Victims Impact by Joseph Colon

I recently started a new class call Victims Impact. The first attendance was a seminar where three victims got to explain about, they’re situation.
On this day the victims were really survivors. They we’re the parents of children who were murdered. Now I’m not in for murder but the stain of being incarcerated is still the same and the grief and pain of the trauma that victims of crimes feel is real.
Now I could never put myself in their shoes, I have children of my own and don’t know how I would respond if one of them were murdered, but my heart ached for them. The parents talked for a while and said their names several times, but for the life of me I can’t recall what they were. What I do remember were their children’s name Savannah, Chris, and Maddy. Maddy’s real name was Madeline, but that’s what her mom called her.

Savannah was murdered at a club senselessly by a person who was never caught. Chris was found murdered on the side of a street, and Maddy…. Well Maddy was the victim of domestic violence.
Now like I said I’m not in for murder and I’m by no means trying to downplay my crime, but it appears after hearing the sentences those assholes got, there appears to a disparage in the justice system. I received a twenty to life sentence and my victim is alive and well and Maddy’s asshole only got seventeen years. Chris’s murderer was a convicted felon so he got a higher sentence, but when you heinously take a life should there even be a chance to get out. I understand there are different situations but purposely shooting someone in the face is premeditated and there is no excuse for that. One person asked how or what if ever could those assholes do to make amends for their crimes? The answer: Bring back the victims!!!!

Now I know there is no way of truly making amends for a murder, but what about making amends for the people who we’ve wronged? Giving someone an extremely long sentence and even longer tail, doesn’t allow anyone to make amends, so the victims still suffer. The disparage doesn’t allow inmates to show they’ve changed or could do good in society. Something needs to change.
I can’t make amends or try to fix what I broke while I’m in here, but what I can do is try to raise some awareness and maybe help mentor some of the younger guys in here who have a chance to get out and make a difference.
I know it doesn’t mean anything but to all those who have lost someone to senseless violence I’m truly sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to ya. I hope you find some sort of peace in your heart and in your time of grief and tragedy.

Joseph Colon is an Idaho inmate who is currently housed in Arizona. Joseph can be reached on JPay.com.  Search for inmate # 64595 in the state of Idaho.  You may also write to: Joseph Colon #64595, SCC - LC56, 1252 E. Arica, Eloy, AZ  85131.

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