Prison Journal: Day 8,069
September 12, 2009
On Sunday, 6 September, the New York Times published an op-ed by Kenneth E. Hartman. He’s a California prisoner who serves a life sentence in a maximum-security prison. He’s also an excellent writer, and the author of a forthcoming book entitled Mother California: A Story of Redemption Behind Bars.
Mr. Hartman’s article describes how the recession influences life in prison. He tells of fewer packages from home, smaller food portions, and broken air conditioners that remain broken. I admire him for his success in securing a publishing agreement, and for his accomplishment of publishing an op-ed in one of the world’s most influential newspapers. I’m curious as to how this exposure will influence his book sales.
I’ve noticed recent press clippings on two other prison authors who have books out. One author, whose last name is Betts, I think, went to prison for a carjacking conviction when he was 16. He served seven or eight years, educated himself, and wrote a memoir about his experiences. I also read a small review announcing another prisoner who wrote a memoir while awaiting execution on death row somewhere. I suppose in a country of 2.3 million prisoners, it’s inevitable that some authors will emerge to memorialize this experience through the written word.
This coming week I expect to finish a first draft of Earning Freedom, my own memoir. This morning I made more progress on chapter twelve, and wrote through page 555. I still expect to finish the manuscript at around 575 pages. I ran 10 miles this morning, boosting my consecutive tally to 2,430 miles over the past 274 days.
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Prison Journal: Day 7,924
April 20, 2009
After spending the past two weeks writing feversihly to prepare chapters for books that will not reach bookstores shelves for years to come, I felt pleased to wake this morning at 3:05 with a free schedule. I resumed writing to expand my presence in the blogosphere. Connecting through blogs is an essential component of my prison adjustment, as I feel certain that the wider I build my network of support, the more opportunities I will have to voercome the struggles that await my release.
Early this morning I wrote several blogs to catch up with my prison journal, then I wrote an article describing my friend the prison author Joe “Black” Reddick. My next writing project was the first of a new weekly commitment I have made.
Readers who follow my work may also have a familiarity with the national forum at Prison Talk Online. According to my understanding, Prison Talk has 175,000 registered users. The founder of Prison Talk is a former prisoner and he has built this magnificent forum to help prison families communicate with and support each other. I am so pleased to have received an invitation to contribute content to the PrisonTalk family.
This morning I wrote an introductory article for PrisonTalk readers. Then I wrote a lengthy letter to the founder to explain my prison adjustment strategy and the steps I am taking to prepare for my successful release. I am hoping to collaborate with him on future projects.
I ran 10 miles in magnificent weather. This brought my tally to 1,139 miles over the past 129 days. The heat was too intense after I finished, so I skipped my strength training. Tomorrow I’ll bring some liquid to hydrate myself after my run.
In the afternoon I helped another prisoner with an assignement he has due for an English class, and I spent some time reading Professor Joan Petersilia’s book When Prisoners Come Home. She generously sent me a copy and I’ve enjoyed reading these chapters that make a compelling case for prison reform.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Prison Journal: Day 7,883
March 10, 2009
Ten years ago, when I was confined inside the fences of Ft. Dix, New Jersey, I had a friend named Joe Black. Joe’s real name is Joe Reddick, but everyone in the prison knew him as Joe Black. He was several years younger than me, and we had grown up in different types of environments. Whereas I had been reared in the relative affluence of a North Seattle suburb, Joe had grown up in the tough community of Harlem, New York.
Joe was well known within the prison system as a star on the basketball court. He was also a gifted storyteller. As I do with many prisoners, I urged Joe to begin writing. Through writing, those of us in prison could work toward developing better communication skills. Those skills would translate into better opportunities for employment upon release.
At the time, I was writing nonfiction. I had finished my first-book, About Prison and my second book, Profiles From Prison. Publishers had brought those prison books to market for academic audiences. Joe did not write for the university. He wrote novels that described the tough life of growing up in the inner city. His stories were part of the urban genre that told of drug dealing, fighting, and murder.
My wife was by then working with me to publish a third book. We were producing that project for people who might be searching for guidance to help them through the criminal justice system. Carole developed skills in working with printers and typesetting; she formed a publishing company that produced and distributed my third book. That project motivated Joe to produce a book of his own, and Carole helped Joe bring Street Team to market.
Producing a book from within the confines of a federal prison helped prison authors. The sustained effort and coordinating required focus, though it helped prisoners feel as if they were living lives of meaning, as if the men were contributing to the world. Writing has helped my adjustment, and today I learned of how much Joe’s writing is helping his life.
After serving more than 13 years, Joe was released from prison in 2008. A reporter for The New York Times is writing a lengthy article about Joe’s journey through prison and about his experiences as a prison author. I know this because the reporter spoke with my wife today about Joe. The reporter was gathering information for his story. This project will expose Joe’s work to millions of people. I feel a sense of pride in the small role I played in helping him become a successful prison author.
With a commitment to continue my own writing, I began my work this morning at 2:30. By 7:30 I had finished writing five blog articles. Then I ran 10 miles, lifting my total to 805 miles over the past 88 days. I followed the run with 300 pushups in the afternoon I finished my first article for change.org. Then I began proofreading another manuscript I worked on as a ghost writer. Today was productive.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
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