by Sonny, San Francisco I take care of myself by making sure I eat and keep up with my hygiene, like brushing my teeth and showering every day. I also make sure my bed is comfortable since I’m in juvenile hall. I have three mattresses and a lot of blankets. I remember when I ran from a group home and had to be on my own for two weeks. I went to my friend’s house to take a shower and brush my teeth. I had my mom send me money and I was using my money smart by buying what
Continue ReadingYear: 2024
Reality Check, Eye-Opener
by ER, Stanislaus Some things in life aren’t always easy to accept. Maybe it’s guilt. You might be ashamed or maybe you don’t want to believe that this is reality. But everybody needs a reality check or an eye-opener. I’m ER, I’m currently in juvenile hall, Stanislaus County. It’s been about a week and I still have seventeen more days until my next court date. Not sure if I’ll even make it out. Hopefully a placement is found for me. That’s the only way I’ll have a chance to make it out. My poor decisions are making it hard for
Continue ReadingGrowing as Time Goes By
by Freddy, San Quentin State Prison, CA When I think about self-care, it’s physical, mental, and spiritual. I have been working on myself right and just growing as time goes by. I have been working out to relieve my built-up stress from my situation. I have taken care of myself physically. Mentally, I would push it, whatever I am going through, pushing it off because I didn’t want to deal with my problems emotionally because of all I have been through: my childhood and coming into prison at a very young age, not knowing how to honestly deal with all
Continue ReadingThe Year I Return
Ken Vernon, San Quentin State Prison, CA I am excited about the New Year. 2024 will be the year I return back to society after twenty-nine years. The world has changed so much. I will be experiencing things for the first time at fifty-two years old. This year, more than ever, a New Year’s resolution seems to fit in with my life. I am leaving prison a different person, a healed person, a person that can be himself. So my New Year’s resolution is to take in every new experience with the curiosity and openness of that young Kenny of
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Volume 28.49/50
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 28.49/50
Thank you for your support and partnership, we made it! We celebrated The Beat Within’s 27th anniversary of service and we made it through our hardest year ever, after the loss of my beloved husband and Beat Within founder, David Inocencio. I know he is proud to watch us from his angel perch and see that we have continued his legacy. The Beat goes on, just like he always said. David’s work this year expanded into Stanislaus and Vacaville, we are proud to share their stories and welcome them to our Beat Within family. Please continue to send us your
Continue ReadingMake a Future Yourself
by Marlon, San Francisco Freedom isn’t being incarcerated in any prison, jail or j-hall and having a scheduled plan for you every day. Also, it’s not being told how you have to dress and act towards others. Also, it’s not being watched daily by even people you don’t like or get along with on a daily basis. You might even run into people from your past that you might not get along with or just want problems with just to get clout or have their homies mess with them more as a person, trying to gain respect or possibly anything
Continue ReadingThe King of my Dreams
by LH, Sacramento “Happy holidays,” they sayNothing seems happy when you are far awayI take the time out of my day to let you know that I own up to my mistakes.Kings and queens in a castle like a game of speed Running out of time, damn I wish I had my teamMy mom, the greatest person, but damn, her criticism is meanI know she means well so I don’t blame her, I blame me If only I would have chosen a different route I would be with my king in a castle all aloneWondering why his mommy can’t be,Be with him, be the
Continue ReadingMy Condolences
by Warren Corley, San Quentin State Prison, CA My condolences to you and my blessing to each child man and woman who are forever related to him in family intimacy, love and spirt. Dave’s spirit was a beautiful and very strong flame. A white light that boldly made itself felt by making the darkness flee. Love is that powerful and he brought a brave energy that tore down the safe house that I had and locked my spirit away inside. My name is Warren Corley. He called me by my nickname “focus”. He like Phillie’s Focus or Blackrose is my
Continue ReadingDear Beat Within
by Lexi, Albuquerque Detention Center, NM It’s Lexi. I know I haven’t written in a while since I been out of jail, but I got a few updates for you. Since I was released from JDC I’ve been doing really well for myself since I got out of rehab. I moved into my own place which feels like a big accomplishment for me. I’m still getting my apartment put together at the moment. I have been working with two organizations in my community upon my release from jail. I actually work for an organization called La Plazita Institute. It’s located
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