Earning Freedom by Michael Santos. I read this book between the 16th-22nd of June 2025. I read this book because I had listened to a podcast offered in Spokane County where I was being held before starting my prison sentence. I was super excited listening to the podcast and wanted to learn more. I actually had written down the title of the book in my address book before coming to prison. Sadly it was thrown away by one of the marshals on the airplane due to my numbers not being “BOP approved” I found the book here in the Lompoc library and it made my day. I finally had the chance to read it.
I learned many different things while reading earning freedom. I was inspired by the commitment and discipline that Michael was able to keep through out the years. It showed me that it was possible and that I could do the same. I myself have moments where I make decisions to better myself and I start off really well but in a matter of weeks I fall off and fall short of my goals. My discipline starts lacking and I go back to complacency. I learned from earning freedom that its good to have a plan and set goals. My problem is that I have the goals in mind but rarely commit them to paper. I also learned that I do not have to be defined by my crime and that if I truly work to change doors will open to me that I never imagined. I have to put in the work and document it so people can see the change in me. The book earning freedom was about Michaels life and inspiring journey through the BOP system. It showed that we can find success even while incarcerated. We have to be the change we want to see and put in the work. I will benefit from having read Earning Freedom by making an active decision to invest in myself and to become the person I want to be.
