Category: Piece of the Week

by Andrew There isn’t much that I can do when I’m locked up. The system is messed up so if they want to point their ngers at you it’s because they got no one else to blame. We come to realize the things that really matter in life because of all the time we got on our hands, we don’t realize it when we’re out on those streets because of all the mind games people play on us youngsters. And there are all kinds of other distractions just by trying to survive the life we gangbangers choose to take. It’s just

by Brianna Instead of confronting my fears of sadness and agony, I tend to run away from them. Most of the time, well the in-between time, I can escape it. Though when I get tired of all the running, I sit back and watch it catch up to me. So I can never say I didn’t see something coming. The escape is always temporary. My form of running is altering my state of mind with drugs to force myself not to have to face all realities of the world and to lift the burden that weighs so heavily on me.

by Chino Them days are over, mobbing around in gee rides, getting at females. Now, I sit in a cell watching my shadow, been down nine months and got a lot more to go. Two months until my birthday, then I will be the big eighteen. I see memorized in my mind, it’s a blur. Seems like it was yesterday chilling with my boys. As I sit here and face maybe, twenty- ve to life, got me thinking who was really there. If I would have stuck to school and sports things would have ended up different. I still can’t believe

by Elizabeth Today at this very moment, Tuesday I feel so low, so sad. I don’t know what to think anymore. I’m stuck in Juvenile Hall just thinking about where did I go wrong? I feel so bad hurting the people I love so much. I just want to talk to them tell them how sorry I was and never meant to hurt them at all. What hurts me the most is when I look back at that court room I see them all, I see him. How could he be so strong and still smile at me? I love

by Sally Bo Thanksgiving is coming up, I want to say Thanks to my mother for always being there and helping me out in times of need.  My father too, for being in my life and teaching me stuff I really didn’t want to know but is helpful in the long run.  My sister for always keeping up with my antics and weird vibe, and especially living another day, month, year.. etc. to explore this wonderful world. I hope that I’ll spend Thanksgiving with my folks and say what I said above to them to show them how much I care

by Bryce There are many things in my life that I own and cherish. From childhood trophies and items my lovely parents got me, to simple things as pictures and blankets my grandmother would make me. Out of these things I tend to cherish and remember the pictures the most. It is more than just a simple picture, it is a photo that means a million words and memories. Something that I will carry with me for the rest of my time living in this world because when you lay your eyes on that picture, it paints a whole world in

by John How do you define a man? The law considers all boys to be men at age 18. But I feel age plays a minimal role in achieving manhood. A man is not defined by his age, but instead by his values, morals, and most of all his actions. For example my father is 18 years older than me, but I truly believe I am more of a man than him. Here’s why. Real men hold woman at high value, they nourish and protect women, and show them the utmost respect. A real man would never degrade a woman, let

by Daniel My name is Daniel and I’m about to be 17 years old. I’m facing 12 years for aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon. You guys really don’t seem to understand the bad decisions you are making. It doesn’t just affect you, it affects the others that are around you; your family and friends to be speci c. It’s disappointing to see these kids that are fteen and sixteen years old serving life sentences without chance of parole. Think of how your mom feels about you being locked up. Think about the bad example you are setting for

by Reaper I was born in Mexico but moved to California when I was seven months old We settled in the Canal (near San Rafael, CA) for about three years, then moved to San Pablo. In San Pablo we had two houses, a block away from each other. We lived in the smaller one at first but then decided to move to a bigger one as our family germinated. Meanwhile, we rented out the smaller house. I went to school every day K-5. I used to receive perfect attendance awards ever year as well as my siblings. I have a two

by Ryan Dear Me, I really hope you found what you’re looking for: love, happiness, and success. I hope you stay clean and sober. I hope you find a good twelve-step program. I really hope you stay sober, you need to. Your mind works better while sober. You’re a lot smarter when you’re sober. You need to finish school or go get your GED. You need to study hard and pass. I know you want to get into the coast guard. They wont accept you if you’re not fit and haven’t finished high school. If you want the home and car