Hi Guys. Its been a very long time since I've posted anything on here, whether its a reply or a new thread, but have been coming to see what's been going on.

Anyway, some of you may remember I have been writing to this 1 pp now for 3 1/2 years now. Its a very solid relationship, where we talk twice a week on the phone and I go and see him when I can afford to go over there.

I'll try to keep this as short as I can. He has 2 young men who he has taken under his wing and is acting as a mentor or a adoptive father to these 2 young men for the past few years. Anyway, last week, 1 of the young men was getting off from work last week and he was jumped by another inmate, which turns out to be this inmate was trying to get into 1 of the gangs in the prison and 1 of his duties was to jump this 1 young man who my pp has been acting as a father figure to. The young man, got beaten up pretty badly, had to have stitches in his face and then placed into the hole with the other inmate who jumped him. The other man who jumped my pp's friend did it so my pp wouldn't be around to help protect him.

My pp is taking this pretty hardand he's upset as he is extremely close to this young man who was jumped and wasn't anywhere around to help protect him. My pp is keeping a close eye on this young man while he's in the hole.

When he called me over the weekend after all this happened, I thought my pp was going to break down and cry. I could hear the tears behind his voice. I feel so helpless over this. I've been trying to send my pp jokes to help cheer him up. I've also decided to go see him in about a week to help cheer him up and to check on him. I can't afford to go, but yet I can't afford not to go as I feel as though he needs me more now than later on when I can better afford to go. I don't know what else I can do for him other than being there for him, to be there to lend a shoulder for him to lean on, to offer support. I just needed to vent all of this and I appreciate all of ya'all for being there for when I and any of us needs to vent.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things and being a great friend. Keep your chin up and smile for your pal, sounds like he needs it!
Wishing you the best!

hugs-
CHeers!

Tupp, sorry to hear your friend and yourself have both been exposed to this situation. I also know all too well what "hopeless" feels like at the other end of the phone, not knowing the "right" words to say, or even what is appropriate. I know why people do as they do, but i will never fully understand how some can take the actions they do and the reasoning behind their choices. It is always worse when you feel betrayed, as i am sure your mate does knowing this guy attacked when no one was around to help out the victim, but that is what they do, wait for the opportunity to attack knowing they have the upper hand, i am just glad your mates friend was not involved in a sexual assault.
It is good you are going to visit, and i am sure as you already know from your mate, just being their giving support and lightening his load as you do just by listening sometimes is all a person needs. I am glad he has you to share his thoughts and feelings with. This is the harsh reality of life behind bars, someone is always stalking their next victim for personal gain, whatever that maybe.

On a brighter note, hope you find the funds easier than you imagined and have a really good trip despite the situation you both find yourselves in.

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The last of all freedoms is the ability to choose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances.
G. W. Allport.

What I did last time that my pp was a little down was I asked some people to write a cheer up card on a Dutch forum and I sended al the cards in one time to hime, it really cheered him up, maybe a nice idea?

Thanks guys for the input on this, the words of encouragement, allowing me to vent and the kind words. After posting this, I received a phone call from my pp and I told him I was coming to see him next weekend. He wanted me to come this weekend, but I had the sad duty of telling him it was too late to make my motel reservations to get the cheaper rate that I can get when I make the reservations a week in advance. Even though we're having to wait a week for a visit, I could hear the excitement in his voice along with his spirits lifting knowing I was coming for a weekend visit. After he had time this think about it, he realized that by waiting a week. it would give him something to look forward to and something to plan on.

Anyway, thank you again for allowing me to vent and share this hard time with ya'all. All of ya'all are awesome folks. Have an awesome weekend.

The visits always lift them up. You are doing all you can to help. Just keep encouraging him and lending a shoulder and things will work out.

Sadly, that is what happens with gangs and their way of thinking and it is always the innocent who get hurt. There isn't much to do really because if he talks he will become a target. It's a terrible cycle.

He is lucky to have you I hope you have a wonderful visit.

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