Month: January 2019

Transformation of A Murderer

The Beat Without

Ten years in prison. I was housed at Pelican Bay State Prison (in Crescent City, CA). The institution was on lockdown. I was called to see the Chaplin on Monday, June 9, 2008. The Chaplin told me that my baby brother, Edward was shot and killed. I felt as if a lightning bolt struck my body as I fell after hearing this news. I called my baby sister, Tasha and listened to her describe the circumstances of our brother’s death. My eyes watered because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

I went back to my cell, told my cellie what I just found out and when we come off this lockdown, I’m out of here. I called out to the tower officer and asked if I could call my family. Him knowing the situation, allowed me to use the phone. After talking to my mother and other siblings. I asked the tower officer if I could go on the concrete yard to be alone for a while. He did so.

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It Should Come To A Stop

Piece of the Week

Dear The Beat Within,

My name is Carl. I’m from Richmond, CA and I’m just writing you guys to say thank you for what you’re doing. I like that you guys go to different juvenile halls and county jails to speak to kids and adults like me and others that want to change.

 I also wrote you to say whoever wrote the editor’s note is 100% true, and young people know what he is trying to say. 

I think there will be change in the world. For example, this rap shhh gets in a lot of young people’s heads. They talk about drugs, sex, killing, dead ones, and stuff like that. I think if there was more people talking out in meetings and stuff that would change street violence, gang violence, killings that’re going on in the world, and it should come to a stop. 

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