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Paul2

People come on one way, but for me, none have stuck to the script as a friend. I’m an introvert. I have met intelligent people inside, but no one to call a friend.

If you are abandoned at your most vulnerable time growing up, it usually leads down a road of no return or worse. In my case it was prison. Here, you put in what you receive and if you hang around dirt, you will become dirty.

I’ve been fortunate to have all the essentials necessary to sustain me throughout my 22 years of incarceration, yet when it comes to family and friends, nobody has taken the opportunity to step up for me.

In 2014, I asked family members to write me a letter of support and here it is March 2021, seven years later, and still no letter of support to give the board.

My mother is 85 years old. She tries to assist me in my quest to buy books.

I don’t think prison has changed me. I’m the same person I was before, but wiser and more educated. I observe my surroundings and I’m careful to judge those around me. If you don’t judge a person by his character you will be led to think that a person is one way, when in actuality he or she can have ulterior motives hidden without your knowledge. People come on one way, but for me, none have stuck to the script as a friend.

I’m an introvert. I have met intelligent people inside, but no one to call a friend. I am working towards becoming financially stable. I am doing honest work and hopefully changing some of the unjust that goes on behind prison walls.

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Every month, a physical envelope arrives at your door, postmarked from San Quentin Village, California. Inside, you will find original artwork, writing, and recipes from real contributors, along with a personal letter from me, Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, about the people who made them. You read it. You keep it.

Every piece comes from someone serving a sentence. Every piece reminds you they are so much more than that.

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