Leon, 45

Leon, 45

Meet Leon…

 We are both successful service dog trainers and recruited to be featured in fundraising videos, which have had thousands of views on YouTube. It was the sibling rivalry that ignited our ongoing competition…

Leon, 45
Incarcerated: 18 years
Housed: Monroe Correctional Complex, Washington

It was in the depths of hardship and struggle when our unlikely friendship formed. Since 2007 we have lived, learned, grown, failed, and celebrated many successes together behind the fences of several different prison facilities. Most incarcerated people hold the philosophy that, “I came to prison alone,  I’m going to leave alone, and I’m not here to make friends.” We also felt that way, but over the years, we developed a brotherly bond as well as what you could describe as a sibling rivalry. We are both successful service dog trainers and were recruited to be featured in fundraising videos, which have had thousands of views on YouTube. It was the sibling rivalry that ignited our ongoing competition that led us to our current bet for which one of our videos will be the first to reach 20,000.

It became a daily taunting match. Mine has been out since 2016, so it had a significant number of views by 2018 when Randy’s was posted. Cleverly, Randy contacted a very popular dog rescue company in 2019, and they shared his video through their network. Randy’s video shot up to 9,950 views by 2020, while mine hovered at around 6,400. Calculating the current rate,  it will take Randy 21 years to reach the goal, but I will reach it in a little over 14 years. Randy still has some tricks up his sleeve and I have become wise. It is doubtful that our video views will continue to grow at the current rate, but what will remain the same is the unlikely friendship that we formed through commiseration during hard times. In addition, the competitive rivalry of our brotherhood will likely be with us for life. Therefore, the bet is on and the competition is unbending. To see the videos for yourself, go to Summit Assistance Dogs Monroe Partnership on YouTube.  (Leo’s is 2016, Randy’s is 2018)

Ashley, 60

Meet Ashley…

This is a new experience for me to be so open about who I am in prison and out. There will always be haters, but I don’t really pay any attention to that.

Ashley, 60
Incarcerated: 24 years
Housed: San Quentin State Prison

This is a new experience for me to be so open about who I am in prison and out. There will always be haters, but I don’t really pay any attention to that. I’ve served 24 years but will go back to the Board for a suitability hearing next October. I want to go home. I want people to know that I’m not a mean person. I’m kind, understanding, and sympathetic. I’m not a mess or running around causing drama. I would also like to put it out there that maybe if people would sit down with one of us and ask questions they would have a better understanding of transgender people. I’m not a threat to anyone. My childhood was happy, including a white Christmas’ in Dayton, Ohio. Things were so nice, that is until the steel plant closed down. We had to move and came to California. My world was turned upside down and at the age of seven I was molested by my father and Uncle Bill. I was told that I had to dress up like a girl and do things that no child should have to do. This went on until I was eleven. That’s when I started getting locked up. It was a way to escape the pain. There’s one person here at SQ who has been there for me and whom I really love and care about. Her name is Sage, I call her my daughter and she is always here for me. We take care of each other. Women are more sympathetic and understanding and have always been there for me.

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