Hi there, I've just stumbled across this site & have read through a few of your posts, which I've enjoyed. It seems you (and others in your situation) just want to be heard; as do each and every one of us. I find it very interesting reading your thoughts & ...
What a beautiful sentiment; and an incredible drawing; as your self review says... truly excellent! ;) *sending you some love in return for your obvious talent!*
Thank you for making me smile! :) Are you sure we're not in the same country..? Laughing at yourself is a very Australian thing to do. I love your artwork!! But where's YOUR happy face..? :( (Maybe you're just smiling on the inside). I wish you all the luck in ...
It's inspiring to see how you want to help your friend. I'm currently writing a paper for one of my university courses in Australia & have reproduced your ad in my paper (well you did say I could publish it ANYWHERE...) I've used this to show the depth of character ...
If Dina is all you believe her to be; (and I believe she is, or she wouldn't have put up with you and tried to protect you for so long) I believe she would have forgiven you long before you even asked for her forgiveness.
When is enough, enough? What you request; 'forgiveness' is not unreasonable. You may have once been a rapist... does it make sense to think that is all you are still, or all you are capable of, even after more than 2 decades. Those of us on the outside have the ...
James, you have committed no crime against me, it therefore makes little sense to me to offer you my forgiveness... yet from my position as a member of the human race; I want you to have the opportunity to 'raise (as a man), with your head held high', just as ...
I wish you well with your Parole! It is a wonderful thing to work out who those special people in our lives are, that love us no matter what. Always hold them dear to you! (I know you will). May I suggest though, for those that weren't there... would you ...
People will say stupid things (I'm sure you must have noticed that before) haha. Here in Australia we had quite a bit of negative, ignorant press comments made during the Olympics also (mostly about how our athletes weren't winning a lot of gold). It's always easy for others to look ...
I don't know the Reverend, nor did I hear the comments he made but they sound like they come from a place of ignorance, a lack of understanding & compassion; not qualities you would expect in a man intent on sharing 'the word of god'. We all need to embrace ...
You've hit the nail on the head Marcus. I was actually just saying this to a friend the other day about leaving comments on posts. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to say; sometimes there are no words... just feelings, but we do want you to know that what ...
I haven't read it myself, but have friends that have read all 3 books in a week (some can't get enough) haha. There seems to be 2 camps... people are either saying it's complete literary rubbish or they simply Love it. Something I saw about it on Facebook a few ...
As you can probably tell, I'm stalking you through all your blog posts now. haha. I'm writing from Australia so hearing about the shooting here, I would have thought it is a little easier to distance ourselves from the horror, to a degree. We still feel the tragedy as our ...
I fail to see how the death penalty can be any form of deterrent or an acceptable punishment for any crime. I'm thankful that I live in a country where a man has not been committed to death since the 1950s. A reasonable comparison would be smacking a child & ...
I enjoyed reading your blog. It was actually one of the lighter ones I've read tonight. I agree wholeheartedly, your mind is the key to keep you free. Thank you for sharing. Take care! Nicki
In a class recently, my lecturer was talking about the kids movie 'the Incredibles' & the super powers each of the characters possessed. (Incidentally this was in an Australian University, Canadian Lecturer) Mr Incredible, the power of strength, Elastagirl, flexibility & she suggested that Frozone's (played by Samuel L Jackson) ...
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. Although I see this was posted in January (on my birthday incidentally) I've seen a couple of articles pop up and was a bit confused as to what 'Write or die' actually is. Once I realised this post explained more, ...
Your determination is inspirational! I think everyone can utilise the story of the snail & the worm to better their own lives. For me the tree is studying & raising my children on my own, the apple will be a degree and providing the world with 3 more well adjusted ...
I think a lot of us feel that very same way, that time is passing us by, even when we haven't been excluded from the world. I still get my 18 year old daughter to show me how to work anything technological, probably always will! I wish you all the ...
Your post is completely heartbreaking. As a Psychology (& criminology) student I am appauled at a system that can affect this outcome on an individual's mental health. I don't live in the U.S. but of course this scenario is no doubt playing out in prisons all over the world, every ...
I'm sure it will pay off Johnny. Busy is the best thing you can be! I'm pleased to hear you refuse to conform to the norm & won't give up on your goals. Children are good at providing that drive aren't they; mine do the same for me. It's Father's ...
It's so funny that as you were waffling away on your post, you spoke of exactly what I was reading for a class just this morning about essays. And yes, according to this article I was reading, (from the 2nd Ed. of Twenty-Five Great Essays, edited by Robert KiYanni of ...
I'm pleased to hear all is as it should be! :D Did you know Razor Wire is an Australian invention..? (you're welcome!) Your posts are always so entertaining whilst they also build a sinister picture of your reality. I'm glad you seek the humor in every situation, I would imagine ...
There's nothing like a medical degree to help you to state the obvious though ;) & yes; Guinness has 2 N(s) I wish you well with your appeal. If you achieve 10 years back, you'll live with the satisfaction of knowing your efforts were all worthwhile. I'm sure your freedom ...
Well said! :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts! & put so eloquently too... especially at the end. I'm not so sure about the aliens though... but that's one of the special things that makes us all unique. I believe 'Be kind to one another' is the only religion any ...
Comment - Part 1 - I really enjoyed reading this post. I’ve only fairly recently discovered this site, so this is the first of your posts that I’ve read. I can see (with 87 posts currently on this blog site) I could have many late nights reading through the others ...
Comment - Part 2 - I took a couple of criminology classes here in Australia and my lecturer had spent some years researching in & around various U.S. prisons and your system is used as an example in our Universities as… basically, what not to do. We are told if ...
I've been wanting to leave a reply on this post but have been thinking for the last few hours about what to say. I knew immediately that what you described here was wrong, but my mind wasn't processing it, not the way I wanted to make sense of what you ...
Thank you for this post. I've replicated it today as part of a University assessment. I hope you don't mind (I promise I referenced you correctly :) I'm doing an ethnographic study into a virtual network over several weeks & your post related to this weeks material. Your art is ...
You've hit the nail on the head with this reply Jeremy. From an outsider looking in, the systems used to run the USA are quite terrifying from a global perspective. For us here in Australia, the specific examples America provides are so often used as 'what not to do', or ...
I'm not sure which response you were referring to here SAH but there is no suggestion of murder in this blog post, nor is that the crime Jeremy appears to be serving time for, however, I would like to respond if Jeremy doesn’t mind us ‘chatting’ on his blog responses. ...
SAH, you also suggested rallying around "the father/motherless children...The children, brother, sisters, neices, nephews, friends...who were ALL affected..." If you speak to anyone of these people sitting in prison for this crime and others, I would be surprised to find out if they themselves hadn't been affected by this same ...
I printed this post out over a week ago & had it sitting beside my bed, waiting for a block of time where I could sit & read it. I'm so very glad I did. Normally essays which rely so heavily on statistics can be a little ho-hum, but these ...
I like this post. It says exactly what I believe to be true in every person. We are all more than we may first appear to others. It would be good to see you send through some more posts; I see you haven't been here for a year now. Nicki
I see this post is 2 years old now but thought I'd comment regardless, (in case you still haven't realised the answer on your own) I taught myself the answer to your first question when I was 18 & faced with the prospect of being 'hurt to the point where ...
As a Psychology student I know these are significant problems which are magnified within the prison system. I'm glad to hear that you were able to overcome these destructive ways of dealing with your pain. The mind is incredibly powerful. I applaud you for reaching out to help others and ...
You had me reading all the way to the end but... there IS no end... I'm waiting patiently for the next installment :) I have a short answer to your question... I believe, yes, whole heartedly that people deserve a second, (or third, or fourth) chance; some are slower learners ...
Beautifully written! This is exactly why I fully believe we should never give up on each other. There is good to be found in everyone. I hope you find the opportunities to make a good and positive difference in the world on your release. Nicki
What a heartbreaking read! And you're right, the things you explain don't seem to be isolated incidents. I've read similar blog posts on this site from others in super max facilities. I don't live in the USA and the responses from the services set up to assist you with these ...
SAH, if we were being scored on 'passive aggressive insults' you would score top marks for that post! It's not a very constructive comment to Jeremy's blog post though. I'm a little disappointed; I know you're capable of much more. Nicki
I am incredibly sorry for the loss you've experienced. I believe that in an attempt to move forward 'why' is the right question to ask here. I'm glad to hear you've read a lot on the subject and have come to this site where, with an open mind, you may ...
I would like to say to Jeremy; I don't understand why you're even there... runaway words... this makes absolutely no sense to me (keeping in mind I'm not an American); when the USA has always touted "Freedom of Speech" to the extreme! Or does this translate to "Freedom of speech ...
These types of posts are not uncommon on this site I'm sad to say & each & every time I read one of them I get so upset, and have begun coming back at a later time to leave a comment. I feel if you have to live within such ...
Response Part 1 I woke up this morning with this post on my mind, which I’d read before I went to sleep last night. Although it feels a little voyeuristic in some ways, looking into your private conversation, it is also (as you said in one of your other posts), ...
Response Part 2 Things got pretty bad as I required a greater amount of respect from my daughter for her brothers and I than what she was giving us. She knew home was her safe place to let off steam, and she did, but it was a weight too heavy ...
Response Part 3 Although parts of society may require you to feel shame in the fact that your son is serving time in prison, you have many, many reasons to be proud of the person he is. He is obviously incredibly intelligent and articulate, astoundingly resilient, has a beautiful kind, ...
Hi Amondo, thank you for your reply. I came to this site initially as part of a university assessment I was doing and the very first comment I left, was with you. It's funny that today, as I was submitting that, I received back my first response and again... it ...
I just wanted to say something about this post where you were saying that due to your lack of responses you must not be doing a good job of relating to people. I don't think this is the case. Most posts only seem to get a few comments at the ...
Thank you for that comment Michael, I agree; we shouldn't try to hurt each other but ask what we can do to help each other & make the world a better place. I'm intrigued by what you’ve taught me about your justice system through your reply here too. Although the ...
That was a beautiful piece of writing. There is so much negativity to be found in many of the blogs on this site, but of course, that is the nature of the environment you're writing from and that is understandable, but to read your thoughts here, it was difficult to ...
I hold a different perspective on forgiveness. I don't think it is something that 'can' be asked for, but something that must be given willingly in that person's own time. Having said that... I also don't think it is a gift to the recipient of that forgiveness, but a gift ...
Your blogs are incredibly raw and heartbreaking. I find myself wanting to respond to them all, yet I keep finding myself sitting here in front of the computer screen, my words won't come & I feel my heart rise in my chest harboring a shame in my fellow humans and ...
"A right solid mate" ya reckon? That sounds a little more like a Pommy (English) phrase to me. We're a bit lazier than that in Australia haha. I'd simply say 'good mates' (which pretty much translates to brothers). You're going to keep taking the piss out of me now aren't ...
Thanks for writing Thomas! I received your letter today. I'm not sure how, since it arrived with only local postage on it, but well done haha. I transcribed this post for you today in an effort to try and understand what you're saying here, but I'm not sure it's helped. ...
What a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I had no idea you had drama groups in prison but it makes perfect sense to put your time into something constructive that can entertain and inspire everyone involved, in many different ways. To address ...
I enjoyed reading this verse. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am one small voice from society that agrees with you entirely. How uninteresting would our world be if everyone was as uninteresting as I am :) Thank you for coloring my world and showing those of us ...
I really enjoyed this James, so much that I read it over & over again (partly because it's school holidays here at the moment & my 2 boys don't seem to value the sounds of silence like I do haha and also partly because your words really spoke to me). ...
I received an e-mail this morning from the Innocence Project stating that today (28 September 2012) the 300th person was exonerated by DNA evidence in the United States, (18 of these have served time on death row) and those 300 DNA exonerees have served a combined total 4,013 years in ...
So I went away and played around with your words, separated them into short verses & paraphrased each one, because I really wanted to understand what you were saying here. This is what I've come up with... (you'll have to tell me if I'm close or not) You view the ...
REPLY PART 1 And ‘Howdy’ to you too Nate, no, that’s not right. Let me try that again… G’Day Nate! (much better!) I’m glad you liked the postcard I sent for Bobby, it matters not that he didn’t need it after all I love the many varied perceptions that ...
REPLY PART 2 The roos on the postcard I sent actually look quite small in comparison to the Big Red Kangaroo. Maybe they were Eastern Grays which are most common where I live here on the Northern East Coast. I’d show you one here but Benjamin is still working on ...
RESPONSE - PART 3 It saddens me that you don’t have this option in your environment, because reading so many of the blogs on this site, it seems to be what so many prisoners crave in their quiet time yet you all have your feathers fluffed up & constantly have ...
You seem to have become incredibly insightful and you are to be commended for that. You are the perfect example of what I truly believe... that we should never give up on each other. I'm told at university often "this is a difficult concept and it may take you a ...
Someone had shared a quote on my Facebook wall this morning & it made me think of you. It said:- "Never take another person's dignity, it means everything to them, and nothing to you". I like your poem. Hopefully writing it is helping you to put this incident behind you. ...
Although I'm not a terribly religious person, I do respect the things you've had to say in this post & I really enjoyed the thoughtfulness with which it was written. I would like to acknowledge that by 'outing' yourself and your past with your writings in this space, you continue ...
You're right, it works both ways & we're all pretty rubbish (men and women) in the relationship stakes. I've found the one thing I hold on to is that I refuse to let my past experiences change the person that I am. So single I remain haha Thank you for ...
I agree with Marlene, I find it heartbreaking that those who once served find themselves cast aside in the prisons of the world. I think it is a failure of us all... not just you individually. Did you encounter any Australian soldiers on your tours of duty? I live in ...
Hi Marcus, thank you for your reply. I don't have an issue with the timing of your responses. Perhaps I'm "old school" but I find waiting for a reply somewhat romantic in a way. In our crazy world of instant gratification, sometimes it's nice to receive something out of the ...
Hi Ronald, thank you for your reply. I just read through the comment I left you and reading over it again, it sounds a little cold - which is not really how I meant it to sound. The reason why I left the reply, is because I felt like I ...
Yes, you did... but you didn't spell it right ;D I guess I'll repay the favor - by publicly thanking you for helping me support my friend in prison. Without your connecting link I wouldn't have been able to provide him with all I now can. I'm eternally grateful. Thank ...
I went onto the Dr Phil show webpage and was going to e-mail him links to your posts. However, their submission form asks for many details including full name, date of birth, address etc. Due to the fact that I do not know all of your details and that it ...
I agree! It's NOT right! EVERY human life is valuable and we all have an obligation to help and support each other through this life. No one has the right to end a life and what sort of message does it send, when that is the punishment for those who ...
What a pleasure it was to read your blog. Thank you so much for sharing! I write to a friend in prison and this was a beautiful reminder for just how important staying in touch regularly can be. Your blog also serves as a beautiful example of how love can ...
Thank you for sharing! I think we find your environment just as fascinating as you do ours. It's difficult to imagine, but you paint a very detailed picture. To answer your question...The first thing that made me smile today was watching my boys (11 & 8) making sandcastles on the ...
I heard from Gary recently & it appears he did receive all of his comments eventually. It must have been just like Christmas! :) (Just thought I'd let you know). ...& Hi Gary! :)
I personally forgive you for the 3H graphite pencil mishap ;) It's nice to see your smiley face on the end of that post too. Can't wait to see what you have for us next
I received a notification email when I was at work that you had posted something new. I logged on to see what you had to share... I now have tears streaming down my face, that just won't stop
I have found since I first discovered your blogs that the depth with which your posts affect me is profound. And this one, of course, is no different. A picture certainly does paint a thousand words, and these images are all unspeakable and very distressing to see. I can’t possibly ...
I hate the fact that I am responding to SAH at all, but I feel I must point out the following... Yes, I have read details of Jeremy's court case, both what bought him to prison... AND the series of articles about the class action he is currently instrumental in, ...
Hi Kelly, it seems obvious that this post was meant for someone you know and love, but I thought I'd answer your questions as I'm passing by. Your profile page looks great. It's more unique than most (as I am sure are you) :) I love your artwork and yes, ...
If you find such a man... I hope he has a brother for me! :D I think I've come to an age though, where I realise most of the things you describe here are unimportant. Someone to love & respect who will love and respect me in turn is all ...
I too have realised, when you don't have much, you don't need much, being a single mother for a decade of my life. Although I have the constant reminders of the love of my children which makes struggling through the tough times worthwhile. I think as long as you retain ...
I WISH we had the ability to send pictures today... I'd send you an Aussie 1 dollar coin. Unfortunately, to send you an actual dollar, it would cost me $20 (which is what it costs us for a cashiers cheque as money orders have now been abolished) and with the ...
I will reply more in depth when I get a chance. Can I also ask you to spell my name 'Nicki' not Nikki... I would normally never be so pedantic, but there is another Nikki (spelled that way) who leaves comments on BtB, and I think she might be from ...
Hi Ezra, Thank you for your reply. To answer your question, the University I attend is James Cook University, in Townsville Australia. I am a mature aged student (it took me a long time to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up ;) I am studying Psychology ...
You certainly paint a different picture to many of the prison stories on this site. Your perspective is beautiful. I was told by one of my lecturers last year that true intelligence is having the ability to adapt to our environment. On that note... you win the prize for being ...
You're right, of course my past has had some influence on the person I am today (Mr Insightful :), but rather than allow negative experiences to change the person I am, I choose to remain conscious of them and how they influence my emotions today. And through that consciousness, I ...
“Nicki, I try to write from the heart. Your support inspires me too. To write. To work hard. To believe that redemption is more than a concept. All those who lend me kind words of support can never truly know just how much they are a light in the darkness ...
That is Awesome!! Congratulations!!! :) I'm glad to hear you're looking for the positive points in your situation too. I believe they're always there (if we look hard enough). I'd love to see more of your artwork here on Btb too. Take care! (The British Royal family has one of ...
That's so sweet :) & makes me want to send you a birthday card. Have you opened any of them yet..? It's not difficult to make someones day is it. Thank you for your sweet cartoons. They're a unique addition to this site... How about doing the next one in ...
You tell a heartbreaking story. I know the experiences in our lives change the people that we are and I'm sorry you've had to face so many painful challenges. I'm sure you're not lost though... If I can find you here, I'm sure you can find the man you are ...
I love reading your words, they're very sweet, genuine and heartfelt. I was just going through my pile of important things to do and realized I haven't yet replied to your previous questions and comments. I will do that now and send you the information I printed for you on ...
I appreciate you wanting to protect my anonymity, but in this case there was no need to. I am proud to be your dear friend and I believe that perhaps others may be curious about the same things I am, so I'm grateful to you for sharing of yourself in ...
I must begin by saying this question may come from my own ignorance or misunderstanding, perhaps just a different cultural perspective from your own, but perhaps you can help me understand in your usual eloquent manner. You describe your crime as one of "runaway words". I understand Americans hold dear ...
cont... Could someone possess a little activism? or a little self-censorship? or are the two at different ends of a sliding scale. I guess I see us as opposite ends of the human spectrum in many ways, but with the same beliefs. Many of the things you do and say ...
I'll reply to this one while I'm here as Debleg transcribes many posts here on btb. What it means is that she has transcribed your words into typed text. Transcriptions make your blogs more accessible to search engines, translators and visitors to the site, so it is possible more people ...
I won't lose contact with my friend. We have been writing for 3 years now. We send letters at least once a week and have grown very close. He is an important part of my life and helps me every day to appreciate all that I have. I think the ...
Thanks Mate ( I'm replying to this post on my phone... I went to add 'Nate' there but my auto correct made it mate) SO my mate Nate... Thank you for thinking of of. I have completed all of the psychology subjects I'll be doing & am just doing criminology ...
Considering the history you explain, and the challenges you continue to face, I congratulate you on getting your message across so eloquently. You are conveying a very clear message and that is all that's important in this forum. Thank you for sharing! Nicki
I hold the very simple belief that hatred breeds hatred. It therefore makes sense to me that kindness breeds kindness. I believe in humility and humanity. None of these people have harmed me, and perhaps none of them have been treated with kindness, perhaps my voice is one that can ...
I enjoyed reading your comments Tom. This is one of my beliefs too, that we are all capable of making poor decisions and laws should not rule anyone as beyond redemption. I live in Australia and as our legal system is based on yours, we thankfully don't have the death ...
I also value Between the Bars as an important learning resource, as a psychology and criminology student. It concerns me that if bloggers only receive negative comments, they will stop contributing here and I, and others, would lose their valuable contributions. I am here to learn from and encourage personal ...
The legacy I spoke of was not your own, but that of your daughter. I know myself, if my life was taken, I would not rest easy knowing my mother showed bitterness towards others as a result. I would hope she sought out the help she needed and found peace. ...
Together your comments are a rather entertaining social example of groupthink. There's always something more to learn here. <3 I may be stooping to your level with this comment but I'm amused by how you bring a mental picture of Statler and Waldorf (from the Muppet Show) to mind :)
Your words are incredibly touching. The long term causes of segregation on the human spirit are something that I have wondered about and what you describe here brings to my mind how a puppy might react when he's been mis-treated by his captors; being timid, withdrawn and untrusting as he ...
Apart from making me smile, your post also makes me think about how we're able to justify anything in our minds. How, through self-justification, if we encounter any cognitive dissonance or situations that are inconsistent with our beliefs, we are able to justify any behavior with the added ability to ...
PART 1 Thank you for this reply Nate. I'm sorry I've taken so long to acknowledge your words, things have just been crazy recently with work & kids & study... & now Christmas... but I thought I'd steal a moment, when I'm supposed to be submitting another job application, to ...
PART 2 The one thing that we are continuously encouraged to do as students is to 'think'. Think for ourselves, to not necessarily believe what we read or even what we are taught, but to research (obviously) interpret and make up our own minds. When I first heard that I ...
PART 3 I will print out your 'sassy girls' post and go through it when I next get a chance and get back to you with any comments. Thank you also for the contacts, I'm not sure if I will bother them at this stage, but when I'm in the ...
PART 1 Perhaps I can paint this picture for Daniel... My home is not a quiet, clinical environment where I am able to devote a block of time to just one task. I am a single mother, I work and study. This was what was going on in my home ...
PART 2 ... Once we're back home I need to watch the DVD that I hired earlier in the day as It's a new release and I have to take it back tomorrow. It's an Australian movie, the Sapphires about 4 Aboriginal girls who went to Vietnam to entertain the ...
I now know what my role will be in your life. I've told you previously that I feel drawn to you for some reason but I wasn't sure why. I have been asking you (perhaps inappropriate) questions in an attempt to understand you better and work out where my place ...
Your posts, and those of others here, have made me chose the subject of sensory deprivation for my next assessment. I hope to find information I can share with you to help your understanding of what you are subjected to. I am hopeful that perhaps being conscious of the effects, ...
SAH your comments say so much more about you, and the hatred in your own heart than they ever could about me. The only comment you've made here that is significant to me was the influence your mother had on you. What my mother always said, in comparison, was... 'If ...
I owe you no explanations. Jeremy will know the answers to your time wasting questions when he receives the materials I am sending to him and that is all that matters to me. Finally... if you have experience in either of the fields I am currently studying and post the ...
The answer to your question is simply 'taxes'. I know here in Australia alcohol carries very heavy government taxes so It's not in the best interests of our government's bottom line to outlaw its use. The solution may be to legalise marijuana and tax it but will this happen..? You ...
Hi Marcus. The best way to tell you what the site looks like, in my humble opinion, is to show you. I'm sending this reply from my phone at work but when I'm next at a computer I'll do some screen shots for you and mail them. I will also ...
I find your questions of me very tiresome SAH, but perhaps by answering, Jeremy will learn more of my motivations for being here too. As I’m not sure I make much sense to him at times either. I believe I do use my heart and soul to help those I ...
Perhaps our mentality here in Australia is different to that of the USA. There, it is ok to lock up a child for the term of his natural life and institute terms such as ‘JLWOP’ or to send a man to death row, decide he’s a problem we choose not ...
Jeremy, It is Christmas Day there in the U.S. today (Boxing Day here) & my thoughts are with you. I was looking for a good news story to send you & this is the first one I came across and seems just perfect. I hope you enjoy reading it as ...
CONT... Even in writing the first 400 love letters, I never thought I actually made a difference in the world. I couldn't believe that I was significant or that it mattered I was here. Little did I realize I was making a difference in the lives around me, not just ...
I've been reading quite a few emperical articles about super max prisons in the US recently and Pelican Bay often comes up in them. It's interesting to read your personal insight which really helps to complete the full, ugly reality. Your words really add another dimension missing from the research ...
I enjoyed reading your words. You have an interesting take on an age old issue. One that appears to an outsider to be even more skewed behind prison walls. When I hear the word racism, to me it simply translates to hatred. I believe racism is taught but I'm intrigued ...
Andy, Now, you know that I know and love you, and I'm not one to generally disagree with people with such strong opinions, I'd rather smile and keep walking. But at the risk of being labeled a "bleeding-heart liberal vegan" (haha)... I have to offer you the following thoughts from ...
I don't know if our success 'could' be replicated in the USA. We don't have "a right to bare arms" written into our constitution so it's not something that was difficult decision for most of us. We didn't feel like we were being deprived of our basic rights and focused ...
I think at times we all feel like we're talking to ourselves, but thanks to Btb we can interact here, which is a wonderful thing. The loss of your children is heartbreaking, you obviously love them a lot, I hope you can focus on the fact that you had those ...
Hi Ezra, thank you for your reply. I've just been going back through to those I haven't responded to. I get notifications on my phone when you have sent in a reply, but I'm often not at my computer when I read them so it can be easy to overlook ...
I just went and introduced myself to JPay, I had no idea what it was all about. I gave it the details it required about you, it made me join up, which I did, then told me I had to 'buy stamps' to send you an e-mail... So here I ...
I'm trying to decide if you're joking around, or if you've been mislead somewhere along the way. There is no animosity between Australia and New Zealand. We view ourselves as cousins and fought side by side in WW1 and WW2. We are able to travel freely between our countries without ...
Hahahaha... I have been attempting to ensure Allen that I'm really not all that interesting, then you come along and advise us both that you've created a spreadsheet!?!! On ME and the comments I leave on Btb... That is the funniest thing I've possibly ever heard. Perhaps I am incredibly ...
I enjoyed reading this and read it over and over. I see the importance of the words to you, but it meant something else to me. Being a single mother of 3 being responsible for my children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the endless school lunches and ...
Hi Jeremy, I received your letter last night and will write back in the next few days. There are 2 I sent last week containing the first things needed for the study unit. Just wanted to let you know I sent them in case there's any problem with you receiving ...
With all the sincerity I can muster SAH... honestly... Fuck Off! The rubbish you post here is so misguided... what are you even talking about "the Innocence Project" Jeremy is not innocent of the crimes he is serving time for (he has said that himself), nor is he on death ...
Hi Anthony, I sent the info on the Pandora some time ago now. If you still haven't received it by the time you get this message let me know and I'll print it out again. I actually enjoyed reading through it myself, so I know you will too. I received ...
Reading your words made me think of the saying "no matter how far you've gone down the wrong road, you can always turn back". I think you are a beautiful example of this. You have come such a long way from where you once were. This is why I believe ...
Hi Ronald, I like the way you see the world too. I live in Australia and I see a lot of similar issues here amongst our Indigenous people. Some of these issues I became aware of as a school girl, of course through our media, and other things didn't become ...
I think we're all too stuck on labels which leads us into a state of confusion and I think that's what your questions show here. Perhaps we should look at sexuality as a sliding scale, one we can slide up and down throughout our lifetimes as we grow and became ...
Thank you for this post. It reminds me how very important it is to just acknowledge each other. To just say 'Hi'. Sometimes I look at someone who has looked at me as they pass by and I think to myself, I should have smiled, or said hello. Today, after ...
I'm glad you managed to find some degree of peace over Christmas. I actually sent a Christmas card to you, but I've received it back as I left your DOC# off the envelope (I'm still trying to do too many things at once I think). I will send it to ...
Your post made me smile Andy, you're such a cool chick. I love your humor! It's obvious this post was written tongue in cheek but no mention of us Australian girls! Haha. Take care. Nicki
I would like to join you in thanking the team. As important as it is for you all to be heard here, it is just as appreciated by someone like me who comes to this site to learn and to hear the thoughts of those who remain a part of ...
Thank you for sharing these positive words and congratulations on the positive changes you've made in your life. I'm glad you've realised your worth and I wish you every success! :) Take care. Nicki
I agree, your system provides no room for common sense. I have become friends with another BTB blogger who served time for a "sex crime" and has since been released. He would never have received jail time for this offence here in Australia but not only did he serve 5 ...
This is why I believe we have a responsibility to share only words of kindness with each other. Hatred and negativity, although often displayed by others as their own self reflection, can have a deep and lasting effect on the lives of those they target. How very unfair that is. ...
It is the 6th of February here today, although it is still the 5th there in the USA, I will take advantage of the situation and be the first to say "Happy Birthday my dear friend!" I hope the card I sent reached you in time and that you find ...
That last paragraph was so touching. When I first came to this site it was for an educational purpose, as you know, but the connections I made here became important to me, so I stuck around, enjoying the company. What I had hoped for from that point was that perhaps ...
I would have to agree with your words. The personal attacks here are getting a little beyond a joke. I personally apologize for the small mindedness that is becoming all too frequent here and I assure you it is a minority that appears to come here to personally attack others. ...
I've been thinking this afternoon about how very different people's individual perspectives must be of their interaction on this site. Your window is unfortunately very narrow and you only know of what you post, and only see the comments left for you. My perspective is much more colorful as I ...
I really enjoyed reading this post. You write beautiful, thought provoking pieces. I've found since going to University I now think about many things on a deeper level than I ever did before. I Don't think It's necessarily a bad thing. I've done a number of classes in Australian Indigenous ...
I don't understand why (or who) thinks masturbation needs to cease, and what the benifits of that would be. Masturbation is a perfectly natural human behavior. We all do it. (Don't we?) Sure they can take the magaines away, but an imagination can fill that gap. Take care. Nicki
Hi Anthony, thank you for your concern :) we have been doing it tough of late, but we seem to be well practiced in surviving and cleaning up after natural disasters. I believe what you're referring to were the extensive bush fires throughout New South Wales and Tasmania and a ...
To answer your questions specifically, where I live had continuous torrential rain for 2 days & 2 nights. It came off a weather system that was an ex tropical cyclone. We didn't suffer much damage here in north eastern Australia but as the water flowed down stream and the weather ...
I'm so tired tonight after finishing my 4th 12 hour shift for the week but I can't commit to sleep until I leave you a comment here. When I first came to BTB what I was hoping to find was some sunshine in the darkness. I wanted to find everyday ...
I'm so glad to hear you've been allowed to receive what I've sent thus far & will now continue sending the course materials. In so many of the subjects I've taken I have noticed the perspective of the prisoner missing completely from the picture which to me has always seemed ...
I too received your letter today Daniel, and I can assure you that reading your words has the same profound effect on me that you describe here. There is something very special about hearing the words of someone who has been physically excluded from the world as I know it. ...
Wow. Interesting perceptions you have about both my country of birth (New Zealand) and Australia, my adopted home. And you couldn't be further from the mark. Australia and New Zealand fought side by side (with the USA) in World War I and II. Darwin, the northern tip of Australia, was ...
I have an Easter card here to send you but unfortunately it won't make it to you in time. I just wanted to let you know the Easter Bunny & I are thinking of you X
J Torsrud, although your message was directed to Cody, I would be very interested to read your son's blog. I am a student in Australia and use these wonderful resources whenever I can in my studies. I also have a very close friend serving a JLWOP sentence in Arizona. I ...
I don't think I could ever be proud to call myself an American... I guess it's lucky then that I wasn't born into the USA. I find the injustices within your legal system intolerable. Although no system can probably ever result in consistently fair outcomes, I believe the justice system ...
Perhaps it's a little of both! ;) haha. I imagine to live in that environment you'd need to possess a healthy degree of 'asshole'. But in my humble opinion... just the fact that you see a difference in yourself in comparison to the majority of your peers, says you hold ...
I hope you come to see your tv as more of a friend... your window to the world. I often sit back and look at what I'm watching with a critical eye. I think about how this is our culture before me, represented in these pictures. I think about how ...
You're always fascinating ;) I despise the feeling of being hungry too, but you're not actually supposed to feel hungry when losing weight. At least that seems to be the general consensus now. To lose weight you have to feed your metabolism. The trick is to eat 5 times a ...
Hello my good friend. I've been thinking of you lately, I know I am way behind in sending the things I'd promised but I haven't forgotten. The next semester is about to start next week, which always causes me to organise all I need to get to before the routine ...
I fail to see why marriage rights are not equal for all in our modern societies. But I guess when you consider issues like segregation & apartheid were only abolished fairly recently, (& I don't believe either your country OR mine have racism under control to this day). I guess ...
Hi Jim, I was just looking through the artwork on Between the Bars & yours is just delightful! Thank you for sharing these with us all & thank you for putting a smile on my face today!! :) Nicki
Thank you for your post. You're the most prolific poster here on BTB :) & I don't often get a chance to read all of your submissions but I've taken a few minutes out of my day to catch up just a little (on gay priests & sluts so far) ...
Hi Jeremy, Thank you SO much for this link! I read your post as I was taking a break from my latest criminology subject (which is about the structure & operation of corrections here in Australia)& I tried a couple of times to access this doco through Youtube without success, ...
PART 2 My partner was shocked & it was great to see him thinking outside of his usual space. It also gave us much in-depth discussion which is much appreciated. He works as a security guard & does some shifts occasionally at our shopping centers so I've heard him make ...
I enjoyed reading JT's reply to your post. It's always interesting to hear other, insightful perspectives. What brought me down to the comments though, was the last line in your post about how you believe you've "come to realize that they truly are born, (with a touch of raised) that ...
Hi Daniel, I enjoyed reading this post. I received your last letter too & intend to reply next week after my final exam. I'm glad you are able to find ways to quiet your mind & find your strength and I also find your realizations of others fascinating. I found ...
I LOVE watching Hoarders! It fascinates me & I would definitely watch the prison version. Thank you for another poetic glimpse into your world. Take care. Nicki
Hi Jeremy, it's been quite a while since I've contacted you & I realised today that I MISS YOU. Thankfully I can always find you here. :) As you know, I appreciate these links that you share. Although always incredibly troubling in their content, it's great to see an extension ...
After living through so much tragedy, you share such incredible beauty Jeremy! Your words burrow deep into my heart and awaken so much in me. You touch me so deeply that I feel drawn to respond to you in a more heartfelt way than I communicate with anyone else in ...
Hi Nate, I've been hanging around the site tonight (it's been a while!) & I had to come & say Hi :) I'm sorry to hear this happened to you, and through this site, we do realise these incidents occur more regularly than we as a society should accept. I ...
Hi Daniel, It's been a while since I've been here to say hi (a long while!) I've moved cities, started working, (quit that job & am busy looking for another haha). & I'll be finishing my studies for the rest of the year (I've also taken on a double diploma ...
Hi James, I'm one of the slackers you haven't heard from for some time but it's good to see you keep reaching out here regardless. From an Australian perspective, I don't know that American's are being seen as 'cowards'... a bunch of crazy people perhaps! Your policies on gun control ...
Hi Daniel, Of all the posts I've read on Btb, I don't often see people giving advice to others & if they do, it's usually followed by a negative comment, devaluing their words (like who am I to give advice in my situation). The strength in your words, your qualified ...
Thank you for writing Robert. You're right about so many things in this post, but the one thing you're wrong about is that your thoughts & concerns aren't interesting. They are & I can tell you they are the same concerns all people with a social conscience share. There is ...
Hi Jeremy, it's been over 18 months since you last posted anything here. I do hope you are ok. I too have been lost to the world I once dabbled in regularly but I still think of you often and hope you are doing well. I have now graduated and ...
It's testament to your incredible inner strength that your thought processes have remained intact in spite of all you endure. Your powerful words give strength to me & I'm sure to all who consider them. I wish you peace and send my love and appreciation to you today and throughout ...
Hi Nate, I haven't written for quite some time but am always amused when your posts pop up in my e-mail. I too was going to offer to transcribe your manuscript for you but I see I'm not your first offer, which is wonderful. I'm really happy to see that ...
Hi Cody, if you're still out there can you send me an e-mail. i've tried stalking facebook and my messages I sent to your e-mail address have bounced back. nicki.601@hotmail.com I'd love to hear what you're up to now. I hope all is well.
Hi Daniel, It's been such a long time since I've been in touch & I am sorry I didn't sent you a Christmas Card to help decorate your cell this year. I did think of you & I'm glad you had contact with your family during that time. I spent ...
Hi James, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I love seeing posts like yours that remind me there's always hope, we can always do better & most importantly, how ever far we travel down a wrong road, it's always possible to turn around. Thank you for the inspiration. I will ...
I sent you a Christmas card so you would know I was still wanted to hear your thoughts and continue our friendship... It was returned "undeliverable". I googled your name, hoping to find some explanation for why I cannot contact you but I am left wondering, Hoping that you're ok. ...
Hi Daniel, I'm sorry you're not getting anywhere with the legal process, I can't even begin to imagine how incredibly frustrating this must be for you. I received your letter before leaving the outback... I'm now back in the city with all of my 3 children which has been wonderful. ...
Dear William, Your post gave me a smile this morning. I’m glad I stepped away from the usual social media media sites that take up my free time by continuously bagging out your president, despite the fact that I live in the other side of the globe (not meaning to ...