by Rick Carlson

Created on: April 06, 2007   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

After spending 22 years in prison, anxiety set in as I was about to walk into the world of Science Fiction. It wasn't coming home that made me nervous. I looked forward to finally being with my family again, but not knowing what life would be like on parole, not understanding the conditions, and especially not wanting to do anything wrong so that I would wind up violated on parole-thus thrust back into the prison system again-is what really left me concerned. It was a Thursday, 9a.m. when the phone rang. The Sgt. told me my ride was here. For 22 years I hadn't shed a tear that I recall, but my eyes suddenly were wet. Mom, Gary, and my Son were all here to pick me up-it seemed surreal. We hugged, I changed, we left the prison. My two and half hour ride in the car home was a blur. We talked, we laughed, and I spaced out into the scenery-scenery that I hadn't seen in years. As soon as we arrived home, I called in the parole office as instructed to do. I was to stay put until my Parole Officer came to see me. We ate pizza and visited and I just kind of took the day in as the reality of finally being home was upon me. At 10p.m., my Parole Officer came to the house. He seemed fair, but he shocked me, by telling me that I could never be around children. I was dumbfounded. My nephew is 6 years old. He is adorable and I was planning on making him my little buddy, my fishing buddy, etc. I knew parole was gonna be tough for me. My crime was horrible, but I was not convicted of any crime against a child-I was convicted of a sexual assault. The rule really shouldn't apply to me-I kept thinking. But, I also need to do as my Parole Officer tells me. He went over other rules I realized, then informed me to register as a sex-offender the very next day, and that the monitor would be put on me-then he would come to see me after that to explain more of the rules I will be under. Today is Friday-eight days since I seen my Parole Officer. I called tell him I needed to see my Vet. Representative and I need to get a State I.D., but so far he hasn't called back or visited. I am now in limbo-can't even walk outside, or check into the conditions that I am expected to follow, until I see or talk with my Parole Officer. 22 years in prison was a mountain to overcome. Parole will be many hills to overcome, but no matter what it takes I will do it, for I sure don't want to return to prison.

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