A Family’s Perspective of Addiction – Part 5

In Part 4, I discussed how the demon of drug addiction had convinced by sister she is mentally ill, and how as a family we’ve defeated that through prayer and sheer honesty.

Just when we thought my sister’s time in jail was winding down, the unexpected occurred: apparently her original charges had never been dealt with, and came back to haunt her. Out of nowhere we get a letter from my sister stating she will now be incarcerated until at least March of 2019, but because she broke probation – from her original charge (from two years ago) – she could be looking at three more years of jail time. Talk about news coming out of left field!

My sister sense is telling me my baby girl is not dealing with this well, especially since she has yet to call to talk since receiving this news. I feel deeply for her, however, hope this will become a big lesson in patience and humility for my little sister. If she has chosen rehab over jail, this may not be part of the story I’m telling!

To be quite frank, we are growing a bit weary: of the drive to visit her (limited to only a couple of time slots on Saturdays) but won’t stop going; of paying the jail to talk to and receive letters from her, and paying the ridiculous fees on top of the money we put on her phone/commissary account.

If you ever thought prisoners have a free ride, let me bust that thought bubble right now – because at least in the state in this country my sister is incarcerated in – there is no such thing. They are billed and anytime money is put on their “books” the jail takes a percentage out to cover incidentals and any medical care, etc. an inmate receives.

She was moved, in April, to a new detention center, which is set up as a working facility. The idea is that she would be able to work off some of her sentence, but I believe that some of that also covers her basic needs like shampoo, soap and toothpaste. We have no idea, if with this new sentence, she will stay at this facility or be transferred; and if she is transferred, they can move her to wherever they please. The move in April came the day after her birthday and was a surprise – we had no warning nor did she. From an emotional standpoint, she is doing much better at the work facility than where she was before. It’s good for her not to have so much time to think. It has been good for us all to have positive visits!

The news of the extended sentence came this morning and trying to gather myself, my emotions, and walk through the hurt, while also at work, was difficult. Alas, I carried on. I have no choice because allowing it to get me down or angry is not productive or healthy. Instead, I prayed my way through it; and through the broken pieces of my heart, prayed for my sister. I also asked others to pray for her as well and that helped a lot.

The thought of her having to be in jail for even another 9 months is uncomfortable, but to think she could possibly be there for years to come, simply devastating! I hope my sister keep trying to see the light at the end of this long tunnel she dug for herself, and does not lose hope. Hope is all we’ve got!

Stacey Louiso lives for, and tries to love everyone wholly by constantly studying the heart of, Jesus Christ. In gratitude for transforming her life back into one that is pleasing and usable to God, she walks toward virtue, praying to embody a woman after God’s own heart! Her gratitude is due to being delivered from several decades of many types of abuse and victimization, as well as physical, emotional and mental health issues.