I’ve never left prison custody since my initial arrest in 1987. During that time my grandfather and my father passed away, and I’ve lost some mentors of mine to death as well. The length of my sentence precluded the possibility of my being allowed to attend the funerals, and the length of my imprisonment has [...]
I read an article today about a man who stands trial in a New York criminal court for all types of corruption. The man once led a thriving company that provided body armor for law enforcement and the military. He now is locked inside a federal holding cell while he awaits the outcome of his [...]
It’s easy for a man to say he’s going to change his life in positive ways upon imprisonment. Really changing, though, is something else. Positive change does not happen by accident. It is a personal choice that requires the right attitude, commitment, and discipline. Anicasio Muñoz (who goes by Nick), didn’t begin his term with the intention of changing [...]
Guards took Art to the hole (SHU) today. They caught him cutting in line in the chow hall. I was surprised to hear that Art would be so foolish; he’s been at Taft Camp for longer than two years and, frankly, should have known better. I expect that he will serve between two and three [...]
The keys to a successful prison adjustment are within each of us. I recently read a Bible verse from the book of Romans that offered wisdom any prisoner could draw strength from: Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4). I am not one to preach from the Bible, but in reading [...]
Prison administrators dropped my security level to minimum in 2003 and transferred me to various prison camps for the last decade of my imprisonment. Since then, I’ve met many prisoners who once held positions of influence, enjoyed great wealth, and fancied themselves portraits of success. Circumstances changed for them as troubles, and the criminal justice [...]
Last night the prison showed Invictus, a film starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. I would have liked to watch it, but I made a commitment long ago to avoid watching television viewing after 5:00 in the afternoon, and the movie was being shown at 7:00 p.m. I rarely watch television during the mornings or [...]
One of my objectives in posting this daily journal is to provide a resource where readers can learn that, despite a prison term, a man can always adjust in ways that lead to fulfillment. Success is not permanent and failure is not fatal. Life is a journey, and meeting the struggle with dignity is a [...]
A snapshot graph from page B1 in today’s edition of USA Today asked the following question: What is the one thing you can’t live without? The top-rated response, at 41 percent, was having intimate relations—no one wants to live without sex. In my studies of different prison systems around the United States, I’ve learned of [...]
Jonathan, a prisoner who serves time with me here at Taft Camp, introduced me to Tom, a new prisoner who self-surrendered last week. When Jonathan made the introduction, he told Tom, “You don’t want to complain to Michael about the length of your sentence.” I corrected Jonathan, telling Tom that despite the inordinate amount of [...]
