Ed Note 26.27/28

Better late than never! After nearly 2 years, we finally took a break to celebrate family and friends last week up in Lake Tahoe, CA. It was great to getaway and enjoy this amazing place, especially given how COVID kept us all away until recently, but unfortunately that put the magazine on pause, and we fell a few days behind.  Our apologies.  You may question internally, why could someone not step up in one’s absence, well, as a tiny non-profit, we don’t always have the people power to have folks cover for the good work, but we know you understand,

Continue Reading

Isabella And Randy

by Jeramiah, Albuquerque, New Mexico My grandparents are Isabella and Randy. These two amazing and significant individuals have been around me my entire life. I say they are amazing because they have been with me through my ups and downs.  When I got locked up, they were one of the very few who actually wrote me and wanted to talk to me. They made me so happy to have them around. I thank them for giving me the best life they could give to me. I have learned that I appreciate and respect them with my entire being. They are

Continue Reading

My Daughter

by Adam, Albuquerque, New Mexico The one thing that I haven’t done that I really want to do is spend time with my daughter. She is about to be six months in a couple of days. This has been on my mind ever since she was born. I have a couple of pictures of her, and I can’t stop looking at them. She’s the one that keeps me going.  She made me realize the purpose of my life. She made me a better person. To see my daughter, I will have to get out of JDC. I need and want

Continue Reading

A Letter To My Victim

by Lalo, San Francisco I am writing this letter to share my sincere apologies to you for the incident on February  2021. I am really sorry for what I did. I feel your struggle and pain and I’m sorry for putting you and your family through these moments. I didn’t want to do what I did and I wish I could take the day back and things would be different. That night, things happened so fast that I did not think. I just acted. At first, I thought I had killed you and I panicked. I remember when I got

Continue Reading

Sculpting My Image

by Gucc, San Mateo I’ve been reading a book on psychological improvement. Actually, I finished the book recently. So, I’ve been working on myself in every aspect. I’ve been doing a whole lot of introspection, seeing who I really am. I also have been practicing meta-cognition and if you don’t know what that is, it’s being aware of your thoughts so basically thinking about thinking.  Some people don’t ever question their thoughts. They just think that that is themselves talking. But truthfully, your mind isn’t you. Even though it sounds strange, it’s true. On average a person has 50,000 thoughts

Continue Reading

No Short-Cuts In Life

by Ray Sanchez Jr., Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, CA Not so long ago, a friend of mine earned his parole. I say “earned” because he did not just sit and wait for his time to run out, he actively sought to change himself and enrolled in activities that not only helped to shorten his sentence, but also improve his life.  He did not begin his life, “working hard”, or with a will to “give it back,” as Hank Aaron admonishes us to do. Quite the opposite. He was a young black male, and he was exposed to a

Continue Reading

“Everything In Your Life Is A Reflection Of A Choice You Have Made If You Want a Different Result, Make A Different Choice”

by Efren Bullard Prison Yard in Centinela State Prison I found that quote and thought it would be nice to share it with some people who could really use something different in their lives.  We all have said, “I wish I could go back and do this or that, or relive my life?” Time and life doesn’t work like that. We can never go back and change what has been done. So, when you make the choice to rob someone what you are doing is forever changing that person’s life and your life forever. When you make the choice to

Continue Reading

Ed Note 26.25/26

Greetings! Hard to believe we are now in the month of July! Half the year is gone!! We hope 2021 is moving in the right direction for you all!  We can’t thank you enough for your continued support, as readers and stories. The recent work coming from our very insightful writers is so impressive. We are honored to showcase the amazing talent and heartfelt writings from our young and old, who courageously step up each week to teach and share through their journeys, free and incarcerated.  This latest double issue, 26.25/26, will truly not disappoint.  We are incredibly moved by

Continue Reading