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As the sister to TanyaSue and also granddaughter of Frank I agree that he is not concerned with anyone but himself. I have seen him as a child brush off his crimes as if they were nothing. Here, however, is where I disagree with my sister. While she can find compassion for our grandfather I feel nothing for the man but pity; to be dying alone with much of your family no longer caring must be extremely hard and painful. However, Frank when have you ever cared for us? Where are the posts begging for release to see your children, your grandchildren, or even your great grandchildren whom I'm sure you know little if anything about? Where is your compassion to your son, the man who helped raise your children at a young age because of what you put him and my grandmother through? I do not claim sainthood for my father or my grandmother. No human being is perfect but Frank you don't deserve to be released. You feel zero remorse and I have seen that in you from a young age. It may be possible that "finding god" may have changed some of your feelings, but as far as I know God has always been there. Why do you think "finding Him" now will make people forgive you. Forgiveness is earned Frank and you never did anything to earn that from the families of your victims or even your own family who has succeeded in spite of you not because of you. These posts are nothing more than an old man’s cries for sympathy because he can’t see past his rose-colored glasses to the reason why. If you had felt remorse Frank and showed such remorse to the families of your victim maybe they would feel compassion towards your dying wish. I do not blame them for keeping you in jail. While I see why my sister feels you should be released I myself have been a victim to someone’s abuse and feel that the people who should decide when it is time are those who you have hurt the most. You want God to truly forgive you Frank than seek forgiveness from those you have wronged and hope they have enough compassion to at least hear you out. However, I would not blame them for claiming this to be far too little and far too late. The Frank Soffen I visited in jails when I was younger held no remorse. If you have it now Gramps then prove it. Actions speak a hell of a lot louder than words. I can’t say I have love for you because you were never much of a part of my life. I will hold memories with me of times with you when I thought I could love you as my grandfather, but you never tried to stay in our lives Frank. How can you expect others to believe what you can’t even get your own family to see? Yes what you have done in jail has been amazing. You saved a life and the joy from that should be repayment enough. If you have truly found God than you should know that anger and resentment will do nothing but kill you faster. Find a way to find peace and be the bigger man by reaching out to those you’ve hurt.

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HEY ALVIN
THIS IS CRYSTAL, I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL.SORRY IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I WROTE YOU BUT ALOT HAS BEEN GOING ON TO MUCH REALLY.. BUT ILL LET YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT IT SOON ITS REALLY GOOD TO SET HERE AND WRITE YOU A MESSAGE KODY AND I HAVE MISSED YOU LIKE CRAZY BUT ITS OK BECAUSE WE WILL SEE YOU VERY SOON. THE BOYS ARE GETTING SO BIG LITTLE TROY IS CRAWLING AND TRYING TO WALK AND JAKOB IS BEING A BUTT HEAD LIKE ALWAYS BUT HE IS AN AWESOME BIG BROTHER I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND WE MISS YOU AND WE WILL SEE YOU SOON I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND TAKE CARE...

hey bro,
well i know it has taken me a lil longer to write then i said but hey it gets wild out here. lol well i will start off by telling u things seem to be going ok so far i have gotten 50/50 of my daughter Payton Mae Tappa. I get her from Thursday 5pm to sunday 5pm. well im not stoping there im going for soul custody. And im almost sure il get it i have the right people in my corner with me and surprisingly i have not got into any shit. I work out everyday. I still have my same car and i just started giving Plasma i get 55 bucks a week for that and i had a job interview today at this place here in town called grafic mangment. They make like shop towels and that kind of stuff i will know next week if i got it i hope to god that i do. Man my kid, Randy Bro i cant tell u what that lil girl has done man,i luv that kid more then anything on earth. I mean i can go on and on about her she looks just like me and god she loves the hell out of me. Up untill this past weekend NO ONE has been able to get her out of my arms not even my Uncle or Aunt now she is starting to open up to them. But Bro i have never had nothing hit me like she did. I cry like a lil bitch every time i have to let her go on sunday. Man she has for sure give me a new line of sight i tell u that. But i feel good and yeah i want to snap out on swum people but hey ya know how that is. HAHA But Bro i really dont think i willbe back unless some one hurts my kid then its all over with ya know. But I will get u sum pictures as soon as i get them. I got a nice lab top a nice phone but Bro the new ness has not wore off of being out. I spend alot of time alone at home i like it that way keeps me out of shit ya know. But I go to get into school next week. Been doing alot of work with my uncle cutting trees and painting. I am planing on getting my own place cause we dont get along to good ya know. Been down by the hot red head a few times she will be moving soon up here. Other then that shit is good out here. Il stop for now in hope to hear back. Tell Joe, Flinchba to get one of these things so i can write him like this cause paper and pen shit is not cutting it ya know. Just give me a bit and il get u sum pics. But u be cool and get back to me Bro,

Your Guy
Doc Tappa,,

Luke,

Thank you for sharing all this information. Your knowledge and ability to articulate it, are truly impressive. I'm going to forward this letter to a friend of mine who works with WORT radio in Madison. There's no guarantee anything will happen, but maybe WORT can help start creating a space for inmate voices.

Best,
Zoe

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Hi Alvin,
How r u I hope u are doing well. I let crystal know about this new way to message u so I'm hoping she will be coming over soon to send u a message I think this is the coolest thing ever. We all miss u and hope to see u soon..

hi its krista im at nannys because mom is at work and decided to write you. i really love and miss you since im going to be in the advanced group of orchestra i will have to get alot of practice in. im going to go to 7th grade and im going to be in middle school. im half excited and half nervous. i cant wait to see you again. you know what,knowing what is going on in my envronment i feel as if i am gaining more knowledge to be a better and good person and i will be successful. i already have a rough draft for my future...although it wont easy to avoid certain experiences,i will certainly rise above it and be the better person. i hope your doing good because we all love and miss you and would hate for something to happen to you. LOVE YOU

Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. This was such a beautiful poem.