Hmmmm sounds like you learned your lesson - a hard lesson to learn 15 years taken off your life, or rather just given this experience of being in prison that I am sure you never will forget. I am 34. I served a small 18 month bid from 19-20 in a time when I had already lived in juvenile halls & lock-ups for 5 years prior. So I guess I too know what its like to be removed away from society and what led me to even find this website
I now work in the field of mental health and have dozens of clients who are coming out of the jail system in massachusetts. Its not an easy process re-entering back into society I'll have you know so not to sugar coat what you have in store. I realized as high as 70% of people who end up incarcerated have either a substance abuse or mental health related disorder. I pray you can find the right positive people to help you get your life back on track and if you have either of these issues as I do - stay stright and in treatment. And do not be fooled it is difficult to land decent paying employment & housing as a now convicted felon - (although its easier for men to find these things) believe it or not its true! women typically go work with children or in hospitals or as secrataries, etc. and when you aren't able to do this as a felon you are left with low paying jobs without a college education. I am grateful to be a graduate student working towards being a social worker. I am grateful for every breathe of freedom I take each day and my little apartment, my son, my job, my friends and my integrity and morals today. I am grateful I realized so long as I do not break the law, I will not ever end up incarcerated again. Educate yourself on the laws, learn them, respect them and follow them and you will be good when you get out here again too. It is not always easy out here, food is expensive, $5 a box of cereal alone! Heat is expensive, clothes are expensive, - virtually everything is expensive. So long as you can find employment and have family/friends to help you until you can get your own place, you should be good. I work as re-entry case manager and I know a ton about how to live in the free world as a convicted felon. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I wish you a very Merry Christmas as well and a Happy 2012!
Good, good, good - that class sounds awesome! Be sure to post more about it - anger is such a tough issue to deal with because its over powering, over bearing, and it feels good and powerful! I've been locked up too , I did a small county bid when in my early 20's for A&B, but I had several before that. I know where my anger was coming from now, it was merely hurt turned inside out into rage - the hurt from my parents, my childhood, classmates picking on me, etc.
It escalated into something I liked having and felt normal feeling. Then I realized society and other people don't agree! So when I was locked up the nager management class I took taught us how to pinch the part of our hand right at the palm/beginning part of your thumb - its a pressure point that is suppose to decrease your heart rate, calm you down and defocus you when your start feeling like you are going to lose your temper! Try it sometime :)
Tell us more about this ART class as you know more. I heard about an ART class where you think of a bad memory and replace it with a happy pleasant ending instead of what really happened. The ART I heard about is a form of therapy, but yours sounds interesting. I want to know as your learn.
What a sweet poem! Well I must disagree with the beginning, you are not in pursuit of crap - unless you actually view it that way?I think the ending was beautiful and meaningful and I hope you keep writing.
I am 34. I served time too, a small county bid in my early 20's. I had already been in institutions for 5 years as a teenager before making it to jail though. Born into dysfunction - I was just a victim of circumstance as the majority of us who end up incarcerated are. I want you to keep that head up of yours and keep thinking of a love and freedom and what makes you happy and smile! God has forgiven, just forgive yourself.
I read your letter and re-read it. The letter made me crack smiles, frown, chuckle, and breathe heavy all in the 5 minutes it took to read what you wrote! You are the same age as my father. I am 34. I guess you have accepted your fate. I'm glad you have a Jeannie. I'm glad you like the sun rising. I'm glad you are writing on here. Don't forget to smile at people, because perhaps that may strike some hope into another man and even save a life - you never know! I'm served time too, but nothing like you. I did a small county bid in my early twenties and work with the female jail population in mental health/substance abuse. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and will say a prayer for you. I will be indoors more often too now that its winter - lol :)
I was just reading through some of your poetry and this one jumped out at me. I really liked it, it reminds me of a woman afraid to take a risk - even though her whole life would flourish if she just did!
Did you draw this all yourself Luis? You are truly an artist if I ever saw one! Thank-you for my X-Mas note, I got it tonight. The leaves will be saved and placed with my other cards. You will be thought of and prayed for on Christmas. When I look at your leaves, I will think of you flying in the open air in seasaw swirls free to roam whereever you wish! I know it is hard some days, but keep the faith my friend.
Happy late birthday! And happy late (probably, although I am writing this on the 20th December) Christmas! This will probably arrive before the new year, so make 2012 a good one! Strive to be the best you can, inspire people around you, prove them wrong, and most importantly - BE HAPPY! Or perhaps most importantly, keep writing! You have a voice now, and your writing is inspiring to read and transcribe! Keep it up, bless you.
RSS
Very nice blog.
Mom
Love From Mama
Hmmmm sounds like you learned your lesson - a hard lesson to learn 15 years taken off your life, or rather just given this experience of being in prison that I am sure you never will forget. I am 34. I served a small 18 month bid from 19-20 in a time when I had already lived in juvenile halls & lock-ups for 5 years prior. So I guess I too know what its like to be removed away from society and what led me to even find this website
I now work in the field of mental health and have dozens of clients who are coming out of the jail system in massachusetts. Its not an easy process re-entering back into society I'll have you know so not to sugar coat what you have in store. I realized as high as 70% of people who end up incarcerated have either a substance abuse or mental health related disorder. I pray you can find the right positive people to help you get your life back on track and if you have either of these issues as I do - stay stright and in treatment. And do not be fooled it is difficult to land decent paying employment & housing as a now convicted felon - (although its easier for men to find these things) believe it or not its true! women typically go work with children or in hospitals or as secrataries, etc. and when you aren't able to do this as a felon you are left with low paying jobs without a college education. I am grateful to be a graduate student working towards being a social worker. I am grateful for every breathe of freedom I take each day and my little apartment, my son, my job, my friends and my integrity and morals today. I am grateful I realized so long as I do not break the law, I will not ever end up incarcerated again. Educate yourself on the laws, learn them, respect them and follow them and you will be good when you get out here again too. It is not always easy out here, food is expensive, $5 a box of cereal alone! Heat is expensive, clothes are expensive, - virtually everything is expensive. So long as you can find employment and have family/friends to help you until you can get your own place, you should be good. I work as re-entry case manager and I know a ton about how to live in the free world as a convicted felon. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I wish you a very Merry Christmas as well and a Happy 2012!
Jody
Good, good, good - that class sounds awesome! Be sure to post more about it - anger is such a tough issue to deal with because its over powering, over bearing, and it feels good and powerful! I've been locked up too , I did a small county bid when in my early 20's for A&B, but I had several before that. I know where my anger was coming from now, it was merely hurt turned inside out into rage - the hurt from my parents, my childhood, classmates picking on me, etc.
It escalated into something I liked having and felt normal feeling. Then I realized society and other people don't agree! So when I was locked up the nager management class I took taught us how to pinch the part of our hand right at the palm/beginning part of your thumb - its a pressure point that is suppose to decrease your heart rate, calm you down and defocus you when your start feeling like you are going to lose your temper! Try it sometime :)
Tell us more about this ART class as you know more. I heard about an ART class where you think of a bad memory and replace it with a happy pleasant ending instead of what really happened. The ART I heard about is a form of therapy, but yours sounds interesting. I want to know as your learn.
Thanks, Jody
I am 34. I served time too, a small county bid in my early 20's. I had already been in institutions for 5 years as a teenager before making it to jail though. Born into dysfunction - I was just a victim of circumstance as the majority of us who end up incarcerated are. I want you to keep that head up of yours and keep thinking of a love and freedom and what makes you happy and smile! God has forgiven, just forgive yourself.
Jody
Jody
Thanks, Jody
Merry Christmas & Happy 2012!
Jody