I am an incarcerated citizen in my 28th year of an LWOP sentence, but there is much more to my story than just a mandatory minimum prison sentence. I grew up in a home where violence, threats, and intimidation were common forms of communication. My community was marred by violence, rampant substance abuse, and economic insecurity. In response to these adverse environmental conditions, I adopted a warped belief system where I believed being violent was a way to ensure my own safety, and acquiring money by any means was an acceptable shortcut to respect and self-esteem. These false narratives fueled many years of criminal behaviour.
Thankfully, my story doesn’t end there. I came to prison as an impulsive, angry young man; but due to the intervention of some dedicated mentors, I have grown into a mature, focused, positive man. Today, I live a life of service, mentoring, and living amends. I am a Masters student earning a degree in Abolition and Liberation Studies, a certified domestic violence specialist, an alcohol & drug specialist, and I work as a peer support specialist. I have written several prevention and intervention workshops for community-based organizations who serve marginalized youth populations.
My work inside includes representing FUEL for MCSP E yard, conducting board prep and psycho-education workshops, and generally seeking to raise class consciousness for all marginalized people. My personal mission is to build solidarity and allyship among all who are interested in the fight for justice, equality, and true democracy.