uploaded April 24, 2013.
Original (PDF)
Transcription
Another Day of Solitary Confinement
Hi there
I'm still in the hole, solitary confinement. I've not written anything new for all of you to read. So I thought I'd just jot a few lines as to how my emotional state has been.
I have been a little depressed since I have very little to read. I'm taking medication for the depression. I think it is helping a little bit.
I don't have much in my cell. They've taken all of my property and thrown it all away. I can't go to the inmate canteen either because that privilege too was suspended - all because I refuse to take a cellie. So the classification committee extended my stay in the hole until 10-15-2014 - I hope I won't go crazy by then.
I need some reading material. I would appreciate books very much, please send them to:
James Collins
P.O. Box 3476
4A4R-43
Corcoran, CA
93212
But the books must come from a vendor or store...
✖
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Replies (10)
I just read your recent letter and was compelled to write you because I also have a deceased mother and brother and also am the youngest of 4. Though it would’ve been 5 too but my other brother died right before birth. If you don’t mind me askin...how did you mother and brother pass. My mom died from cancer and my brother committed suicide this past December. That one hit me hard cuz we were close. I was also close with my mom but at least I had time to prepare for her death. Though it still sucked and still was very hard. I have 2 kids and I am blessed to have them. They are the only thing keeping me from doin anything stupid....
Serena
It was nice to see your reply. Thanks for writing me back!!
I’m sorry to hear about how your mom and brother died. Cancer is such an awful disease that a lot of people have no idea about until they go thru it or they watch a loved one go thru it. My mom had a very rare cancer of the parotid gland. She was the first and only case at Johns Hopkins. So that right there says a lot because they are one of the top 3 hospitals for oncology. CANCER SUCKS!! That is terrible about your brother. It’s sad that he died alone outside. Was he not able to get any chemo or any treatment?
How are things going at your prison with this corona virus shit? What is this world comin to?? It’s just crazy!
My ex was in prison, so I know that inmates like to receive mail. Idk if you want to be pen pals or not. I don’t mind. If so, is it easier to write you on here or do you want me to hand write and mail myself?
Just let me know. Good to hear from you! Sorry that it took so long to see your letter. I was checking this site frequently but then I just forgot for awhile to check because I just been goin thru a lot. But hey...who isn’t?
Well, stay safe!
Serena
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I know it's been a while since you first wrote this post but you had asked for books. Are you still interested in receiving reading materials?
I work with a nonprofit organization called The Unconditional Freedom Project. Our vision is to transform prisons into monasteries, recasting the penitentiary as a place to contemplate and meaningfully contribute. Everything we do is aimed at human flourishing.
I have a workbook I'd like to offer you, and it can be sent directly from our publisher. It's called The Art of Soulmaking: The Path to Unconditional Freedom.
Our Art of Soulmaking program provides tools for improving the interior lives of incarcerated people. This 8-week course guides a person through a journey of inquiry and personal liberation. It starts with building a foundation of practice through journaling, soul searching exercises, yoga and meditation. From there, participants walk through four lessons on reclaiming power and restoring dignity.
We know that people do not change in isolation, that's why I was so moved by your solitary confinement post. Change happens when we recognize the whole of a human. Another component of our program is exchanging letters with a Volunteer Correspondent who is also on their own Soulmaking journey. The desire to feel truly seen by another, to be felt by another, is what makes us human. Not only is it natural, it is medicine. It’s essential to grow.
Would you be interested in receiving an Art of Soulmaking workbook to explore the program and write with a pen pal? If so, let me know where to send and I will have our publisher ship one out to you.
Stay safe, happy, and healthy!
Warmly,
Marissa