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My youngest brother was imprisoned last year in the Terrell TDC Unit. I wish that I could say he wasn't guilty of his crime, but evidence proved he was. He admits he is guilty. The crime was child molestation, and in a search of his house child pornography was found.
I had not talked to my brother "Joe" since 1995, fter a family dispute. Joe was only 17 at the time, still in school, and took my mother's side in the dispute. After hearing about his arrest from my other brother, "Dan", I was completely shocked. After all, Joe was my mother's favorite, and the child that could do no wrong.
After Joe had been in prison for about 6 months, I decided this was the perfect time to try to get him to talk to me. He probably wanted someone to care enough to write to him, and if he was mad he could easily tell me now.
Joe had so many problems in school, he recently wrote to me. He was depressed, and often wanted to commit suicide. Our father was an invalid, and our mother was mentally ill (although she doesn't seek treatment, and doesn't accept anything is wrong). Joe finished high school early to work and feed the family. He tried attending community college, but it was too much of a stress with his depression.
Joe is now attending counseling session while in prison. But I worry that he is not getting proper care. I suffer from bi-polar disorder, which is inherited. Our grandfather was bi-polar, and I suspect our mother is. Now I wonder if Joe is. If so, he needs to be properly medicated or he will not be able to function after being released.
Joe was sentenced to 20 years. With good behavior (which he will have), he only has about 11 years remaining.
As a family member, I am very concerned about my brother. I want him to be rehabilitated. Not just locked up for years and then let out into the world. This is not good for him or the public.
His crime is one that I am ashamed of. He is ashamed of. It is too horrfic to bring up to friends when I need a shoulder to cry on. I am afraid to bring up his crime. I fear people, out of ignorance, will fear that I, too, have inherited this tendency. So I remain quiet. "No, I haven't heard from Joe."
This is not like Joe. Something in him snapped. He has not told me what happened, or when it happend. Why. Does he know why?
After prison, what life can he live? His type of crime turns everyones' stomach. It is the least tolerated of all crimes, including murder. He will be identified as what he was, and have to look over his shoulder for vigilantes wanting to make an example out of him. What life will he have?
God help him. He's my baby brother.
