This journal entry is based on weekly emails I receive from Derek Gilna of the Federal Legal Center gilna1948@yahoo.com), it’s a weekly newsletter. Part of his newsletter about “A Proclamation on Second Chance Month, 2024”. Here are some excerpts:
“America was founded on the promise of new beginnings, during Second Chance Month, we recommit to building a criminal justice system that lives up to those ideas so that people returning to their communities from jail or prison have a fair shot at the American dream.”
Biden continued, “NOW THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Second Chance Month. I call upon government officials, educators, volunteers, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”
With everything going on within the BOP. One has to think how will this impact those of us that are adults in custody? All you see on a daily basic is the downward slide of the BOP. When you see or read the amount of staff that have been walked off the grounds or a building by Law Enforcement. It will be hard to find a facility that is free from mold, insects and rodents. The lack of abundance and palatable food, even during the week when your building is going through a ACA audit. Mutual respect between staff and adults in custody are rare.
The words and actions of the court system are out there. Courts and judges are listening more and more to those of us in unsatisfactory locations. One Judge in mind has really taken over on location in CA. If it’s happening in one area it can happen in others. If things are bad just don’t sit and talk about it, put it in writing and start taking the required actions that could make changes. Granted if you are working on your freedom, keep up the good work, but don’t let your living conditions be unsatisfactory.
So now to put a positive spin to this entry. We hold our own future, we control our own life and what the future will bring us. Actions of others be it good or bad, does impact our lives. It comes down to how we handle that impact. Do we look at it as a roadblock, or could it be just a speed bump our journey to the future life outside of confinement. What detour you choose will depend on our outcome. By choosing the right path will lead you in the right directions. Choosing the wrong way and letting others guide you down that path could prevent your early release. It’s the choices we make that will impact our future. Keep making the right choice. No matter what is happening around you do the right thing.
