I grew up in an environment that did not hold the guidance or resources any child needs to possibly have a positive turnout. The resources that were available to the Watts community during the 70's and 80's were limited and not easy to come by. My mentality was not to suffer. Things got too rough and I dropped out of high school to work full time but I was not making enough to care for a family. So I started to sell drugs to take care of my family.

Living with a life sentence means I can’t even shower freely. I can’t have an at-will conversation with my kids, and our calls are limited to 15 minutes. Nothing is free in prison except for suffering. A 15-minute call to my family costs $10.

Back in 2008, I was in an Arizona federal prison. There was a race riot and I was called on by the Warden and lieutenant to diffuse the situation. I was called upon because I had a neutral rapport with both races and eventually the staff was able to open the yards back up and normal formation of the prison concluded. I believe that incident defines me more than being a former drug dealer. I am proud of who I am today.

I have completed many programs within the prison such as health classes, diabetes classes, financial classes, spiritual classes and self-esteem building courses. I continue with programming throughout my life sentence, even though there are no external incentives such as a release date. My reason is to help maintain my sanity behind these walls.

At moments, my mind plays tricks on me and I question: Why I am programming when I will never come home? I have a life sentence. But then hope returns to me when a new inmate comes to prison with a 10 or 20 year sentence. I know I have to maintain my sanity to positively impact the prisoners who will get out one day. Their success is my contribution to society.