Everyone in prison shares a dream: getting out—and getting out stronger. But dreams alone won’t change outcomes. I know this from experience.
When I was just 20 years old, a movie glamorized a lifestyle that led me into a disastrous path. Most people watched Scarface for entertainment. In my case, the movie showed me fast money, power, and status.
I took the bait.
Though I didn’t use drugs, I started to broker cocaine deals—buy in Miami, sell in Seattle. Within months, I was deep in an enterprise that I considered profitable. I didn’t consider all the costs of my decisions, and there were many.
On August 11, 1987, when I was 23, DEA agents arrested me. Since I put the scheme together, the DOJ charged me with operating a “continuing criminal enterprise,” a crime also known as the “kingpin statute.”
Despite knowing I was guilty, I went to trial and lost.
The judge sentenced me to 45 years in federal prison, and parole was not an option for my case.
But the story doesn’t end there.
📚 The Books That Changed My Life
Sitting in solitary confinement, a correctional officer handed me a book about Frederick Douglass. I didn’t know who he was—but that story sparked something in me. A man born into slavery had educated himself, transformed his life, and committed to liberating others.
Next came Plato’s Republic. A story known as “The Crito” taught me about Socrates, who chose to die rather than run from the consequences of breaking a law—even one he believed was unjust. Socrates taught me a powerful principle: if I wanted dignity, I had to own my decisions and strive for something better.
That became my turning point.
🧱 Values-Based Lesson
I couldn’t undo my past. But I could shape the narrative of my future by building a deliberate plan to:
- Pursue Education – I wrote to universities until one gave me a chance. That led to a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, then a master’s degree from Hofstra University.
- Contribute to Society – I wrote books, published in journals, and told stories of others in prison to amplify their voices.
- Build a Support Network – Professors, publishers, and even my future wife came into my life because I documented my journey and stayed authentic.
🛠️ Action Steps
- Document everything – Write your biography, book reports, daily journal, and release plan.
- Make your time work for you – Focus on self-directed learning and growth.
- Reject the labels – You are not an inmate. You’re a person. A citizen. A leader in training.
- Connect with mentors – Write letters. Reach out. Someone will respond if you keep showing effort.
- Use adversity to your advantage – Your story can be your power.
📣 Build Your Prison Professors Talent Profile
At PrisonProfessorsTalent.com, you can memorialize your journey. It’s completely free and modeled on everything I did during my 26 years in prison. Build your:
- 📖 Biography
- 📓 Journal
- 📚 Book Reports
- 📅 Release Plan
- 🧾 Testimonials
Start now. The world is watching. Let them see your transformation.
📓 Reflection Journal Prompt
What influences from your past led you to prison, and how can you transform those lessons into a pathway for success?
🔍 Sample Response: I once believed that quick money and a flashy lifestyle meant success. That illusion took everything from me. But reading about Frederick Douglass and Socrates changed how I saw myself. They endured worse—and chose to rise. That’s the path I walk now: earn trust, contribute, and help others find hope.
💬 Quote to Remember
“I don’t use the word inmate or convict. I say: I’m a man. An American. And I want to change my life.” – Michael Santos
🧠 Self-Directed Questions
- What events or decisions shaped your path into the justice system?
- Have you found a book that inspired you to think differently? Why?
- How can you use education as a tool for redemption?
- Who would support you if they could see your efforts?
- What legacy do you want to leave—inside or beyond the prison walls?
