Category: The Beat Without

-Raymond White Jr, Corcoran State Prison in Corcoran, CA I would want to be remembered for many thingsAt the end of life’s chapterBut time of future partly divides usFor now, and when I pass away manyYears that my eyes have yet to perceiveI would just love to imagine the beauty through life’s mysteryWhere the signature move of Michael Jackson’sMoonwalk will gracefully slide like iceAcross the moon’s landscapeOutside in space where the sparklingStars burn silent, I want to hearHis song “Human Nature” plays inSpiritual tune, his astounding voice tellingMe, Why? Why? And then I say byReply, Michael, it’s just “Human Nature”Melodies

-Eliazar Guerra, San Quentin State Prison, CA Before the streets came between my father and I, we were as close as a father and son could be. As I started running the streets, I began to take my father for granted. I stopped appreciating all the things he wanted for me to have.  He wasn’t perfect, but he was there. He attended any ballgame that he could. He loved me. I lost sight of that because the drugs, parties, sports, and bad habits blinded me. He once told me that he wouldn’t be here one day, and that I would

-Efren Bullard, SP in Blythe, CA It’s been a while since I last wrote. The reason is because I had not received a magazine in maybe five or six months. So, I figured I would just wait until I receive my next issue and then I would respond.  Well, on December 12th, 2023 I was sitting in my cell when the officer called my name for mail. I walked to the door and was handed a big envelope and I knew it was from The Beat Within.  I also received a small envelope with a letter. So, like most people,

by Joseph Aguirre, Correctional Facility in Delano, CA It’s that time of year again where for many, it can be lonely and painful. Many people don’t have family, friends and can be in confinement or in the streets. My utmost regards and love to those and encouragement to be strong, God sees and knows our needs. My name’s Joseph Aguirre. I’m an ex-gang member of forty-four years in age, Mex-American, from the small town of Fairfield, CA. Just the other day, I was thumbing through my address book, coming upon your address, PO box. It was written there a long

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.