It’s already hard enough doing time—why must we continue to suffer?
I’m writing this because people outside these walls need to know that we are human too. We are someone’s sons, fathers, and friends. We don’t need to be constantly judged or put down for the mistakes we’ve made. Some of us are doing everything we can to change our lives for the better—both for ourselves and for the ones we love. Others may never change, but each and every one of us is different in our own way.
I’ve been in prison for three years now, and I’ve found myself becoming a better person because I want to make something of my life when I get out. Am I sorry for what I’ve done? Yes. But I can’t go back and undo it. What I can do is make sure it never happens again.
I’m a father, and I deeply miss and love my children. It’s been three years since I’ve seen them, and I don’t know how they’re doing. Still, I hope they know I love them, and I will be here for them for as long as I live.
Do we deserve to be treated poorly or work for pennies an hour? No. If we are given the chance to earn real money, it could make a huge difference when we re-enter society. Fifty cents an hour isn’t enough to build something to fall back on. It’s already hard enough doing time—why must we continue to suffer? We are not animals. I know there are people out there who think we don’t deserve the luxury of earning money or having freedom, but we do deserve to be treated like human beings.
I’m changing my life so I can step up and be the father my children need me to be and make my family proud. I want them to see that I’ve done something meaningful with my life.
