." I really am hoping for a miracle for you.

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dancingirl said...
Feb. 13 at 1:14 pm:

I agree, this must of been extremely hard for you to write all this down. I hope that that miracle does happen for you and your family.

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daughter_of_athena said...
Feb. 13 at 10:34 am:

I think it took amazing strength for you to have gone through all of this and then write it all out. Thank you.

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little-miss-sunshine said...
Feb. 13 at 10:25 am:

This article made me cry. I thank-you for posting such an emotional and personal piece. That takes a lot of courage.

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Madison C. said...
Feb. 13 at 1:05 am:

This story is kind of similar to a movie called the Shawshank Redemption. I am so sorry about the false charges but just remember that life has a way of evening itself out.

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legolas_elf said...
Jan. 22 at 5:51 pm:

You're really strong to be able to write about this, and I know it must feel terrible that you're being deprived of someone so important to you like you're dad all because of false evidence. Thankfully, I have never experienced something like this, but, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

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grace2719 said...
Jan. 22 at 5:43 pm:

praying for you! :)

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crystal_lynn said...
Jan. 22 at 10:39 am:

I know how you feel my boyfriends been in jail for 6 months its hard knowing someone you love is locked up I'm only 17 so its hard being away from him but the wit will be worth it i tell myself that every morning and night when i go to bed

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Emely J. said...
Dec. 31, 2009 at 9:29 pm:

Remember that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And I think that you are VERY strong. And please remember that everything happens for a reason; the Lord knows what He's doing, so have faith!

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XoLaUrEnOx7 said...
Dec. 31, 2009 at 5:12 pm:

i think tht ur rlly brave 2 write about this. i would never be able to. i rlly hope tht some1 realizes it wasn't him. praying 4 u <3

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SmileySunnyD said...
Dec. 31, 2009 at 1:39 pm:

You really can write from the heart. I'm so sorry that that happened. Amazing story!

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Dandelion said...
Dec. 31, 2009 at 10:08 am:

You ought to show this article to some judicial authority.

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jake2011 said...
Dec. 31, 2009 at 9:33 am:

I'm sorry for what happened to your familiy. I hope justice will happen and your dad will be set free. My prayers are with your family.

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serwaah said...
Dec. 23, 2009 at 10:46 am:

nice story, and am so sorry for what had happen to your fam.

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HauntedDancer123 said...
Dec. 9, 2009 at 8:46 pm:

Oh yes, I hope so too. This almost made me cry, by the way. I'm so sorry for you.

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sunshine14 said...
Dec. 9, 2009 at 7:47 pm:

we be praying[:

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Zoeee93 said...
Dec. 9, 2009 at 3:48 pm:

Stay strong. <3

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toxic.monkey said...
Dec. 9, 2009 at 12:20 pm:

i can't convey how much i understand you
the pain of waiting, waiting, waiting...
remembering suddenly that your dad is somwhere terrible, somewhere you can't help him much.
i haven't seen my dad in three years. he was taken away three days after new year. i never even said goodbye. i didn't see it happen.
let your dad know you love him... it's the least you can do...

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Tamsyn R. said...
Dec. 9, 2009 at 9:58 am:

I hope you get your father back someday soon! If he is innocent- which i hope he is- then surely justice will be found

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>!TheyBeShootin!< said...
Nov. 25, 2009 at 9:05 am:

I am sorry but I am not religious but my mom always tells me, "Everything happens for a reason." Your dad may not have done anything but good will come from this event. I know how you feel though. I lost my father to a bottle of whiskey and a shotgun. Stay strong.

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ilovetinkerbell said...
Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:31 pm:

You are in my prayers and I hope you have your dad back soon. I

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screenname! said...
Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:27 pm:

Wow...it's hard to say much. It's pretty sad. i don't understand how the judicial system would put someone in life sentence for something they didn't commit. I don't get that. I am so sorry. And you know what, I'll pray for you. There is nothing God cannot do. Trust him.
And remember, "he'll replenish all that the canker warm, the canterpillar has eaten."
Love to you

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Book Addict said...
Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:41 pm:

I will--as i'm sure many others--will pray for your family. I'm so sorry. This is such an example of how wrong the judicial system can be. I wish you and your family strength. Just hold on.

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Miss_Bliss said...
Nov. 17, 2009 at 1:29 pm:

This sounds like a horrible experience...I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am for your family. Your writing itself is very good, and coupled with the power of the story this piece is amazing. Wonderful job, and I hope the best for you and your family.

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mDawg said...
Nov. 17, 2009 at 12:36 pm:

That's horrible. I'm sorry, I hope for the best for him and your family.

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UnreadMind62695 said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 10:08 pm:

im very sorry for everything you had to go through and continue to go through........my love, wishes and prayers are with you and your family.

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GirlWithWings56 said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 7:44 pm:

How horrible. How simply horrible. All the best to your family, and that one day you will all be together. Wonderful article. Please continue writing! Our hearts are with you and the rest of your family.

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mrsabbyjonas13 said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 6:09 pm:

I'm so, so sorry. This is so heartbreaking. Your family will be in my prayers. On another note, you have a real writing talent! I love your style. Please continue!

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writingrox said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 2:47 pm:

I'm feel so sorry for your dad. I hope they catch the person who actually did it and let your dad go.

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Ali.B said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 10:46 am:

im am so sorry about your dad. you and your family will be in my prayers.

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said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 9:22 am:

I'm so sorry! I hope your father will make parole.

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shywriter said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 8:01 am:

Touching. I am crying right now! I will pray for your father!!

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lungi101 said...
Oct. 26, 2009 at 1:47 am:

you are such a strong person. the way you wrote this is so courageous of youa and i know Go dwill be with you every step of every way, an he will perform a miracle. and carry on being strong and courageous because God is with you always! God bless

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xxMissingyouxx said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 8:25 pm:

i am very sorry about your dad..you willl be in my prayers always..i believe you when you say that your father is innocent..

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SummerMornings said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 7:34 pm:

I will also be praying for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with other teenagers; it was emotional and beautifully written.

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PurpleMidnight said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm:

Wow. This piece is absolutley, tremendously astounding! I am praying for you and your family, and you need to always, always continue praying, praying that God will do the right thing. Oh, and never lose hope. As Jon Foreman said, The Shadow Proves The Sunshine

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RLJoy said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm:

This is so sad!!!!! I am littrally crying!!! It was very well written

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headinclouds said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 5:34 pm:

Oh my God... I am seriously crying and praying for you and your family... you are an amazing writer and I hope in the future that your dad will be freed and you will be able to write an entire book about your dad walking you down the aisle... never give up hope, because anything can happen ;)

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Lexy13 said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 5:02 pm:

OMG im so sorry...i know nothing i say can really help much, but im praying for you.

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Gwenyvar said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm:

OMG!!!
I'm so sorry i give your family all the hope you can get i hope your dad is let out early :.C never stop hoping

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Namita said...
Oct. 4, 2009 at 9:43 am:

I am about to cry T_T
Hope the end of this story would be good as it happenes with good people .Good luck I really pray that everything would be fine with u ^_^

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Thunderfirst said...
Jul. 28, 2009 at 12:43 am:

Wow. I'm with Abigail_W...I almost forgot it's true. 2023? That really stinks. Then again I guess "stinks" is an understatement.
Remember there is a reason for this. Know that you are being prayed for.

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okayzz_77 said...
Jul. 27, 2009 at 4:14 am:

OMG!!!
This is one of the most touching stories i have ever read
it seriuosly made me cry :'(
i wish the bestes luck with u and ur family

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Abigail_W said...
Jul. 23, 2009 at 10:03 pm:

Oh my God. I literally clasped my hand to my mouth and gasped at the end. I wish the best of luck for your family, and that really sucks. I almost forgot for a minute this was non-fiction. Great job!

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SkaterGurl17 said...
Jul. 23, 2009 at 1:12 pm:

good work..good luck with your family..never give up hope :-)
i'll pray for ya..

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MAMMAz said...
May 15, 2009 at 8:55 pm:

WACK STORY ITS BOOTSY....