Published Books from Incarcerated Humans
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Put On the Shelf to Die and more…
by Albert “RU-AL” Jones
Growing up in a gang neighborhood, Albert attached himself to the gang lifestyle. It eventually led him in and out of six different prisons. He could have easily been mad at the court system, the jury, or GOD, but he changed my way of thinking into something positive. He started writing books about his time in prison, life in a gang, and being on death row for almost three decades. Albert now has six self-published books on Amazon, making him the only person on any death row to have six books published and each were written in one cell. Albert is advancing his education with classes toward an AA degree and a business certificate. Albert does all of this while experiencing Dyslexia, a learning disability. His message to all is that, “It’s not over as long as you’re walking this earth and he is going to leave a legacy.”
The Life of Prison and 14 more e-books
by Shawn Robert Johnson
Shawn Robert Johnson is a multi-talented individual, excelling as an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, published author, poet, and podcast host. Writing initially served as a therapeutic outlet for him during childhood, but Shawn soon recognized its power to inspire, motivate, and profoundly touch other people’s lives.
Words I Never Got Spoken – How I Remember Juvenile Hall
by Larry “Ali” Deminter
“I write to free the child within me.” Larry “Ali” Deminter is the author (under the pen name Ali Moseley) of the novel: “Broken Wing” and a chapbook, “Words Never Got Spoken: How I Remember Juvenile Hall.”His work also appeared in the Harvard Journal of African American Policy; vol. 2018-19, Columbia’s Exchange Magazine vol.2, Colossus: Freedom (Anthology), Silent Screams: Voices From Uncharted Territory (Anthology), Anthology (published by the William James Foundation), Beat Within Magazine, and other various essays at Tufts University (Resentencing Journal), and Cal State – Los Angeles.
Broken Wing
by Larry “Ali” Deminter
“I write to free the child within me.” Larry “Ali” Deminter is the author (under the pen name Ali Moseley) of the novel: “Broken Wing” and a chapbook, “Words Never Got Spoken: How I Remember Juvenile Hall.”His work also appeared in the Harvard Journal of African American Policy; vol. 2018-19, Columbia’s Exchange Magazine vol.2, Colossus: Freedom (Anthology), Silent Screams: Voices From Uncharted Territory (Anthology), Anthology (published by the William James Foundation), Beat Within Magazine, and other various essays at Tufts University (Resentencing Journal), and Cal State – Los Angeles.
Upon Awaiting Redemption
by James D. Richards
Published while incarcerated. “Upon Awaiting Redemption” is a compilation of poems inspired by real-life experiences. James aims to share these moments in the hope that others can reflect on their own lives and recognize the abundant potential for immediate success. Current Project: Special edition of “Upon Awaiting Redemption.” Background: Extensive training in the performing arts, including two years of piano instruction under Velda Boutte. Proficient in instrumental jazz, particularly the saxophone, through guidance from Joe Alcala. Skilled in studio recording and engineering. Trained in theatrical arts under Dan Pasano and various theater instructors. Initiated writing for publication in 2019.
Tribulations of a Geto Kid
by Crandell “Ojore” McKinnon
Ojore is an innocent man wrongly convicted in 1999 for crimes he adamantly insists he did not commit. He is housed on California’s Death Row at San Quentin State Prison. Ojore is a published poet whose pen is raw and unrelenting in expression and emotion. His poetry speaks to the real life experiences of love, struggle and hardships of prison, poverty, and growing up Black in America.
Take Me to Heart
by Crandell “Ojore” McKinnon
Ojore is an innocent man wrongly convicted in 1999 for crimes he adamantly insists he did not commit. He is housed on California’s Death Row at San Quentin State Prison. Ojore is a published poet whose pen is raw and unrelenting in expression and emotion. His poetry speaks to the real life experiences of love, struggle and hardships of prison, poverty, and growing up Black in America.
3Ps – Pleasure, Pain & Passion
by Gregory Whiteside Jr
Growing up, Gregory witnessed numerous mental, physical, and life-threatening abuses and traumas that have resulted in struggles with PTSD. With hard work and many wonderful psychologists teaching him coping skills and techniques to survive, he is able to remain positive and productive by writing a poetry book and taking a paralegal certification course. Greg’s poems are an outpouring of his heart and mind. From a man who has been abused and broken to a man who has rebuilt his heart through spirituality and writing.
Learning to Heal
by Harry Goodall
An easy read on how we can peel away layers of our onion in the emotions of healing. Some can talk about it but there has never been full disclosure of opening hold wounds and allowing them to properly heal. Everyone has some sort of trauma that either shame or guilt blocks us from overcoming that.
Niño Immigrante
by Ubaldo Teque Jr.
In his collection, Ubaldo Teque, Jr., takes us on a journey that navigates solitude, regret, and wants of the incarcerated. He writes of family memories that bring us to the ancestors and to lush, Guatemalan childhoods. Niño Inmigrante is a reminder that poetry can save our lives and lead us toward a healing, written in the darkness and with a cleansing, blazing light.
Brain Pulp
by TommyLee Dean
Colorado prison inmate Tommy Lee Dean opens up on his life and overly active imagination in sinister poetry, short stories and essays that come straight from the pulp of his brain.
by Charles Carpenter
Carbon, found about one hundred miles underground in mantle is seemingly worthless until it goes through a refinement consisting of heat and pressure; the end result of the process is a priceless gem known as a diamond.The making of a diamond is a powerful metaphor which aptly parallels Charles Carpenter’s troubled past.Charles Carpenter’s life was riddled with poor choices, bad association, lack of confidence, and low self worth.Finally after many years in prison he realizes that value was buried deep within him the entire time. Similar to the refinement process of carbon before becoming a precious diamond, so too did Charles Carpenter go through a refinement process. He began the metamorphosis by making the decision to step away from gang life, and changing his warped thinking patterns. Charles offers practical steps to cultivate inner value and ultimately become a diamond.
by Charles Carpenter
Contradiction is a riveting and dynamic account in which Charles Carpenter unveils the core of why at risk youth become attracted to gang subculture. Charles Carpenter shares his personal experience regarding his attraction to gang life. Profound insight is offered regarding loyalty and the ugly face of betrayal. Charles delves into how the catalyst that motivated his change was when a fellow member of his former gang violated the code of honor and respect by having a capricious affair with his wife; this transgression was the foundation that led to Charles Carpenter’s conviction of second degree murder. After years of living a destructive life style which continued to yield negative fruitage, Charles Carpenter vowed to make positive changes in his life. He made a conscious effort to change the behavior patterns that ultimately shaped the gang member that he diligently aspired to become. Charles Carpenter outlines the anatomy of his change and describes what is required to learn positive behaviors.
by Charles Carpenter
Charles Carpenter, the author of the revered memoir Handcuffed does it again with Colors of Oppression. The well written narrative explores the anatomy of the often hostile, racially divided prison environment. Charles Carpenter details the social and psychological ramifications of oppression, and describes the wisdom needed to navigate through a microcosm of hatred, racism, deception, and prison politics. This book highlights various deceitful tactics employed by the correctional officers and inmates, thus giving the general public an unadulterated glimpse into the world with a world – prison. Colors of Oppression is an educational tool for anyone interested in a career in the field of corrections. This book also raises the awareness level for those interested in analyzing the dynamics of prison life.
by Charles Carpenter
A compelling true story about a young man who ventured on the wrong path despite a mother’s best efforts to keep him on the straight-and-narrow path. This honest collection of memoirs written by Charles Carpenter while in the confines of California’s notoriously violent state prison (New Folsom) depicts Mr. Carpenter’s early years and details what led to his membership with the faction of Crips known as “Tray-Five-Seven.” The book explains how a young man became fixated on a life of crime and through a distorted perception, viewed the gang subculture as a normal way of life. The Charles Carpenter story is a brutally honest account of his experiences in various juvenile facilities during the 1980’s and the members of various gangs he met during his unfortunate stints of incarceration.