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Starting with Myself
Diane W.

I would like an honest relationship just starting with me being honest about myself and being myself. My pattern with love interests and friends has been that the reasons that we hung out together were drug related. My relationships have changed because the only people I have seen now are incarcerated and clean and sober. My mother says you need to change your friends and its up to me to change. My mom and daughter both are proud of me and want me to stay clean. I find that being clean and sober my mind is stronger and I am more disciplined.

Changes In My Life and Famlily
Anonymous

In my relationships with my family I'm working on getting my trust and showing them my positive ways. I need to show my loved one that I can change my bad ways. Stay home more often and give him more attention to show him more respect and be honest. Have fewer arguments and no excuses on my whereabouts. Show him that I can be trusted. The changes I've noticed in me have been that I am now very patient and appreciative for the little things that come to me. I do not jump to conclusions; I am calmer about what is going on in my home. I am more understanding about a lot of things. I do not let myself down or depress myself when things are not going my way. I need to understand that my loved ones do have a life and I'm not the only person they need to attend to.

My Husband Jose Quiroz
Shelly R. Quiroz

My name is Shelly and my husband's name is Jose. We have been married 15 years, December 5, 2005. It took a real drastic turn in my life to realize how much love my husband had for me. I had turned to drugs and jail plus a life of chaos that drugs brings to a woman of 36 who once had it all. I was left without my kids, my home, my car, and my husband. I thought to myself he never loved me, but he did -- he just didn't know what to do for me. So I went to jail and got help. He came back in my life and is now working with me. He said he always loved me. He's always there when I need him. I was the one sick. He could not cure me. Only I could. He's not a doctor he's my husband. Jose Quiroz.

Now I'm Found
Sandra H.

Right now the only relationship that I'm in is with God and education. However, I am married and have a wonderful family, but that's personal. Being incarcerated has helped my relationship with my higher power (God) become stronger. I find myself praying, reading the Bible and speaking of God more so now versus before. It also gave me a stronger foundation and a structure for my education. I find that I am able to study more and harder. And I found out that I love me, because at one time I lost myself and the love I had for me. Now I'm found.

The Stages of My Relationships After Being Incarcerated
By Jenn

My fiancée, Louis
At first, angry…digested reality of sentence and became supportive. Difficult times carrying the load of responsibility. Very loving and looking forward to our life together.

My Parents
Shock, anger, hurt, disappointment. Cut communication for 2-3 months into sentence. Started to become understanding and accepting. Helped them to understand and start forgiving me to work towards a positive relationship in the future.