Featured Story
Carol, 52
“I feel like I have been in prison all his life and I need to make up for all of that.”
Shahen, 32
My wife and kids are my motivation to continue to move forward in a positive and healthy manner. Even in prison I want to be a positive role model and have a positive impact in their lives. I don’t want them to follow in my footsteps.
Ken, 52
At the time those pictures traveled all over the world and that night was the first time they would be shown in the US. It blew me away, to say the least. My picture was the most viewed and the most liked.
Charles, 52
I’ve decided one way for me to give back is to tell my story through my writing. Today I’m truly successful because I believe in my abilities to achieve.
Henok, 44
Playing the violin taught me perseverance and the art of playing different varieties of music.
Delvon, 32
I watched her grow up in pictures and now she’s raising me. A daughter raising a dad in prison.
Jennifer, 52
I’m not defined by the crimes I committed or worse things I’ve done. Rather, I’ve actually defied them by learning to accept responsibility, to have empathy for others, and remorse for my past harmful behavior.
Christopher, 42
I want to change the culture in prisons, but it’s going to take an effort from the rest of the world as well. I want society to someday paint a different picture of prisons and prisoners.
Shani, 39
Being isolated forced me to look up. I began to seek God. I prayed and read the Bible. I committed to attending church services, Bible studies, and discipleship classes to build a relationship with God. I built relationships with men of faith to help me grow spiritually. I began to feel the presence of God in my life.
Armando, 18
I have struggled. I told myself I would never be like my father, until I got a taste of the street life, fast money, fast cars, and the baddest women. Growing up in Vallejo it ain’t nothing but that.
Christopher, 43
Today, I’m a peaceful person since coming to prison. I live by a code of ethics I’ve learned from Odinism and Islam: courage, truth, honor, fidelity, hospitality, industryness, self-reliance and perseverance.