Jamesina is a mother, grandmother, published author and ordained minister from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 19 years ago, her life was turned upside down when her son was sentenced to 50 years in prison for two assault charges.
Jamesina’s parents were instrumental in raising her son, as his father passed away when her son was just 10 months old. As a mom, she wishes she could have done more, and wonders how the void of fatherlessness impacted her son. Once he was incarcerated, she dealt with guilt, wondering how things could have gone differently.
There was a huge impact on the entire family. Jamesina’s younger son, who was 12 years old at the time, became very angry and started acting out. Her three grandsons had to grow up without their father, and his incarceration impacted her healthwise. Depression and anxiety have been a major part of her existence. She has had two strokes and five spinal surgeries since. Both of her parents passed without being able to see their grandson free, which had a very negative effect on her son.
She often worries about her son while he is behind the wall. He has been having health issues himself, through the years, that aren’t treated properly. As a mom, she wishes she could drive to the prison and pick him up to take care of him. Since the pandemic, she has only seen her son in person one time. First visits were shut down entirely for over a year, and with her health issues, it isn’t easy for him to go see him now that they have restarted.
Still, Jamesina is a very loud and consistent voice for incarcerated people and their families. She knows everyone inside is someone’s child. She started an organization called A Mother’s Cry which offers support and advocacy for mothers whose children are incarcerated. As a member of her local NAACP, she has also been paying for men on the inside to get NAACP memberships. She also has been alerting the NAACP about the conditions inside, such as lack of medical care, poor nutrition, no or minimal spiritual advice, and lack of educational access.
In his 19 years in prison, Jamesina’s has seen her son’s dedication and growth. He has started a multi-faith organization to encourage people to learn to be a better version of themselves. Jamesina has had several young men call her and thank her personally for the support her son gave them through mentorship while they were inside. He is doing advocacy work on the inside as well, helping her campaign to sign men up for NAACP memberships. She dreams of the day he comes home and they can work together on the outside and write a book about their experience.
She says “As long as I have breath, I am going to keep fighting.”
Jamesina’s parents were instrumental in raising her son, as his father passed away when her son was just 10 months old. As a mom, she wishes she could have done more, and wonders how the void of fatherlessness impacted her son. Once he was incarcerated, she dealt with guilt, wondering how things could have gone differently.
There was a huge impact on the entire family. Jamesina’s younger son, who was 12 years old at the time, became very angry and started acting out. Her three grandsons had to grow up without their father, and his incarceration impacted her healthwise. Depression and anxiety have been a major part of her existence. She has had two strokes and five spinal surgeries since. Both of her parents passed without being able to see their grandson free, which had a very negative effect on her son.
She often worries about her son while he is behind the wall. He has been having health issues himself, through the years, that aren’t treated properly. As a mom, she wishes she could drive to the prison and pick him up to take care of him. Since the pandemic, she has only seen her son in person one time. First visits were shut down entirely for over a year, and with her health issues, it isn’t easy for him to go see him now that they have restarted.
Still, Jamesina is a very loud and consistent voice for incarcerated people and their families. She knows everyone inside is someone’s child. She started an organization called A Mother’s Cry which offers support and advocacy for mothers whose children are incarcerated. As a member of her local NAACP, she has also been paying for men on the inside to get NAACP memberships. She also has been alerting the NAACP about the conditions inside, such as lack of medical care, poor nutrition, no or minimal spiritual advice, and lack of educational access.
In his 19 years in prison, Jamesina’s has seen her son’s dedication and growth. He has started a multi-faith organization to encourage people to learn to be a better version of themselves. Jamesina has had several young men call her and thank her personally for the support her son gave them through mentorship while they were inside. He is doing advocacy work on the inside as well, helping her campaign to sign men up for NAACP memberships. She dreams of the day he comes home and they can work together on the outside and write a book about their experience.
She says “As long as I have breath, I am going to keep fighting.”