Prison Journal: Day 8,149
December 1, 2009
My friend Steve was released from Taft Camp yesterday morning. I was in this room writing well before dawn, and I watched through the window as Steve carried his box of belongings from the housing unit toward the camp’s exit. A few days ago another friend, David, also walked out from those same doors. I know that I’ll meet new people in the days, weeks, and months ahead, but I’ll likely pass through this final month of 2009 focusing on my exercise, reading, and planning for the goals I’ll want to achieve in 2010.
2009 was a productive year. I was able to work with my friend Justin Paperny as he wrote a book about his prison experiences, and I wrote the Earning Freedom manuscript that will launch my career upon release. The act that really carried me through the year was my daily run. I made a commitment to run every day, and keeping that commitment enabled me to control a portion of every day. As a prisoner, I’ve strengthened myself by setting goals and measuring progress by working toward them every day.
Another daily habit has been writing these journal entries. Some may find the daily entries tedious, but I think it’s important to document this long journey of confinement. I hope to demonstrate for readers how deliberate adjustment plans can be the mechanism that allows for moving through challenging times. Despite the 8,149 days that I’ve served in prison, and the many friends (like Steve, David, and Justin) who have walked out of prison boundaries after serving a term of confinement, my own goals empower me to continue this long walk to freedom. In time, I know that I’ll walk out, too, and when it’s time for me to return to society, because I’ve prepared, I will emerge successfully.
This morning I ran 10 miles and followed with 300 pushups. Then I wrote letters to friends who’ve become like family to me.
[daily running log: 3,153 miles in 353 days]
Prison Journal: Day 8,145
November 27, 2009
Michael with Carole and David
My friend David was released from Taft Camp this morning. He and his wife, Judy, had become friends with Carole and me during our visits each Friday in the visiting room. We’ll both look forward to seeing Judy and David again when I’m released and I settle in Los Angeles.
While David served a six-month sentence for a tax-related case, he exercised daily, mentored other prisoners, and took a leadership role in organizing worship services for the population of Jewish prisoners. He visited each week with friends who made the trip from as far away as Israel and London to support him, and when those friends saw David during visits, their concerns for his well being eased up as he was always smiling, in good spirits, and grateful for the opportunities his brief stay in prison gave him to contribute to the lives of others.
Michael with David
On Monday morning, my other friend at Taft Camp, Steve Urie, will be released to Northern California. Steve served eight months inside the boundaries of Taft, and he was a great friend and mentor for me here. Steve and his wife Peggy, a writing professor, invested hundreds of hours to help me improve my manuscript. Their daughter, Meg, offered to assist with the development of my web presence.
I’m no longer sad when friends return to their families and communities after a stay in prison. Over the past 22-plus years I’ve enjoyed many friendships that lasted the duration of our time together, but sometimes I’ve been privileged to befriend other prisoners—like Steve and David—who will remain friends with Carole and me over our lifetime. I’m happy for friends when they return to freedom.
With David and Steve’s release, I may advance through 2010 very much alone. That’s okay because I intend to step up my productivity during the year as I accelerate preparations for release. Carole returns to school in January, and that commitment will limit our ability to visit for most of 2010. My writing, reading, and exercise programs will keep me busy.
This morning was a visiting day for Carole and me, so I limited my run to three miles, and followed with 200 pushups.
[consecutive running log: 3,113 miles in 349 days]
Prison Journal: Day 7,947
May 13, 2009
I don’t make too many friends in prison. Throughout the decades I’ve served, I’ve conditioned myself to serve time alone, interacting with no more than one or two of my fellow prisoners on a daily basis. I find more peace in solitude, as it feels disconcerting when friends I make go home. Next week at this time, my friend Justin Paperny will return to his community near Los Angeles.
Justin was a former stockbroker at UBS who served a bit longer than a year at Taft Camp. He pleaded guilty to a single count of securities fraud, and we met soon after he arrived. Justin was assigned to the same housing unit as mine, and we spent a lot of time together. I met his wonderful mother in the visiting room, his father, his brother, and several of his close friends, including Brad Fullmer and Sam Pompeo. The past year advanced quickly, as we created a small community here.
During the time that Justin was here, we ate together most every day, and we worked at the same table in one of the unit’s quiet rooms. I introduced Justin to the therapeutic relief that comes through writing, and I worked with him as he prepared his memoir, Lessons From Prison.
Upon his release, Justin expects to launch a new career as a speaker and consultant. He aspires to help others make better decisions, and I applaud his efforts. I look forward to seeing him again upon my release, though that liberty may not come for three to four more years.
I know that he is enthusiastic for his release, and I feel happy for him. As I move through these final years of my sentence, I expect to serve my time alone, relying only on the written word and visits from my wife to keep my focus. This is the end, the final miles of my marathon, and I cannot afford to take my mind off the task at hand. That requires a total investment of my energy in preparations for release. I’m on it.
This morning I began my work at 2:40. I spent the day working on the proposal for the new book. After several hours, I completed the outline for a 105,000 word manuscript. Now I must work on the proposal itself. I enjoy this work.
I ran at 6:00 AM. With today’s 10 miles, my tally now stands at 1,347 miles over the past 152 consecutive days. I’m running home.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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