The last days of the month are difficult for many prisoners and those who love them, because 300 minutes of telephone access just isn’t enough. Prior to the election of George Bush, prisoners did not have a telephone limitation. We could use the phone to call approved numbers whenever we were not locked in our cells. [...]
The temperatures have dropped in Taft Camp. Yesterday was probably our last day above 90 degrees until next spring. When I went outside to run this morning, I kept my t-shirt on, and I suspect I’ll be wearing a t-shirt or a sweatshirt to exercise in every day until next March or April. I like [...]
I had an opportunity to read an article in the Los Angeles Business Journal today that reported on how law firms are expecting a surge in white collar prosecutions. Most prosecutions will stem from the sub-prime mortgage crisis and frauds that related to the businesses serving that industry. Regardless of the particular criminal charge, most [...]
Carole, and I visited today and we had the strangest conversation. Perhaps others won’t think it strange, but at this stage in my life, the subject of our conversation was unusual. We spoke about the day that Carole would pick me up, the last day that I would spend inside a prison. My release date [...]
I’ve been looking at my schedule, and I realize that in a few weeks, I’ll probably have time to resume my blogging responsibilities. Earlier this year I was writing between 20 and 40 blogs each week for the various websites Carole maintains for me. Since beginning my new manuscript, I suspended those activities to focus [...]
As a long-term prisoner, I sometimes smile when I hear others discussing their theories on penology. This morning I sat in the law library typing responses to a lengthy letter for the lawyers who are working with me. The law library is in a room adjacent to the leisure library and if I ever want to laugh, [...]
It’s 2:30 in the morning on Thursday as I write this journal entry for the day. I’m usually editing my work for Earning Freedom or writing new content at this hour. This is the quietest time in prison and I like using it for work that requires complete concentration. The next chapter I’m scheduled to [...]
Yesterday I spoke with Carlos, a prisoner who sleeps in a cubicle adjacent to mine at Taft Camp. He is tall and clean cut. Prior to his imprisonment, he worked as a truck driver. Carlos told me that he served two prison terms before; the first term was for one year and the second term [...]
I’ve been tutoring Mark, a young prisoner in his early 20’s serving a four-year sentence for credit card fraud. Mark finished high school but he didn’t further his education, and without much ambition he drifted into unskilled labor jobs in convenience stores and fast food restaurants. His meandering existence made a scheme to purchase goods with [...]
I’m very grateful for the privilege of being able to run every morning. This morning I ran 10 miles, boosting my consecutive running to 283 days and accumulating a tally of 2,513 miles during that time. I haven’t taken a day off from running since December 12, 2008, and as I ran my loops around [...]
