My name is Phillip James Rakowski and I am 51 years of age. I am a father of three wonderful young adults now. 1 young man and two young ladies, and two grandsons. I have spent a lot of my life in behavior-managed institutions as I am currently now residing. Growing up and embracing dysfunction has been normal to me for the majority of my life. My cultural norms and values growing up were different than most. Desensitized and self-centered and caught in my own lie of a good life. For at least 38 years, with 15 and a half of those years being four incarceration cycles in the Oregon Department of Corrections. With a few more years also in Oregon Youth Authority. When released in Dec. of 2010 I tried something new. Being clean and sober, and oh boy I found there are a lot of components of responsibilities in a Pro-social society. I started my education at Linn Benton Community College( LBCC) in Albany Oregon in the Spring of 2011. Embraced this new journey and will just give a few landmark details. I am a founding member of the Collegiate Recovery Community at Oregon State University in 2013. Mentored by President Greg Hamann of LBCC, I became part of the Governor`s Re-Entry Council sub-committee: Education implementation team in 2013-2015. Graduated 2014 LBCC with AA in General Studies. Graduated from Oregon State University ( OSU) with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an emphasis in Behaviorism. Started Grad school in 2016 fall, Received National New Man`s Civic Fella`s Award in 2016. Grad assistant to the Office of Diversity and Cultural Engagement. Finished first year and half second year of Masters of Education. What brought me to Prison: Me not being able to get out of my own way. When my assistantship was not offered the following year. I got the poor me attitude and felt entitled. Thought that I could drink and process like everyone else. I did not use my support as I needed to. Also, I was too prideful to ask for help. I thought I was entitled and life let me know that ain’t so. I started making poor choices and it was a ripple effect back to my old behaviors because I thought I had control of my impulses. Steps taken after release: Been sober since incarceration. I realize that I put myself here and no one else did. Have accepted that if it is to be it is up to me. I have stayed in contact with people I met in academia( Mentors, Cohort members, Colleagues…). Prepping my public defense for my Final Project. Also working on the appeal so credits do not time out. 12 credits short of a Grad Degree and seven are research credits. I am currently enrolled in a 4000-hour apprenticeship program and almost have it completed. It is registered with the Department of Labor, so improving skill sets and opportunities. Taking all classes and programs available to better myself. Also networking and trying to be a help to advocacies such as this. I want to create the space for reentry consultants upon my release Because I believe they are needed. I also am eligible for the First Step Act time credits. Just have to wait till next month when my PATTERN Score drops:)
