In writing Earning Freedom, this memoir of a journey through prison that has lasted 22 years so far, it is important to tell my wife, Carole, how much I love her. The reason telling her I love her is crucial is because I’m writing this story chronologically, as I lived it. That means I’m writing [...]
I woke early this morning, at 1:30 am, and an enthusiasm ran through me to resume my work. I’m approaching the final pages of chapter four, and it’s exciting for me to bring this section to completion. By 6:00, I wrote through page 180 of the manuscript. With Friday being a visiting day, I ran [...]
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been reading a few pages from a memoir before I fall asleep each night. The book title is An American in the Gulag, by Alexander Dolgun. I’ll write a book report when I finish, but I’m about at the halfway point and I want to recommend it to [...]
Today is Father’s Day, and I know that many prisoners feel sad because they’re separated from family. David, the prisoner with whom I share a cubicle at Taft Prison Camp, told me that these holidays make him long for his wife and children. He is only 29, and visits with his family once or twice [...]
Every day, just before I leave the room where I write, I watch the staff members who are finishing their shifts. They walk toward the parking lot and from the window I can see as they open their vehicle’s doors and disappear into pickups, SUVS, and compacts. I wonder how far they must drive to [...]
My wife is moving today. I’ve tried to count, but I don’t know for sure how many times my wife has moved during the many years she has devoted her life to me. I know that moving can induce stress, though Carole accepts the challenge without much complaint. She stays true to our plan, which [...]
Today is Memorial Day, and I feel rejuvenated because Carole drove over to spend the day holding my hand. I feel so blessed to have Carole’s love, and every minute I share with her in a visit liberates me from confinement. Prior to the tough-on-crime policies that really took hold during the Reagan years, I [...]
I had a difficult time sleeping last night. That is not a problem I have too often. My visit with Carole went really well yesterday, though the news she shared about support I was receiving from people in the world really influenced my equanimity. I don’t know how long this is going to last. After [...]
After 28 days without a visit, I felt wonderful when I was able to hold Carole in my arms today. The last time I saw her before today was on her birthday, April 17. We had agreed to suspend our visits for a while in order to allow her to work some extra shifts. The [...]
The Taft Prison Camp is playing three very good movies this weekend. I will not be watching any, as I must keep my routine of sleeping early and waking early in order to meet my writing goals. I really want to finish the draft of this chapter I’m working on, and that requires sacrifice. I’ll [...]
