When I was young, I lacked a true sense of identity, in spite of a strong sense of self. I grew up having to struggle through poverty and a father battling substance abuse, so I was selfish and found it hard to see the good in things. I liked to get high and hang out with friends, hook up with girls, steal cars and look for come ups.
At 13, I was assaulted by an adult and had my teeth ruined, which led to me experiencing depression, alcohol and drug abuse. As a result, I later lost a friend to the grave, just because he was with me. I began abusing PCP and walked a tunnel path to prison. Before prison, I had just gotten my dad back from prison.
At 17, I was locked up and given two life sentences plus 40 years. I have been in for over 19 years now. When I first came in, I didn’t care about myself, I hated myself. After I saw how going on and off of disciplinary segregation and losing my visits affected my family, I realized I was still continuing the pattern of creating their discontent even after going to prison for the rest of my life. So I decided to start growing up and live more selflessly for their sake.
Before long, I aspired to become a better son, grandson, uncle, brother and friend. I spent years reflection on my past and my day to day to improve my perspective to then redirect my walk through life. I have developed patience, discipline and a determination to do things for the right reasons. I have built a trust with my family over the time that we never had, and they believe in who I have grown to be.
While incarcerated at North Branch Correctional Facility, I had to work on myself, with my self, through a genuine desire to grow. I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, having been accepted into the Georgetown University BLA program.
When I come home, I want to major in Interdisciplinary Social Science, so I can work in social work and help people. I want to be experienced with the tools necessary and the determination to succeed and have an impact on my fellow man and the youth headed down the path of self-destruction. I want to have my mother and father leave this world witnessing me doing good and living a good life. I want to find the one woman I spend the rest of my life with and spend my life with her. I’m hoping to break the pattern of dysfunction perpetuated through my bloodline by being able to provide to my children the things I didn’t have.
At 13, I was assaulted by an adult and had my teeth ruined, which led to me experiencing depression, alcohol and drug abuse. As a result, I later lost a friend to the grave, just because he was with me. I began abusing PCP and walked a tunnel path to prison. Before prison, I had just gotten my dad back from prison.
At 17, I was locked up and given two life sentences plus 40 years. I have been in for over 19 years now. When I first came in, I didn’t care about myself, I hated myself. After I saw how going on and off of disciplinary segregation and losing my visits affected my family, I realized I was still continuing the pattern of creating their discontent even after going to prison for the rest of my life. So I decided to start growing up and live more selflessly for their sake.
Before long, I aspired to become a better son, grandson, uncle, brother and friend. I spent years reflection on my past and my day to day to improve my perspective to then redirect my walk through life. I have developed patience, discipline and a determination to do things for the right reasons. I have built a trust with my family over the time that we never had, and they believe in who I have grown to be.
While incarcerated at North Branch Correctional Facility, I had to work on myself, with my self, through a genuine desire to grow. I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, having been accepted into the Georgetown University BLA program.
When I come home, I want to major in Interdisciplinary Social Science, so I can work in social work and help people. I want to be experienced with the tools necessary and the determination to succeed and have an impact on my fellow man and the youth headed down the path of self-destruction. I want to have my mother and father leave this world witnessing me doing good and living a good life. I want to find the one woman I spend the rest of my life with and spend my life with her. I’m hoping to break the pattern of dysfunction perpetuated through my bloodline by being able to provide to my children the things I didn’t have.