How Not To Pick Friends In Prison

When I was first came down, I flailed around and stuck out. I was white, thin, and ink free. I wanted to belong so I didn't exercise too much judgment in whom I hung around. The first dude to approach me asked if I wanted to play spades. I jumped at the chance. I wanted … Continue reading How Not To Pick Friends In Prison →

Shark Tank Pitch

Sometimes, I get million dollar business ideas just from watching TV. (I can't turn this brain off.) The movie "No Hard Feelings" served as inspiration. The story revolves around a ne'er-do-well, 30 something Jennifer Lawrence, who is hired by an ultra wealthy couple to seduce their geeky, awkward son and take his virginity before he … Continue reading Shark Tank Pitch →

“Freedom Prison Writers”

I'm teaching a creative writing class. Well, I've been helping out for 8 months, but this is the first time I'm the primary facilitator. The class includes very diverse demographic groups, of varying abilities. It's been a learning experience for myself as much as for them. I'm not always the most extroverted person, but I … Continue reading “Freedom Prison Writers” →

“Undercover Chomo“

Drew was going home in the morning, so my cubie and I compared notes. Drew told me the parole board had recommended drug rehab at Kpep as part of his parole conditions, because he had let slip that the parents of his girlfriend drank alcohol, and he was paroling to their house. Drew had often … Continue reading “Undercover Chomo“ →

Dishonorable Thieves

I've been in a quasi-honor unit for 18 months. It's insulated from a lot of the bullshit that constitutes life in the joint, like rampant theft, deuce head episodes, gang phones. Here, guys take college classes, learn a trade, train a dog--anything to use their time constructively. Of course, there's always a subset of knuckleheads … Continue reading Dishonorable Thieves →