1. Graterfriends ― A Publication of The Pennsylvania Prison Society ― March 2013
A Publication of The Pennsylvania Prison Society
Promoting a humane, just and constructive correctional system and a rational approach to criminal justice since 1787
Volume 44 Issue 3 www.prisonsociety.org  www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaPrisonSociety March 2013
Restoring Fatherhood Pardon Me, Mr. President
by Lee A. Horton, CN-2067, SCI Chester by Reginald Lewis, AY-2902, SCI Graterford
After five years in prison, a deadbeat father comes It is a historical wonder in itself that you, the first Afri-
home. With a big smile, he says to his son, “Son, you’re can-American President of the United States, were
going to grow up to be a good man.” In a sarcastic tone, sworn in for your second term in office on the same day
the son replies, “Uh-huh, I want to be just like you. I’m this great nation celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
gonna cheat on my wife, run out on my kids, duck child birthday. In prisons across Pennsylvania, we were daz-
support, then spend most of their lives going in and out zled by the pageantry, the throngs of people, gorgeous
of prison.” Ashamed, the father just walks away. With no Beyonce’s powerful rendition of the National Anthem,
father in his life, the son aspires to be a hustler. Five the parade, and the inaugural parties. A sense of pride
years later, he is shot to death in a petty dispute. He left carried on gushing waves of emotion swept through my
behind two children. He was eighteen. What if he’d had a cell block. After all, we prisoners urged our families and
father to guide him? How would he have ended up? friends to go to the polls in November to put you way
over the top in Pennsylvania, Mr. President.
Studies have consistently shown that children reared
in two-parent homes fare better than those reared in So, imagine the collective shock we felt when we
single-parent homes. With a few exceptions, the mother learned that your own pardons attorney, Ronald Rodg-
usually raises the children alone. Under those circum- ers, purposely withheld vital information that should
stances, it is always the children who suffer because a have led to the release of Clarence Aaron, an African-
mother, especially a poor one, can do but so much by American prisoner sentenced to life without parole for a
herself to give them a promising future. 1993 drug offense. At 24 years old, Aaron was a promis-
ing college student. But like countless misguided young
The lack of a father tends to leave a gaping hole black men in North America, he got caught up in the
through which children may easily fall. This has nothing drug game. Perhaps the mitigating factors of his age,
to do with the mother’s efforts. In most cases, they naïveté, and the fact that he was a first-time non-violent
should be commended. But without a father’s support offender was what moved President George W. Bush to
children are deprived of positive upbringings and are ask his Justice Department to look at Aaron’s pardon
condemned to be ill prepared for adulthood. Although petition in 2007. The U.S. Attorney agreed to a signifi-
born to soar like eagles, they are doomed to remain cant sentence reduction, recommending “immediate com-
grounded like chickens because their fathers failed to mutation.” Then, all Rodgers had to do was forward this
teach them how to fly. information to your desk, Mr. President. Instead, Rodg-
Most of us prisoners did not have the guidance of a (See Pardon Me, continued on page 9)
father growing up. Our mothers or grandmothers did
their best to raise us. But, it is hard for a woman, alone,
to teach children to be capable adults. She may do better In this Issue
with her girl children, because she was once a girl, but
she can only teach a boy what she believes it takes to News .............................. 2 Mailroom ..................... 10
become a fully functional man. Think About It, Mrs. GE-6309 Time..... 12
Mrs. Ge-6309 Time........ 3 Announcements,
In both cases, she can only offer one side of the puzzle,
Our Voices ..................... 4 Literary Corner,
each piece representing her biases, misunderstandings,
Bookcase ...................... 13
regrets, and painful experiences. Without the father to Legislative Highlights... 6
Birthdays,
Legal Chat ..................... 8 Graterfriends Form ..... 14
(See Fatherhood, continued on page 12)
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The opinions expressed are of the authors and not necessarily those of Graterfriends or The Pennsylvania Prison Society.

2. Graterfriends ― A Publication of The Pennsylvania Prison Society ― March 2013
Mailroom, continued from page 11 Fatherhood, continued from page 1
rest of your political life.” It starts with wanting your balance it out, the image she creates may be distorted.
voice, getting your voice, and using your voice!
Many of us are living proof that this is the case; we live
Torrey Real by misguided and unrealistic views of life. Although we
EL-1916, SCI Mahanoy wear the appearance of adulthood, we are mere frag-
ments of what we should be. Without a father figure to
fine-tune our internal compasses, we have lost our way.
Editorial note: Here is some information regarding who
can vote in Pennsylvania: The irony, however, is that in our youth, we pledged
never to become like our derelict fathers. Yet, here we
 Incarcerated individuals convicted of misdemeanors
are, absent fathers. Like watching a rerun of our own
(must vote with an absentee ballot)
toxic lives, we now passively stand by while our sons and
 Individuals who are under house arrest (must vote daughters make the same mistakes that have caused us
with an absentee ballot) so much grief.
 Individuals who are on probation or released on pa- It is not too late to restore fatherhood to our children’s
role lives. Our fate does not have to be theirs. For those who
will be paroled, you can start picking up the pieces of
 Individuals being held while awaiting trial (must their lives today. Start by admitting your fatherly short-
vote with an absentee ballot) comings. Then, take responsibility for your family and
 Individuals in a halfway house, however the address put them first in your life. Set some realistic goals and
develop a plan to positively impact your children’s lives.
of the halfway house may not be used as their official
Immediately begin teaching your sons and daughters
address for voting purposes
what your father failed to teach you. What you do not
know, you will learn as you go. Just take care of business.
All the above applies to the rest of us also. We can teach
our children through letters, phone calls, and visits, no
matter their age. Many prisoners have done this for years
with great results. If you are not in your children’s lives,
then get in their lives. Money is irrelevant. Children
would much rather have a penniless father who is there
for them emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, than one
who is financially stable but not around.
In the end, we must ask ourselves, “Do we want our
children to become successful adults, or end up like us?”
Nothing is promised, but our absence from their lives is
giving them no chance. It’s your God-given duty to do
everything in your power to be the father you are sup-
posed to be. It’s your duty to restore fatherhood to your
children’s lives. Give them a chance to succeed.
When I was in the ring at the
Olympics, it was my father’s
words that I was hearing, not
the coaches’. I never listened to
what the coaches said. I would
call my father and he would
give me advice from prison.
—Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Professional Boxer
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The opinions expressed are of the authors and not necessarily those of Graterfriends or The Pennsylvania Prison Society.