A Visit with Michael
This post is written by Melissa, who traveled a long way to visit with Michael. Thank you Melissa!
My visit with Michael seemed like it went by way too fast, even though I was lucky enough to see him for three days rather than the typical one weekend day. There is never a lack of conversation with Michael; he's extremely easy to talk to, non-judgmental, and he's an amazing story-teller! He had me laughing so hard and I was so glad to see him laughing and smiling too. However, I do want to say that being in prison is not a fun little game for Michael. Many people believe this because they've seen the documentary (or youTube footage), which "conveniently" only shows the scenes of him making jokes while in prison. The parts that they leave out really diminish Michael's true thoughts and feelings about his surroundings for the past 14 years. I can guarantee you that Michael is not having a ball behind bars!
Even though Michael is now at a medium security facility (Franklin), this does not mean that life got any easier for him. In max security, he had his own room and private space. He now lives in a dorm type setting where he shares an area with 59 other inmates, who are not very excepting, to say the least! This is a whole new experience for Michael, but he is doing his best to cope, as he does have a chance to be released later this year. The first day that I came to visit, he readily curled right up to me and talked about his good and bad experiences he's had at Franklin thus far. He held my hand almost the entire time and expressed how badly he wants to go home. Despite what others may believe, he does not want to go back to NYC and hit up the clubs, starting where he left off. Instead, the two things that he is looking forward to the most are a hot bath and simply curling up on comfy couch, watching old TV shows. He misses the simple pleasures in life, rather than the mass indulgences. He is elated to be on the outside, but also terrified that he will not be accepted.
The second day & third days, he was feeling much more upbeat and I really got to see his glowing smile come out. Like Lovepurple had mentioned, Michael thinks that he looks awful, but I don't see that at all! He is very youthful looking with his boyish facial expressions and mannerisms, but also intelligent and articulate at the same time. He did let me take a picture with him, but I am never to show it to anyone. (sorry, a promise is a promise) You'll have to go visit himself yourself to see what he looks like. 
We laughed and shared stories. Michael is so animated when he tells a story. Even if it's something he's told a million times, he'll make it's sound brand new and fresh. He knows exactly when to deliver each punch line and always keeps you on the edge of your seat. He is a fantastic entertainer; never a dull moment! This is part of what really makes me encourage people to meet Michael in-person before making any judgments. It's impossible to get the REAL Michael Alig experience unless you're able to actually sit by his side, listen to him speak, and interact with him. He's an excellent listener as well; he pays very close attention to detail and will remember everything that you tell him. It is easy for me to say that Michael is an overall genuine person, despite of mistakes that he's made in the past. Afterall, the past is gone and people do change in time. This is very true for Michael.
It was extremely difficult leaving Michael behind at Franklin. After spending three amazing days with him, it was very heart-breaking to leave him sitting behind locked doors. I strongly believe that everybody deserves a second chance at life. It really tears me apart to read this "Sean" person's blog. I would really like to know when the last time he spoke or even wrote Michael was. How dare he chastise Lovepurple and I for supporting Michael! I could really dig into this, but I think that's what "Sean" wants. I am going to choose to ignore it and continue to give Michael that love and support the he deserves. I absolutely plan on visiting him again this Summer and as often as I can when he comes home.
One a last note, all of your letters to him really help!! He has gotten a massive amount of mail lately, but he is determined to reply to everybody. Michael loves to read all of your positive and encouraging thoughts. Since he's gotten so much mail, it is making it difficult to reply as quickly as usual, especially since he can rarely use his typewriter. One of his fears is that he is disappointing his supporters or letting them down by not being able to reply right away. He wants everyone to know that he greatly appreciates your letters and he will write you back. He is SO excited that people are talking about sending him music, as the town he is in has very limited radio stations. (country and bad oldies only!) He likes alternative rock and will make a list of music that he'd like to have soon.
For those who are unsure, please give Michael a chance, and for those who have already made up their minds that Michael is a no-good person, you are wasting your time trying to convince those of us, who believe in him, that we are wasting our time. I will always be there for Michael.
Categories: Michael Alig prison visits, Michael Alig Prison updates
Tags: Michael Alig prison michael alig prison visits
Thank you So much for sharing your time with michael with us.
i've been wondering for a while if he really is the sort of person that other websites make him out to be and im glad to hear that he isn't. I know the 'media' need to make their stories interesting and you dont get all the full facts with them.
I'm glad that you cheered him up if only for a little while - michael is lucky to have a friend like you willing to travel so far for him - and the support of all of us who write to him and keep him in our thoughts xx
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It breaks my heart to imagine him being stuck in prison for so long from here, so I can't imagine getting to spend time with him and then having to leave him behind. I'm sure the memory of your long visit will be one of the ones he thinks of to get him through the next time he's down. Thanks for sharing!
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I really enjoyed reading this.... WE ARE ALL THERE FOR HIM AND BELIEVE IN HIM! =)
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EXCELLENT!!! Awesome to hear Melissa!! Loved reading your message, it really does seem to match up perfectly with how he comes across, I have a family reunion this July in Canastota/Syracuse, I know it might not be RIGHT NEXT DOOR, but vs. mid cities/DFW, Tx, ITS OH SO CLOSE, I would REALLY like to arrange a visit!! I'm waiting on 'specs' from my aunt on when EXACTLY(date, day, etc) when it will be so I can mention it as an 'option' if he'd like me to 'swing on by', REALLY HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT!!! Glad your visit went so well! I can only imagine the end of the last day, that IS heartbreaking, both sides... But, I figured he would be into todays newer 'alternative' music, cant wait to get a
list', wonder if he's ever heard 'Devotchka', I have tickets for next month here in Dallas, bet he'd like 'em? Thanks for sharing your story, and glad you seem to have had such a positive impact!! Stephen
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Thank you for the update, I am wondering where can we send letters to Michael? I am just learning about the club kids and the story... it seems frightening but I do believe that everyone deserves a 2nd chance and I do feel sympathy for Michael.
All the best to him
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here's his address;
Franklin Correctional Facility
Michael Alig # 97A6595
62 Bare Hill Road
P.O. Box 10
Malone, New York 12953-0010
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When is the soonest a person can schedule a visit? How long in advance? I travel for a living and can do something 1-2 weeks in advance. I can never schedule anything over 1-2 months in advance. 6 hours is great!Alot of visiting time. Can 2 people share a block of time with Michael? I'd be willing to share a 6 hour block of time so another person can see him sooner. 9am-3pm is so nice. i was assuming it was like a 3 hour visit. Can a person bring a real meal to him during the visit?
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The prison he's at now, his visit is one weekend day that rotates, unless you are coming from more than 750 miles away, then at least 4 weeks before you need to get written permission to spend Sat & Sun with Michael. You can email me when you think you can go, and I'll tell you if there's and opening. There's only one visit per day, but if there's 2 people (not together) you'd have to go in together at the same time.
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Micheal sould have been released some time ago. He has been in prison 14 years. It is time for him to come home. God be with him.
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Thank you all for the wonderful comments! I'm glad that you enjoyed reading about my visit. Moreso, it makes me SO happy to hear that Michael has such strong supporters. I can't even begin to tell you how much you are helping him out with your positive and encouraging letters. You are really helping get through these horrible times. He told me this many times.
Antonio - Unfortunately, you cannot bring a meal to Michael. Just money for the vending machines (which are less than desirable - if they even work!). I found that Michael really loves fish sandwiches & popcorn (please don't send him food though. ask Lovepurple first). You can bring him books and magazines. We would really love that! Anything to help pass the time.
Visiting is technically from 8:00am - 2:30pm, but if you get there at 8:00, you'll probably have to wait a 1/2 hour to get to visiting room & there's no telling how long you'll have to wait there. My best advice is to show up as early as possible!
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Stephen, I'm not sure if he's heard of Devotchka since they aren't played on the radio very much (definitely not in Malone!). I think that he would like them though. I should be getting his song list soon.
That's great that you all are planning on sending him music. Michael loves music and that's been taken away from him since he's gotten to Franklin. I know for sure that he likes Smashing Pumpkins, Disturbed, Rage Against The Machine, Pop Evil, Five Finger Death Punch, Puddle of Mud, Fall From Grace, etc etc. I'm sure he'd love to hear new music as well!! He feels like he's way behind on the time.
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Is it true the prison makes you pay to take a pic with the prisoner on a visit?What do you talk about to with him that whole time?Is he really funny?Do tell!!!
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I was wondering if Michael has ever had a really weird fan visit him! lol We've all heard stories how convicts that are well known can get some wacko people visiting them. lol
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For as long as I've known him he has not gotten a visitor like that. He could always leave a visitor during a visit by going to the officer.
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They didn't make us take a picture, we chose to...well, I chose to & talked Michael into it. I'm not sure how much it cost b/c some nice family donated their photo to us. Michael actually thought that it turned out really nice, which was great b/c he was so concerned about how awful he looked (so not true!). After the photographer (another inmate) took the photo, Michael grabbed it and ran. He insisted on seeing it first before giving it to me. Yes, he is funny! And it's a natural funny that I find really cute.
We talked about everything! He shared stories from his club kids days and stories from prison. He's got some interesting ones! Reading Michael's interviews & actually hearing Michael tell the stories himself are too completely different things. He makes them 100 times more amusing! Plus, brings more truth to them.
We also talked about new music, pop-culture, and what the club/music scene is like these days. Lots of personal stuff on both his and my end. He is so easy to talk to, I really felt like I could tell him anything...and I pretty much did. He offers incredible advice; stuff that I would've never thought of on my own. He is very thoughtful and compansionate in his responses. No generic answers from Michael!
He told me that he wished that I could stay with him and have a sleep over. It was the sweetest thing! I totally broke down. I miss him. A lot.
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Aww, I missed that last part, I can SOOO see him running to the corner to check the picture BEFORE you were 'allowed' to view it,LOL!! And, that brought a wee tear to my eye with the 'sleepover' comment... Jeez, 14 yrs, it is SUCH A LONG TIME, but the 'goal' is in sight, I REALLY hope my family reunion goes as planned so I can 'swing by' Franklin and put a voice to the letters!! Just checked, Malone/Franklin would only be about 194 miles/3 hour drive from Syracuse to Malone(rent a car, leave at like 3:30 A.M., should be able to spend ALL DAY! Maybe get a hotel, tell the family Im going to be gone for Fri/Sat, or Sat/Sun?)...Not bad, after a 1,513 mile plane flight!! But, I figure since Im ACTUALLY COMING FROM TX, I should be in the 'longer than 750 miles' category!!( I mean, I WOULD BE travelling more than a few thousand, so I should fall into the long distance category, I REALLY HOPE THIS GOES AS PLANNED!! Im gonna mention it in my next letter, give hima little feeling of control, not "Hey, Im here!!",lol. Want him to be comfortable with ME FIRST, he hasnt been able to view hours of documentary footage on me! Curious,Do they have access to VHS, or DVD players? If so, can we/you send him movies?
Stephen
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Stephen - Michael would be thrilled to meet you, I guarantee it. He loves visitors, as this helps him get away from the hostile environment that he's forced to live in. Also, it's relieving for him to talk to intelligent people, as opposed to the aloof (to put in nicely) inmates that he has to live with. It's nearly impossible to have an intelligent conversation where he's at!
You seem like a very sweet, kind person. Don't worry about the fact that you haven't known him for very long. Michael is so accepting and loves to meet new people who believe in him. The first time that I visited him in Coxsackie, I think that I'd only been writing him for 4 or 5 months. We made an instant connection when we met. I'm sure that you will experience the same thing if you get to meet him. I hope that you are able to make it out there! If you are coming from over 750 miles, you'll have to write the superintendent, requesting a two-day visit. It's almost a for sure that they'll accept it. Please let me know if you'd like that address and I can e-mail it to you. Or any other info on the area (hotels, transportation, etc.)
Unfortunately, he does not have a VCR or DVD player. Occasionally, he'll get to watch TV shows and movies that they prison plays, but that's about it.
You can e-mail Lovepurple for my email address...Lovepurple can provide you with all kinds of info as well.
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COOL!! Im glad to see Rage Against The Machine on there!! i'll be sending one of THOSE! I think I ACTUALLY HAVE an original Rage TAPE from what like 1994, okay that opens things up a bit, didnt know if it'd all be like, electronica. Okay, no, I didnt think that, gonna wait on his 'list', so I can do a little more in depth 'mixing', but hey I already got one whole tape I know he'd like, I ALMOST HATE TO GET RID OF IT THOUGH!! I'll tape it to another, and I'll have two!! Oh, I just happen to be going to see the band 'Devotchka', it's kind of 'Indie', it's the band that did all the music from 'Little Miss Sunshine', I actually like 'em, sorry but thats just me!!lol. Again, so happy your visit went so well!!
Stephen
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GRACIAS!! I'm waiting on my most recent letter now, so gonna write a new one today, mention it, and take it from there. But, thank you Melissa!! I have the 'address', but it's the mailing one, looked it up and found out the ACTUAL prison is only like 195 miles from Syracuse, so Im a' goin' to try and get my summer reunion tickets pretty soon(both for the rate, and the ASSURANCE that I have my tix ahead of time)so I can commit as early on, but knowing my family my aunts'll all be "oh, yea, no problem ya wanna stay another week? Okay, breakfast in bed every day alright honey? Okay!" They like to spoil, I dont/didnt get THAT kind of spoiling as a kid, so I wouldny mind but wanna get all these dates as quick as possible, THANK YOU, AGAIN MELISSA!!
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Steven,
I know how excited you are to visit Michael, but Prisons transfer people for any reason, or no reason, so "just in case" you should wait a bit befoe buying a plane ticket. NY is very big, and the prisons are broken down to Hubs. If he got transferred to another Hub it could be hundreds of miles away from where your plane will land!
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This will be my first time writing Michael, and I'm so nervous. I've had to re-do my letter like three times, and about to be a fourth. I'm just scared I'll sound like an idiot. LOL.
But I'm so happy I found this and will be able to read about how he's doing currently.
But I'm a little confused, do you HAVE to send money for stamps and stuff?
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You don't sound like an idiot! Most of us have been through this.
No, you don't have to send Michael stamp money, but in reality how do you think he gets the money to buy stamps? From people on the Outside.
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How do you get a money order, though?
I'm only 17, and my parents are kind of.......strict on who I talk to...
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I have to tell you that he can't write to you if he knows that you are under 18! That's another reason why some people may not get a response. When you turn 18, and if getting a money order is still difficult, then just send a dollar, but please write in the letter that you sent one dollar cash in that envelope.
Money orders can be bought at the Post Office, Grocery stores, stores like Walmart, and check cashing stores. They cost, usually under $1.00, so if you're only sending him $1.00, it's silly to buy a money order for $1.00!
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Ah, that's a bummer. But that won't stop me from writing him!
Thanks! That helps a bunch.
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I've gotten an abnormal amount of calls recently at work from people in South Bend, Indiana. I'm starting to feel like it's a sign that I need to write Michael another letter, haha. I won't do that to him though. He probably needs a break from seeing my name on incoming envelopes.
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Maybe it is a sign! I don't think he gets sick of letters, as he's never said that to me! (about anyone that is!)
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Don't worry Stephanie - writing Michael that often just shows him that you are a loyal person. He loves getting letters from supporters as opposed to fan mail.
I've sent him five letters/packages in the past week! However, he is limited on paper & stamps, so if he doesn't respond right away, that's just b/c he's waiting for more mailing supplies; not b/c he's tired of seeing your name on envelopes.
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And yes, I do send him money for stamps, but he would never ask anybody to do this. I figure, I send him such an absurd amount of mail that he'll need extra stamps to keep up with me! It's just a nice thing that I do for him, but absolutely not required for him to respond to you.
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Well, this does help me feel less like I'm a nuisance. I just started writing to him a month or so ago and I can imagine he's probably like who is this girl and why do I get so much mail from her, haha. I sent some stamp money with my last letter bc I figured like you that I should counterbalance the stamps he'd use up on me. Thanks guys.
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Random question. Do you guys know who runs the facebook fan page for Michael? I know it's not an official page or anything, but whoever did it hasn't updated it in a minute. I was thinking of making another one just so the info is up to date and put up more than two pictures. This page has one up in the profile pics that's not even him.
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No one has asked Michael about doing Facebook that I know of.
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I am going to be taking over Michael's myspace & facebook pages. Both of them need a complete overhaul! I'll probably have to start from scratch on his facebook page.
All of the info posted is going to be closely monitored (no negativity or drama!) and all info will come directly from Michael.
It's going to take me a bit to get them both totally revamped, but I'll be sure to keep them as up-to-date as possible. Right now, I'm still in the beginning phases of working on the content with Michael, so that info may remain out-dated for a little awhile until he decides on exactly what he wants. I am a web designer, so I'm just working on the design aspects of the pages now.
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Okay, cool. Just curious.
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Is there a certain way to send money if you write to Michael? Am I able to just send cash in the envelope, or how does that work exactly?
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It's better to send a check or money order. It must include his name and DIN# 97A6595, your full name and address. It can be sent with a letter you're writing, as it's best to tell him in the letter what you're sending him just in case he doesn't get it.
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Looks like we're going to have to start differentiating between Melissas.
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Maybe Melissa 1 and Melissa 2 ? Different names would be the best for those of us with our minds going!
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Thank you for posting this. I wrote Michael and its been longer than usual for his response and now I know why. I will give him some more time and hope my letter didnt get lost in the mail, as I have sent him extra postage as I always try to do. I also have some information he requested me to try and locate that I put into the letter.
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I've had enough letters that he never gets as well! It's frustrating!
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He got my letter. Its the circumstances he now faces, and reading his letter made me cry. Tell him I love him and am thinking about him. I will write to him this week.
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@Lovepurple - thanks for the warning about letters not getting through. I have a situation similar to what Steve described so if I don't hear anything in another week or two I will assume my letter got lost and resend it
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I'll be MelissaEileen. This is the screen name that I use most often. This is the Melissa that just visited Michael, just for clarification.
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Out of curiosity, are you the same MelissaEileen who regularly comments on JSJ's WOW Report posts?
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Yep, that would be me!
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I track all of my packages. It costs a little more, but at least I know that it got to the prison. Of course, this doesn't necessary mean that it will get to Michael.
Also, sometimes it is the postal service's fault. Usually, if you send something priority mail, it's pretty much guaranteed that it will get there. It's about $5 to send priority and get tracking. If I'm sending Michael an actual package, I always get tracking.
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I always send priorty mail, as I print my own labels online, then they pick up the packages for free, and tracking is free! I can tell Michael the day and time his food arrived at the prison.
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Thanks for the tip Lovepurple! I don't know why I never thought of that.
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I used to sell a lot on Ebay, so that's how I started doing that. You can buy the correct sticker pages that fit the way the labels print as well.
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I'm glad to hear that Michael has not lost his spirit in prison. It's good to know that he is still a good story-teller! I wish people would realize that he's only trying to make the best of a terrible situation - that he doesn't joke around because of a lack or remorse. It must be really hard for him, and I'm SO happy that he has great people like you guys to go visit him.
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did mike ever see the movie "Party Monster?" also did he ever get to meet m.calkin?
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Michael has never seen the movie! He has met M Calkin, as he came to the prison to research the movie role by meeting Michael.
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I so want to be there to see his reaction the first time he watches it.
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Michael has seen clips of it, just not the whole thing. He's told me that Mac's portrayal of him is much more like Richie. I can totally see that! Of course, that's just how Mac was directed. The movie is entertaining, but far from accurate....thank you Hollywood.
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I actually just asked Michael that in my last letter! When I asked him how he felt about it, he said that he thought it was interesting a movie was made about him, but because of the subject matter, he is kinda sketched by it.
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I write mike..he is a amazing person and i look forward to his letters, i hope one day to be lucky enough to meet him. Sending out his most recent letter in the am....i am on his side. I wanted to write the parole board and tell them how much this person deserves a secound chance...and i will
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