This document contains three articles: 1) The main article discusses how the author's fiancé's arrest two days before Christmas changed the meaning of the holiday season for her. It describes her initial feelings of loss and guilt but how over time she has come to see their anniversary of his arrest as a celebration of how far they have come. 2) A sidebar lists the December birthdays of inmates on death row at SCI Greene and SCI Graterford. 3) The last article provides the solutions to crossword puzzles from the current and previous issues of the publication.

1. Graterfriends ― A Publication of The Pennsylvania Prison Society ― December 2011
Spotlight
DEATH ROW
December Birthdays
MOST DIFFICULT TIME OF THE YEAR Jose Busanet Lamont Overby
DX-0422, GRN DS-1648, GRN
by Reesy Floyd-Thompson (Mrs. GE-6309) Ronald G. Champney Kevin Pelzer
EC-0356, GRN BC-9251, GRN
Two days before Christmas — two days before we an-
nounced our engagement — I witnessed my fiancé’s ar- Bernard Cousar Gregory Powell
rest. In those two days, I learned my fiancé wasn’t com- EQ-1988, GRA EL-7745, GRN
ing home anytime soon. Yet, Christmas came in spite of Daniel L. Crispell Derrick G. Ragan
it. Unlike the wrapped holiday gifts under my tree, no BH-8972, GRN BN-8022, GRA
amount of tape would hold together the pieces of my life. Junious Diggs Christopher Roney
Tears flowed, until finally it was a silent night. FS-1123 GRN DF-1973, GRN
The timing of my now-husband’s arrest and subsequent Thomas W. Hawkins Jr. Alfonso Sanchez
incarceration changed the innocence of the holiday sea- CN-6108, GRA HU-2193, GRN
son. The glee of the season contended with my feelings of William Howard Housman Leroy Thomas
loss. In those two days, I lost who I thought I was, as I EX-0456, GRN AM-2728, GRN
had promised to never be a woman with a man in prison. Robert Hughes Roy L. Williams
I constantly relived the events that landed my husband BC-8234, GRN CF-4784, GRN
on the island of misfit boys, repeatedly punishing him for
Steven Hutchinson
stealing Christmas then and twelve years to follow. His EC-3986, GRN
guilt, palpable. His apologies, sincere. Yet, no matter our GRA = SCI Graterford
Aaron C. Jones PO Box 244
state of mind the other 364 days, two days before Christ-
BL-0480, GRN Graterford, PA
mas was the most difficult time of the year.
Roger Judge 19426-0244
Several years ago, two days before Christmas, he DT-6550, GRN
called. I’d prepared another fifteen minutes from hell. I GRN = SCI Greene
Carolyn Ann King
intended to make him miserable. Before I said, “Hello,” 175 Progress Drive
OC-7210, MUN Waynesburg, PA
and with all the sarcasm I could muster, I shouted three
little words, “Happy Arrest Day!” He laughed and replied Robert Lark 15370-8090
with three words of his own, “Another year down.” In AM-4192, GRN
MUN = SCI Muncy
that moment, I realized I was the one robbing us of the Kelvin J. Morris Post Office Box 180
joy of what two days before Christmas really meant. AS-1924, GRN Muncy, PA 17756-0180
Time was moving. I needed his three words to appreciate
the true meaning of a commitment. Our efforts were not
If you do not want your name published, send a letter to
in vain, but my personal perceptions threatened us. I Graterfriends each year you do not want it to be included.
didn’t recognize my actions told my husband he was un- Be sure to note your date of birth.
acceptable. When I stopped judging our lives and gave
myself the freedom to love outside of my self-imposed
conformity, it was indeed a happy arrest day. CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS
The period from November to January is naturally dif-
ficult. Heaviness hangs in the halls of the prison this Below are the solutions to crossword puzzles printed in this
time of year. It’s the season of family. Our family is sepa- issue and the previous issue of Graterfriends.
rated by miles. We experience a measure of melancholy.
In spite of this, we look forward to two days before November, 2011 December, 2011
Christmas with all the “fa-la-la” with which the rest of
the world looks upon Christmas Day. We are another
year closer to finally making it to that holiday dinner.
Two days before Christmas, now eight years into this
sentence, we celebrate our official “new year” as a re-
minder of how far we have come and how much we have
grown. It’s a celebration that adds joy to our world and
guarantees the pain of it all is not re-gifted year after
year, two days before Christmas.
Reesy Floyd-Thompson is the founder of Prisoners’
Wives, Girlfriends, & Partners (PWGP).
4
The opinions expressed are of the authors and not necessarily those of Graterfriends or The Pennsylvania Prison Society.