Skip to main content
Introducing

Randy, 49

Incarcerated:
29 years
Housed:
Mule Creek State Prison
Located in
Ione, California
A man with extensive tattoos on his face, neck, and arms stands against a concrete wall, wearing a light blue t-shirt and grey shorts.
July 14, 20251 min read

With this newfound understanding, I feel free, and replaced hate with love and anger with happiness.

What have I learned about myself in prison? During my childhood, I developed hate and anger. I carried a lot of pain that I put away so I wouldn’t feel it or be hurt by it. As I got older and involved with drugs and alcohol, the anger and hate would come out. I am 49, and within the past four or five years, I have learned where and why the anger and hate come from. With this newfound understanding, I feel free, and replaced hate with love and anger with happiness. I don’t tuck it away now. I keep it at the forefront of my mind. That is love and happiness.

A man and a woman embracing against a plain background.
A man with tattoos on his arms and hands stands in front of a mural of a large tree. He is wearing a light-colored t-shirt and black pants with the words 'OCR PRISON' printed vertically in yellow.
A man with tattoos on his arms and neck stands with his arms raised in front of a waterfall mural.

Tags:

📬

These stories arrive by mail.

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.

📬 Join the Mail Club

Leave a Reply

Receive more inspiring stories and news from incarcerated people around the world.