It’s been really nice outside here lately and that always coincides with missing freedom the most. BBQ’ing, going to the river, concerts, all that fun stuff. It’s a bummer not being able to do what you want. When I get visits they’re limited…it makes me sad not being able to do more things with my wife and daughter. My daughter was only 2 months old when I came here and it’s not fair to her that dad’s not there everyday. I know she needs me and I hope those of you who are parents are thinking about how important being there with them really is. Everyday my family and I suffer from the choices I made years ago. One choice…years and years of consequences. Everyday is one where I wake up in punishment. I have no friends here. My real life is beyond these walls with my wife and child. Not in here with these knuckleheads. None of you want this type of life; even animals hate to be caged…

What are you doing to make sure that unlike us, you avoid setting yourself up for years and years of pain and regret? Prison isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a constant reminder that we’re constant failures at the most basic of rules. Every time I see my daughter I’m reminded that I failed her by putting myself here. Why? Because I only cared about myself and my addiction and how I felt. Selfish right? It’s true. It’s hard for me to do my time…I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it is for James, Travis, Kyle, and a few of the other guys who write who don’t know if they’ll ever get to go home. The point in this? Avoid this place. Avoid the behaviors and poor choices that lead to the front door of this place. Make good choices, set realistic goals for yourselves, be successful and enjoy life! Break free from the cycle of drugs and shady company. Misery loves company. Drinkers want drinkers around them. Drug users want fellow users around them. Successful people want successful people around them. Be the latter!

Bobby J.