Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: A-F, 1949-1971. A-71, folder 591. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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John Furtado B-10 - R-39

July 12, 1970

Dear Miriam

Your letter made me feel very happy today. I have finally received your book "Youth in Conflict." It looks very interesting, I shall enjoy it very much.

Miriam as time goes by I find my self getting to know my self better, but at times I get sad and depressed, I guess its all part of getting yourself together agin. As you can probly tell so far by my letter that I am a little depressed tonight. So I thought I should write to you, and just maby let some of it out that is inside me. I dont really know what is bothering me, but I can take a guess at it and say, "I miss Jerry". I haven't seen him for so long, and we really are the "best" of friends. You do undersand don't you Miriam? I guess thinking about him getting a pardon someday has got me thinking to much

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I do relize that it is very remote, but I pray god hope that such a mirical will happen someday. I constantly think of him andhow he is. When we both get back together again Ill be most happy. Miriam I am very gratful and happy that you are doing all you can for both of us. When you spoke of Cardinal Cushing in your letter I was very surprised. I know howe he take such an interest in convicts And I know that together you both will help us in every way possible that which is capible of doing so. Father Toby has seen me last week and he told me that Jerry has written to him, and he is doing well. He has gained 25 lbs and is reading educational books; as I also am doing. He really has lost the bitterness in him, And he wants to come back hear so much, if I could Id go down there and just take him out of that

[writing on right side of paper

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miserable place. But I cant live in a fantasy world I know things have to take there corse, and God will do that right thing and make him have what he wants, if he keeps going on like he is doing. As for as myself goes, well Im doing well I still read and keep my mind and body alert. There are some days that just get you down and things lay on top of you pressing you down, but I pull myself out of these depressed moods, by writing or reading, there isn't much to talk about here with other inmates because every body is a tough guy or just a comic. I really shouldn't have put it that way. I'll just say everybody acts accordingly to the environment, which is a sorrowful place to bigin with. I should not say anything about other inmates for they also have their problems too. I gust its just the environment and atmosphere that surrounds it hear in segrogation. Im sorry

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Im writing like this, I really shouldn't be.

You asked me if I get visits or letters from my family? Well I get visits once in a while but there not really visits. I call them "getting to know each other sincere", me and my family aren't really that close. My brother used to come up once in a while. I havent seen him for a while tho. As for letters, I only receive them from you. The first letter you wrote to me was the only letter I receivd for a long time, thats why you make me feel so happy when I receive a letter from you. You speak of my employment when I get out well Miriam like I said befor it a long way off. But if I had a choice I would take a try at Cardinal Cushings Youth programme. It sounds better than working at any hard labor. Besides Id love to help kids get what they have missed in life, and that is love and friendship and understanding. Like I said in my last letter to you

[12 July 1970]

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I would like to help people like myself who have been deprived of such needs, as children. Even helping the elderly Id enjoy. You mention about State Hospital employment as ordleys aids to nurses, well that sounds real nice also. But Miriam Ill have to see what the future holds for me. All I can do now is plan and study myself more. So when the time comes to choose my employment Ill be fully capable of doing my best. Being in this prison has taught me a lot about people and I think I could really enjoy working with some youth program so as to better them and keep some out of places like these. I have looked through your book "Youth in Conflict" and some of the cases in it are very interesting. Im going to start reading it and try to get a better meaning of the youth in