Explore my journey through incarceration with a unique collection of daily journals and in-depth book reports. Each entry offers a raw, personal perspective, transforming moments of confinement into reflections of growth and resilience.
Thanksgiving week. One of the biggest holidays of the year—and I spent it locked up. It sucked, but I’ll use it as an opportunity to share what celebrating one of America’s favorite holidays looks like from behind bars. When we got to the chow hall at 11 a.m.,...
Another beautiful day here in Cumberland, Maryland. The sun is shining, the temperature is around 57 degrees, and for a moment it almost makes me forget I’m in prison. As I get closer to “the door” (as we say in here), I’ve noticed my counting habits getting more...
Another exciting week here at Cumberland Prison Camp. First, some context — I’ve mentioned before that our mattresses are terrible. We sleep on a steel slab with about two inches of foam they call a “mattress.” It’s rough. So, being resourceful inmates, we find ways...
It’s officially November—and that means I go home next month. It feels great to finally say that. The past few weeks dragged by after all the back-and-forth with my date getting changed. Now that it’s settled again, I’m getting my head right and focused on finishing...
I just finished reading Crucial Conversations, and even though it’s a short book, it packs in a lot of helpful ideas. The main focus is learning how to communicate clearly and respectfully during high-stress or emotional situations—whether it’s with employees, family,...
This week brought a mix of frustration and relief. I finally got the official word about my new release date — December 17th — eight days later than planned. It might not sound like much, but eight extra days in prison feels like forever. I was angry and pretty down...
This week brought some really disappointing news. It looks like my release date is being pushed back — possibly past Christmas. Nothing’s official yet, but everything’s up in the air, and I’ve been angry and frustrated all week. It’s a long and complicated story, but...
I just finished reading The Catcher in the Rye, and it was definitely an interesting experience. Unlike most novels, it doesn’t really have a traditional climax or story arc. Instead, it feels like being inside the mind of Holden Caulfield, a young man trying to deal...
Well, I finally did it — I completed one of the hardest goals I set for myself in prison: I ran a half-marathon.13.1 miles… actually, 13.2 for good measure. Before I came here, the farthest I had ever run was about 4.5 miles — and honestly, I never wanted to go...
I read the Sparks and Oaks version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, which includes both the original Shakespearean English and a modern English translation side by side. Having both versions made it much easier to follow, and it was a fast, entertaining read....