Buddhist Prisoner who started Folsom Sangha, being relased on parole in Berkeley

One of the members of our Folsom Prison Sangha will be paroled soon. He is from Berkeley and he said he will return there. He is the reason we have a Sangha at California State Prison, Sacramento. He petitioned for Buddhist Services. He has practiced Tibetan Buddhism on his own for ten years, and we have been a sangha in that facility for three years now. Joel has been incarcerated for 21 years. To quote his letter to me, "I will have been in prison for 21 straight years. I am so frightened. I don't want to think about it. But I'm going to need some serious help." What resources can I refer him to? He wants to be part of a sangha when he is released, to continue his study and meditation. He also needs the mundane resources of a job, apartment, etc. Any help or advise is appreciated. I will be visiting him at Folsom on May 6 and would like to be able to provide some solid advise.
With a bow. Diane

Tags: Folsom, inmate, release, resources

Views: 31

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Erin Ferguson on May 16, 2008 at 6:29pm
Hi Diane,
I know a Buddhist organization, Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO), in the mission district, is very, very supportive and open to all folks. I highly recommend them if your friend can get there on BART. As for Post release resources, check the PDN website: http://www.prisondharmanetwork.org/pdf_resources/PDN%20Resource%20G...

Under resources there is a section for post-release organizations by state. THere's a lot for california. Hope this helps.
Erin
Permalink Reply by Diane Wilde on May 17, 2008 at 3:01pm
Thanks Erin. I will print out the information and get it to him. Diane
Permalink Reply by Mac Lingo on May 17, 2008 at 12:59pm
I'm a member of the Insite Meditation Community of Berkeley. Have the person get in touch with me. Phone 510/544-9342 or Mac@Lingos.US. I'm going out of town tomarrow (5/18) but will be back 5/28. The phone is cell though, and I'll respond to messages.
Mac Lingo
Permalink Reply by Diane Wilde on May 17, 2008 at 3:04pm
Mac, I will pass on your information. I am not sure how soon he will be paroled. Right now he is trying to get resources together prior to the Board hearing.
Thanks for your help. Diane
Permalink Reply by Fleet Maull on May 26, 2008 at 4:09pm

I would contact the Buddhist Peace Fellowship for possible resources. There used to be a post-release group for released prisoners in the Bay Area, but I'm not sure it still exists. Folks at BPF may know. The East-Bay prison meditation network and the Berekely Shambhala Center would be good resources as well. I would be happy to connect with Joel personally as well. I was released in 1999 after 14 years in prison. I will be in Bay Area June 25 - 29 and would be happy to meet with Joel if he is out by then.
Fleet Maull
Prison Dharma Network

Permalink Reply by L.J. Davis on June 20, 2008 at 1:31am
Dear Fleet: I am Linda Davis, Joel’s mother. In his last letter he asked me to send this email to you so I am sending along what he wrote. However, I think something must have happened after he wrote this note indicating to him that he might be released. Maybe in this new program to reduce the inmate population statewide? I’m not sure. I’ll be visiting in the next couple of weeks and will know more then.

To Fleet Maull. Sincere greetings from CSP Sacramento. Mrs. Diane Wilde from Buddhist Pease Fellowship gave me your contact information so let me introduce myself. My name is Joel and I am a 49 year old 6th term inmate serving 25 years with 85% for bank robbery. My EPRD is around December, 2018. As you can see I don’t parole for some time. If you would like to communicate with me—correspond etc. you can write directly to me at: Joel Fox D-33090, CSP SAC C5-232, PO Box 29-0066; Represa, CA 95671-0066. I could really use any insight you may have concerning Buddhism, survival, and parole, Sincerely, Joel Fox
Permalink Reply by Kate Crisp (PDN Director) on July 16, 2008 at 10:01am
Hi Linda...not sure Fleet saw this..he is very busy and travels nonstop.....but we would be happy to find a pen pal for Joel...just write to Melinda Kadinger at info@prisondharmanetwork.org with the request. Also, you could make a 'page' here for him if you like and post writings from him as blogs that people could respond to?

best,
Kate
Permalink Reply by L.J. Davis on July 16, 2008 at 1:19pm
Hi Kate: Many thanks for your suggestions. I will email Melinda now and I will set up a “page” for him. Thanks again, Linda
Permalink Reply by Genko Blackman on June 7, 2008 at 7:55pm
Any update on this gentleman? Is he out?

Genko
Permalink Reply by Diane Wilde on June 7, 2008 at 8:07pm
Lockdown for whites last week in May, so only met with our black sangha members. We are unable to hold weekly services at this particular yard, so long stretches between visits. I am going out this coming Tues. - June 10 - and will get an update on his parole hearing and possible release date. I have also compiled contact information I received through this site which I plan on passing on. I am very grateful for all the help for Joel! Diane
Permalink Reply by L.J. Davis on June 18, 2008 at 1:34pm
Dear Diane: I am Linda (L.J.) Davis, the mother of Joel Fox. I have just become a member of prison dharma network. I just talked to him last night and he has been writing about this group for some time.

Is it true that Joel might be released? He hasn’t said anything about this. Is there anything you can share with me?

Many thanks! Linda
Permalink Reply by Diane Wilde on June 18, 2008 at 1:39pm
Linda, if you would like, send me your email address and phone no. and I can tell you what I know at this point. My email is diane@wolfedes.com
Take care! Diane

RSS

Donate!

Events