God has given me a second chance at life, and I plan to take advantage of it.
I vividly remember my first experience entering the penal system. I was held at Hennepin County in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On my first night there, one of the correctional officers played “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston over the PA system, and I began to shed tears uncontrollably. Reality had fully set in, and all I could think about was the fact that I had been freshly charged with first-degree murder.
I was lost, overwhelmed, and uncertain of what my future would hold. My girlfriend at the time, along with family and friends, tried to comfort me, but I soon found out I was of no value to someone behind bars.
I was later transferred to Cook County in Chicago, Illinois, as that was where my crime had occurred. In Cook County, I witnessed countless individuals lose their lives to the prison system—at least that’s how it appeared on the surface. After spending approximately three years awaiting trial, my defense attorney was able to strike a plea deal with the state. This was my first and last experience with incarceration, and I accepted a plea of 10 years.
By the grace of God, I was able to earn time reduction through schooling and job details during my time in prison. Now, after serving about eight years, I’m on my way out. God has given me a second chance at life, and I plan to take advantage of it.
