My name is William Kragthorpe. I am in Federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics, something that is important for me to mention, because I believe that it is important for me to be held accountable for what I did but to acknowledge what I did as well. There is no hiding what I did and being honest and open, it now allows me to be free, too move forward, and to grow. I will say this though, that I have never been more sorry to my family or the country for what I did.
I grew up in Thousand Oaks, in a middle class family. My parent’s loved me unconditionally. My Dad was a Vice-President of a University for 27 years, and my Mom was a English Professor and a published writer. I had two sisters, one who died at 28 and the other whom I don’t talk to. It’s very hard for me to not talk to her but that is another story for another time. I was a happy, smart, and a athletic oriented kid that grew up in a family that shared love throughout. Somewhere along the way I lost my way and I strayed down the wrong path. It wasn’t until after I went to college; where I was a student and played rugby, and after college then started working that I started doing drugs which eventually led me to start selling them which now led to where I am at. I have always worked hard at the jobs I held, working for big companies and was a young successful executive, but success was hard for me to accept. I think now in my older years I don’t worry about success as much, as I now just strive to be happy. It has taken many years for me to grow up and for me to understand who I am as a person now, and even what it takes to be happy.
The year was 2020 when the DEA raided my home in Los Angeles, during the height of the pandemic. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew that I had to do something different. Those years between that time and the time I came in 2023 were not wasted and my commitment to change started back in 2020. I went out and got a job, only to be let go because of my background. This was frustrating, I wanted to work but I felt society was turning their back on me. That did not stop me from working hard and still trying to make reparations, and most importantly focusing on my sobriety. \
That is why, what I write towards the end of this message, applying one’s self and developing and practicing change is so important, because I have never given up in trying to make my life better.
When I came to prison, I accidentally tried to hang myself, maybe it wasn’t accidental maybe I really meant it, but whatever it was I almost died. I was discovered almost dead, but I was revived by some very loving and caring first responders. That moment changed my life and I have not been the same since. Let me explain, up to that point I had taken so much of my life for granted, I didn’t appreciate my friends, family or the things I had in my life. It took that moment, that bottom that I never understood before, to be awakened to what life really was and meant. Today, I have been transformed, appreciating everything and everyone around me, something that I didn’t always do. I often joke to my friends that I am a poster child for “gratitude.” But it is true! I walk around this prison with a little secret that is so personal to me, but something I am so willing to share, and that is to be grateful for everything and everyone around us. It is an amazing feeling that allows me to be free of this prison that surrounds me. I feel free and I feel alive like I have not felt in many years.
Being able to feel like this now, has also allowed me to focus on preparing for success after my release with unwavering and absoluteness! I understand that success doesn’t just happen, it will take hard work and dedication that is necessary to get there, those are some of the many things that I’m willing to put forth. I will take those steps to to ensure I have a solid foothold in the outside world, and that I am ready and able to make positive contributions within my community and beyond. To that end, i am ready to engage in array of services, courses, and experiences that will help develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed. Currently, I’m enrolled at 1 university and 2 community colleges, and have signed up for 12 programs here at the prison. I also work fulltime working in prison industries as a clerk. I believe in being proactive and surrounding myself with positive people who are willing to help me reach my goals and support me along the way. I have done a lot of research and have explored these many skills necessary, which will include: obtaining job training and certification, attending college, and other educational programs, completing mentorship programs, attending available workshops and events to enhance my knowledge and skills, and any other classes and program that are offered through my facility that can enhance my learning experiences.
it doesn’t end there though, too make sure that I hit the ground running when I’m released. I’m also establishing contacts, building relationships, networking with potential employers and cultivating relationships with people on positions of influence. by doing this I can leverage for long term success.
Most importantly, I believe that the only way to reach these goals successfully is to have gratitude and a want to live life on life’s terms, by working hard and being honest. Without gratitude it will be hard to have the best possible results attainable.
Finally, to make sure that i am as well prepared as possible in order to succeed after my release, I will listen to the advice and look for assistance from everyone around me as well. With unwavering attention and hard work, success will be earned!
