Prison system is stacked against us

THIS IS in regards to the prison system and how it operates.

Our son was sent to a facility over six hours away from family and friends. When he was sent there, he was told that he would be eligible for early release if he completed all the programs that were required for his charges.

He realized he had made a mess of his life, and took every opportunity to take any class or program available to help him change his life and to make better choices for himself and his daughter. Unfortunately, the one course he was required to take was not available at his facility. During the more than two years, he has been there, he had repeatedly requested transfers to any facility that could offer him this last course he needed--but he was constantly turned down.

Now, this week, he finally gets his merit board hearing and is denied because he didn't fulfill the requirements of taking all the courses required.

He was convicted for a crime that was a one-time offense committed over three years before they arrested him. It was a non-violent, non-contact crime. His pre-investigative report came back with a recommendation for parole, but everything was completely ignored.

He was also told that any letters of recommendation that he could get from family and friends telling of the changes they've noticed in him would go along way in helping them decide on early release. One of these letters was from a minister who has worked with our son for a year and has more input on the changes he has made. The letters were never read or taken into consideration.

How does New York state get away with telling inmates they have to complete these programs and then putting every roadblock they can in front of them so they can't go home again?

I understand that not all inmates want help and some get angry about the circumstances that get them arrested, but what about the few that have no money to afford a good lawyer and are literally getting screwed by the system?

I have tried everything to get him some help, but we're not rich either and no one wants to help us get answers or tell us where we can go to get help.

There was nothing more heartbreaking than listening to our granddaughter cry when she heard that her daddy won't be coming home for another year.
Kathy Heeman, Athens, Pa.