April 16, 2025
To Whom This May Concern,
When entering the Department of Corrections at Lowell Annex in 2022, I asked my Unit Team about available programs, mental health, and education opportunities. I knew that I needed to continue the self development and trauma healing I had started to receive through therapy during my time on bail. My goal from the first day of incarceration was to dig deeper into my weaknesses and errors in thinking that led me down the path of destruction.
From the guidance of my Unit Team of DOC advisors and mentors, I learned about the opportunities available immediately or within months and years ahead. Taking advantage of these that Lowell Annex C.I. had to offer have guided me further in my mental, emotional, educational and spiritual development.
The Horizon Communities in Prison Faith and Character Based Residential Program, which boasts a 0% recidivism rate since 2012, guided me in becoming accountable for my mistakes and the harm I’ve caused while motivating me to create a release plan. Michael Santos’ Preparing For Success After Prison (PSAP) course propelled me in strengthening this release plan and starting to prepare for my success after incarceration.
I plead guilty for my crimes and I accept responsibility for my terrible decisions. I am ashamed of my actions that caused harm to others and myself. I know, however, that remorse alone isn’t enough to make amends for my crime. It’s my highest endeavor to not only be a healthy, safe, and productive member of society, but to be an asset worthy of redemption. I wish to leave society and the planet better than how I entered it.
With accountability and guidance from my Unit Team consisting of my family, DOC advisors and educators, mentors, and therapist, I am committing to using this time to reconcile with society by strengthening my relationships with family and loved ones, educating myself to have a career that is valuable to society, and self betterment. My release plan will act as an accountability tool that will evolve as I reach milestones on my journey.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:
Name: My name is Kassandra Leigh Moore and my Prison Registration Number is F41451. Date of Birth: I was born on November 27, 1988, and I am 36 years old.
Today’s Date: I began writing this release plan on April 16, 2025.
Sentence Length: US District Court Judge Frederick Mercurio, from the District of Manatee County in Florida, sentenced me to twenty years, followed by ten years of probation with the first two years home confinement.
Surrender Date and Location: I surrendered to the Department of Corrections on July 11, 2021.
IMAGES:
I am providing my Unit Team with the following validating information, on the final page of this document:
Bachelor’s Degree: Copy of my bachelor’s degree from Indiana University
PROJECTED RELEASE PLANNING:
The bottom of my first progress review’s Inmate Management Plan sheet read the following which inspired me:
“YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN DR FREE, MAINTAIN POSITIVE INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENT AND STRIVE FOR POSITIVE REVIEWS IN YOUR SECURITY AND WORK OR PROGRAM RATINGS. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL AND RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE TO YOU. THESE PROGRAMS WILL HELP YOU FACILITATE A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE…”
Although according to a Florida statute I am ineligible for Gain Time (good behavior) hours because of my charges, reading this message during that first progress review meeting motivated me. I held onto hope that things may change with my gain time and even if it didn’t, I would still do everything in my power to transition successfully back into society one day. Not only that, I would make it a priority to benefit all of society in powerfully positive ways.
As I spend my time wisely in the company of those with good behavior, work hard at my designated jobs, and take every opportunity for self betterment and education, my monthly Gain Time Sheets show I earned the full 10 hours each month.
Since my first one, every yearly progress review shows that my “Overall Adjustment” is “Above Satisfactory”, my “Housing and Security” is “Above Satisfactory”, my ” Motivation Assessment” is always “Good”, and my projected 85% date, were I to receive Gain Time, shows 03/04/2039. At the time this release plan is written, I have yet to receive a Disciplinary Report and am in the Incentive Program.
Many years of college education taught me about setting clear goals, which led me to achieving my dream career in Florida. In Horizon’s Faith and Character Program, I learned to dissect goals, critical thinking, strengthen relationships, be accountable for my mistakes, and heal from trauma.
The Preparing For Success After Prison (PSAP) course impressed upon me the importance of planning for every aspect of my life after release with pragmatism, honesty, and accountability and reconciling with society.
With continuous guidance from my strong Unit Team, I endeavor to progress as an excellent candidate for early transition to home confinement.
BACKGROUND:
I feel tremendous shame writing this document. My Unit Team will have records of the details of my crime, however I thought it may be helpful to offer more insight to reveal who I am as a human being.
I grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, an only child of two hardworking equine ranchers who emphasized the importance of education and being an asset to our community. I tried to live up to their expectations; however, in this regard, I have failed them terribly. I failed my community, my family, and I failed myself.
Suffering from her own suppressed childhood traumas, the woman responsible for my safety and well-being coped by abusing me physically and mentally from toddler age to adulthood. I internalized this trauma and, as a result, developed extreme self-loathing, excessive people pleasing, and altogether lacked boundaries into adulthood. It was this error in thinking and inability to establish boundaries that later led me to making poor decisions that were harmful to myself and many others.
In addition to feeding the hungry and showing kindness to others, my father instilled in me a reverence for wildlife through hands-on learning which inspired my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Animal Behavior from Indiana University. I prepared for a marine mammal
training career by maintaining high grades, volunteering with injured wildlife and zoos animals, working part time, becoming SCUBA certified, and serving in student organizations.
I was the first in my immediate family to earn a degree and move out of state when I interned for Mote Aquarium. I fell in love with Florida’s wildlife and planted roots by becoming an Avian Technician at Save Our Seabirds, where I met my husband. I later became a full-time zookeeper at Sarasota Jungle Gardens and it was while filling in as a zoo camp counselor that my coworkers noticed my gifts in educating the next generation and urged me to pursue a teaching career.
With great sorrow I am ashamed to admit that I breached that trust and abused my position. God gave me a wonderful gift that I misused in an ignominious, extensively damaging way.
MY CONVICTION:
In my fourth year of teaching, one of my teenage students sought my attention by bringing gifts, complimenting, and flirting with me. As I’d been taught, I hid my secret trauma from everyone, exacerbating my issues by allowing errors in thinking regarding my self-worth and what I thought would make me feel better about myself. I allowed my deeply ingrained, destructive self-loathing and absence of personal boundaries to influence me when I made the irresponsible decision to stop resisting his advances.
I wrongfully thought this decision made me feel worthy of the affection and acceptance that was missing from my life. As an adult, I knew better than to behave the way I did. I regret that I didn’t seek therapy and wish I had done so as a child.
After my arrest, I let immense shame and humiliation control me. At age 30, I had never been in trouble with the law and I acted out of fear, hiding myself away where I slipped into depression and came close to taking my life. My behavior led society to believe I was a monster with no remorse for what I did. I was seen as a danger and disgrace to society and my community. The realization and shock of what I did and the fear for my safety and of losing my livelihood became its own sentencing.
I’m disgusted by the way I have acted. My actions gave the school a bad reputation. I betrayed and devastated my spouse and family members – a burden I must live with forever. How I failed and betrayed my supervisors, coworkers, and others I looked up to hurts me deeply. I’m ashamed of how I let down my students – and their families – and am troubled by how this may affect their development and ability to trust adults.
I know my remorse can never undo the damage and embarrassment I’ve caused my victim and his family. I worry how my irresponsible, repulsive behavior might affect his mental health and how he will view mentors, employers, and women in his adulthood. I’ve realized how I failed my community, my profession, and my family.
MAKING AMENDS:
At my sentencing, the Honorable Judge Frederick Mercurio stated that the purpose of prison is punishment and rehabilitation. I accept the full weight of my actions. While DOC provides rehabilitation and self-betterment opportunities, the responsibility to rehabilitate myself and rectify my wrongdoings lies with me.
I intend to go beyond what the state, society, and my judge already expects of me. I not only want to return to society as a good neighbor, I intend to be an asset to society. I strive to live a life with meaning, dignity, and usefulness.
Although remorse alone isn’t enough to make amends, doing so starts with healing and actively changing myself, not only for society, but for those I love, my family, and for myself. With the help of DOC advisors, family, and mentors, I hope to reconcile with society and atone, indefatigably, in the following ways:
Mental rehabilitation.
Strengthen my marriage, relationships, and faith in Christ.
Serve others in the prison system.
With the approval of DOC staff, improve society and my community.
During bail, I searched within to discover how I could wander so far off the path God made for me. Reading the psychological evaluations and exchange between my attorney and the detective assigned to my case, I was humiliated by how others saw me. I didn’t want to be the weak, irresponsible person they described.
I will take advantage of ongoing therapy and programs with the intention to reenter society as a law-abiding citizen and an asset to my community.
Self-betterment programs and self-directed learning helps address my issues with boundaries, people-pleasing, self-worth, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. I am grateful to have come to prison for these skills I never would have taken the time to learn when I was free. The prison environment allows me to practice using these tools with my peers. I see my time in prison as a path to redemption and leaving the prison system a better person than when I entered.
I intend to strengthen my relationships and marriage. The skills I acquire help me cultivate a healthier marriage and connection with loved ones based on open communication, honesty, and empathy. This includes my relationship with God, who I have also failed.
Rehabilitation isn’t just about myself, but includes the entire system and my country. I can infer that society, my victim, and others I’ve negatively affected would expect me to serve others as a way to rectify my wrongdoings. Before surrendering, I volunteered at my local humane association and at a pitbull dog rescue. While incarcerated, I will continue to use the gifts and talents God gave me to contribute to the prison community in positive, lawful ways to atone for the harm I have caused.
I am resolved to turn my remorse into meaningful purpose with the commitment to rebuild trust, not through mere words, but through consistent actions that demonstrate my fervent resolve to change.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT:
To show community support, I offer the following letters to consider:
Mr. Shaidt is the CEO of Horizon Communities, from which I graduated from and peer facilitated for.
I intend to live with my husband upon release once I am permitted.
My mentor and coach, Miss Robertson, involves me in Educational courses and fitness programs.
Miss Gaster, who has been released by the Parole Board, has been a positive mentor during my incarnation.
Ms. Lewis was a participant in several classes I taught for Horizon’s Faith and Character Program.
The letters below show that I have their support.
To whom it may concern,
If I had to choose one person to represent productivity and positivity, it would be Kassandra Moore.
In the last fourteen years, I have used four years learning to train highly skilled service dogs, earned a certified personal trainer certification and teach all fitness classes, have become a peer facilitator teaching faith-based betterment courses including wellness courses, and am currently in my third year of college toward a Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications and Sociology.
Therefore, it is easy for me to identify like-minded individuals. Additionally, a place such as this teaches one to become an amazing judge of character. Personally, I only surround myself with positive and encouraging people. Kassandra has immersed herself in all of the classes I teach including fitness, she encourages our community to construct crafts, she involves herself in faith based material and activities, and is a highly-skilled and talented individual.
Reiterating that if I had to choose one person who naturally puts her best foot forward and faces this tough place and all her difficulties with a chining attitude, it would be Kassandra Moore.
I greatly admire her and support her every endeavor. Human beings are imperfect and make big mistakes. Our responsibility is to learn from them and overcome the shame it causes to gain strength and understanding to keep moving forward, because no matter what, there is a light and a successful life at the end of a dark tunnel. Kassandra already sees it. Sincerely,
Sadie Robertson
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter on behalf of Ms. Kassandra Moore DC# F41451.
My prison alias is Debra Gaster DC774792. I have been incarcerated over half my life, I am now in my last 32 years incarcerated. Over the years you meet and live with many people, becoming a pretty good judge of character. Just by conversations you can pretty much comprehend a person’s mind set. Your mindset can completely affect your success in life beyond these prison gates.
I would say in all honesty I feel Ms. Moore would be an asset to society and has come beyond the mistakes of her past that brought her to prison. We all have dark periods in our lives and struggles and have made some poor choices and mistakes in life. Some of us came to prison, some didn’t.
I feel Ms. Moore has deeply regretted her crime and would never repeat such an act or crime again. I also feel she realizes the effect/harm of her action could have caused in a young man’s life. Deeply regretful, but overcome the obstacles in her life that lead her to her crime and poor decision. I in all sincerity feel the crime will never happen again and Ms. Moore would be an asset to society and be a law abiding citizen upon release.
Respectfully,
Debra Gaster DC774792
To whom it may concern,
Hello, my name is Jessica and I’m a friend of Kassandra Moore and I was a participant with her in the Faith and Character Program when she became PF. She was one of my teachers and loved helping others with the skills she was teaching. She would be so in tune with her classes. She’s also very cheerful and always brightens any room she walks into. She had skills that maybe one day I could learn.
She’s helped me to become a better person and taught me to be patient with others. She’s also changed my ways of thinking and doing things I thought I wouldn’t overcome. You could just feel the happiness within her when she talked about her animals that she cared for and just caring for other people. She really has a gift. When getting to know her, she is making such an impact on peoples’ lives. Without a doubt she will be making a difference in any community she’s a part of.
Sincerely,
Jessica Lewis
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS:
In addition to sentencing me to 20 years prison followed by 10 years of probation and community control, my judge imposed restitution in the amount of $2,681.00.
This amount does not include the undisclosed costs of my supervision, psychological and sex offender evaluation and treatment programs, polygraph examinations, and the electronic monitoring service.
I am already taking steps to comply with the restitution and other fees my judge and the state have imposed upon me. The royalties from my published book are set aside quarterly in a savings account for the sole purpose of paying the fees stated above after my release.
PERSONAL PLAN:
While serving my sentence, I will follow the guidance of my Unit Team of DOC advisors and educators, therapists, family, and mentors. While incarcerated, I intend to devote myself to preparing for success during and after release. I define success consisting of bettering myself and mental health, serving others, fortifying relationships, education and developing my faith.
Mental Health: The first step was to immediately enroll in therapy. Consistent appointments since my arrival help me to uncover and overcome deep-rooted traumas and navigate obstacles. I am devoted to continuing my therapy until my release when I will locate a new one.
Self-Betterment: I graduated from the Horizon Faith and Character Residential Program, which boasts a 0% recidivism rate for graduates and teaches valuable classes including Victim Impact, Houses of Healing, Boundaries, and others. These tools have helped me deal with conflicts, feel greater empathy for others and myself, and after 30 years, I am finally taking my power back by
creating healthy boundaries. I will participate in other programs and courses recommended by my DOC counselors and mentors.
Serving Others: I vow to dedicate my time to serve others. As a start to make good on this promise, I worked as Horizon’s Peer Facilitator and taught classes, mentored and tutored participants. I hope to continue helping other victims of trauma better themselves and strive to make amends with their victims and society. Now, as the Senior Coordinator for the Incentive Peer to Peer Program, I strive to be of service to others through mentorship, fulfilling my work placement roles, and directing positive programs and activities for my peers.
As a Horizon PF, I orchestrated the first Community Outreach Activity where handmade cards were sent to Wildlife Ocala Rescue for Earth Day in 2024. It is my goal to extend my service to others into the surrounding community by bridging the gap between justice-impacted women and society. I will continue working with Warden Baker and the Classification Team to lead my peers to make a positive impact in our community.
Fortify Relationships: Had I focused on fortifying my relationships and mindfulness of who I allowed in my circle, I might not have found myself in the situation I’m in. Self-directed study through Edovo and programs, therapy and mentorship help me learn to cultivate healthier and
peaceful relationships with my husband, family, and peers. I will continue to evolve skills such as Open Communication, Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey, and conflict resolution. My relationships experience fewer arguments, more empathy, greater patience and vulnerability, and overall stronger bonds with my loved ones.
Education: In order to make amends, I must prepare for success after prison. One way I define success is by being valuable to society. To accomplish this, I will use my talents positively in a way that will make my community safer. I apply SMART goals, taught by Michael Santos, to work towards a career in wildlife veterinary practice and rehabilitation to heal injured wildlife,
protect my community from zoonotic diseases, and aid conservation efforts so future generations can live in the diverse world God intended for us.
While incarcerated, the Veterinary Assisting, Nutrition, and Anatomy courses and certifications are the first steps I’m taking before applying for universities that will earn me a second Bachelor’s degree. As I do regarding mental health, relationships, and faith development, the books, magazines, and podcasts I read or subscribe to contribute to the knowledge I will need to achieve my goals
Faith: My development as a believer has affected me in all areas of my life from my marriage and family relationships, how I view myself, empathy, attitude, thoughts, and actions. I know I will never commit adultery again and through the grace and forgiveness God has given me, I aim to lead others to Christ. Journey to the Heart and Church Behind Bars are just a couple certification classes I participate in. I will stay devoted to developing in my walk with Christ through the many programs, Bible studies, and Edovo coursework.
ADVISORS:
I have collaborated with my Unit Team consisting of my DOC advisors and educators, therapist, husband, family, and mentors in developing this release plan. They will be my accountability partners and help me stay true to the plan. I will continue to evolve the plan as I receive guidance from my Unit Team.
I am sharing links to my profile on Prison Professors Talent and to my Edovo transcript, for additional information:
edovo.org/transcripts
Enter code: DAB-FMK-PRJ
