This opportunity is more than just a blessing—it’s a promise to myself and my mom.
I remember laying in my bunk at Menard Correctional, thinking of how my life had become a waste. But today, I started my first day of college. As the youngest of three brothers, I was the one my mom proudly believed would graduate college first. That thought stayed with me even in my darkest moments. Back in Menard, where education ended at high school, I watched years go by feeling stagnant, with no way to achieve my goals. Then, everything changed. I learned that residents in maximum security could transfer to medium facilities. I fit the criteria, applied, and transferred to Danville Correctional.
After 15 years in the pit, stepping into Danville felt like stepping into possibility. Now, I’m attending Eastern Illinois University. This opportunity is more than just a blessing—it’s a promise to myself and my mom. I’ll put that smile on her heart by earning my degree. The inspiration doesn’t stop there. Four friends of mine, all serving life sentences, recently had their cases overturned. Twenty years later, they’re home now. Hearing their stories fills me with hope. I know I’m next. I imagine the day I’ll hold my bachelor’s degree, the day I’ll celebrate my freedom, and the day I’ll prove to myself and everyone in my corner that hope and perseverance pay off.
