tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17123089982904778182012-01-04T11:53:34.312-07:00A view from outside the barbed wire fence from the wife of an inmate, campaign letters, experiences, storys, encouragement. Writings from a prison widow.Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-35795176184064237492011-02-12T09:05:00.002-07:002011-02-12T09:46:45.674-07:00

Update! Brian has been home now since May 24th, a day I will never forget!! I cannot believe it's been almost 9 months since then, and I haven't posted anything on my blog either. Shame on me!!The day he was released was awesome, but events since then have even turned out better than I had ever expected. I picked him him that morning and I was riddled with anticipation I think I received about

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-30420383747533354002010-05-11T21:48:00.001-07:002010-05-11T21:50:57.313-07:00

I'm very happy to announce that Bri will be home in 12 days and a wake up! YAY!! I can't sleep, eat or concentrate! Sorry I have not been on here much been soooo busy! I will try and journal the next week or so and then give updates when he gets home!!

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-50139845247709936862010-02-03T16:39:00.000-07:002010-02-03T16:42:06.194-07:00

The Arizona House of Representatives Ad Hoc Sentencing Committee has been rescheduled to February 25, at 2:00 p.m. in House Hearing Room 5. Thank you for your patience in accommodating our ever-changing schedule, please save the date from 2:00p to approximately 4:30p MST. When the revised agenda is released by the clerk's office I will be sending it to you by separate email.

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-30766677861332624452010-01-29T20:53:00.000-07:002010-01-29T20:54:20.066-07:00

Sentencing Reform MeetingFeb. 4th @ 2PMNow is Your Chance to Help Make a Change in the Sentencing LawsWear your ORANGE pin to show your support!!We need to show the legislators that there ARE PEOPLE who CARE about INMATES and it’s time to stop spending our education TAX dollars on overcrowded PRISONS!Sentencing Committee hearing is going to take place on:February 4, in House Hearing Room 5, at 2:

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-63786362115428707582009-11-07T23:04:00.001-07:002009-11-07T23:04:29.502-07:00

Well, it's my son's 11th birthday today and he had a slumber party of 12 rowdy boys up til 1 am and up at 6 am! After grocery shopping from 8-11 (I was out of everything) I started with the food prep. I still had about 5 boys at my house all day playing The Beatles Rock Band. Yes, I have "We all live in a yellow submarine" permanently stuck in my head so I can't sleep right now. I've organized

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-36472228537648049532009-10-31T23:43:00.000-07:002009-10-31T23:44:21.753-07:00

Here is my new definition of AZDOC:Underhanded, shady, extortionists that steal our money, warehouse people, expect inmates to follow policy to the book while they just continue to do what ever the hell they damn well please, because who's gonna find out or care about an inmate or let alone believe one.I guess I need to gear up to start coming down hard on DOC again. I am so irritated with how

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-20665928711507729632009-09-10T20:57:00.002-07:002009-09-10T21:00:43.049-07:00

I am a link....who would have thought that I would have a link from the http://new.moreyunit.com/blog website under links. Maybe, I can actually get some attention to the prison employees on the perspectives we see as family members.... hey just a thought!

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-91990983249297906072009-07-22T23:54:00.002-07:002009-07-23T00:30:54.164-07:00

Well DOC is at it again, at least the CO's are. Brian is in a minimum custody yard. He should, by DOC policy, as a Phase III get unlimited phone calls, and full movement around the yard. NOPE! He shares a yard with Medium custody inmates and so the CO's treat the Min, as Med. It's not right. Now they are escorting inmates and only allowing one call per day. WHAT!!!?? Not they are messing

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-87198995913812927552009-07-02T23:23:00.002-07:002009-07-02T23:29:44.852-07:00

Right now I'm so sad, I just miss my husband so much tonight. I want him to hold me and kiss me right now. I just want to fast forward his life and put mine on pause until he is released from prison. Why does this have to be so hard emotionally for me? He is the biggest part of my life and I can't talk to him when I want to, see him when I want to, touch him when or how I want to, all I have

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-52745710100896120812009-06-06T16:09:00.004-07:002009-06-06T16:37:42.887-07:00

I'm amazed how things can turn around and change in a matter of minutes. My good friend, if not best friend, Anna text me that she needed a place to live and asked if I had an extra room. I DO! I have a 4 bed room so each kid has their own room and the spare is a place I keep my weight equipment. I will move it to the garage! AND to top things off I think I may have found a better paying job. I

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-28481268435971714852009-05-30T22:41:00.002-07:002009-05-30T23:10:14.358-07:00

I am happy to report that my husband is finally employed. I'm not quite sure if he even knows what he's going to be doing, some sort of fork lift operator in a warehouse of some sort. For prison, the pay he is getting is the highest pay offered. It will work out to be $80 per month so he can purchase more store items.I am just amazed at the prices of the items that the store sells these guys who

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-31719392336767506902009-05-23T00:28:00.004-07:002009-05-23T00:36:04.425-07:00

DW Hartsuck and/or DW Aguilar, Warden Fizer and IF&F liaison Ms. Cassiano,DW Hartsuck and I spoke via e-mail on this subject in February 2009 (see e-mail below), shortly thereafter many inmates have filed grievances on or around that time in regards to this subject. Why hasn't the prison responded to the 30 plus grievances that the minimum custody inmates filed for months ago regarding housing

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-57106012539541095562009-05-22T07:02:00.003-07:002009-05-22T07:44:57.920-07:00

This day I took off from work to enjoy a 4 day weekend with my children and possibly go down to Tucson and see Brian. I could visit him Sat, Sun and Mon but the finances are just not there right now to support the $40 a day vending machine habit my children and my husband seem to have acquired. Let alone the $30 round trip gas fare. That would be about $150 this weekend and I just don't have it.

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-41100391328298311482009-05-19T14:19:00.003-07:002009-05-27T00:27:58.981-07:00

Part OneMy Love I sit here and I truly am lost in grief. I have been doing my studies and an overwhelming feeling of sorrow came over me...I miss you so much. I need you my love, and worst of all for me, I know you need me. I really pray you are doing fine, and I have been praying that your finances are doing alright.Sweetheart you are the love I have always wanted and our love when put to

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-26652944520723159152009-04-30T12:10:00.002-07:002009-04-30T12:32:57.880-07:00

This week a few things have happened to make me question, again, why I stay in this relationship with Brian. I do love him. I care a lot about him, I have waited 30 months so far for him, and I have about 12 months and a few weeks more to go. Yet, I am so tired of it I want to just throw in the towel. Not so much that I am tired of waiting, because I can wait for true love. But it's the

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-71547321023576697632009-04-28T12:23:00.003-07:002009-04-28T13:15:23.006-07:00

What the State Pays:$40,000 Housing for My Husband $7200 Health Care for his family (I am currently on AHCCCS until April 2010)$6000 Food Stamps (I am currently receiving at $500 per month until June)$1800 in six months cash assistance (which I needed while unemployed)$480 unemployment when I didn't have a 2nd income to rely on $800 one time rental subsidy from Maximus (Jobs Program)$500 one time

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-17311450334757992022009-04-27T22:31:00.002-07:002009-04-27T22:45:34.494-07:00

I couldn't sleep Friday night, but 2 hours. I hadn't touched Brian in over five months, and I was going to see him the next day. I was tired and so were the kids, so the visit seemed very emotional. After not touching, hugging, and my kids not seeing Dad but twice, he was pulled in many directions and didn't know how to give us all the attention that we all have craved from him. I cried my

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-7918562520663651122009-04-27T15:29:00.003-07:002009-04-27T16:24:50.195-07:00

In 1997 one year before I met and married my husband I worked at a credit card fullfillment center. There was this lady who claimed she could read palms, so I asked her to read mine for fun. This is such nonesence really but what she told me then I have never forgotten."Don't take this the wrong way," she says "but do you know anyone in prison?""What? No. That's wierd" I replied."Well, you've

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-23767035676636278272009-04-23T23:21:00.005-07:002009-04-24T01:43:41.858-07:00

My good friend Jessica, who I met online by the way. Is going to have a great day tomorrow. You see, she is one of my co-founders of Prison Wives Club...I hope that will make her laugh if she is reading this, because it's not like we founded this spectacular campaign that I'd hoped for when starting this, but what we did "found" was a great friendship. One that I hope will last. She was the first

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-82233641015223935662009-04-21T22:27:00.002-07:002009-04-21T23:10:07.096-07:00

Last night I popped in a movie that someone had told me about called Felon. I had an idea as to what I was to expect, boy was I wrong. Not wrong about what I thought the movie was going to be about, but wrong about the emotions that I might feel watching this movie. It was so overwhelming at times I had to pause the movie to take a break with the tissue box. I have seen a handful of movies

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-79006367761555142562009-04-13T22:40:00.002-07:002009-04-13T23:03:23.083-07:00

I wonder sometimes when I'm going to wake up and realize that this was just a bad dream. That loosing out on so much because of one man's choice it's MY reality. You throw a pebble into a pond and the ripples affect the entire body of water. I think I'm having the hardest time with the fact that I am 32 years old, that I am in the prime of my life, and I should be in a better place. I was in

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-72786890589180495172009-04-07T21:32:00.001-07:002009-04-07T21:33:50.485-07:00

http://www.parade.com/news/2009/03/how-would-you-change-our-prison-system.htmlPlease Leave Your Comments....I want to know what you think????

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-87336966039016896162009-04-07T16:47:00.002-07:002009-04-07T16:52:25.764-07:00

http://community2.myfoxaustin.com/_PRISONS-IN-US-OVERCROWED/BLOG/232982/82263.htmlGet-tough policies that lock up offenders for longer sentences are propelling a projected increase of nearly 200,000 in the nation's prison population in the next five years, according a private study released Wednesday.The increase - projected by the Pew Charitable Trusts study to be three times faster than overall

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-49538101369968632552009-04-07T16:09:00.002-07:002009-04-07T16:43:54.241-07:00

This is taken from his web sitehttp://webb.senate.gov/email/criminaljusticereform.htmlThe National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 that I introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2009 will create a blue-ribbon commission to look at every aspect of our criminal justice system with an eye toward reshaping the process from top to bottom. I believe that it is time to bring together the best

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-20963344296189147282009-04-05T02:20:00.003-07:002009-04-14T14:20:06.770-07:00

http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=5030&publish_id=&event_id=This was a meeting on 3/17 after the 3/6 budget proposal draft was created by the DOC.The agenda for both the house and senate in regards to department of corrections budget cuts and the video footage of this meeting. (You can just click on Department of Corrections to skip over the Judiciary)The first guy

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-50335037142466164812009-04-04T18:54:00.003-07:002009-04-04T19:10:16.049-07:00

I can't do this any more. It's not in my hands anyways. I'm just one person and I can't do it alone. Whatever happens, will happen...I just give up.I hate visitaton, it's like cruel torture. The phone calls are nice, but they only last so long, and cost so much. Writing, I can't even pick up a pen and think of anything to say...my mind is blank.What if this whole truth-in-sentencing thing doesn't

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-87099545495750175552009-04-02T16:13:00.002-07:002009-04-02T16:34:34.545-07:00

spierce@azleg.gov; ahale@azleg.gov; rgould@azleg.gov; jharper@azleg.gov; sallen@azleg.gov; pgorman@azleg.gov; jwaring@azleg.gov; callen@azleg.gov; rburns@azleg.gov; lgray@azleg.gov; bleff@azleg.gov; jnelson@azleg.gov; rmiranda@azleg.gov; dmccunedavis@azleg.gov; kcheuvront@azleg.gov; llandrumtaylor@azleg.gov; mburtoncahill@azleg.gov; rpearce@azleg.gov; cgray@azleg.gov; jhuppenthal@azleg.gov;

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-91101778046681805592009-04-01T14:19:00.002-07:002009-04-01T14:49:25.449-07:00

View state-of-arizona-budget-reductions-options-fy-2010-gf-pdfYou know, I am going to play the devil's advocate.First of all, out of 10 priorities, this one is number 10. Number 11 is really just an extention to #10C.Second, by unloading 10K plus inmates either into county jails or on parole would eliminate 10 plus prisons.Third, the county jails will have to house more inmates 600 plus from DOC

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-5462239266577653172009-03-31T22:06:00.002-07:002009-03-31T22:22:28.620-07:00

Back in March 2007 Brian and I got notice that he was being charged with an issue that resulted from an arrest that was made back in September. As you all know Brian has fought a pretty bad addiction and we've had a lot of ups and downs. This last 4 1/2 years was probably the best he has done and he relapsed back in September. These charges were supposed to be dropped. We hired an attorney but

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-78643207921679750652009-03-30T22:18:00.002-07:002009-03-30T22:25:16.086-07:00

http://www.azcentral.com/video/?type=mavenfull&id=videopage&videoID=1077631441I calculated my husbands release and with a TR he should have been home Feb 2009, without a TR May 2009, since it's possibly going into effect in Sept, then he would be home then. He said that a bunch of guys in his dorm were sent up to have release pictures taken and he was brought up to have his release packet

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-47598688833816011892009-03-27T00:48:00.001-07:002009-03-27T00:50:10.781-07:00

My big issue, as a tax payer and mother of K-12 kids, our state is proposing to cut over 300 million from education and only 38 million from DOC, yet our new govenor wants to increase the DOC budget by 100 million. Does that make sense to anyone else?? What the hell is wrong with this picture. When DOC is #4 in spending the states money!Now, with that as ammo go tell your neighbors and friends

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-88173989401544191972009-03-26T15:35:00.003-07:002009-04-05T22:36:57.244-07:00

Prisontalk is supposed to be a support for people who have a loved one in prison...unless your name is briandi. I think the PTO moderators don't like me for some reason. Practically every post I make, every thread I start gets moved, or flat out deleted and I get a nasty...very rude, condescending, sarcastic PM back that I'm dumbfounded by. Like I should know better, but I honestly am just not

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-85928521018953320622009-03-25T12:56:00.004-07:002009-03-27T00:54:16.274-07:00

After talking with my husband this week and verifing with a few other orangeman's wives, the Tucson Warden has been telling inmates that the department is looking seriously at proposing to the govenor (if not already) to lower the 85% TIS (truth in sentencing). Could be as soon as September that this change might take place, and it would affect those released after 2009. I suppose that it would

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-2578534386539521742009-03-24T16:02:00.001-07:002009-03-24T16:02:43.854-07:00

I came accross this poem not too long ago and it really hit home hard for me. I'd thought I'd share for those who also have children who's daddys are in prison. I have a son who is 9 and a daughter who is 7....life is just not fair.Daddy's Gone© Alison Henderson How do you sit down and talk to your son and tell him that his Daddy has gone It's easier explaining the meaning of death and why people

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-45850893829798621132009-03-24T15:27:00.003-07:002009-03-24T15:35:45.387-07:00

Here are only just a few things that he went through while in the HELL HOLE:He had to sit in a rec cage for over 24 hours (no toilet, no water, nothing covering him from the elements and this was end of Sept...very HOT and he had no water...finally after begging for water for hours a "sympathetic" CO brought my husband a used (by who knows what inmate) empty Pepsi bottle filled with water.He has

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-85513188000109351272009-03-24T13:29:00.002-07:002009-03-24T13:32:16.122-07:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------As I lie here tonight in an empty bed, my children tucked away in their rooms asleep I think of all that I am missing right now. As my husband is locked in his cell, I know he is thinking the same thing. Where did this go wrong, I let them down, they deserve so much better. But we're lost without eachother. As you go

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-29048739469927717082009-03-24T12:37:00.000-07:002009-03-24T12:38:24.839-07:00

I visited this last weekend on a last minute whim...he wasnt expecting me and I got up there pretty late 12:15 or so. Was greeted by the usualy pleasant CO Villa by reminding me that I had too many quarters (I always have kids with me so I wasn't thinking about it) No big deal I run back to my car 12:20...I go in and I'm waiting like 15 minutes, 20 minutes...thinking "what the hell is he doing

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-29363671280698759682009-03-24T12:06:00.000-07:002009-03-24T12:11:15.000-07:00

Please help me get this Senate Bill passed into law.Here's where your help comes in: go to http://www.votesmart.org/ and enter in your zip code (if you are an AZ resident) if not you can use mine it's 85207 Then you can click on "Current Officials" you're looking for the State LegislativeExample:State LegislativeRepresentative Kirk Adams - State HouseDistrict 19 (Republican)Representative Rich

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-13769742469234023042008-10-12T13:06:00.000-07:002008-10-12T13:09:41.186-07:00

Ms. Dora SchriroDirector Arizona Department of CorrectionsCentral Office1600 W. JeffersonPhoenix, AZ 85007Dear Ms. Schriro,In our first letter to you, the Arizona Prison Wives Club acknowledged our understanding that you are trying to change a system that is not used to change. We know that you are going up against a lot of well entrenched government officials (i.e.: wardens, correctional

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-62361506041518566282008-10-12T13:05:00.000-07:002008-10-12T13:06:41.513-07:00

Dear Ms. Schriro,Arizona Prison Wives Club will address many other concerns in the coming months, concerns that impact the safety and health of our loved ones. In addition to their physical well-being, we are concerned with their emotional well-being. This month the concern is regarding a recent policy change impacting the holiday visitation schedule. The Department of Corrections, under your

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712308998290477818.post-2405205062315846382008-10-12T12:57:00.000-07:002008-10-12T13:04:57.730-07:00

Dear Ms. Schriro,We would like to introduce ourselves as the Arizona Prison Wives Club (AZPWC). We are a non-profit, letter writing campaign club made up of women whose husbands, boyfriends, sons and friends are incarcerated in the Arizona State Prison Complexes and private prisons contracted with the Arizona Department of Corrections. Our mission is to promote positive ideas and support efforts

Briandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481814566175262848noreply@blogger.com0