What I Am Doing Today
I left Pelican Bay State Prison in August of 2023. There I helped organize and create the Community Garden program. I had been part of Pelican Bay’s Garden Club since its inception in 2018. The Community Garden, however, grew fruit and vegetables for the prison community and our neighboring outside communities. We grew pumpkins for special education students in Crescent City and Brooking Oregon. We also donated fruit trees to College of the Redwoods.
We were blessed to be able to share with the native elderly nutrition program. The Pelican Bay Community Garden is a Blue Ribbon Garden as it place 1st in several categories at the county fair. The Garden is still flourishing today, as I am on my new adventure.
Today I am a fully trained Brailler Repair Technician for the non-profit Volunteers of Vacaville here at the California Medical Facility. Also I volunteer 3 hours a day to train dogs. I am a service dog trainer for Paws for Life K9 Rescue; I am also the Health and Wellness Manager for the program. I make sure the dogs get medications they need. I am responsible in maintaining their weight and physical health. These dogs and program have changed my life for the better. I love who I have become today. I did not discover who I am without a lot of bumps and bruises along the way. On July 14 , 2025 I completed a 7 month Life Skills course offered by the Amity foundation- an extensive program which covers Motivation, Anger Management, Victims Impact, Criminal Thinking and Parenting. I go to Alcoholics Anonymous weekly and I write to my sponsor periodically. None of this would have been possible without getting my education, taking many self-help courses over the past 7 or 8 years. August 14* I will begin America Sign Language to complete the courses need to begin earning a Bachelor’s degree.
Thinking for change and no longer living in the past, along with forgiveness and empathy made my life what it is today.
— Michael Duncan