Dec. 3, 2010

Before Incarceration; Prison menu; photos; letters of support

by Michael Singh (author's profile)

Transcription

Hello out there, I've never "blogged" before, so here I am. I hope you are well.

Here's 2 pics - so you can see who's the "blogger", & some info about where I graduated High School - is St. Mary's in Berkeley, California. If you're not familiar with with California, it's about 15-20 minutes from San Francisco.

I've also enclosed a couple articles about the circumstances of my incarceration - because whoever is reading this will want to know & I cna only say so much because I'm pending appeal.

Up until I was incarcerated, I was very active in community; youth events, positive activities and alternatives so young people won't get "caught-up."

If you're a young person reading these letters, I really encourage you to make positive things happen. It feels great to do good. You also meet very nice people & the more nice people you know, the better of a network you've created for yourself and future opportunities.

* If you have any questions; please give me a blog reply.

Culturally/Ethnically: My last name is Singh, I am Sikh; My mom's side of the family is Hindu. I love being part of both worlds, it's a blessing. I speak Hindi & can write it as well- although not as well as I'd like. My parents were born in the Fiji Islands; I was born in Berkeley, CA in 1975.

Despite the fast that I am incarcerated, I try to be involved in many positive activities. I will be writing about some of the various things I am involved in with my future posts.

While you wait for that (I hope) here's what 'prison food' menu looks like. I enclosed a 'Standardizes Inmate Menu' for you to see. On paper, it's great, but when you walk into the chow hall & receive your tray... I guess it's like watching a commercial for a Big Mac, then when you go and buy one- you say "where's the beef?" In here- when you receive the tray- it's like, "damn, where's the food?" After eating a dehydrated 'happy meal' 2 hours later you're hungry again, that's when you have some 'canteen'/commissary, if you're fortunate enough to either have, a prison job that 'pays' or family/loved ones who send money onto your prison account, so you can buy food, personal hygiene products (soap, deodorant, etc), or goodies like honey buns or candy- Snickers.

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Replies (4) Replies feed

LonelyPlanet Posted 13 years, 3 months ago. ✓ Mailed 12 years, 11 months ago   Favorite
Facinating

5aday Posted 12 years, 6 months ago. ✓ Mailed 12 years, 6 months ago   Favorite
Thanks for posting the menu. I am interested in the nutrition issues in prison, so this is helpful!

sarahguoguo Posted 2 years, 11 months ago. ✓ Mailed 2 years, 11 months ago   Favorite
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. I'm Sarah, and my community service organization at UC Berkeley is transcribing letters, so when I saw yours I knew I had to do it. I wish you the best, fellow bear!

Michael Singh Posted 2 years, 8 months ago.   Favorite
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