“The focus of Women’s Storybook Project of Texas is to maintain the relationship between incarcerated mothers and their children, and to develop a love of reading in those kids. “The project is in 10 women’s prisons throughout the state. I’m part of a group of … Continue readingReading connects incarcerated moms with kids
“My mom and dad had 11 kids. I’m the baby. I’m 38 years old. I’m single. I’m homosexual. And I’m the only one who doesn’t have any kids. Altogether, there are like 65 grandchildren. “I fight a depression sometimes because I feel like I’m missing … Continue reading‘I feel like I’m missing out on parenthood’
“You see where you found me. I’m here at a basketball court, shooting hoops, listening to music. In the past, I probably would have been at a friend’s house, figuring out how I’m going to make my next buck. Or I would have been somewhere … Continue readingFinding a job, while trying to find himself
“Before I went to state jail, I knew that two of these tattoos were affiliated with gangs. The dog paw print is for the Bloods. The star is for Tango Blast. But I was never gang affiliated. That’s never been my M.O. “They told me, … Continue readingGang tattoos lead to jail confrontations
“In my 24 years, I’ve been to state jail twice. The first time, I was 16 or 17. My mother had three other kids to worry about. I started hanging around with the wrong people. Started making some decisions I shouldn’t have made. I ended … Continue readingStaying strong key to surviving in jail
“By the time I was about 25, I started running around with people who did things that were just unheard of when I was growing up. That’s how I got into drugs. Except for the four years when I was bringing my children into the … Continue readingFrom life of drugs to recovery coach
“We got divorced in 1994, and it was like everything hit the fan. Instead of bucking up and doing the right things, I fell off. That’s when I really got into the alcohol, drugs and stuff. I struggled for years, and I went to rehab … Continue readingLife experiences help with homeless, marginalized
“I used to be a pimp. I used to be a drug dealer. I used to be a gangbanger. I used to be a robber; it didn’t matter whether it was banks or other drug dealers. I’m a three-time loser. That’s a slang word. Anybody … Continue reading‘Today, I’m all about wanting to save lives’
“I’m not a violent person. It was just a bad situation that I misinterpreted. My anxiety level was so high it was unreal. I wasn’t sleeping. I had heart palpitations. I felt scared all the time. So when the situation arose I just reacted. It … Continue readingPrison wolves, loneliness life-changing experience
“I was in an open setting for the last 10 to 15 years in prison. It’s like you’re living in a glass house. You do anything, everybody knows about it. There was absolutely no privacy. “That was one of the weirdest things when I got … Continue readingLife after prison includes plenty of adjustments