This week was a welcomed lull from the past few weeks preparing for the prison accreditation inspection. The weather has been a bit colder and rainy. The small creek that runs through the property crested almost to the road. All the duck and geese nests washed away - the nests had been laid by the river for the past month.
Over the past few weekends, I had the privilege of welcoming special visitors: my parents as usual, Drew, two of the most supportive friends (Andy and Bart), and my little bro, Ryan, and his girlfriend (pre-engaged), Heather. Ryan and Heather visited for the first time from South Florida. They were in Cleveland for the upcoming eclipse and decided to detour a few hours to Morgantown for their first time - not a detour that I would normally recommend. Typically, visits are uncommon and not just anyone may visit...
Prior to being sentenced, family and friends write letters of support to the judge. Those letters are noted in my central file in the Department of Justice. Anyone wanting to visit must complete a form that I send them. The form is completed and mailed to the officer designated to oversee my daily life (called a counselor). The counselor takes the name from the form and compares it to my central file to ensure that the visitor is someone who supports me. Then, the visitor is approved on a special list. This process prevents chaos from erupting during a visit. For
example, someone with an estranged spouse, debtors, or opposing gang members/enemies may not have a visit from those individuals. They may cause a disruption during a visit and more than likely cause a security issue. They are denied from visiting.
While letters of support sent to a judge may have seemed mundane to do, they were critically important for many reasons: establishing ties to the a community, grounding a stable family/friend network, sympathetically imploring the judge's mercy, and formalizing visitors within a secured-prison environment. Some friends and family members had inquired about visiting but had not sent a letter of support. I would have to submit testimony indicating my relationship with the person, in addition to the originally filed form. The background check or whatever efforts for review are more rigorous and denials are typical but no impossible. I highly encourage anyone who wants to support a loved one during a sentencing to simply submit a letter of support to the court. A quick Google search or cue in ChatGPT will instantly create a draft letter, which of course should be personalized to that individual. Overall, I am entirely grateful to all the love and support from friends and family that I have received over these many, many years throughout this process. Often, visits are not necessary. Regular communication through phone, emails, and letter writing are just as important. I am blessed to have regular support and inquiries about my wellbeing. I cannot thank each of you enough for your constant prayers, positivity, and unfailing support! Have a wonderful week and keep mindful of any little miracle in your daily life 🙂