Looking for a 24/7 Memory Care Unit in California willing to accept 97-year-old Gerald Oates. We want to help him find a peaceful transition. Any connections or organizations with leads, please reach out to me or
@SpeedyVeez
🙏🏼
After I mention I’m against the death penalty, why do some feel the need to give me 30+ “Well, what if…” scenarios? My response is always going to remain the same. Abolish the death penalty.
How can anyone with a criminal record be expected to easily turn their life around with all of the obstacles they’re faced with after offending? It’s recipe for failure.
Here’s more evidence that
@giselefetterman
is the sweetest human on this planet. She sent me the cutest Christmas postcard so that I could mail it to Joseph ❤️🙏🏻 She’s truly the best!
The way the incarcerated are inhumanely treated in prison is unacceptable. The blanket response of “Well they shouldn’t have done what they did to end up there then!” is also beyond unacceptable.
I cannot stand when someone blatantly dismisses a concern I have regarding anything Joe is forced to deal with by responding, “He’s in prison, what do you expect?” Maybe some human decency. At the bare minimum.
Exciting news!! Joseph & I are finally on the waiting list for a family visit! We will get to have a conjugal visit, spending 3 days together. We’re praying one will be scheduled within the next month or two 🙏🏻❤️
I’ve been disturbingly asked several times recently, “How can you trust someone who’s in prison for life?”. An LWOP or DP sentence is not a definition of character. I trust my LWOP loved one with my entire life.
Every single state needs to allow conjugal visitation. The small sense of normalcy and multiple positive rehabilitative factors alone are so beneficial.
@RailroadUnderg1
100% believe this. There were multiple occasions at my husbands previous prison where the COs would hand him pictures I sent and make comments about how they were POSITIVE I’m out here cheating on him??? They also have made comments about my son not being his bio child. It’s sick
Joseph just called 🙏🏻❤️😭 He’s already liking this new prison so much better than his last, it’s all single cell & he even has a key to his cell. He wanted me to say thank you to everyone for all of the positive thoughts & prayers! 😊
Disrespecting my incarcerated loved one and refusing to acknowledge his humanity is the quickest way to be removed from my life. This is a non-negotiable boundary.
I wanted to share Josephs’s mentorship graduation speech. I was so proud of him for volunteering his thoughts & feelings — public speaking is totally out of his comfort zone. He did a fantastic job ❤️
Every time I hear the amazing news that a lifer is coming home from prison early I’m instantly overwhelmed with joy. I cannot even imagine how incredible that moment truly feels for the incarcerated & their family. One day ❤️🙏🏻
Today the doctor at Joseph’s prison decided he needs to see an outside cardiologist by early next week. His heartbeat is very slow & the electricity traveling to his heart is also moving slow. Please send him positive vibes while I attempt to not worry myself sick 😖🙏🏻
Sending love to anyone with an incarcerated loved one. My DMs are always open if you ever want to talk or vent. This journey can be extremely mentally draining at times — together we’re stronger.
Instead of asking someone why they committed their crime, we should be asking what factors & situations in their life eventually led them to committing their crime.
But seriously, all those blaming bail reform for any uptick in crime & then praising police for any downturn (while conveniently failing to mention bail reform) are among the most disingenuous people on planet earth.
OH the way I just cried my eyes out when leaving the prison 😭😭 Another amazing visit with my soulmate. I’m so lucky to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard 💔
One of the most difficult parts of our visit was seeing quite a few incarcerated elderly men visiting their loved ones in reflective jackets, signaling that they’re older or even disabled. I almost immediately started crying being that I’ve never seen this before.
No, I won’t be a part of your prison reality show, where your one main focus is exploiting my husband & our relationship.
Make a show focusing on the rehabilitation of lifers and then we can talk.
I cannot wrap my head around the fact that a Warden referred to a meal as a “Feeding”? Like you do realize these are actually human beings and not animals right? Disgusting.
Today should have been our wedding day. In an effort to fight off my sadness, I decided to put on the dress I was going to wear & even did my make up. WELLP I’m still sad… but I truly do understand everything happens for a reason 🙏🏻 Have a blessed Saturday friends❣️
Prosecutors threatened my fiancé with the death penalty and THEN forced him into a corner to take a LWOP plea deal. He was 21. He is now sentenced to die behind bars although completely reformed with NO write ups for 8+ years.
#EndLWOP
Per a study done in 2016 — Each year in prison takes 2 years off an individual’s life expectancy. This is sickening. Imagine what the true stat is now with the pandemic?
I can’t even find the words to explain how amazing our weekend together was. Leaving was awful. I feel like a piece of me is missing more than ever. We bawled in each others arms for hours. Why can’t he come home with me? I’m crying again now 😭😭😭
This is the second time Joe & I have been on the phone while his yard got called down. I could hear the exhaustion in his voice as he told me he had to hang up so he could lay face down in the cold dirt. I hate prison.
#KevinJohnson
is more than the worst mistake he ever made. He has dedicated himself to his healing, wholeness, and being the best father he can be. Khorry has already lost one parent, please help save her father who is scheduled to be executed TOMORROW!
@GovParsonMO
Prosecutors should not be able to use a LWOP sentence as a bargaining tool in every potential death penalty case. I keep hearing stories like Joe’s from other people with a loved one who was scared into plea deal (with no future appeal possible) all to avoid the death penalty.
Missouri — A state that prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from witnessing an execution but will sure as shit permit anyone 18 and up be sentenced to death.
The prison doctor just now decided he wants to send Joseph to an outside cardiologist. When he wore the heart monitor, Joe’s heartbeat got as slow as 27 bpm. The doctor seemed concerned but couldn’t tell us when he’d be seen or WHY they waited over a month to call him back in 🤬
I will never understand the fact that prosecutors pushed for Joe to receive the death penalty while having no prior criminal history. Joe has the most pure & genuine soul I’ve ever met. To end his life at 21 because of one split second bad decision? This system is so fucked up.
Today I want to talk about Gerald Oates, a 97-year-old man who's been incarcerated since 1981. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 years to life. Yet, after serving 43 YEARS, he's still behind bars. Why? Let's break it down 🧵
Please keep Joseph in your thoughts & send positive vibes his way. Tomorrow he will be transferring down south to a facility that’s nearly 10 hours away from his family. Despite this minor hurdle, his positive spirit remains strong.
Joseph is officially registered to receive his Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification! In just a few short months he will finally be a certified counselor! I’m so proud of his hard work & dedication.
Today Joe’s cardiologist told him that he needs to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables to help keep up his heart health. Please bear in mind that Joe’s prison doesn’t even give the incarcerated men access to ANY fruit or vegetables 😡
I just talked to Joseph for the last time until his transfer & orientation are completed in 2 weeks 😓 Please pray for him & keep him in your thoughts for a quick & easy transfer. He leaves at 3 am tomorrow morning & even has to stay one night in another CA prison 🙏🏻
7 hours of staring into the love of my life’s eyes. Getting to hold his hand and kiss him. I am on cloud nine and can’t believe we get to do it all over again tomorrow 😭😭
I’ve severed ties with multiple friends & family members who had an issue with me marrying my incarcerated loved one. At first losing these people really upset me — but I’ve quickly learned that them showing their true colors was truly just a blessing in disguise.
Free prison calls in California are proving what we’ve known: connecting families is critical to rehabilitation.
“Incarcerated people who are connected to their families and support systems are more likely to come home and stay home.”
@BiancaTylek
Having my son changed my life completely. I didn’t know I was ready, but God did. I learned how to love selflessly & unconditionally.
Becoming a single mother has taught me about strength & fears I never knew existed. Mother’s are warriors.
Happy Mother’s Day to all! ❤️
Joe was told the transfer to his new prison is being expidited due to the OMC program beginning 6/6. They are transferring him Wednesday morning, this week. This means no visit and of course no wedding. We are heartbroken.
On days like today I wonder how I even have any tears left in my eyes to continuously cry. I can’t wait for the day I can leave prison and take Joseph home with me.
Please send Joseph good vibes as today he starts the final portion of his OMC program! He will complete 350 hours of master’s degree level curriculum in the next 5 months in addition to his other college classes. He’s nervous, but I know he’s got this 🙏🏻
Today is 3 years since I was awarded full physical and legal custody of my son. Celebrating this milestone and all of the love that fuels everything I do for this sweet boy’s happiness 🤍