'Trapped' prisoner Danny Weatherson has a job waiting for him if he gets out.
But his dad fears his son may not live long enough to taste freedom and start his first shift.
The 31-year-old has spent almost 15 years behind bars after being handed a controversial type of 'indefinite' prison sentence, which has now been scrapped.
Danny was just 17 years old when he was given the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence after being convicted of attempted robbery.
The judge recommended he serve just over 15 months before applying for parole. But today, 15 years on, his family are still fighting for his release from HMP Northumberland.
Danny has a parole hearing scheduled for January and his dad, Maurice Stevens, has today revealed that a local employer has offered him a job should he get out.
But Maurice fears Danny, who has blood clots on his lungs was was recently rushed to hospital when he was struggling to breath, may not live to take up his new post.
And the 49-year-old is now just praying his son can stay well and positive until the new year when he has a chance of release.
Maurice, from Crawcrook in Gateshead, said: "I'm really worried. Every day you worry because you don't know what the next phone call is going to be.
"I have got a local employer who is prepared to give him a job and I'm hoping they will let him come and live with me. There's a home and a job waiting for him if they let him out."
Danny is among the thousands serving controversial Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, which came into force for England and Wales in 2005 but were axed in 2012.
He was jailed after being convicted of two attempted robberies, of a coat and mobile phone.
As Danny, his family and his solicitor fight for his freedom, prison life has been taking a toll on his physical and mental health.
"About two months ago he was taken to hospital because he couldn't breath and he was given a blood transfusion. He was getting worse and worse so they called an ambulance," Maurice explained.
"We couldn't go and visit him so we just had to sit and wait for a phone call.
"I have always worried that he would come out in a wooden box. That's a real possibility."
But Maurice is hoping the prospect of a job and a new home will help Danny stay positive.
"I could keep him right. It would be a fresh start for him," he said.
"He could turn over a new leaf and be a working class bloke.
"I was hoping he would get a parole hearing this year, but it's not until January. This will be his 16th Christmas in jail. He's definitely hoping to get out this time. It's just a worrying time between now and January.
"Because of the virus most of the jail is on 23 hour lockdown. It's no way to live. This is a worse punishment than his crime. He's just totally lost in the system."
Danny's potential employer, who the Chronicle has agreed not to name, said he would be happy to give him a chance should he be released.
"We take staff on all the time so I said that if he gets out I would give him a trial," he explained.
"I believe everybody deserves a second chance. Maybe having a job could keep him on the straight and narrow and help with his rehabilitation."
