Brittany, 28

Brittany, 28

Meet Brittany…

Love is kind, patient, love is with pure intention. Love never gives up, it is our only hope for peace and it should be our mission in life.

Brittany, 28
Incarcerated: 3 years
Housed: Wyoming Women’s Center, Lusk

How do I see love? 

It took my desire to love and to be loved to reach a point of explosion. I decided to stop being that door mat, the person everyone could use and abuse however they pleased. Love was as strange to me as a foreign language. Love meant my parents fed us so we could focus on something other than survival. The circumstances of my unfortunate beginnings instilled in me a sense of low self-worth and created an ideal space for us to beg for every ounce of affection. It wasn’t long before I was an adult by law, but a struggling and scared child at heart. Having spent my entire life focused on the well being of my siblings and myself, I was convinced love was just a fairytale. What stood between me and my dream of being loved was the idea that I wasn’t worthy of such things. I have seen examples of love and have formed my own opinion on how people should be loved. I learned it doesn’t hurt, it is something we can and should give freely. Love is kind, patient, love is with pure intention. Love never gives up, it is our only hope for peace and it should be our mission in life. When judged, scorned, forgotten and abandoned, choose love. Love because you can, not because it’s beneficial or expected. This is how I see love.

Cory, 36

Meet Cory…

I had just walked out of the county jail from doing a possession charge term in Houston, Texas. As I walked up the street, I had no hope left.

Cory, 36
Incarcerated: 5 years
Housed: San Quentin State Prison

I had just walked out of the county jail from doing a possession charge term in Houston, Texas. As I walked up the street, I had no hope left. I was scared of doing more time and I was homeless, but had a small job to barely get by. I was walking toward Main Street when I saw the most beautiful girl in the world. We made eye contact and it was love at first sight. Her name is Keri. I was whipped instantly. She was like a Persian horse on display just for me. We stayed together for five years and somehow between prison terms we drifted apart. I miss her and love her still with all my heart and would give anything to hear from her again.

Jesse, 43

Jesse, 43

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.

Jon, 42

Jon, 42

Meet Jon…

In a place known for death and destruction, I found life and meaning. Along the way I have found my voice and discovered my academic abilities that are now leading me towards a whole new future.

Jon, 42
Incarcerated: 6 years
Housed: San Quentin State Prison

This photo means everything to me, my mom is my biggest support, love and motivation. She lives in Mexico but comes and visits, and also brings my son. I am sharing with HoSQ to give back and hopefully share some smiles, positivity, and inspire others. Never give up! With patience and peace good things will find you. You are worth it. 

“Quentin Crumbles”

Walls crumble like hourglass sands, 

Time melts away desperate past love, 

Lost hugs of Mother, Father, Brother, Son. 

Breaking the hearts of chained memories, 

Bars hold me behind the day’s light. 

My soul free to roam in only dreams, 

Reality what can be once was will always, 

Remain hidden seeking to find meaning. 

Solar views under darkened skies, 

stars diluted in light polluted pain, 

Planets below moon beam Horizons, 

Setting mountains of hate filled minds, 

dissolving into walls of truths forgiveness, 

controlled but never held back, 

steps etched in sand filled shoes blowing through. 

Beaches of crumbled walls and broken chains

as Quentin crumbles.

I am in San Quentin somewhere I never imagined life would lead me. In a place known for death and destruction, I found life and meaning. Along the way I have found my voice and discovered my academic abilities that are now leading me towards a whole new future. I found passion in psychology and self-help. Prison gave me a chance to take inventory and change things about my life I have always been less than proud of. 

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