TL;DR
We need your help to advocate for changes in the prison system, including federal work-release programs and more incentives for those working toward Earning Freedom. Becoming an ambassador for change is easy. Simply share these messages with others and encourage them to memorialize the different ways that they’re using time inside to prepare for success upon release. We should all work toward improving outcomes for people in prison, and anyone can start by becoming an ambassador for change.
Subject: Become an Ambassador for Change
As I moved through my 23rd year in prison, I had to think about ways that I could make sense of the journey. I wanted to use the time that I had served inside as a catalyst for change. The year was 2010, and people in America were not too open to my message. They believed that if a person committed a crime, and a judge sentenced the person to prison, then the person should serve every day of the sentence.
I needed a resource that would help me change minds.
The book Earning Freedom became an asset that I would use to teach and inspire others. It showed the different ways that I used time inside to make amends for the crime I committed. Thanks to leaders like Socrates, Nelson Mandela, Frederick Douglass, and others, I learned how to think differently. They taught me how to architect a plan that I could build upon. By working to earn academic credentials, to build a strong support network, and to contribute to society, I believed that opportunities would open.
That three-pronged approach influenced change. It took a lot of time, but eventually, President Trump signed the First Step Act, which has led many people to receive Earned Time Credits. Some people, however, do not get those credits.
For that reason, I continue advocating for changes. I’d like to see the following changes: 1) All people should have access to earn time credits; 2) All people should have an opportunity to work toward work-release programs; 3) All people should have opportunities to earn and learn their way to higher levels of liberty.
But it’s a heavy lift. To succeed, we need help from people who are serving sentences. We need more ambassadors of the message. We need to profile people who are using their time inside to prepare for success outside.
The Challenges of Advocacy
Advocating for prison reform is a challenging endeavor. We face many cynical people who do not believe in rehabilitation or the potential for people in prison to succeed. These naysayers would rather see the status quo maintained than support initiatives that provide opportunities for growth and reconciliation.
I’m calling on you to become an ambassador for change. Here’s how you can help:
1. Share Our Message:
Use these newsletters to teach others about the importance of preparing for success upon release. Share your own experiences and the lessons you’ve learned from our materials. If possible, participate in our FSA-approved course, Preparing for Success after Prison.
2. Encourage Participation:
Encourage others who are working toward preparing for success to memorialize their journey. They should journal. They should write biographies. They should write book reports. To the extent they’re willing, they should publish those stories so we can highlight the many ways that they’re working for success. By building profiles that showcase the positive steps you’re taking, we can create a powerful narrative that demonstrates the potential for success among people in prison.
3. Demonstrate Your Commitment:
Show how you’re using your time in prison productively. Whether it’s through educational programs, vocational training, or personal development, your efforts matter. Document your journey and share it with us.
Your Role in Advocacy
As ambassadors, your role is crucial. By participating and encouraging others to work toward preparing for success, you help build a community of individuals committed to positive change. This collective effort will strengthen our advocacy for work-release programs and other reforms.
Conclusion
By becoming an ambassador for this message, you play a vital role in our mission to reform the prison system. Your efforts to prepare for success and encourage others to do the same can help us advocate for the changes we need, including federal work-release programs and more incentives for Earning Freedom.
Together, we can make a difference. Keep striving for greatness, and remember that your efforts today will pave the way for a brighter future tomorrow.
Today’s Question
- In what ways would memorializing your story influence your earning potential upon release?
Steps to Build Your Profile
1. Send an invite to Interns@PrisonProfessorsTalent.com
2. Once accepted, send an email to the interns with the following information:
– Your name
– Your number
– Your location
– Your sentence length
3. Respond to any questions presented in the newsletter by sending your answers to the email above.
By taking these steps, you can memorialize your journey and demonstrate your commitment to a better future.
