[colored photo of a young man standing in front a Christmas themed mural.]

[Arabic]

Hello, welcome to my blog. Before I commence with this letter, I would like to thank Between The Bars for allowing me the opportunity to set up my own blog. Personally? I love writing and corresponding with people from all walks of like, so the main purpose of my blog is to establish a steady flow of positive feedback and to maintain social contacts—one of the focal points of Between the Bars.

My name is Danny Joe Garrett, but those who know me well call me by my nickname "Lefty". I'm 33 years old, originally from Chicago, but I've spent the last 15 years and 6 months incarcerated for armed robbery. I currently reside in Wisconsin Department of Corrections, a place we know as prison. Indeed, I make no excuses for my actions and I take full responsibility for what I've done. I believe that in order for a person to become rehabilitated, one must own up to one's actions and not point fingers at someone else for being in prison.

Early in my incarceration, I blamed everyone around me (family and friends) for being in prison. But the more I reflected on the situation, the more I realized that I was to blame. It's essential for those who read this to know that I'm not a person of self-pity; I don't go around feeling sorry for myself. I'm more into trying to improve on myself as a man and restoring the rights of those people I've violated. Any time you committ a crime against a person, you are violating that person's rights. I can't change the past, but I do hope to utilize the experience I acquired in prison to help bring some good in troubled youths, because I was once a troubled youth.

Once I'm out (God willing), I would like to start a non-profit organization for troubled youths. If anyone has any tips on how to get a non-profit organization off the ground, please share your ideas with me.

God willing, it is my intentions to let those who read my blog to see who I'm really am as a person, and that includes sharing personal things about myself with my readers. I have nothing to hide, and I'm looking forward to making new friends!

Thank you for your time and patience.

For correspondence, contact me at this address:

Danny J. Garrett #278310
SCI
100 Corrections Drive
Stanley, WI 54768

Sincerely,
Danny J. Garrett