There are NO words to describe the angst I felt when I could not communicate with my son, Augustus Romain, a noted media voice and activist who has endured some of the worst treatment as an American citizen. In this season of my life, I am here to let other hurting parents, especially moms, know you are not alone in dealing with the unjust justice system in America and as the founder of Mothers Advocacy Group, I want to share my latest encounter.

My son is now at the Grady County penal facility in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He was in Fayette County jail, Ga, where he was mistreated and brutalized; he was in the ‘hole’ for 33 days the day he was arrested. He was without his glasses for 33 days. They refused to give him the same. He wears prescription glasses and needs them to see. So not only he was in the hole but not able to clearly see where he was for 33 days. They took away his Bible from him during his 2nd bout of being in the ‘hole’ for more than 4 months! Most of the charges were dropped by Fayette County although remaining there are still 32 charges. Mind you, when he was first arrested he had 11 charges, while incarcerated charges increased to 84!!!!

He was then picked up by the FBI for a separate charge and placed in the federal facility in Lovejoy, Ga. Hereafter more than a week without his prescription medicines for anxiety and respiratory condition, he stated food wise it was better than Fayette County jail in Ga. He was malnourished and lost more than 35 lbs.

From here he was transferred to the United States penitentiary located in Atlanta, Ga. Again, without his prescription; the usual activity upon transferring inmates (?). He was NOT in the system for more than 3 days. The US Marshall at Lovejoy could not tell me where my son was located. Then when he was finally at USP, he was not in the computer system log for 3 days!!!!

He was then transferred to Oklahoma! He stated it took approximately 3-4 days from Ga to Oklahoma! He knows for some time he was in Tallahassee, Fl. Then from there, it took approximately 3 1/2 to Oklahoma. He knows he was moved from Tallahassee before being put on a plane to Oklahoma. He is not sure where he was.

Now he is in Oklahoma; his last name is misspelled. I have asked them to correct it but it has not changed yet. He requested a Bible and was told that they don’t have any!

EVERY facility has numerous programs to contact your loved ones! There are usually 3 to 4 programs you have to register with to stay in contact with your loved ones. They are 1 for telephone calls, 1 for video calls, 1 for texting or email (sometimes they are separate), and 1 for commissary. Mind you, each program requires different, personal information, ranging from your social security number, your driver's license, a picture, and of course your address and banking information. Each program cost a fee for each service! These fees range from $3 to $6.

Let's not talk about getting a refund for poor telephone calls, overwhelming static, poor connection, and videos that is so bad with you can’t hear your loved one or they can’t hear you. Then, when your loved one is transferred, the money does not follow them. You have to raise hell to get a refund. I’m still awaiting refunds from Fayette County.

In Grady County, Oklahoma, he stated the food is uncooked, and very, very small portions, and he has not received Ensure that was ordered for his undernourishment due to the inedible food he was given in Fayette. mothersadvocacygroup@gmail.com