Featured Quotes
During our journey of sharing the unheard voices behind bars, we’ve encountered a generous amount of stories that were both touching & inspirational. Within these stories, people have disclosed their personal experiences, both good & bad, of what life was like before prison, in addition to their current living conditions behind bars. These testimonies exude positivity, self-awareness, & growth, which are all necessary to successfully re-enter a normal, healthy life outside of prison. The following selections are a culmination of highlighted quotes from these stories.
Rodney, 59
“Until I earned my degree I never thought that I would be a person who’d care about others.”
Nythell “Nate,” 44
“If not for the six beautiful, caring people, who believed in me, I never would have taken ahold of my life and seen the harm I’ve caused in so many, the goodness I have inside, nor the healing I can be a part of.”
Thomas, 49
“My job is to help people who are going through what I went through – the pain and suffering that I caused in a community.”
Demond, 48
“Most people in prison, whatever they’ve done to get here, stealing, gang banging, it was all based on a lie that they were telling themself or a lifestyle that they grew up believing in.”
Richie, 58
“The gifts that we’re given in this life are made to be given away and the more we give away the more we get in return.”
Rayvion, 22
“I am always learning something and someone is always learning from me.”
Fateen, 44
“I am good at finding joy wherever I’m at and that lifts my spirit. The fact that my spirit is free, keeps me filled with hope and optimism.”
Anthony “Bootsy,” 59
“San Quentin doesn’t have the reputation for being dangerous killers, anymore. Today it’s the Golden State Warriors coming and playing against us.”
William, 23
“I’ve come to learn I need to care and love myself mentally, physically and spiritually before I do anyone else.”
Miguel, 51
“I’ve learned to open up, and love myself. To respect and be kind to every human being, no matter who they are.”
Clifford, 62
“Mama, you’re the real MVP.”
Dre, 54
“…being able to have communication with understanding and knowledge is a key factor, it makes it easier to survive in the world.”
Cheryl
“A menace. A failure. A convict. A felon. A loser. That’s what society calls me, but I am determined to be better. I am more than a number. I am a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, and a daughter. I don’t want to languish. I want to flourish.”
Rufus, 31
“Today my model is to ‘each one – teach one’ where I speak out about my experiences for the ‘Humans of Arkansas.'”
Ronell “Roach”
“I am thankful for Humans of San Quentin being made available to those who are not locked away, to see us as human.”
Calen
“Being incarcerated, prosecuted and sentenced is an experience in and of itself. The judicial process has the ability to gut the unprepared and sadly until you go through this wringer, we are all unprepared.”
Tallulah
“Music connects persons, souls, and broken hearts.”
Gwendolyn
“We can’t breathe! We are Breona Taylor, George Floyd, Freddy Gray and many more. The only difference – ours started on the inside.”