Yesterday, on Thursday, July 9th at 7:00pm, I participated in a special program with a local radio and television station, WHUR, HUR-Voices, and WHUT-TV. We had a thought provoking conversation about how to combat youth violence. The panel discussion entitled, ‘Not One More’ provided me with an opportunity to share my personal experiences as a rebellious youth who committed some very serious violent crimes at the age of 19. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Life After Prison
The Stigma of Prison, from the Gavel to the Grave
I went to Hawaii for vacation last week. That place is everything I dreamed it would be. I loved the blue water and the Aloha spirit that emanated all round me, but something upsetting happened there I wanted to share with you. I have served my time and completed my parole stipulations, yet I am still threatened by the sting of stigma, and this followed me to Hawaii. Continue reading
Family Reunification after Incarceration
Some people say that when you are incarcerated you have to learn to live inside the prison walls and leave the outside world on the outside. The funny thing is that life on the outside goes on without you and you find yourself grasping for a glimpse of it. Continue reading
My Brother Was Robbed and I Started Questioning Everything
When I was preparing to be released from incarceration I decided to relocate. Rather than return to the District of Columbia where I was born and raised, I made plans to go to Richmond, Virginia to live with my daughter. There’s a saying, “If you want to get a good laugh tell God your plans.” My relocation was denied by the authorities. Continue reading
Parenting after Incarceration
After being away from my children for 18 years I came home anxious to rebuild my relationship with them. Over the years when I was in prison my children visited me annually. I wrote them constantly and spoke to them on the telephone infrequently. Visits and phone calls were just too costly. Continue reading
Post-Incarceration: Part of Freedom is Pushing Yourself in New Directions
Early this morning as I sat at my dining room table drinking my coffee, trying to prepare myself for the day ahead, I found myself reflecting on my days in prison. It’s been almost three years and I still feel like I’m in the initial stages of reentry. I’m looking forward to the day when this will all feel normal: waking up in the free world with a ton of choices to make and no longer being affected by my distant past in prison. Continue reading
Building Alliances After Prison and the Desire for Normalcy
I was speaking recently with a former inmate who expressed to me that up until recently he had trouble being around people. I had a moment of gratitude because for me being around people came easily when I was released. Maybe it’s because I have always been a people person. Continue reading
How City Revitalization Impacts Returning Citizens After Prison
Would you believe it if I told you I’m still trying to find my way around the city where I was born and raised, even though I was released two and a half years ago? Continue reading
Staying Sane With Exercise After Prison
When I was incarcerated I had moments when I was overwhelmed with anxiety, and despair. I went to prison when I was 19 years old. I was released 18 years later. Growing up in prison I had moments when I use to think my turmoil would never end. Continue reading
Loving Freedom after A Life Behind Bars
I was talking to a friend of mine about the rate of recidivism among men in the District of Columbia. According to him, at least three men get sent back to prison from the halfway house every week. Continue reading