Inmates Share Their Love

It is so, so important to keep inmates connected to their loved ones.  It has been proven that the men and women that stay connected to family and friends are less likely to return to that side of the fence once they come back to the free world.  So, here at Judicious Jailbird, we are proud to share the space for others to connect to their loved ones.

This shout-out is quite a bit smaller than the Christmas shout-out.  Why?  Good question.  It is certainly NOT that the men hangin' with J.J. do not love their loved ones.  But rather, there are many men that do not have a special lady in their life anymore as time as moved them in different directions.  It takes a special woman (or man for the ladies!) that can stand tall through the time, distance and a fence. 

Be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug.  Stop and remind them how much they mean to you.  Be sure that they feel your love.  Today, tomorrow for Valentine's Day, and always! 

All my love to Jen, Taylor and Jalynn.  Happy Valentine's Day to my girls.  I love you and miss you.  Daddy will be home soon.

Love Always,
Tommy

A Message to Mi Reina: This may be a day for couples to show and share their love for on another, but since they very first day we've made us official my love from my heart has always been shared with you.  Everyday is a hard day for me to get through without my wife.  How can a man feel complete missing his other half?  After eight years of being together, through good and bad times, you've always remained faithfully by my side.  You've made a dream of mine come true when you brought my daughter in this world to always remind me of you.  I'll always say that I'm the lucky one.  With many more years to come, my love never ends, fails, or dies for you..."Keep it Q."  Happy Valentine's Day.  I love you always, Ashley!

Your Devoted Husband,
Travis

To live life without being loved by you would be like a beautiful butterfly gracefully flying on an early spring morning without its wings....it's truly impossible.

To express how grateful I am for having a beautiful, strong woman like yourself that has always protected me with an unselfish heart.  Someone who has always bestowed upon me your endless instructions of wisdom - often with gentleness - but sometimes stern.  Someone who has been through so much in life with me - and yet still remains by my side today.

After everything we have been through, you still love me without a doubt and I am very grateful to have you by my side.  I think about you night and day.  I sit and think how I love you more then I love myself, because I know you care.

I decided to try something a little different.  There would be no Valentine's Day cards this year.  It's time to upgrade.  :)  I hope you enjoy your Valentine's gift.  This goes out to the three most beautiful women in the world.  K. Bonner (my mother): without you, there would be no me.  D. Wilcox (my grandmother): without you, there would be no me also, but you're the person that has me on the spiritual path I'm on.  M. Gibson (my grandmother): you have all of these things I just said, but you're also the heart of the Gibson family.  I love you all.  Merry Valentine's Day!

Love,
Mike

St. Valentine's Day is a time where we must reflect upon, but most importantly be thankful for the one we truly love...the one that loves us through our success and our failure, our rights, our wrongs....when it's easy and when it's not....the one that loves us through our today, our yesterday and through our tomorrow.  So that leaves me to say, Ashley, I love you.  I thank you for loving me and never giving up on this, on us, on everything.  You are my strength, my smile, my perfect.  Happy Valentine's Day, my love.

Forever under your spell,
Scott

On December 24, 2006, my whole life changed when God sent me one of his angels from up above.  Her name is Alisha Lecouris.  Since that day, I've been the happiest person I've ever been.  Yes, we've had our ups and downs.  But somehow we've managed to pull through it all.  She has stood beside me through this miserable time of my life here in prison, and plans on doing so until I come home, which I wanna thank her for, because the majority of the time, when a man gets locked up, relationships and friendships fall apart.  And I'm one of the few that's lucky or should I say blessed enough to still have that one person that makes my life complete.  It breaks my heart, not being able to see her on the weekends, due to the D.O.C. suspending her visitation.  But maybe that's just another test God is using to build our relationship stronger.  So, I wanna use this time to let her know how much I truly love and adore her.  Without her, who knows who or where I would be.  I wish I was there for you and able to do the things for you that you deserve.  But, unfortunately I can't.  I love you with all my heart babe.  And I want you to know, these past six years of your relationship, have been the best years of my life, and I plan on having many more with you, by my side.  I love you, and have a Happy Valentine's Day.

Love,
Forrest Robert

Not only is it Valentine's Day, its also my fathers birthday.  He's now 52 years old.  Happy B-day dad!  I love and miss you....I can't wait to see you again.

For my friends and family: Thanks for standing behind me through all my troubles.  And an extra thanks to my brother Jerry, my two wonderful sisters Merisa and Summie, my dad Richard and to my beautiful daughter Kelsey....don't ever forget how much I love you, and how proud of you I am.  Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.  Be home soon 2015.

Love,
Ricky          

Today is my day to be thankful for my children and before you look for cupid, look for me.  Steven Jr. (aka Lil J.T.), Isaiah (aka RU) and Miss Emma (aka Sweet Pea): Daddy loves all of you so much.  Each day that passes by like the wind, I sit here wishng I could have that next visit just to see your faces, to know that you y'all are alright, and just to see pure happiness in your hearts and love gleaming in your eyes.  Although the world has taken it's turn for better or for worse, I realize nothing matters more to me than the tree of you.  It's not over and I promise that soon daddy is going to get his freedom.  One thing I've never done and never will is lie to the three of you.  It's Valentine's Day and I want all of you to know that I love you more than anything in this world.

Mom (aka Miss B.), I couldn't ask for a better mother, and you don't know how thankful I am for you being there.  I don't know what I'd do without you.  Love You & Happy Valentine's Day, Your Son.

Why do we always chase after what's bad for us and what's good for us we take for granted?

Happy Valentine's Day.  We missed one, but we will enjoy many...cupid never lies.

Love, Yo Husband Terry

My name is Ivan Matthews, inmate #U04337!  To others I am the Ivanimal and to my loved ones I am a real person.  My mother's Baby Boy and my children's papa bear.  A best friend to my brothers and a little, big brother to my sister.  Let's not forget about pops!  I am Ivansky to him.  Some people look at me crazy because I'm tattooed from head to toe.  Deep down inside, I'm a very loving and caring person.  I do keep a lot of my doors closed, to keep the unwanted ones out, and the only ones with the keys are my children, my mother and close family members!  I do want to crack my door enough to let this out.

Dustin, I love you son...all the way to the back!  That was our saying when you was so young.  You are the strongest minded of my children, and the one that keeps it all together.  You have become such a gentleman.  I will be home soon son.  I love you!  Hunter, you are my wildest one that slowed down enough to make me a grandpa at a young age.  All of this is almost over son, and I will be home just in time to help you with your wild one.  I love you!  Lil Ivan, my little baby!  I feel you have felt the most pain from me being here.  Momaw has got your back's son.  Before you know it, daddy will have us all back together and we will be able to laugh about all of this!  We will not have to cry anymore!  Daddy loves you baby.  Mom, I owe you and pops so much.  You have been my rock, and the boys rock my entire sentence.  Never letting go, or looked down on me.  You have become our backbone that keeps us on our feet.  Next year mom, your baby boy will be home.  It has been a long road, but we are now at the end!  I wanted to tell you all "Happy Valentine's Day" in a special way!  So here it is.  Next year me, and the kids will have dinner with you!  LOL.  You know what my favorite foods are, so stock up!  LOL.  Mom, pops, Dustin, Hunter, Lil Ivan, Danny, Marion, Alvin (my twin), Brandon, Autam, Heaven, Ashliegh, Page, Haily, Jordan, Gage and Destiny: Happy Valentine's Day!  Everyone of you need to smile because angels don't know how to frown!

Love Always,
Ivan Matthews  

Would you be my Valentine?  

Laugh Now....And Cry Later

I'm not real sure how much that statement [Laugh Now and Cry Later] is used in the free world.  Seems people want to cry and whine all the time.  Whine when your coffee is served cold.  Then sue when it's too hot and burns your dumb ass.

Now I hear someone is suing Subway because their foot-long isn't really twelve inches.  False advertisement they claim.  Well, I'm still saying my penis is 6 inches, even if it's only 4.

I believe people spend too much time crying about silly, unimportant shit.  Long gone are the days of circling the wagons because a group of hostile Indians are out to take your scalp.  Everyone wants it their way, right away.  Back here, behind this fence, it is anything but your way.  So often times you hear the phrase, "laugh now, cry later."  You learn to shrug it off.  Move past the issue.  Waiting until later when the lights are out and you're by yourself to grieve a lost loved one. 

Many men get a smiley-face with a sad-face tattoo on them.  Since I came to prison, I have been seeing this.  Hell...I live this.  It's my life.  When I get out of here, I'm not headed to Disney to ride roller coasters.  I'm headed to a graveyard to pay my respects to the man who taught me half I know.  The man who died while I was in prison.  Many times I laugh now.  Shrug it off.  Act like I don't hurt, knowing full well I will pay the bill later.

So I sat down to draw these faces.  Each time I draw a new piece, there is a meaning behind it.  Sometimes deeper than others.  Could be I just see a picture and think that I could do it better.  I sit down and do just that.  But other times the meaning is deep and is personal to me.  Those are always my favorites.

I won't ever have "laugh now and cry later" tattooed on me.  No, I live this life.  I'm reminded of how little control I have over feelings and emotions all the time. One day I'll be free and I need this life to end then.  It's over.  Until then, I will make like a Roman while I visit Rome.  I don't need any more reminders.

Still, I chose to make this art.  Perhaps when someone in the free world sees it, they can be blessed.  Blessed that you can hug your kid.  Blessed you can sit down to visit your mom in her living room.  Blessed you can surround yourself with loved ones to celebrate your birthday.

Don't forget Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  Your woman won't forget.  Tighten up guys.  Go get her a card and some chocolate.  Make a reservation at your favorite restaurant, pick a corner booth and light a candle.  Bring her breakfast in bed.  Offer to watch the kids while she gets a massage.  This is one day of the year you can shine on her.  Let her know she rocks your world.  Do something for her that will have her bragging to her girlfriends about her man.   

This is your heads up guys.  You blow this one and you won't get blown for a month.  Not that I'll feel bad for you.  Last time I got blown was five years ago.  Can I sue for that?  Cruel and unusual punishment?  What happened to "my way, right away?"

Fuck it.  I'm out.  Peace!

Mail Call!

Communication tends to vary from one person to the next.  Like your lover may have greeted you at the door with nothing on...only a rose in her mouth and a can of whip cream in her hand on Valentine's Day.  Here, our lovers would need to send a photo of that.  And.....the mail room isn't going to let that type of greeting in.  No, I'm afraid you will be shut down.  But!  If it's the thought that counts...

This is my personal conflict.  Mail that comes into the prison.  I understand security needs to make sure no pipe bombs have been put into that sweet Valentine's Day card.  What about the mail that goes out?  This prison shakes us down once a week.  Their officers come into our dorm and sift through each article of our personal property.  To top it off, this is a faith and character based camp.  They are really over the top here.  Which brings us to the mail.

Tampering with mail is a federal offense.  Not a small offense...a federal offense!  Before the mail is inspected the people inspecting are suppose to be certified.  They are then instructed to 'scan' the content of the mail.  Looking for items that could be deemed a 'threat' to the institution.

Up until a year ago, there was a large mailbox at the front gate where we put outgoing mail.  That mail was picked up by an office, then taken to a sorting room where it was dumped on the floor and kicked around a bit.  My art is usually bent in half; at times torn, and other times completely lost.  That was the old system.

About six months ago maintenance came around and installed mailboxes in each dorm.  Most camps then send a certified mail carrier to each dorm to pick up mail each night.  Not this camp.  Prison mail is divided into two categories.  Legal mail and personal mail.  Personal mail can be inspected by officers.  Legal mail may not.  This is for security purposes.  Your dorm officers are not privy to your charges and offenses.  Personal problems then arise and many times a conflict of interest.  For this reason legal mail is done by a personal call-out.  All personal mail comes directly to your dorm to be passed out.  The problem?

With mailboxes being installed in each dorm now the dorm officers collect our mail.   Then, they sit during their 8 hour, midnight shift and read our personal mail.  First problem?  They are not certified.  Second problem?  They are our dorm officer and are not privy to that level of personal information on us, nor our people's personal lives.  And last but not least....they don't scan read....they read word-for-word.  The problem in this is that we openly talk about family issues and many times legal issues with our family.  The very topics, that for security reasons, our dorm officers are not suppose to view our mail.  And, in a couple cases those very officers have approached inmates because they took personal offense to a topic that was discussed.  This is the very reason a certified mail handler is to scan read outgoing mail.

Instead, we watch officers sit and laugh at our jokes, ponder our personal problems and read when we comfort our siblings.  I'm left feeling violated.  There is a difference between protecting and serving.  Wait....my bad.  That's your cops out there that respond to that call.  The motto here?  Never walk alone.

I broke the law.  Not only is my house torn down once a week for an inspection of all I own, but my family is dragged into the mix as well.  Some officer back here knows way too much about my family and loved ones.  Now they know my legal issues and when I talk sex with my woman.  Are there any lines?  If so, where are they?

A Favor from J.J.

OK, slackers.

This is your courtesy announcement.  Don't forget your lady on Valentine's Day.  You know, that special day in one week.  Tighten up!!

Notice I addressed the guys.  What woman forgets Valentine's Day?  And it doesn't matter if they do.  If a woman forgets Valentine's Day.....then you have a cool-ass chick.  If you're a man, upset your chick forgot Valentines Day....then you are a bitch.

Hello Walgreen's!!!  You can grab a card, a box of chocolates, some flowers, and a six-pack.  The six-pack is to congratulate yourself for taking such good care of your girl.  Then again, if you have the chick that forgets Valentine's Day, you really ought to grab her a six-pack too.

Valentine's Day sucked when I was a kid.  Girls gave you these little cards.  Then these little candies shaped like hearts that say stuff like..."Won't you be mine?"  These kids are like 5.  What do they know about "Won't you be mine?!"

Won't you be mine turns into a headache.  5 turns into 15.  Then it's sneaking around, missed periods, and a baby on the way.  So...maybe that's exaggerated some.  As long as you never forget Valentine's Day, then you will be just fine.

For the record, you should do more for your girl than some Walgreen's chocolates.  If you have a Publix or a Meijer (or any other large chain supermarket) you can usually find a nice variety of flowers.  Hell, they may even have those 'fancy' balloons.

OK, smart ass.  You want to know what I'm going to do for my chick?  Well, I am an artist....so I could make a card.  Then again, probably not.  That's just how it goes.  Growing up my dad was a carpenter and a cabinet builder, yet my mom had plywood shelves with no doors on the front.  Ever meet the painter who has no paint on his own house?  Why is it like this?

I'm far from lazy....I just draw so much shit I figure my girl might like something store bought.  I'm like an overgrown kid.  Every parent with children has a refrigerator full of pictures, paintings, report cards, and so on.  And I'm a 33-year old dude doing the same damn thing.  I send home art, pictures, awards, certificates and progress reports.  Both my momma and my woman's fridge would be loaded with my shit if they hung it up.

Uhhhh....you ladies don't do that do you?

HA!  In all honesty the blog has become that very refrigerator full of my shit.  Besides, it sucks to open the fridge and have a picture fall down.  You have a nice buzz, and as you reach to put it back up five more pieces fall off.  Like it's a contest...

Let's see how much shit we can hang with one magnet.  Finally you say fuck it and give up.  You leave the picture on the counter.  Besides...it's just a bunch of scribbles anyways....right?  NO.  That's a freakin' masterpiece and it's the first thing your kid will notice is missing the next day.  The only thing worse is when you don't see that it fell.  By the next morning when you see it, there are 12 size-11 boot prints on it....one from each trip you made to retrieve a beer.  Yeah.  Try explaining that to Timmy the next day.

So, I will try a store bought card.  Right.  There is no store here.  Instead I will go the hustle-man.  The main man.  The dude who can get you whatever you want.  I will tell him I need a masterpiece.  A card that will tell my special lady exactly what she means to me.  That she melts my heart.  Every day I try to be just a little better for her.  Every day I whittle away just a little bit more of the rough edges.

The hustle-man will bring me a get-well car for an elderly person.  I will tell him that's not what I had in mine, but it is cheap.  He will tell me two Ramen Noodle Soups.  I will counter with one and remind him he doesn't even have the envelope...only the card.  Can we say, bargain shopping?!?!  Too bad they don't have a Walgreen's.  I could get that six-pack and celebrate my fabulous purchase.

Happy Valentine's Day Hooligans!!!

Baby?  Are you there?  I only wrote this for a laugh.  No!  I'm not really gonna buy your card from the hustle-man.  This is your Valentine's greeting.  ENJOY HONEY!  I love you.