Playing Cops and Robbers

The Beat Without

by Jose “RawRaw” Robles, Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA Playing Cops and RobbersNo more time it has expiredDaylight shines the night retiredNo more waiting in the shadowsThe light retreats it is that hourBack and forth in night and dayHide and seek the game we playNo more tag and now you’re itNow it’s toe tag if you’re hit.For My MommaA mother’s love for her childUnconditional true and pureEven as a grown man with flawsHer eyes look at me with tender patienceBecause I will always be her childThough she can no longer carry me in her armsAs when I was

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Ed Note 27.19/20

Editor's Note

Greetings! Another week another Beat! Welcome to The Beat Within’s latest double issue, 27.19/20! Where is the time going? 2022 is flying by, as the summer months are now upon us. As for this latest issue, there is plenty of wisdom, art, and thoughtful writings for all of us who are so privileged to pick up and be a part of this one-of-a-kind publication.  We could not do this work without you contributors if you are simply reading the magazine or coming from the heart as a writer and artist.  Let’s cut to the chase and pass the keyboard to

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Why I Write and Write and Write

Feature of the Week

by JJEM Youth Services Center, San Mateo, CA People take life for granted and when they do, there is always somehow consequences. People who are barely joining the journey of my story welcome and enjoy the ride.  Yeah, I witnessed a lot of violence throughout my life. My dumbass father always left bottles of beer lying anywhere around my home and my one-year-old self would stumble upon it and start drinking it. Then eventually I’ll be a damn one-year-old drunk, but yeah forget that. When my father left, I had to be a parent and a brother to my siblings,

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I Am Better Than I Know

Piece of the Week

by PR, Sonoma My dad has never came through or kept to his promises. I guess me and my sisters weren’t his first priority and he never tried to be there for us.  To me, it made me feel alone, neglected, and not worth being with. To be honest, I wish I had an answer because I never knew what was going on in my dad’s mind. I always thought it was because I wasn’t good enough or didn’t turn out as my dad wanted me to look like but to this day, I still don’t know. You know I

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The Greatest Test I’m Trying To Pass Is Now

Piece of the Week

by Waiting To Be Given A Chance, Alameda The greatest test life has ever put me though was the system, this institution. I’ve dealt with a lot of things growing up as a black boy in this place we call “life.” I’ve lost friends, family members and myself at times. I was suffering with depression at a point in my life. At times I still do, but it was nothing like becoming a part of the “system.”  I first went to jail in July of 2021. I came to jail on one count of armed robbery and gun charge and

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Hope For a Better Life Every Day

Piece of the Week

by Jeremiah, Santa Clara I hope for a better life every day, hope my life would change and the people in my life would appreciate me for the lifestyle I live. It’s not my fault I became who I am. I had to raise myself, learn the hard way and take care of my siblings. Life is hard and every day I hope life gets better. I hope I can separate myself from negativity instead of being a part of it.  I want to be able to have a happy life with my baby girl, stop living in a fake

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On Cheating The Infidelity Insurrection

The Beat Without

by Shon Pernice, Moberly Correctional Center in Moberly, Missouri Cheating happens for a variety of self-centered excuses. Whether it is for revenge, loneliness, a high sex drive or being “unhappy,” infidelity boils down to an internal issue with the male ego: a low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence.  I may be breaking some absurd guy code, however, I am guilty of being a chronic cheater during my marriage. My wife is deceased and I cannot look her in the eye, apologize, and attempt restitution. Furthermore, if I am able to bring solace to another woman who has suffered from this

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Alter Ego

The Beat Without

by Michael Sperling, San Quentin State Prison, CA My father mentally, physically, and emotionally abused me as a kid. He stripped me of my innocence and took my childhood away from me. He broke me as a child. It was so bad that I literally had to invent an alter ego to protect myself.  I did this to avoid dealing with that child whom was a broken victim. This alter-ego that I created was going to be no joke! I’m going to be someone you don’t want to mess with. I wasn’t going to be anyone’s victim anymore.  So, I

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