Category: The Beat Without

by  Joshua Swetky,  Correctional Facility in Denver, Colorado My name is Joshua Swetky, and I’m thirty-seven years old. I live in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado. I enjoy studying, reading, writing, and especially drawing and art, and my goal is to expand my abilities and talents in a way to bring about positive influences upon society through introspection.  Despite life’s ups and downs, I maintain a positive mental attitude and remain optimistic through my personal expression of art. I believe everyone can express a message that, even in the darkest places, can create light. We live only once,

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

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

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

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

by Freddy Huante, San Quentin State Prison, CA This month is kind of hard for me. I have been down since I have been nineteen years old. My birthday is in November, and being in here, I am now thirty years old. I am tired of being in prison.  I have done so much work already and still have so much to do. I wish so badly I never did the things I have done that led me to come to prison doing eighty-one-years-to-life, and this being my first time ever being in trouble. It’s a lot to ponder on. 

by Sausedo P, CMF in Vacaville, CA   My motivation was sparked when I found out. I was lost because I would drug myself to a sleep-state of consciousness that I would forget my purpose in life.       Yet I can still hear “the beat within my” heart. It calls out, “Remember your journey.” But I can’t hear it because I’ve drugged myself to a state of sleep, an unconscious state to where I forget my rules and purpose.  We all were born in cosmic energy. We were sent by our creator to this world to protect and serve

by Michael Sperling, San Quentin State Prison, CA There’s been many events in my life that were turning points for me, such as leaving the gang or leaving general population and going to a “Special Needs Yard.” But one recent event that took place in the last couple months I would have to say is my biggest turning point and the one I’m most proud of.  But before I tell you about it, allow me to tell you a little bit about my childhood. From the ages of three to eleven, my father severely beat me on the daily. At

by Sausedo P, CMF in Vacaville, CA My motivation was sparked when I found out. I was lost because I would drug myself to a sleep-state of consciousness that I would forget my purpose in life.       Yet I can still hear “the beat within my” heart. It calls out, “Remember your journey.” But I can’t hear it because I’ve drugged myself to a state of sleep, an unconscious state to where I forget my rules and purpose.  We all were born in cosmic energy. We were sent by our creator to this world to protect and serve it

by W, CCWF in Chowchilla, CA The stranger who changed my life was my high school/continuation teacher, Ms. Braver. I was new to the city and was in juvie, but because my parents were still commuting over fifty miles away to work daily, the judge refused to release me without twenty-four hour supervision.  My parents talked to my school teacher and she not only agreed to supervise me thirty minutes before school, but until my dad came home each day. This lady was a total stranger to me, and I to her, yet she committed to supervising me so I