I am honored to be a part of Prison Professors and look forward to reading others’ and sharing my own experiences and journals.
Having grown up in Southern California, I worked hard to make a name for myself in the California prison system. Chino, Pelican Bay SHU, these had been home to me. I spent my prison terms there like everyone, getting tattoos, working out, never taking advantage of any opportunity to better myself. On my last state case I met an attorney who took a liking to me and suggested when I got out I give him a call so he could help me remove all the tattoos from my face, neck and hands. I was truly tired of that lifestyle and when I was release I called him up. He invited me to work at his law firm, put me through college at nights and had my tattoos lasered off. I had cut loose all my old Homeboys, stayed off meth, met a woman and started a family, and by all appearances I was a success.
It was suggested one weekend, after eight years clean, that we do a couple lines. I objected, but eventually gave in. That demon was back, and after a few small uses over the next couple months, we were both full blown again, and I ended up with a federal meth case and 28.4 years in prison.
It took a few weeks to clean out and get back to normal and then I was on a mission to figure out what would make a man with all that, throw it away to get high one weekend. Having never educated myself before, I did not have the tools necessary to succeed, and my fall was hard.
For the last 9 years I have surrounded myself with men who have the characteristics, goals, and successes that I desire for myself. I have gained the tools and knowledge that is required to fight this addiction, and destructive lifestyle I have lived with for so long. I was told that anything that stops growing dies, so this is another opportunity for me to grow, and learn more about myself and I am grateful for this opportunity.
As a life coach and facilitator, increasing self-awareness is vital. I have a job awaiting me with the law firm I was previously at, and he and his wife, whom is a sitting California Judge have offered me a place in their home as well. I have four children who cannot wait to have daddy home again, and letting them down is not an option.
I have a strong support system now, not only of the attorney, but of men whom I have created strong ties to over the years, men like Adam Clausen and many others who are known for their successes inside and out of these prison walls. I am thankful for them.
