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Larry, 69

Larry, 69

Stories

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Larry, 69

Meet Larry…

I dressed in my blues, name tag on and greeted the one and only Kim Kardashian. As a member of the Reform Alliance, she wanted to show her sister Khloe, rapper Lil Baby, and friends, our dogs and trainers participating in the truly life-changing program offered here.

Larry, 69
Incarcerated: 20 years
Housed: Lancaster, California

I dressed in my blues, name tag on and greeted the one and only Kim Kardashian. As a member of the Reform Alliance, she wanted to show her sister Khloe, rapper Lil Baby, and friends, our dogs and trainers participating in the truly life-changing program offered here. Kim sat on the floor next to me, petting my dog, Pepper, and getting covered with her fur. Pepper is a twenty-five pound, six-month old, energetic Husky puppy with bright blue eyes. All the guests were very impressed, down to earth, and excited to be here. They asked what skills the program builds and we had an assortment of answers including responsibility, leadership, time management, critical thinking, compassion, public speaking, communication, and teamwork. My friend, Jason Jenkins told me that he and guest Hanna Jackson discussed their similarities, saying, “We trauma bonded over our experience of having a father who was incarcerated while growing up. I told her about my dad having gone in and out of prison, then being killed by police officers and saw how much it touched her.

She shared her experience of how, after serving time, her father was raised by the prison system and was violated while on parole. We had similar stories but we were two totally different people.” For some, entering prison can be scary and intimidating: guard towers, rolls of sharp razor wire and of course, the electric fence. But, my encounter with this group was very positive. To see celebrities in prison is humbling. I don’t take it for granted. I have had quite a few famous people visit us: Emily Deschanel, Sophia Bush, Natalie Portman, Common, Nick Cannon, John Legend and his wife, Kim and Kanye West,  Justin and Hailey Bieber. I appreciate them for taking time out. It is a genuine sign of kindness and friendship. I was inspired, encouraged, and deeply affected with their relaxed and easygoing demeanor. They left with a favorable opinion of how prison can be rehabilitating by giving us a chance to give back to society. I learned people outside haven’t forgotten about us as they work tirelessly for prison reform. This is true dedication and devotion!

Sequoyah, 28

Sequoyah, 28

Stories

Meet Sequoyah…

There have been many times in my life that the road forked and someone saved me before I went the wrong way. One person in particular was the director of the Robinson’s Scholars program.

Sequoyah, 28
Incarcerated: 3 years
Housed: Lexington, Kentucky

Do you ever wonder what your life might be like if you’d never crossed paths with certain people? I do. There have been many times in my life that the road forked and someone saved me before I went the wrong way. Some were just brush encounters, but there were others whose impact changed the entire course of my existence. One person in particular was the director of the Robinson’s Scholars program I was a part of. I met him when I was a sophomore in high school, during a time when I was lost within my trauma. I think he sensed that from our first conversation because every time we talked after that, he showed genuine interest and concern for me. Over time the fortress that I’d built around me for my protection gave way and a bond forged between us. I had never had an active father to nurture me and most of the men I’d been around were predators who made me feel very uncomfortable. He was different though. Kindness, safety, love, and support radiated off of him. He took me under his wings with the goal of seeing me fly on my own one day.

Despite his efforts, I stumbled many times before I began to find my footing. When everyone counted me out, he dug his cleats in and coached me through the storms. I was ready to give up on myself and probably would’ve without his unwavering encouragement. Very often, I found myself questioning why. Why did he care? Why did he try so hard? What was so special about me? I mean he was a stranger; he had no obligation to help me. My own family didn’t even do these things, so why was he? I could never understand what he saw in me that made him think I was worth investing in. But he did and never faltered in showing me how much he wanted me to succeed. When I graduated high school, he stood in those stands proudly like a father would for his daughter. His presence continued on when I went to college too. When I started making reckless decisions again, he swooped in and got me back in order. He was determined to keep me from self-destructing. After a while, he became the voice of reason and my most trusted confidant. Nearly seven years after we met, I walked across the graduate stage once more. The stadium was packed full. When it came time for me to receive my diploma, there he was standing with honor as my father.

Marshawn, 37

Marshawn, 37

Stories

Meet Marshawn…

What gets me through each day is my family and hope. It’s hard but I constantly tell myself it could be worse.

Marshawn, 37
Incarcerated: 15 years
Housed: Stateville Correctional Center, IL

What gets me through each day is my family and hope. It’s hard but I constantly tell myself it could be worse. I haven’t always had hope. Prison is a very dark place and can suck the life out of you. For the majority of these 15 years, I’ve dwelled on my past, wishing I had listened to people. That I’d done things differently. Constantly thinking of my past has held me back from progressing  and has led me to make some poor decisions. Today, I try to take it one day at a time focusing more on the things that can make me better and have a more positive future! I now see light at the end of the tunnel. So many things are changing in the prison system. People are going home now, which I didn’t see as much in the beginning. It helps me visualize being freed, as well as my family, who have stuck by my side. They have given me the push when needed, this place is hard and distractions are everywhere. God is still giving me the opportunity to breathe, for that I put my best foot forward and continue to fight this fight to the end! 

Derrick, 22

Derrick, 22

Stories

Meet Derrick…

I went from stealing from my own family, to stealing from others, to car hopping, to breaking into people’s houses, taking what they worked so hard for, to robbing drug dealers and stores.

Derrick, 22
Incarcerated: 6 years
Housed: Cummins Unit, Arkansas

I went from stealing from my own family, to stealing from others, to car hopping, to breaking into people’s houses, taking what they worked so hard for, to robbing drug dealers and stores. Then things got worse. Each crime I committed was for the same reason: to provide for my people and survive. I’ve spent my life in and out of the system. At 14  I moved in with my grandmother, thinking my problems would slow down, only to realize they followed me and got worse. At 15, I ended up getting my sister’s friend pregnant; she was 14. I was addicted to the powder and messing around with older women, so I left her to get my mind right, only to be locked up again. My son’s due date was on my birthday. Eight days after he was born, I was released. That day, I was completely done with the life I was living, wanting to provide for the lil one. I soon gave up and went back to hustling. I was told to knock on his door, which almost caused him to lose his life, all for drug money.

This was my life, starting when I was eight., not because my mother and father weren’t good parents, but just because it was. I caused a police officer to be killed. I was in county jail for three years before I finally said forget it and I took a deal for 20 years with another 17 on a Y felony to keep my other homeboy from doing the time. I wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger. My family and many others fought me on it, even my child’s mother.  My parents gave up on me, and I started to feel like there wasn’t anything left in life for me. I started causing problems in prison. My big bro in here, Rufus, has been a big influence. He’s been tough on me and helped me find the “better me.” Recently, he’s tried to keep me focused on positive thoughts and pursuing education. For all of you going through ups and downs, obstacles, heartache and pain, remember you ain’t alone. Keep pushing until things get better. I gave up on so much over the years, but now, I’m trying to rise and better myself. I haven’t given up on chasing my dreams:

Jesse, 43

Jesse, 43

Stories

Meet Jesse…

I haven’t seen my mom in 21 years. She suffered a lot of abuse and trauma and she is the strongest person I know.

Jesse, 43
Incarcerated: 21 years
Housed: San Quentin State Prison

I am serving 200 years to life for attempted murder. I haven’t seen my mom in 21 years. She suffered a lot of abuse and trauma and she is the strongest person I know. She makes me laugh every time we talk and says she’s holding on until I come home. I live my life to honor her love without violence. I love you mom! And to all moms and women everywhere, we lift you up. Happy Mother’s Day from the Humans of San Quentin.

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