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Kelsey, 63

Kelsey, 63

Stories

Meet Kelsey…

I don’t think that the public realizes that there are non-violent 3 strikers such as I in prison still for petty crimes like stealing a 12 pack of beer.

Incarcerated: 20 years

In junior high, I was sitting in my electronics class and the intercom came on “Kelsey, report to the vice principal’s office ASAP.” The VPs office means trouble 99.9 percent of the time, so the class went “Oooh!” I was worried to death. “I heard you placed 2nd place at the California State BMX championships last weekend” I was so relieved, I couldn’t believe what he said, wow. “Yes sir, Mr. Frankino.” “I want to ask you if you want to start a BMX team here at school, make a track on the grounds and have BMX races on the weekends, you could even have practices at lunchtime. I want you to pick a five man team of the best riders.” I said “Yes Sir.” We became the Valley View Vikings BMX team. We got a tractor from one of my friend’s dad, who was a farmer and literally dug up the school grounds and made a BMX track. I was our team captain, all in ninth grade. I was “Joe Moto.” A couple of weeks later one of my BMX friends came up to me at the VV track with a dirt bike magazine. In it there were photos and an article of me taking second overall at the state championship. It was the greatest time! If it wasn’t for my dearest mom taking me to all the races I would not have known my potential and that pretty much says it all. I never got the opportunity to race the World Championships, sorry to say. Thanks, Mom, for everything. I love you so much. You were 1st overall mom. 📸: Ms. Smith’s and Kelsey

Thomas, 40

Stories

Meet Thomas…

I am coming up on 16 years of incarceration. I do not know if any of my family is alive or not. I have not seen or talked to them. I don’t even know where they are living now.

Incarcerated: 18 years
Housed: North Central Unit; Calico Rock, Arkansas

My story starts in March of 2006. I am 24 years old and I am staying with my sister and brother-in-law in Fayetteville, AR. I am working with my brother-in-law doing electrical work for a small company in Fayetteville.

I come home from work for lunch, to find 12 Fayetteville police officers at the house waiting for me. As they arrested me they told me I was being detained for possession of, viewing or distributing material of sexually explicit nature of children (child porn). I had rented five computers and was paying for the internet at the house. The internet company informed the police that someone at our address had downloaded the material. While being interviewed I told them that it was not me, it couldn’t be. They said the computers and internet is in your name, it’s your charge. While I was in court my brother-in-law’s daughters stood up in court and said “Be a man and own up to what you did, Dad!” The judge asked me “Do you know what they are talking about?” They are saying the charges I’m facing should be his. The judge asked them “Is that correct, can you prove it was your dad?” they said no. The judge then said, the charges will remain against you. At 24, I was sentenced to 30 years with 12 years suspended imposition of sentence. After I was sentenced my brother-in-law’s daughters stood up again in court and told him “Stay away from us as we fear for our safety. We are going to live with our brother.” After being sentenced I saw my sisters and mother, once in county jail. I am coming up on 16 years of incarceration. I do not know if any of my family is alive or not. I have not seen or talked to them. I don’t even know where they are living now. As for friends, no I have not heard from any of them since I was charged as a “Child sex offender.” I’m going to ask the same question that one of my friends asked my mother. “Who wants to be friends with a known child sex offender?” Everyone looks down on a sex offender and even more so when it involves a child. Do I blame them? Not at all. Even though I carry the title, I am not a person who has or ever would do that. In fact, up until recently I really wanted to get out and kill my brother-in-law; but my higher power has started to show me a better way in life. Through education and religion, I have learned to work my very hardest and forgive people of their past wrongs and forget. Through a great university such as Ashland University out of Ohio. I was given a second chance to receive a college education. I have received my associate of arts in business administration and I am working on an associates of arts in sociology and my bachelor’s of arts in applied communication. With these degrees, I will be able to start my life over when I get out of prison. The sad part is I made parole in October 2014 and have been stuck in prison as I have nowhere to parole out to. I am stuck in prison until February 2024 my discharge date. The state of Arkansas does not have halfway houses that will take people in my position. The prison system in Arkansas requires its inmates to work but does not pay them “Slavery.” If they did I would have been able to rent a place to parole out to. Bot having any family or friends, I am worried about getting out and what I’m going to do. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle making new friends. I am currently in a program called Principle Application of Life Skills. I have also done a re-entry program called Think Legacy. I’m working to be ready to be released, yet I am still worried because making new friends has never been easy for me.

Orienthal, 48

Orienthal, 48

Stories

Meet Orienthal…

…I am human and I want to use my voice and story to bring about change. If you truly want to fight crime, then invest in your communities, especially the prison community.
Incarcerated: 18 years – a Buck Rogers date of 87 years to life.

I was named after OJ Simpson. We have all had our trials and tribulations here in prison. Currently, mine has taken me to a crisis bed. I can say my ‘actual innocence’ was taken from me as a black man being a victim to the system.

Monsters are not born, they are created. I want to earn my certification as a domestic violence counselor. How can a man heal without wise counsel? My logic – if men are a major part of the problem, then we must be part of the solution.

I want to provide mental health services and programs for men who are former domestic abusers. Most men are looking for a way out or asking for help. As a feminist, I believe it takes both partners to help stop domestic violence. A lot of men have been broken and are afraid or ashamed to talk about it. Men need support and services.

I want to earn my bachelor’s degree before I leave prison. I want to create a nonprofit organization to showcase talented men and women across the California prison system, in order for them to earn college degrees. The recidivism rate is lower for inmates with higher education. I want to change the narrative of child abuse, domestic abuse and murder.

I am human and I want to use my voice and story to bring about change. If you truly want to fight crime, then invest in your communities, especially the prison community. 📸

Christine, 44

Christine, 44

Stories

Meet Christine…

…As the years have gone by, I know with more and more certainty that the state of Texas is what God used to discipline my stubborn butt. I needed correction and humility. I also needed healing mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Incarcerated: 9 years
Housed: Hilltop Unit-Trustee Camp, Gatesville, Texas

I was a college student working at Goodwill and trying to make it after divorcing my husband. I know now that I shouldn’t have given up on my marriage so fast, but some things become clearer with hindsight. It felt like my life was over. I was given a 20 year aggravated sentence and had to serve at least half before I could see parole for the first time. I wouldn’t be going anywhere until I was at least 45 years old. The worst part, I was leaving my three kids, Mathew (9), Luke (4), and Sofia (2). I’m not there to raise them. I decided years ago not to let the circumstances of my charge make me bitter. Instead I am using this time to make myself better. I’ve stayed positive, took every self-help class offered, earned an associate’s degree and now I’m in truck driving class to get my CDL. Quite literally, it’s been a wild ride recently. I’ve formed a strong bond with my fellow CDL classmates and we help one another, build one another up rather than tearing each other down. We teach the new girls as they come in by giving them helpful hints and tips that our teacher may not think of. I’ll admit…I practically hated the state of Texas at first – as I was done very dirty by the prosecution. As the years have gone by, I know with more and more certainty that the state of Texas is what God used to discipline my stubborn butt. I needed correction and humility. I also needed healing mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I’m so much better that I was before, no more brokenness. And now I’m sober to boot. My life isn’t over. I was wrong. It’s just beginning. One more year of prison, then I can go home. But I’ve been “free” for five years now. Praise God. 📸

 

Wayne, 63

Wayne, 63

Stories

Meet Wayne…

…The difference of the last couple weeks is just crazy! I’m unloading on you because you’re the only one I’ve got. I’m working on a Tree of Life to share with you. 

 

Incarcerated: 17 yrs

Yesterday, I saw my doctor who told me that my second surgery gave answers as to why I wasn’t healing from my first surgery. I have cancer.

I went in for a routine hemorrhoid surgery. Four months later I was still bleeding and the operation site hadn’t healed. I’d wake up in the morning and have to ‘bird-bath’ to wash the blood off me. I bled in the night and cleaned my boxers. Medical issued me mat coverings to keep the blood out of my sheets. I was hopeful it would end. But no. Month after month I’m still washing my boxers, when I wake, at noon, dinner time, and before bed. Everyday for the last four and a half months.

Finally, I was called back to medical and found out, what they cut out of me was a polyp, not a hemorrhoid. The reason I wasn’t healing is that this little piece of cancer was spreading. Now, there’s three masses on my liver. On top of that I fell-out on the way to chow. The doctors think it was a mini-stroke. But thankfully that’s how they found the masses on my liver.

We caught it early, I hope. I’ll know when I meet my cancer team at Marin General Hospital. Hopefully, the next round of testing will be contained to the colon and liver. The difference of the last couple of weeks is just crazy! I’m unloading on you because you’re the only one I’ve got. I’m working on a Tree of Life to share with you. I’m all over the place right now, kinda scatterbrained.

Me and the world aren’t on speaking terms….In my life I stopped getting personal mail, like yours when my mother passed away. I was gonna say five, six or seven years ago… I’m not really sure about time…. I have nothing to reference events to. Someone caring and believing what I’m saying stopped happening when I made it to prison.

Thank you Humans of San Quentin.

 

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