Yesterday I went into the Correctional Treatment Facility (C.T.F.) to meet with the women incarcerated there who are preparing for reentry. I met with about 30 women in two housing units to share information with them about the reentry support services available to them upon their release. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Life for Women in Prison
Incarcerated Women’s Mental Health Challenges
Prior to my incarceration, I had little or no knowledge about mental health conditions that adversely impact women, such as Bulimia, Anorexia, and Cutting. To be honest, I learned what little I did know from various television and talk shows. There was a myth that only Caucasian women were confronted with such ills. Admittedly, some cultures are less likely to accept the need for mental health treatment. For many people, seeking a therapist is a sure sign of inadequacy. They pride themselves on being “strong” and they shun “weakness,” but in order to become a whole and healthy person, sometimes these attitudes need to be overhauled. Continue reading
Work Hard and Play Hard After Prison
I’ve been home for less than three years and I’m blessed and grateful to say I have had a wide range of experiences during that time. There’s a popular saying these days, “Work hard, play hard.” I’ve been living that life. Continue reading
Resiliency after Incarceration – I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me!
I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. Man, I’ve been through some things in life. Hasn’t everyone? They say that most of the women in prison are victims of sexual, mental and physical abuse… traumatized. So many women fit that profile. Continue reading
Friendships from Around the World in Prison
When I became incarcerated I had limited involvement with people outside of my race. I had such a narrow perspective of the world that it never crossed my mind that there were communities beyond the limits of my environment. I never had the opportunity to travel, visit other states, or see the world. Continue reading
Free Her Rally – June 21, 2014
Last weekend I was charged with being the M.C. of the Free Her rally. This rally was organized by Andrea James of Boston Massachusetts in an effort to raise awareness around women and the criminal justice system. Continue reading
Reentry and Learning to Live Again after Serving Over Four Decades in Prison
I’ve been working with a client who has spent 42 years in prison. When he comes into my office everything ceases. I am committed to giving him my undivided attention. We spend time talking, teaching and connecting to resources. Continue reading
Violence, Crime and Self-Esteem
I’m so grateful that God does not waste time when it’s time for me to learn what I need to learn. The very day I arrived to the transitional house after being released from incarceration the women of the house were engrossed in a self-esteem class. Before unpacking my bags I decided to sit in on the class. They were talking about the messages we hear and how they affect our self-esteem. I spoke in the class about how I heard such great things about the group from Continue reading
Taken From Me
Answered by a friend who prefers to remain anonymous.
Q: When you went to prison you were 23 years old and pregnant with your daughter. Can you tell us about your experience giving birth while incarcerated and sending your daughter home? Continue reading
I’m Not Who I Use To Be
On Christmas Day I had the opportunity to see one of my sisters for the first time in over two decades. She lives three hours away from where I am based in Washington, DC. I never saw her while I was incarcerated, and even though I was released in 2011, she was not able to come to see me until now. When she walked into my mom’s house, I screamed, hugged her and asked jokingly, “Where have you been all my life?” She replied Continue reading