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Christopher, 26

Stories

Meet Christopher…

We were out eating dinner with her family, when I got on one knee and asked her to marry me. We were married by a lake while on vacation, and have been married ever since and have two more kids.

Christopher, 26
Incarcerated: 2 years
Housed: East Arkansas Regional Unit, Marianna, Arkansas

How I Met My Wife

I was staying with a buddy of mine and we went to pick up a friend of his. While we are chilling and his girlfriend calls. He’s talking to her while texting another girl, and it pisses me off.  So I get on Facebook and send a message to his girlfriend and tell her the truth about what her boyfriend is doing. She asks for proof and I give it to her.  So she broke up with him. She and I stay friends and eventually go on a couple dates. I moved in with her and her daughter Carlee. We were out eating dinner with her family, when I got on one knee and asked her to marry me. We were married by a lake while on vacation, and have been married ever since and have two more kids. She was 20, I was 21 when we got married but we are not together anymore.

Wyatt, 23

Stories

Meet Wyatt…

I’ve battled with addiction and losing the most cherished person to me: my mother. What helps me get through this time is never forgetting the love and memory of my mother.

Wyatt, 23
Incarcerated: 5 years
Housed: East Arkansas Regional Unit, Marianna, Arkansas

I’ve battled with addiction and losing the most cherished person to me: my mother. What helps me get through this time is never forgetting the love and memory of my mother. One day, it led me to wake up and tell myself that I’m through living like this. I want somthing better. I quit getting high cold turkey and continue to push myself further each day. I work out constantly, all in the efforts of making my mother proud, even if she isn’t physically with me. I have almost gotten my GED, (one test away) and will finally have completed a hard-earned goal.

I still plan to achieve more each and every day, not only to become a better man, but to show my mom looking down on me, she didn’t fail in raising me. So, I don’t only write to Humans of San Quentin or to my mother; I’m sharing to anyone who’s looking for that small light at the end of the tunnel.

Mashudu, 23

Stories

Meet Mashudu…

I learned a man is someone who takes full responsibility for all his actions. I will admit when I’m right and accept when I’m wrong. In 2025, I’ll be free.

Mashudu, 23
Incarcerated: 6 years
Housed: East Arkansas Regional Unit, Brickeys

I was born on Thanksgiving Day, and on my mother’s birthday. As you read my name, I know you’re wondering how to pronounce it. “Ma-shoe-do” my dad is African. I am JR, he moved back to Africa when I was young. He abandoned me as a child, I had no father figure. While going to school I was made fun of because of my name. By the time I was 15, they never called me by my name anymore, I was deep in the streets robbing, and shooting. They ended up calling me “Shoota.” I was living it, my life was moving smoothly and fast, until I was 16. I got locked up on me and my mom’s birthday, November 25th, Thanksgiving Day. Instead of being at home enjoying my mom’s birthday, my cousin and I shot at a car at the hospital. I was in juvenile hall for a year and a half.

At 17, I got involved in another crime, I was facing adult charges for aggravated robbery and more. The judge offered me life on my first court date, then 30 years then he upped it to 40.  I ended up getting ten years from the faith I had from the age of 17 to 23. All I could do was think, snitching was never on my mind. They wouldn’t give me a bond, then I knew, I was not getting out. My homeboy told on me, and I looked at him like a brother, time flew by. I thought my family, friends, girlfriend and loved ones cared but they didn’t. No one had my back but me. I never gave up hope and faith. When I grew up I became a man. I learned a man is someone who takes full responsibility for all his actions. I will admit when I’m right and accept when I’m wrong. In 2025, I’ll be free. I accept everyone who turned their back on me cause it’s my fault I got locked up. They didn’t tell me to do what I did. I have number one that cares for me, so I’ll have to move somewhere else because I’m not with the fake love. I have nobody, all I got is myself, and my mom. Being in a cell 24/7 opened up my mind to see everything I never thought about, I just wanna be loved. 

Lamar, 34

Lamar, 34

Stories

Meet Lamar…

This woman was the answer to my prayers. I thought I just needed a penpal but I got a mother. I call her my Godmother and I truly love her as if she made me.

Lamar, 34
Incarcerated: 13 years
Housed: East Arkansas Regional Unit, Marianna

I gave up on life because I wouldn’t be living anymore; I’d only be existing. I envied others who got all the mail, visits and talked on the phone. I left my daughter when she was eight and I get out when she’s 28. Prison can be a lonely, cold and bitter place. I’d attempted suicide before but I lived through it, so I lied about what made me nearly die. This is my second prison term. My first term I served seven years. I felt I deserved this hell. I felt I deserved the mistreatment from officers and my peers, too. I didn’t shave, exercise, or write home. I crawled into a shell. I thought to myself, “This is God’s will.” Until one day, I wrote to a bookstore asking them to donate some books. I received a letter from a woman named Claire. Since that day, two years ago, she has made it a point to write to me every week no matter what. She sent photos and I’ve even called her.

This woman was the answer to my prayers. I thought I just needed a penpal but I got a mother. I call her my Godmother and I truly love her as if she made me. She stayed on me (in a good way.) She’s very religious and very loving. I love my real mother but I have two of them now. Claire stayed on me about getting a GED and I did it, I did not want to but I did it. She encouraged me to write a book. And I did it. In fact, I just finished my second book. I haven’t found a publisher, but I’m proud of my accomplishments. Some days are hard, but she stays with me. I thank God for this woman. God didn’t give me what I wanted but he gave me what I needed. I’m somebody and I’m not forgotten.

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