Today was family day at Taft Camp and I’m really disappointed in myself for not making preparations to participate. I frequently am so absorbed with my writing projects that I don’t pay attention to some of the worthwhile programs that staff members here offer. I really regret not signing up for the parenting class, because completing [...]
Today I spent time counseling Patrick, another prisoner I’ve known for several years. We were confined together when I was held at Lompoc Camp—I met him on the day I arrived, and we maintained a friendship during the time I served there. I enjoyed his company and his positive attitude. When guards locked me in [...]
Yesterday’s New York Times published an article describing how a former lobbyist established several nonprofit corporations that raised pretax funds from sponsors, and then deployed those funds to the former lobbyists regular business. I was interested in the corporate structure he established because I anticipate that I will need a similar structure to reach some [...]
My visit with Carole ended at 1:00 this afternoon, and in order to avoid the pain of missing her that always comes when we lose opportunities to visit, I went to read in the law library. I planned to research case law but a cover article in Prison Legal News (June 2010 issue) distracted me. [...]
Today’s blog is from Carole Santos I’ve watched a few of episodes of Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC. Hoarding is a disturbing condition in which sufferers are unable to stop themselves from acquiring and holding onto possessions. It’s a costly, debilitating condition that destroys relationships and creates an isolating environment. Hoarders are unable to break [...]
Today I received a letter from Chris, my closest childhood friend. Chris and I grew up in Lake Forest Park and went through elementary school, junior high, and high school together. Our friendship continued after high school, but it has been on again, off again through my imprisonment. I understand why, and it made me happy [...]
I keep a disciplined schedule in prison but it’s not so rigid that I can’t make adjustments, and that’s exactly what I did after receiving a letter from my friend Tristan in Friday’s mail. Tristan has been helping me with the long memoir that I finished writing earlier this year. In his letter, he recommended some [...]
Today’s entry is from Carole, Michael’s wife. Prison introduces unique family challenges, and Michael and I are no exception. It’s our mutual commitment to being partners in marriage and in life that helps us manage the challenges and grow as a couple through the struggles we confront as a prison family. Michael asked me to [...]
I once stood in a prison classroom to teach a course for prisoners who recently transferred from a previous prison. Red was one of the first prisoners who showed up for the class. He had three tear drops tattooed on his face, and tattoos of skulls and demons covered his arms. “What’s up Homes?” Red [...]
