4 WISE MEN

Don't get "STUCK" being in prison is getting STUCK. It's like quicksand. STUCK. I've been stuck for over 9490 days, that's 26 years in on a life sentence. STUCK! Standing still, STUCK. And if you come here you'll be STUCK too. But your girl will move on to the next street figure wit drip. She will move on. Your bros will move on. You will stand still, STUCK, frozen in time and the world keeps spinning & moving. Moms will move on. Sisters move on. Kids & friends grow up & move on. Styles change & move on, new drip, new whips, bikes & trucks, but dudes in prison remain STUCK. This ain’t for you. Stay free. Don't play FREEZE TAG with the police, with the courts, with youth homes, with placement centers, parole & probation officers. Because if they TAG YOU WITH A CRIMINAL CASE, you"ll be STUCK in here locked down forever. No guns & video games. No money, Air Jordans & Designer Jeans. Life is over. Don't get STUCK. S...

As I reflect on the day I entered prison. The reality of being sentenced to death hit me immediately. I surveyed the surroundings and realized this would be my exisitence until death calls me. I begun thinking, am I this awful to have my life taken from me. Then in an instant I begun thinking of the young man's life whom I was convicted for. Was his life worthy, did he deserved to die, did his family deserved to have their lives turned upside down to be broken and hurt from losing their loved one. His parents didn't give birth to him for his life to be taken from him over something senseless and selfish. His entire family and community was rocked because of this tragedy. Most men in prison focus on the sentence they were issued. We think about how much we miss our families, lifestyles or what decisions we should have made prior to committing our crimes. We don't think about how many lives we destroyed. We're thinking about how we can get out of prison by seeking relief ...

  My name is Terico Allen, I'm 52 years of age. I been incarcerated since the age of 18 for the shooting and killing of another young man. Prior to my arrest I was a misguided young man who had no aspirations to be anything that would make me a productive citizen. My criminal life begun at the age of 12 by way of being arrested for selling drugs (heroin & marijuana). I sold drugs because my mother struggled to take care of me and my five siblings. General assistance wasn't enough to take care of six hungry children. That was a great weight on my mother. So that is why I would sneak and sell drugs. I dropped out of school during the 10th grade. I performed poorly in school due to my lack of interest in learning. I became bored with school. I was a functioning illiterate. Prison is where I discovered that I had more to offer myself and those who I had affected with my wayward behavior. My journey in prison wasn't always positive because I served a period where I gotten in...

  I am Shawn Harris, a 51 year old parent, husband, educator, activist and innocent prisoner. I am approaching my twenty sixth year of incarceration and twentieth year of institutional major misconduct free behavior. Before my incarceration, stemming from a wrongful conviction, I was a singer, songwriter, and music producer from Detroit, Michigan USA. My largest musical accomplishment/musical recording is a song entitled "Soulful Moaning." This particular song was sampled, remade by and featured on DEF JAM/ROC NATION recording artist Big Sean's "Detroit 2" album. The new composition was entitled "Body Language." During my incarceration I have accomplished the following: Received my GED Served four (4) years as an institutional school GED tutor Served five (5) terms as a housing unit prisoner representative Participated in/co-facilitated a youth deterrent program involving civilian at risk students, their parents and teachers from Marlotte alternative h...

  Demel x. Dukes is a 43yr. old father, brother, son, nephew, and friend. He was convicted as an aider and abettor of felony murder, and sentenced to life without parole. He was found not guilty of having a gun and was not the actual shooter. Since his incarceration(over two decades) he has created and facilitated several self help classes. He has also helped several men obtain their freedom and is a ardent advocate for sentencing reform and the overall Reformation of people who are more than the worst things they have ever done. please take notice of his certificates and accomplishments as they serve as a testament of his COMPAS score's wherein they show a low probability of violence and a unlikelyhood of reoffending. There is nothing more sobering than a death sentence that is not justified, Demel is worthy of redemption and deserves a chance as a adult in society. Certificate of completion "Compassion and Empathy" course 2018 Certificate of completion "Personal en...

  My name is Carlos King and I am a 49 year old man who has spent the last 30 years in prison for two counts of Armed Robbery and Felony Firearm. I am deeply remorseful for the choices that brought me to prison, and the many irresponsible things I done throughout my youth. My heart goes out to the families that were affected by my crimes and who continue to suffer because of them. I am deeply sorry for the pain that I have brought to their lives and I have a great deal of empathy for their suffering. I was 18 years old at the time of my crimes, but through penitence and transformation, I see the world and myself through an entirely different lens. Before prison, I did not know what empathy and compassion truly meant because for so long in my life, my pain and suffering was the only thing that mattered to me. So it took a great number of years before I actually desired to be better by taking responsibility for my actions, and doing something else with my life besides mischief. When ...

 This ain’t what you want. Do not come here. I know men doing 25 to 50 years for keeping it real. I’m with guys on their 37th year, 21st year locked down in this bitch with 10 to 20 years left to complete. I see men sentenced to die in this hell hole for keeping it real. A young dude shot another guy for beating on his sister. His own sister came to testify against him at trial. He’s locked up and she’s still out there with the guy who was beating her ass. She actually told on her own brother, now he is in here for keeping it real! I got a little cousin who decides to rob a dope dealer with three of his homeboys. They didn’t find the dope or the money and end up killing the dope dealer. Somebody snitched so they all get picked up. Once they’re at the police department, the three homeboys give statements on my cousin, but he remains silent and doesn’t tell on nobody. He was the only one keeping it real. And what’s the prize for keeping it real? He got life in prison. His three homeb...