In 1996 at the age of 18 I was arrested and convicted for 1st degree murder, robbery, and assault on a Peace Officer. I was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) plus an additional 14 years.
Growing up I made a lot of choices that had a negative impact on my life as a young adult. Some of the choices that I made back then had a lot to do with me not knowing how to read and write and all the shame that came with it, I was bullied in school because of the embarrassment that came when a teacher would call on me in class. I had no help at home because there was a lot of physical and emotional abuse at home, I later learned that my parents also had less than a high school education. My parents raised me the same way they were raised, that was all they knew. I had nowhere to turn so I went to the streets where I was accepted by the gang and that lifestyle became my escape and for that acceptance I began doing just as they did, I started hurting others the more I did the more I was accepted and respected.
When I first came to prison I was in such denial, I blamed everyone and everything on my situation, the first few years I had to learn how to fit in, I soon realized this wasn’t what I wanted, to be accepted by the guys in prison that weren’t doing anything to change, I wanted more for my life. The first thing I knew I had to learn how to read and write, I picked up a book and began teaching myself, It took me years to learn these basic skills that every child shall have. However, 22 years later I am proud to say that I earned my G.E.D. in 2013 and went on to earn a AA Degree in Biblical Counseling from Channel Inland Bible College along with a Christian Counseling certification. I am currently working on American Studies, Arts and Humanities, Social & Behavioral Science and an A.S. in Business.
Even though I am serving LWOP in prison I choose to make something of myself, by educating myself and taking the self-help classes I am now able to live my amends by honoring all those I have harmed. My faith in God and the love and support I have received from my family and friends help me to demonstrate that people can change if given the opportunity. Through my rehabilitation and healing I am able to give back to my community. I thank God for Karma Rescue and the Paws for Life rescued dog program here at the prison.
This took a long time for me to get to where I am today, I am able to accept responsibility for my actions and once I did that, I was able to work through my childhood issues with great dialogue reconciliation and forgiveness. I am a better human being.