Easy Trouble is a collection of letters and short stories written by my brother, Brendan, 35, who is currently incarcerated at Central Michigan Correctional Facility. With an instinctive talent for writing, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from the University of Michigan. Through his writing, he express himself with an unfiltered look into his life inside the United States prison system, sharing his story, personal reflections, and daily challenges. An attestment to the persistence of the human spirit. As his brother, I created this blog with him after exchanging many heartfelt messages, reading about his experiences navigating prison culture and adjusting to life behind bars. Here, I share his stories and messages to give insight into his current situation and journey. Readers can connect with him through JPAY. Michigan Department of Corrections Location: Central Michigan Correctional Facility. Inmate ID #511007
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant - Anne TylerThe Bright Book of Life - Harold BloomThe Book of Power - ed. by Mitch HorowitzThe Deep Blue Good-Bye - John D. MacDonaldNightmare in Pink - John D. MacDonald I don't know how it took me so many years to first hear about the Travis McGee series. Written … Continue reading Books I Read This Month (December 2024)
My peer recovery group takes place every Friday night in room 9 of the East School Building. During the week, this room hosts "Thinking For A Change," a parole-board mandated program. Makeshift posters cover the walls. Written in Sharpie, and in all caps, these "Thinking Reports" are testaments of lower-class decision making. Here's an example: … Continue reading jPay Message #701
There's no one to impress but yourself. There's no "not showering because you're depressed." Someone will fight you. Or, at least, excoriate you mercilessly. You're bullied into good hygiene. You're not allowed to publicly wallow. You have to brush your teeth or be ostracized. In my unit, there are a few guys with shitty breath … Continue reading “Looks aren’t everything, but they’re a lot”
was still in there for the 12-2 visits. Not only were we not getting sent out, no visitors were coming in. The whole operation was at a complete standstill. During the ensuing twenty minutes, the inmates waiting for visit became restless. They weren't nearly as patient as the ones before. "Man, where the fuck my … Continue reading “Waiting to visit , Waiting to leave , Waiting all the time time pt.3”
Easy Trouble 