Good Day,
“Truth is proper and beautiful at all times in all places” -Fredrick Douglass
I understand this message so clearly. At the beginning of my sentence, I could hardly sleep for worry of my co-defendant.
The reality of a men’s prison is too much to even imagine, many of the women here have sons, fathers and brothers there.
While I was in RDAP I did some research on the prison systems of the world. I found this study, ordered by Queen Elizabeth in 2014. My goal was to give the participants of RDAP a greater sense of gratitude, highlighting our good fortune.
Instead, I found startling statistics; like that we were one of only two countries who shackled the women during child birth,
that most “polite ” countries lived in co-edh cottages or had a means of staying connected to their mates during their incarceration.
When I am released, I shall have an event out in the desert, a fundraiser to launch my Down-to-Earth-Solutions Re-entry program; a program that will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to train in ways that will bring better sustainability to the buildings and homes of our country- our communities.
Out in the desert, I shall re-create bunks from here and scatter them around for people to sit on. The main installation
will be the INSIDE OF THE SHU DOORS. Anyone who has ever been in the Special Housing Unit knows that the inside of the doors paint a picture of a stress loop so large that it leaves tears and sweat stains, scratches in the paint and metal, all around the window, which is the only source for anything.
I remember reading an article in BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK where these guys in Iceland robbed a bitcoin mine- quite a heist, it was. The interesting thing to me is that Iceland has no law against escape from prison, their prison looks like a farm and holds less than 300 people for a max amount of 5 years. Their crime rate is very low, no doubt. But the Icelandic law states that, ” it’s a person’s natural instinct to try to get out of a cage “.
I like the fact that the FIRST STEP ACT gives us the right to ACTIVELY PURSUE FREEDOM.
Last night, in our PEER SUCCESS MEETING, I went over the roles and responsibilities of the members who were coming together to make it happen. The idea is that everyone needs to network with the other mentors at the seminar. It will be the first time that all 99 mentors will meet and be able to exchange information, creative solutions.
I have made diagrams of how the gym will be organized, decorated and utilized on that day- I gave each think tank member a copy of that diagram. I have made millions of copies and planned it as best as I possibly could, by delegating the work to the think tank, it should be a breeze.
As you may understand, the most difficult part is always when dealing with staff. I read the First Step Act, so I have a very clear idea of why they have no budget. I am happy that the FSA gave the BOP some serious accountability but right now, it’s like they are draining a swamp.
I am super grateful to have copies and paper and supplies to make the workshop more aesthetically powerful.
Thankfully, I have planned everything out, now I just have to stay on task.
Last night, I could see a new sense of enthusiasm in some of the mentors, knowing that Mr.. Santos is coming!!!!
Stay tuned for how we are bringing health, hope and a renewed sense of purpose to the population here!!!
