Wow, your drawings are amazing! You should definitely try to do something with your art when you get out, you've got an incredible talent. And I'm sure it's been said, but your penmanship is very unusual. I like it a lot! How do you come up with inspiration for your drawings?
As for books, I really enjoyed The Sword of Truth series as well. People seem to like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, but I liked the former far more. Might be worth a read, however. I think there are more than 13 books, so it's one that will keep you busy for quite awhile.
I'd recommend contacting the media in your area, you might find an interested reporter who wants to run with the story and get the word out.
Here's a big list of contact information for the staff of the Wisconsin State Journal: http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_8231547a-9f12-11de-97f4-001cc4c002e0.html
I thought your poem was awesome! Interesting rhyme scheme, great subject. I really enjoyed reading it. I also am really glad you're following politics and sharing your thoughts with us.
Your drawings, handwriting, and poetry are all so beautiful. Never stop creating! You have such talent. I hope you keep exploring it and pushing the boundaries of what you can do.
I'm not sure that setting up prison sweatshops is really a good solution - I know that people on the outside certainly don't want to feel like they're forcing horrible work on inmates! But at the same time, I think I see what you mean - there are no opportunities for work in prison, so why not make a few dollars, do something with your hands, and have something worthwhile to do? It makes sense but I don't think it could ever happen. I do like the programs where inmates can train service dogs, though. I think everyone has a soft spot for fluffy animals, so it certainly doesn't hurt public opinion either! I'm sure that other work could be found, if only the system would actually focus on helping rather than punishing.
It was enjoyable to read you wax poetic on the milk situation. Lactose intolerance and all.
I'm curious, though. Where does the milk come from? Is this zealousness on the part of the guards a by-the-letter adherence to some internal rule? Are the guards trying to save money, or avoid "waste" by being so strict?
To be honest, the post reads a little like your personal milk storage was over some limit, and this letter was a way to vent. Which is fine, if that's the case, it just wasn't explicitly stated.
As for the rest of your letter, cases of death by beating, and putting death-threat prisoners together in one cell is very disturbing. I don't live in the U.S., so there's not much I can do, except for this blog. But I agree that such incidents need to be documented by multiple witnesses and brought to light.
It is still kinda hard to read, but its worth reading, for not living in the States, it makes me think, but knowing how some people judge people with felonies, I hope when you/Malcolm gets out, you/he manage to fulfill these dreams. Btw, both the writing and the drawings are amazing especially done with a this 3" flex pen.
A new trial is comming up, my lawyer tells me they will use this against me and that I´ll probably lose again. I lost the 3rd time also. I wanted to go to the Human rights court in Brussels My lawyer told me to wait, she wanted to try The Main Court of Norway first. I told her I did´t bellieve that I could get justice in norway. It´s difficult to get a trial proved in the Main Court, but by this time I was almost like becomming a celebrity, all kinds of people felt my pain, and I never did my son any wrongs, I took good care of him, even the goverment agreed. So the court was set, almost 2 years had past, It was my last chance to save my son, they allready moved him 3 times. This time I won.... I don´t bellieve in justice by the norwgian court. I think I was lucky that so many people supported me, I didn´t know them, they didn´t have to care, but still they did.
Today I´m 28 years old, single mother of 4 children, living in Spain.
God forgives, I don´t... I just put things behind me.
I don´t want anyones sympathy, I don´t feel sorry for myself.I concider myself lucky, I had a rough start but it made me who I am today, wich I am proud of. I tell my children every day that I love them with all my heart.
I have chose to be a single mom since I have problems with trusting men and find it difficult to have them around. Some of my past maybe made bigger scares than I´m avare of. I try not to think of it. I don´t live in the past, I live today and for the future of my children. I hope this story is bringing hope to you and others in the same situation.
Just to mention it, I spent some time in prison myself, I got convicted when I was 16 years old for attempted murder(selfdefence) and false passports. Since I was first time caught and young they gave me 4 months in mixed prison (both men and women) where I had to work and 3 years probation without the ability to have a passport or leave the country.
Kind Regards -OrphanNorway-
The poem I promised you:
"The Little Girl" What does she think? What does she see? She is always happy. She is always free. But nobody knows she is always sad, even though she laughs she feels really bad. Who knows what happened when love left her heart? Who can see from the outside what she tries to hide? I know what you can do..... I know how you can see.... Just ask me, becouse, THAT LITTLE GIRL IS ME....
When I read your story it was almost like reading about my own life, exept I´m a woman, a little bit younger, norwegian and did not spend so much time in prison as you. I have a poem that I would like you to read. Since I can only use 3000 characters I´ll post a new comment, I allready shortened this down to almost no details.
I had no one when I grew up. I was moved around like a bag of potetoes. From I was 15 until I was 18 was the worst, I had 36 different "homes". I never had a home, and I was developing behaviour problems, I started to disrespect the law and authoroties. I was no longer able to give or recive "love", When I met kindness I got paranoid, thinking they where out to abuse me in a way. When I was 17 I got pregnant with a drugaddict that was 14 years older than me. The goverment realeased me from their care and left me with nothing. When I turned 18 my son was born, that little cute face saved my life, I don´t know where I had been if it wasn´t for him, when I held him I felt love for the first time in many years. I wanted to do whatever I could to keep him safe and for him to feel loved. But by law in Norway the goverment removed him from my care, telling me since I grew up as an orphan I was not suitable for childcare, I had him the 1st year. I had been fighting my whole life just to get things others see as normal, like food, clothes etc... So I was thinking why waste my time fighting the goverment, people like me never wins anyway, but I had to keep my son from getting the childhood I had. Atleast he can read his file when he is 17 and then he will know, no matter what "my mother never gave up." So I contacted a lawyer, I lost the first time, but I still got to meet him in once each month for 2 hours, I lost the second time and they took it all away. I was thinking, I can´t do this anymore, to see my little innocent boy cry everytime mom has to leave him, he was to little to understand. it was just to much. A few months after I turned 19, on christmas eve I tried to commit suicide, I´ll never forgive myself. I used a rasorblade and cut both my wrists all the way up to the elbow.
RSS
As for books, I really enjoyed The Sword of Truth series as well. People seem to like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, but I liked the former far more. Might be worth a read, however. I think there are more than 13 books, so it's one that will keep you busy for quite awhile.
Here's a big list of contact information for the staff of the Wisconsin State Journal: http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_8231547a-9f12-11de-97f4-001cc4c002e0.html
What a story. I guess some of the people in your life just arent worth mentioning.
I thought your poem was awesome! Interesting rhyme scheme, great subject. I really enjoyed reading it. I also am really glad you're following politics and sharing your thoughts with us.
Your drawings, handwriting, and poetry are all so beautiful. Never stop creating! You have such talent. I hope you keep exploring it and pushing the boundaries of what you can do.
I'm not sure that setting up prison sweatshops is really a good solution - I know that people on the outside certainly don't want to feel like they're forcing horrible work on inmates! But at the same time, I think I see what you mean - there are no opportunities for work in prison, so why not make a few dollars, do something with your hands, and have something worthwhile to do? It makes sense but I don't think it could ever happen. I do like the programs where inmates can train service dogs, though. I think everyone has a soft spot for fluffy animals, so it certainly doesn't hurt public opinion either! I'm sure that other work could be found, if only the system would actually focus on helping rather than punishing.
Best wishes to you!
I'm curious, though. Where does the milk come from? Is this zealousness on the part of the guards a by-the-letter adherence to some internal rule? Are the guards trying to save money, or avoid "waste" by being so strict?
To be honest, the post reads a little like your personal milk storage was over some limit, and this letter was a way to vent. Which is fine, if that's the case, it just wasn't explicitly stated.
As for the rest of your letter, cases of death by beating, and putting death-threat prisoners together in one cell is very disturbing. I don't live in the U.S., so there's not much I can do, except for this blog. But I agree that such incidents need to be documented by multiple witnesses and brought to light.
Btw, both the writing and the drawings are amazing especially done with a this 3" flex pen.
I lost the 3rd time also. I wanted to go to the Human rights court in Brussels My lawyer told me to wait, she wanted to try The Main Court of Norway first. I told her I did´t bellieve that I could get justice in norway.
It´s difficult to get a trial proved in the Main Court, but by this time I was almost like becomming a celebrity, all kinds of people felt my pain, and I never did my son any wrongs, I took good care of him, even the goverment agreed.
So the court was set, almost 2 years had past, It was my last chance to save my son, they allready moved him 3 times.
This time I won....
I don´t bellieve in justice by the norwgian court. I think I was lucky that so many people supported me, I didn´t know them, they didn´t have to care, but still they did.
Today I´m 28 years old, single mother of 4 children, living in Spain.
God forgives, I don´t... I just put things behind me.
I don´t want anyones sympathy, I don´t feel sorry for myself.I concider myself lucky, I had a rough start but it made me who I am today, wich I am proud of.
I tell my children every day that I love them with all my heart.
I have chose to be a single mom since I have problems with trusting men and find it difficult to have them around.
Some of my past maybe made bigger scares than I´m avare of. I try not to think of it. I don´t live in the past, I live today and for the future of my children.
I hope this story is bringing hope to you and others in the same situation.
Just to mention it, I spent some time in prison myself, I got convicted when I was 16 years old for attempted murder(selfdefence) and false passports. Since I was first time caught and young they gave me 4 months in mixed prison (both men and women) where I had to work and 3 years probation without the ability to have a passport or leave the country.
Kind Regards -OrphanNorway-
The poem I promised you:
"The Little Girl"
What does she think?
What does she see?
She is always happy.
She is always free.
But nobody knows she is always sad,
even though she laughs she feels really bad.
Who knows what happened when love left her heart?
Who can see from the outside what she tries to hide?
I know what you can do.....
I know how you can see....
Just ask me, becouse, THAT LITTLE GIRL IS ME....
Tell me what you think of my comments.....
When I read your story it was almost like reading about my own life, exept I´m a woman, a little bit younger, norwegian and did not spend so much time in prison as you. I have a poem that I would like you to read. Since I can only use 3000 characters I´ll post a new comment, I allready shortened this down to almost no details.
I had no one when I grew up.
I was moved around like a bag of potetoes.
From I was 15 until I was 18 was the worst, I had 36 different "homes". I never had a home, and I was developing behaviour problems,
I started to disrespect the law and authoroties.
I was no longer able to give or recive "love",
When I met kindness I got paranoid, thinking they where out to abuse me in a way.
When I was 17 I got pregnant with a drugaddict that was 14 years older than me.
The goverment realeased me from their care and left me with nothing.
When I turned 18 my son was born, that little cute face saved my life, I don´t know where I had been if it wasn´t for him, when I held him I felt love for the first time in many years. I wanted to do whatever I could to keep him safe and for him to feel loved.
But by law in Norway the goverment removed him from my care, telling me since I grew up as an orphan I was not suitable for childcare, I had him the 1st year.
I had been fighting my whole life just to get things others see as normal, like food, clothes etc... So I was thinking why waste my time fighting the goverment, people like me never wins anyway, but I had to keep my son from getting the childhood I had.
Atleast he can read his file when he is 17 and then he will know, no matter what "my mother never gave up."
So I contacted a lawyer, I lost the first time, but I still got to meet him in once each month for 2 hours, I lost the second time and they took it all away.
I was thinking, I can´t do this anymore, to see my little innocent boy cry everytime mom has to leave him, he was to little to understand. it was just to much. A few months after I turned 19, on christmas eve I tried to commit suicide, I´ll never forgive myself. I used a rasorblade and cut both my wrists all the way up to the elbow.
To be continued.....