An advantage of serving a prison sentence at Taft Camp is that 500 other minimum-security prisoners serve time within the same boundaries. I would prefer to be home with my wife, but since this absurd system of justice requires that I serve another few years, I make every effort to use time productively. Today I [...]
This afternoon as I was walking toward the library to make some copies, I overheard two young gang bangers walking behind me. They were talking about “smashing that fool.” I turned around and made eye contact with them. As a result of serving 23 years in prison, the two young men respect me, and when [...]
I read two articles before sleeping last night that validated the way I’ve lived as a prisoner. One was published in the Wall Street Journal and it discussed the indisputable benefits of exercise—specifically, running. The other article—a profile of John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods—was in The New Yorker. The journal article on exercise discussed [...]
I spent several hours reading about nonprofit corporations today. Nonprofits interest me because I am convinced they will play an essential role in my future. Upon my release from prison, I intend to devote my working life to sharing all that I’ve learned as a long-term prisoner. Some of the ways that I will share [...]
While I was beginning my work this morning, at 3:26 a guard asked me for my identification. He wanted me to blow into a gadget that would measure whether I had been drinking any alcohol. It’s not an unusual question here. As a long-term prisoner, it’s one that I’m ready to receive from a guard at any [...]
I had a wonderful boost of energy this morning when I opened my eyes at 2:28 and acknowledged that we’re in a new year, and a new decade. I was eager to begin making progress toward the goals I’ve set. The first order of work for me was organizational. I transferred dates and records I’ve [...]
