New York’s elderly prisoners are asking for a second chance
Pete Monsanto received a card from his father in the mail. His wife had just had a baby girl, and he had recently celebrated his 39th birthday, so lots of well wishes were pouring in.
But Monsanto, a photographer and MTA telecommunications worker who lives in the Bronx, didn’t want to read the card. The annual birthday sentiment had become an emotional rollercoaster because his father is now 70, a grandfather living day after day within the walls of a federal prison. Pete Sr. was convicted on drug charges and racketeering 33 years ago, when Monsanto was just three days shy of his sixth birthday.
After encouragement from his wife, Monsanto opened the card. His dad had written, “You’re going to be a father soon.” Monsanto, who had been a father for a week, later laughed as he recounted his dad’s message, which had been delayed due to slow mail.