My decisions relate to my prospects for success upon release in this way:
1) Spending my time taking courses with transferable skills. For instance I’ve taking and passed the welding class here earning a certificate of 500 hours of training in Stick (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) and MiG (Gas Shielded Metal Arc Welding). I’ve taken some other courses in mental health and overall health and I’m hoping to get into the Personal Trainer Certification Course if it starts in time.
2) I joined the Facilities/Construction Team here at FPC Morgantown which has helped in multiple ways. It allows me to hone and develop my construction skills while also helping me make the place better after harming society and ending up in Prison. Painting buildings, repairing roofs, and learning leadership of an inmate team has been one of the most therapeutic activities I have participated in here.
3) I’ve taken free time and learned to play two instruments here in prison, the guitar and bass guitar. The Bass Guitar especially has opened a whole new world as I am part of the rock band here performing for GED graduations, RDAP graduations and compound concerts. It has been an amazing outlet that not only has brought me personal joy but allowed others to experience joy as well!
4) Developing my spiritual side I’ve begun to learn discipline by having a daily prayer time and journaling time in the early morning. This has led to opportunities like being one of 3 inmates asked to join the ministry team at the Protestant service to help grow and give life to the church. It is a huge and humbling opportunity to be recognized as a man of God on the compound by staff and fellow inmates.
All of these activities have served to keep me focused on bettering myself and keeping my stamina for work high so upon release I can hit the ground running. I am focusing on making sure the spiritual, mental and physical stamina needed to be successful is fully developed when I come home.
READ NEWSLETTER ARTICLE HERE: https://prisonprofessorstalent.com/journal-entries/newsletter-24/
