Catherina Voss
57994-083
Aliceville Al, 35442
My name is Catherina Voss. I go by the name of “Cat Voss”. I was born in 1975 in Newport News, VA and I am 48 years old. My birthdate is 9-9-1975. I have blue eyes and light brown hair. I have been incarcerated since 2007 and have a LIFE sentence + 25 years. I started my prison sentence in Danbury Ct in 2010 and it was my first experience with being in prison. I have never gotten in any trouble until 2007; murder for hire on my husband. I have had a lot of years since this happened and it is a lot to live with what i did, and those I hurt from my actions. I am a firm believer in someone changing and becoming a better person – because I did that. I want to share my story with you – my story, not the media’s story but mine. As of right now, I am on a podcast with someone that has been delving into my past and I understand a lot more now about myself than ever. Yes, my choices lead me to where I am. I own that. I do know that I am NOT the person I was in 2007 now. My 3 children are all grown and I don’t talk to them and my mother doesn’t want to talk to me. I am not angry – I understand they need space and time- however long that is.
Since I have been incarcerated, I learned how to draw (self taught). From the confined cell for 2 years in a regional jail, to now: I have progressed to a professional quality artist. It amazes me everyday the gift I was given to cope with my trauma and hurt. I started drawing with a bar of soap in jail in 2008 till I had all my fingers bleeding. I would wrap them up in tissue and keep going. It was the only thing to keep me going. I respect it and appreciate it and I work on it everyday to challenge myself to accomplish more – to get better. I studied the masters: Di Vinche, Angelo, Not really a fan of all of his work but: Picasso (my nickname with some), Julie Bell – love her take on the human body. started drawing, then progressed to painting watercolors of portraits and then as years went by, Acrylics and ANY type of thing you could imagine: animals, landscapes, people, things for venues, events, I can basically do it all. My 1 true love is portraits. I can also do them in charcoal and with pen. I just love that gift I was given.
I have worked on an art gallery for the Warden in Danbury Ct, and have several certificates acknowledging my artwork for people and the compound community events. I have earned a certificate for 4,000 hrs. in Administrative Assistant by the state of CT. I have also been working at unicor in Danbury for 5 years, then again now as a Clerk for the past 3 years. I really wanted more though. There was always something in the back of my mind saying, hey you need to help these people, so that they will never come back here. So that’s what I focused on. I don’t care if I help 1 person never to come back to prison – I have done my part. I want to give them the tools to succeed in life and with Santos – it is coming into action more than I could have imagined. I am so thankful for this program and family that we can now reach these girls and women to get their life back and to succeed when they get out.
Now – before I used to lie and did my friends wrong. It was a learned trait and one that I HAD to shake – it was the hardest thing I had to do, but necessary. All the lies destroyed my family and my children. When my father died in 2005/6, I went crazy. I started drinking, doing coke on occasions and letting my family disappear out of my life. I was there – but not there. I would put my kids to bed and then go out to the bar and drink myself stupid. I thought I was being responsible by making sure my kids were safe at home, but really – they were left behind. I didn’t put them first. I was in so much pain after my father died I tried to find anything to take it away. Drinking, cocaine, sex with other men. I am ashamed of my behavior. There is so much that I wish I could re-do, but there is no button to reset your life. We do things, and own it and learn from it. That is where I am in my life.
What I can say about myself; Determined. Humbled. Remorseful. Accomplished.
Currently I am working with a Peer Success Group with Celeste Blair, my very good friend and I am making changes even in my own life, not just others. It makes me want to be a better person and challenges me to use the tools to live my life better. I had been in a rut. I didn’t see me ever getting out. And now, Anything is possible. For me now, I want to better myself and use the tools I am learning to change someone’s life. Someone has to hear me out there and I want you to know, there are so many women, and girls that NEED help. I want to be as helpful as i can and to take my imagination and color everyone’s world beautiful.
Thank you for your time to read this and I encourage each and everyone of you to make a change. It can be little at the beginning, but think LIFE CHANGING. There is nothing sweeter than loving yourself and working towards a goal that will better your life.
Cat Voss
