Meet Ashley…

Ashley, 60
Incarcerated: 24 years
Housed: San Quentin State Prison

This is a new experience for me to be so open about who I am in prison and out. There will always be haters, but I don’t really pay any attention to that. I’ve served 24 years but will go back to the Board for a suitability hearing next October. I want to go home. I want people to know that I’m not a mean person. I’m kind, understanding, and sympathetic. I’m not a mess or running around causing drama. I would also like to put it out there that maybe if people would sit down with one of us and ask questions they would have a better understanding of transgender people. I’m not a threat to anyone. My childhood was happy, including a white Christmas’ in Dayton, Ohio. Things were so nice, that is until the steel plant closed down. We had to move and came to California. My world was turned upside down and at the age of seven I was molested by my father and Uncle Bill. I was told that I had to dress up like a girl and do things that no child should have to do. This went on until I was eleven. That’s when I started getting locked up. It was a way to escape the pain. There’s one person here at SQ who has been there for me and whom I really love and care about. Her name is Sage, I call her my daughter and she is always here for me. We take care of each other. Women are more sympathetic and understanding and have always been there for me.