Exactly 35 months ago, I began a 78-month federal prison sentence and that time in custody has now been completed! The almost three-year journey of incarceration took me from Morgantown, to Oklahoma City, to Texarkana, and finally back home. For the next year, I will have to finish my prison…
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Week 151: Long-Awaited Logistics
“How are you planning to leave Texarkana?” asked the staff member. She continued, “By bus, car, or plane?” While I suspected a plane would be my best option, I replied that I really didn’t know what mode of transportation I would be using. The staff member offered to look up…
Week 150: Wishful Indulgences
With less than two weeks left, time has been quickly passing. Earlier this week, I ended the electrician apprenticeship since it was the beginning of a new month, AND I no longer wanted the responsibility of having tools assigned to me. If I were to lose a tool, then I…
Week 149: Proactively Planning Plans
In nearly all the literature for prison preparation, there’s a motto stating that “planning for reentry to the community begins on the first day of a prison sentence.” Throughout my prison journey, I scoffed at this quote since nearly no emphasis is placed on preparing inmates to return to the…
Month 34: It’s Official :)
To commemorate this 34th month of prison, drum roll I was presented with a new date to leave federal prison: October 15, 2025!!! I am speechless with excitement to be transferring from prison back home. While I had been anticipating February 3, 2026 as the date to leave prison, my…
Week 147: A Counterintuitive Reentry/Release Plan
With my sentence reduced by 8 months, my mom asked if I would share my Reentry/Release Plan with her. This request made me chuckle – lemme explain why. She researched the transitory steps from leaving prison to reentry into the community. One of these steps requires an inmate to complete…
Week 146: Preparatory Enterprises
Upon arriving at Texarkana, I noted how impressed I had been with the rehabilitative programming options that are offered. While I was able to secure a spot in the electrician apprenticeship, like Morgantown, I enrolled in an HVAC class, which provides guys with a certificate for being able to purchase…
Week 145: A Reminiscent Labor Day
I couldn’t believe this past week was the 20th anniversary of the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina! In 2005, I actually experienced Hurricane Katrina, the first time it attacked. Celebrating my birthday in Key West, forecasters alerted to the dangers of Katrina heading directly for Key West. In an effort to avoid…
Week 144: Not Just Another School Shooting
I celebrated my third birthday in prison this week, which regrettably corresponded with the tragic school shooting in Minneapolis. For the opening of school year celebration, students and staff at Annunciation Catholic School gathered in the adjoining Church to celebrate Mass. Then, the worst of the worst erupted…gunfire through the…
Month 33: Miraculous Mercy
I’ve been in federal custody for 33 months, and it’s been quite the experience. Last week I received confirmation that my halfway house/home confinement date is February 3, 2026 (less than 6 months away). This news was beyond exciting, and I couldn’t wait to email my family. When I logged…
