Agony of Having an Incarcerated Child | We Are Witnesses: Chicago

In 1995, Julie Anderson’s 15-year-old son Eric was tried as an adult and found guilty of double homicide after he and a friend stole a gun from a police officer’s house.
Initially, Eric was sentenced to life in prison without parole. For 20 years, Eric’s family - including his father, who was a longtime Chicago Police Department officer - would drive hundreds of miles to Menard Correctional Center to visit. In 2017, Eric was resentenced thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned mandatory life sentences for people who committed crimes as juveniles. He's expected to be released in 2025.
In this We Are Witnesses: Chicago episode, Anderson talks about the agony of having an incarcerated child and coming to terms with the shame and guilt she felt for what had happened, and the empathy she felt for the victims’ families.
See more videos: • We Are Witnesses: Chicago
We Are Witnesses: Chicago is an immersive short-video series presenting intimate portraits of Chicagoans who have been touched by the criminal justice system. Produced by The Marshall Project in partnership with Kartemquin Films and Illinois Humanities, these films explore the nature of crime, punishment and forgiveness. Learn more: www.themarshallproject.org/we...
The Marshall Project's investigative journalism often sparks change by shining a light on injustice - with your support: www.themarshallproject.org/do...
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[@traciebecker6669]

My son has served so much time, in and out but much more time in prison or jail than he has been out.
Nothing involving weapons or anyone getting hurt or dying but it isn't any easier. I believe the trap of drugs, depression and mental illness has been the reason. I visited him for many years. I've written him, talked to him for all these years. The last time he was out for over 3 years & his girlfriend died of a drug overdose and his Dad of a sudden heart attack. He was arrested in August for possession but the charge has been reduced and he's getting out again this month. I have not seen him in almost 10 years time for health reasons but kept close to him through writing and phone conversation. Yes, we do the time our kids do.

[@ChristinaBambina]

Hope all is well for you and your family!

[@MrsLove-zp8jp]

keep him in there

[@johnthorpe1349]

What a great MOM ❤❤