I didn’t wake up that morning thinking that I was going to hurt someone, and to be honest with you I wasn’t trying to be a criminal. It was just some of the most unfortunate circumstances you could ever imagine, and here I am. I’ve been locked up for almost 20 years now and I don’t know if I’ll ever be free again. It’s so easy to get here, but it’s hard to leave. Whatever issues you’re going through, get help. If you don’t know where to turn for that help, ask someone for advice. People have been there and done it. You’re not alone. Your life matters and if you’re just pissing it away with stupid, selfish behavior you’re only letting yourself down and hurting those around you. Prison is not the place you want to be as this isn’t living! Its being stuck in a box and surrounded by thousands of pissed off men who couldn’t care less about your problems. Trust me, I came here young and I know the games. They’ll drive you absolutely crazy man. Try to change your behavior, do things differently, think differently, give others your respect and go about your day acting in a dignified way that warrants that same respect returned to you. You’re young and you still have time to turn things around, and people will help you, but 99% of the effort needed to change and improve your life has to come from you. What are you going to do? Keep your head up man!

James