“Anyone can change. As an incarcerated individual I want people to believe me and give me the benefit of the doubt when I say that I have changed. However, I also acknowledge that my change must be demonstrated with action. I have been incarcerated since I was 16 years old. I was in my junior year of high school when I committed a selfish crime that resulted in the death of someone’s loved one, a wound that time or time served can never heal. With the help and encouragement of my family and many members of the Christian church, I dedicated myself to rehabilitation, reformation, and renewal of both my mind and heart.

Early in my sentence I would tell people of the changes I was experiencing in my life and they would shirk it off because they could only read or hear the words I was speaking; there was no evidence of action on my part. However, over the last sixteen years, through rigorous study and discipline, I have acquired my GED, a one-year diploma in Computer Information Systems, a two-year diploma of arts in Biblical Studies, a bachelor’s degree in Theology through The International Christian College and Seminary, a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry with minor in Counseling and Psychology through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, I have also completed Anger Management, Thinking for a Change, Walking the Twelve Steps with Jesus Christ, Carpentry I, Electrical Wiring I, Textiles I, Reupholstry, Veterinary Technology, Industrial Sewing, and I have been a dog trainer with New Leash on Life Program. Now, I currently serve as North Carolina Field Minister at Foothills Correctional Institution in North Carolina. Without taking the necessary steps to acquire the education that helped facilitate my change, I never would have actually changed, nor would anyone truly be able to see that I’ve changed.

My hope and prayer is that we as individuals and as a nation will see true change come through our government. Justice, honor, integrity, and freedom are mere ideas unless they are tethered down by real action. Our modern American justice system is broken. Retributive or punitive punishments overrules the idea of restorative justice. In other words, prison is a place meant only to punish rather than truly offer and facilitate rehabilitation.

I chose to do this piece of our President, Joe Biden, because he reminds me of many modern prisoners. Much like how ex-con’s records haunts them as they try to move forward in society after their release from prison, I can only suspect that some of the decisions and comments Mr. Biden has produced some struggle for him as well. President Biden has played an integral role in shaping our modern justice system through various bills over the years. He now has the power to undo some of those mistakes. I believe the president has had a true change of heart and that prison reform is on his mind. I believe I can speak for literally millions of prisoners and their family when I say, “now is the time for action.” Anyone can change.