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 ReadingYear: 2021
“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
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Volume 26.25/26
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd 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 ReadingThen and Now
by JU, San Francisco If you can use one word to describe who I am right now, I would say I am ready. I am ready to push through whatever I need to. I am ready to do whatever I need to do to get through the next phase of my life. I’m ready to knock the rest of my sentence out, and ultimately, I am ready to get out and be a productive member of society so I can provide for my family. I want to put an end to all the stress I have caused from being locked
Continue ReadingHigh School Diploma
by Jeramiah, Albuquerque, New Mexico The hardest task that I had to do was getting my high school diploma. I say this was the most difficult task for me because I would never try or push past my limits. It took many sacrifices and being in trouble for me to realize that I need to get my life straight. It was not easy, but I got through it. I thank my mom and family members so much for their support. If I didn’t have them around, I don’t think I would have made it this far. I also had many
Continue ReadingPush Me To Do Better
by Carlos, Santa Clara One important man in my life is my father. He always tries to push me to do better than I’m doing. He is also a motivational speaker, always telling me to think ahead. He means a lot to me because he makes me re-think my actions and consequences. We always have a good connection but not when I’m in trouble. He likes to say if I get in trouble then he doesn’t want anything to do with me, but I feel like he only says that so I don’t get in trouble. He really pushes me
Continue ReadingShe Was Strict Because She Had To Be
by RJ, Sacramento My parents weren’t really strict. Growing up with my pops, he tried to play his role. I mean he was playing his role before he had gotten sick. My pops and moms were arguing most of the time growing up. I can’t really remember a time when we shared a good time and a good moment. My family was always going through some things, and we didn’t really have moments to share, or have things I could really remember. My dad always made sure me and my sis had our clothes and things we needed for school.
Continue ReadingHow To Get Your Joy Back
by Leo Cardez, Correctional Facility in Dixon, Illinois Why it is so important as inmates to reclaim our joy, especially now, post 2020. As prisoners, the holiday season can be an especially difficult time of year. We are shaken from our self-induced delusion of contentment to the harsh reality of our forced separation from our loved ones. As if that wasn’t enough to unmoor us…COVID-19. The epidemic has been devastating to the inmate community in ways seen and unseen. Beyond the unnecessary suffering, fear, and deaths are various underlying side-effects including a slow mental and spiritual deterioration of our shadow
Continue ReadingMy Turning Point
by Samuel “Shady” Cruz, Centinela State Prison in Imperial, CA My turning point in becoming sober came in 2016 when I almost lost the 2 mothers of my kids one in an accidental overdose with pain pills, the other same thing. I’ll be truthful with you; the first one Josephine is the one who our son Rudy died in 2012 and as mother she has taken it truly hard and I do understand. If it wasn’t for our daughter coming home early and noticing her mom’s breathing was not quite the same as usual and her face blue and not
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