Michael’s Published Values and Goals

As 2010 begins, I move deeper into my 23rd consecutive year of imprisonment. Since I served a portion of the 1980’s, all of the 1990’s, and all of the 2000’s, I’m now beginning my fourth decade as a prisoner. The good news is that I’ve finally reached the decade that will restore my liberty.

I would have liked to write that I’ve earned freedom by now, but it’s beginning to look more certain that the work I’ve done since my term began will not play much of a role in advancing my release date. That’s okay. I’m now 46 and I feel blessed with the growth and accomplishment I’ve been able to realize as I advanced toward release. The commitment to live a values-centered and goal-oriented life ensures that I will walk free from prison unscathed, ready to make meaningful contributions to society. I intend to use every day of 2010 to work toward that end. With possibilities for parole consideration and halfway house, I know that release may come at any time with the next three years.

The values categories I use to guide my decisions and activities haven’t changed, and it’s with these in mind that I set my goals for the 2010 calendar year—assuming I serve the entire year in prison.

  • Community Support Network
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Finances
  • Fitness

Community Support Network

I place a high value on the community support network that sponsors and supports me.  Early in my prison term, more than 20 years ago, I aspired to build a network of support. I was in my early 20s then and I sought mentors who could teach me as I matured through confinement. Dr. R. Bruce McPherson, an educator from a major university in Chicago, became my first mentor.

Bruce became a close friend over the ensuing years, helping me become a better writer and a more conscientious citizen. As I learned from Bruce, I continued writing to connect with societal leaders beyond prison boundaries. Over the years, that effort led to relationships and friendships with scores of people who’ve made a personal investment in helping me overcome the challenges of confinement, and the challenges that I’ll encounter after release.

Because I so value those my community support network, I take deliberate steps—every day—to demonstrate my appreciation for their commitment to me. Doing so minimizes my exposure to potential problems that could jeopardize those relationships. It’s why I sleep early, begin my work day before 4:00 every morning, choose my activities and associations with caution, and document my journey through prison. 

Faith

My faith inspires the gratitude that renews my strength every day. By thanking God frequently for the blessings I’ve received, and by asking for both wisdom and guidance, I’m convinced that 8,179 days and nights of my incarceration have passed much easier than could have been the case. During the course of my imprisonment God opened opportunities for my education, developing a community network of support, creating work that earns an income, and building a magnificent marriage. Because of my faith, I am certain that blessings will continue flowing to me. 

Family

My commitment to Carole, my wife, is stronger than ever. I commit to our marriage every day. Carole has been serving this sentence alongside me since early in 2002. She has not hesitated to uproot her life and follow me across the United States as administrators ordered my transfer from one prison to the next. Carole has facilitated the career as a writer and speaker I’ve tried to prepare for, while simultaneously working tirelessly to maintain my Internet presence and studying to earn her nursing degree in order to provide our family with financial stability. She is the love of my life, my partner, and the inspiration for me to lead a values-centered and goal-driven life. 

Finances

Preparing for release requires that I contemplate significant financial expenditures I will encounter after more than 22 years of imprisonment. I don’t own clothes or any of the possessions I will need to launch the career I want to build. During the first year of my release from prison, I expect to spend tens of thousands of dollars to establish myself, but because of careful planning, continuous work, and my sponsorship in society, I will walk out of prison with enough resources in savings to sustain me for an entire year. Carole and I are committed to strengthening our financial stability throughout the year 2010, and for the rest of our lives. 

Fitness

In 1987, when I began serving this prison term, I weighed 174 pounds. Now I am 46, and I still weigh about 174 pounds. For the entire duration of my imprisonment, I exercised regularly to maintain a high level of fitness. The routines have changed from training with heavy weights to more focus on distance running as I aged, but my commitment to regular exercise has never wavered. I ran every day of the year in 2009, logging 3,228 miles. I will continue to run every day in 2010 and add more strength training to the regimen. This commitment to exercise represents part of my promise to Carole to emerge fit in body, spirit, and mind.

Goals

My goals are always clearly defined and measurable. For 2010, each of the goals I’ve listed below relates to the advancement of the values I list above. I encourage readers to hold me accountable by checking my daily progress (documented in my prison journal) and by reading my quarterly reports.

I will devote at least 40 hours each week toward preparing for my career as a writer/speaker/teacher/consultant/motivating force upon my release

  • I will begin my work every morning of 2010 before 4:00 a.m.
  • I will write a daily journal entry to document my thoughts and activities
  • I will read at least 20 books that relate to my career and publish a book report for each that describes what I’ve learned from the book
  • I will run every day and average a minimum of 50 miles per week
  • I will do 100,000 pushups by the end of 2010
  • I will work with others to improve my Internet presence and enhance my Web site
  • I will read at least one chapter from the Bible every day and, through prayer, thank God for the blessings my family receives
  • I will nurture my relationship with Carole and support her as she returns to school in 2010

Thank you for your interest in my commitment to reconcile with society while working my way through the final months of my imprisonment.

Sincerely,

Michael G. Santos

16377-004
Taft Camp/ A4D
PO Box 7001
Taft CA 93268
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During his 23+ years of continuous confinement in federal prisons of every security level, Michael Santos has emerged as one of the leading voices on America's prison system and the need for prison reform.Learn more about Michael’s specific efforts, achievements, and contributions.


BOOKS by Michael G. Santos

Inside: Life Behind Bars in America

About Prison

Profiles From Prison

Read letters of support Michael has received from community leaders, professors, students, organizations, and readers.

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