“I don’t know much about Mr. Lincoln. But I have heard he came from poverty, studied and became a lawyer, a believer in God, and he made a decision that kicked started the freeing of the slaves. He made a decision that helped change the injustice that was going on in that time and can still go on in different forms that can seem subtle.

What was behind the injustice at the time? Was it fear of the unknown, did it manifest into greed mixed with pride in believing that one race was better than the other to justify the harm towards human life? Is this an issue today? Like being tough on crime, giving a juvenile a life sentence. Is change possible? Can a criminal find his humanity again? Or am I looked at as just a prisoner who deserves the rest of his life in prison?

Now, I don’t disagree with my incarceration. I needed the time and resources to understand the harm I have caused which has made me live a life of amends. However, I just want to point out that there are a lot of excuses that are made to continue keeping men incarcerated who have changed their life and can be more of an asset to society.

I am witnessing the change behind these walls. In my first years of incarceration there was overpopulation. A life sentence was a normal sentence it seemed. Being tough on crime was helping flood the system with lifers and there was no hope. It did not stop criminals or make the streets safer.

Today I have seen countless lifer’s change. I have seen countless lifers have hope and go home and contribute to society. There are people who believe in change and are taking time to help us rehabilitate ourselves, people who believe in us and I thank God for their compassion. I would like to leave you with one more question. If I was your neighbor, would you want me to be a changed man who is a productive member of society, or someone who is still stuck in the old negative lifestyle?

Like Mr. Lincoln, make a decision that will help change the injustice and help in rehabilitation.”