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Introducing

Bill, 45

Incarcerated:
23 years
Housed:
Valley State Prison
Located in
Chowchilla, California
A smiling man with glasses and a beard, wearing a light blue t-shirt and blue pants, crouching on a stone patio outdoors.
July 1, 2025August 18th, 20252 min read

I’m an incarcerated individual that smiles in pics because I am grateful, with a heart full of joy. I am more than my most horrible choice.

One thing life has taught me is that we as humans are complex. I’m a human that is remorseful, someone who as a kid believed he didn’t matter and felt very lonely. At one point, I lacked empathy as a youth, committing murder. I’m also someone who accepted Jesus in his heart, then developed empathy. I’m someone serving life without parole who helped four men wrongfully convicted get released after 18 years. I’m someone who in the past hated working, dropped out of high school, and became a criminal and drug dealer, but who today has an “AA” degree and works as a certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor helping those suffering from addiction. I’m someone who left both his children at age three, but today is a father whose adult children have forgiven, who they love, and have a great relationship. I am a son, brother, and grandpop. I’m someone who stands on his head for his six year old grandson. I’m someone who loves to dance, can do the “flying worm” and the splits. I’m an incarcerated individual that smiles in pics because I am grateful, with a heart full of joy. I am more than my most horrible choice. I’m someone who lives a life of amends. I’m someone who misses swimming and bowling. I am hopeful and pray that I’m given a second chance at freedom. I’m someone thankful that you took the time to read my story and hear my voice. 

God Bless.

A smiling man with a beard, wearing a grey t-shirt, shorts, and a cross necklace, leans against a concrete wall.
A smiling Black man with a beard and glasses wearing a light blue OMCP uniform shirt over a white long-sleeved shirt, dark blue pants, and white sneakers.
A man performs a push-up on a basketball court while several other men in white and grey athletic wear watch from the sidelines.
A man with a beard and a white tank top stands against a textured wall, smiling.
A smiling man in a graduation cap and gown, with other people in the background.
A smiling man with a beard and glasses wearing a graduation cap and gown, with another graduate in the background.
A man with a beard and glasses smiles during a video call, with a '0 seconds left' timer for visitation time displayed on the screen.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, stand together on a carpeted floor in a dimly lit room with toys and bedding in the background.
A man in a grey shirt crouches with two young children in a home setting.
Three men in light blue OMCP shirts standing against a concrete wall.
A smiling man with a beard and glasses in a blue shirt kneels next to a young boy in a Wu-Tang Clan t-shirt, both in front of a colorful mural.
A man and a young child with large, curly hair stand in front of a blue door with a pineapple-shaped knocker.
A man and a baby sitting together on a green couch.
A group of eleven people, including a young boy in a t-shirt, posing for a photo in a church hall with a cross on the wall.
A football player in a green jersey with the number 67, kneeling on a field and pointing a finger while holding a helmet.
A young man and woman in formal wear pose together at a dimly lit event, with other guests visible in the background.
A smiling family of five, including a man in blue scrubs, two women, and a baby, posing together against a plain wall.
A smiling couple, Bill and his partner, posing closely together against a plain background.

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