by Torrey Thomas, San Quentin State Prison, CA I am doing great and as always thank you for giving all incarcerated people a chance to have our voices heard on such an amazing platform. As I write this letter on April 5th, I am currently in “the Hole”. I’m waiting on my transfer that should happen in a couple more days. As I am aware all inmates in San Quentin who are age 25 and under will leave and go to a prison called Valley State. This is because of a program called Youth Offender Program (YOP). So far I’m
Continue ReadingYear: 2021
Forgiveness
by Q. Paige, San Quentin State Prison, CA Something that is equally hard to receive as well as give. Some might even think they’re not even deserving of it. Webster Dictionary defines “Forgiveness” as to give up resentment, pardon. Webster Thesaurus defines it as, release from the guilt or penalty of an offense. With both of these definitions do you feel you can give or receive forgiveness? Me personally I can give it all day, but I’m one of those who feels they’re not deserving of it. I’ve made some horrible mistakes in my life, some to where some might
Continue ReadingReal Life
by Efren Bullard, Centinela State Prison in Imperial, CA My name is Efren Bullard and I use to write to you guys about 20 years ago. I know that the youngsters back then are no longer incarcerated in your system, but I found your address and wanted to share my life story again with the youth of today because it’s important for them to hear the truth about the path their taking… ”I was arrested November 6th, 1993 at the age of 18 for two first degree count of PC. 187, plus 23 counts of Robbery. I was looking at
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Volume 26.13/14
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 26.13/14
Another week another Beat, welcome to another solid double issue of the one and only The Beat Within. We are thrilled to present the latest writings from our weekly groups to those of you who loyally reach out to us independently. Thank you all. Given the tight deadline we have been on, we are incredibly grateful to bring back one of our most loyal colleagues and friend, OT. This week OT is back to share his thoughts in this latest editorial note. We are always moved and inspired by our friend and colleague, who despite his location, plays a huge
Continue ReadingFeeling Guilty
ghost, San Mateo I’ve never really felt guilty about anything except this one evening. I was fresh out from school around 3 o’clock, my friends only had six periods, so they were already out and waiting for me at the yard. My boy from school, J and my other friend from another school approached me. J told me he just copped a few bars (Xanax) to flip. So, I was like damn let me cop some and he said it was good, so I bought four and popped them right there. So, we went to this park right there, like
Continue ReadingLooking Ahead
B, Saramento Looking ahead, I see me in the future. My path not certain yet. I’m either on the block or dead. I don’t know why, that’s the feeling I get often, you feel me. So I just thug it throughout the day. It do be lookin’ promising, but if that’s what the future holds, I gotta be prepared. Because life is tricky. And death gon’ be easy, but life is very hard. You just gotta, or should, I say me, I gotta find a goal and set my focus on that. I’m always to worry about that and looking
Continue ReadingThis Life
by Gucc, San Mateo The life of Gucc is crazy. The heart of Gucc is gone. Being me has been a hard job. Ever since I could remember my life has been hectic. My pops was a demon so he birthed a red-rum child. They kept it real with me at a young age. They told me I’ll probably get killed by my right hand man. I’ve seen how being in jail everyone leaves you for dead. Sometimes I feel like I could have gone to the (professional sports) league, but the court I went to, as they are tryin’
Continue ReadingROOTED [HIS]TORY
by SADGIRLpapi cuentame otro cuento (daddy, tell me another story)i would askthrough the absence of his presencehe’d tell me of his journey back homeback to my mom and mei remember looking at his picturesand longing for the tickling stubs of his growing beardfor his piggy back rides or how he’d carry me on his shouldersand the way his hands cupped my cheeks with adoration papi cuentame otro cuentoi would ask when he’d come back from his weeks away workinghe’d tell me of the melting snowthe cold creeks and growing rivershe’d tell me the stories of the land and agriculture how he farmed
Continue ReadingReflecting On This Life
by Z One morning in the 2nd grade, instead of walking into school how I usually did, I convinced my friend to ditch school with me and go to the arcades. But we had no money. My solution: Knock door to door, telling people we were hungry and homeless, asking specifically for quarters please. And some people actually gave us money. But one lady and her daughter, they grabbed my friend. They called the cops. The cops thought it was funny when they came and took us away. We were scared. Me more so of losing the pocketful of change
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