If you met my nephew John in the visiting room, you might suspect that he's a skinhead. He's not. (Although I don't know anything about skinheads either way.)
John broke many drug laws many times. More than 10 years ago, he began paying for his crimes in federal prison. Since he had weapons, his release date won't be until 2014.
My wife and I moved from Alaska in 2003. Within six months, John was transferred two hours from our house. The two-hour drive was a pain but I got to know John and appreciate him.
Over the years, John had several visits from family members because he was within driving distance of our house. Last year, John was transferred 765 miles away (or 12'41" driving time). I've only been able to visit him twice since then. His Mom and brother haven't been able to visit him at all.
Circumstances got in the way of a recent visit. I moped a bit until I realized that I've been lazy. You see, I don't believe in paying taxes for a penal system that warehouses people without solving our drug problems but I've done nothing about it.
Yesterday, I began research to begin writing. Our federal government publishes a lot of helpful information online. However, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ has not been available to me since yesterday. Hopefully, you and I will begin to seek new solutions for our national drug problem. Meanwhile, you've had an opportunity to be introduced to John.
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