Since being sentenced my record reflects a man that has taken his incarceration seriously. Not just because he is incarcerated, but showing that I am serious about my reform and becoming a productive member of society.
My prior incarcerations (two of them) were spent playing cards, working out, and just trying to get through the couple years I had to spend in prison.
Even though I was serious about not going back to prison when last released, I had not acquired the tools and knowledge necessary to beat this drug addiction and succeed in society. I managed eight years before relapsing.
This time was a quest to understand addiction, increase self-awareness, promote greater self-efficacy, and ensure that when I go back into society I will succeed.
Having started out taking every class available, I reminded myself that it was better to have a tool and never need it than need a tool and not have it.
After several years of learning, I began to facilitate classes so that I can not only give back, but remain knowledgeable by repetition of the subjects, mostly all cognitive behavioral classes, and knowing that a teacher will always be a student.
One of the judges statements at sentencing was that I tested high as a severe addict, and high for repeated behaviors. My recidivism risk factor has gone from a high all the way down to a low, almost at minimum, the lowest possible.
I am now fully present in each moment. I live each day with purpose and am goal oriented. I recognize that small moment to moment choice lead to monumental results. My focus has shifted from serving myself to serving others.
My daughter told my mother that she “admires the man I have become.” That was not something that was said before. These powerful “whys” lead me to always discover a how, even in the face of the most extreme adversity, and against all odds.
Unfortunately, rehabilitation alone is not grounds for early release, and I have no other existing extraordinary and compelling reasons, but if and when I do, those involved in the decision making process will be able to be confident in the man I have become, and the work is always ongoing.
It takes hard work and dedication to stay focused and continue growing through several decades of a prison sentence, but my record reflects someone that has proven beyond all doubt that an early transition into home confinement would not be a bad decision. Laws change all the time, and doors open at unexpected moments, our duty is to make sure we are ready when they do. Reentry starts at day one.
