by BS, Sacramento Five years ago, I was twelve and I lived in a group home in San Rafael. The group home was called St. Vincent School for Boys. It was a level fourteen at the time, and there were five different houses next to each other. They had a basketball court outside, down the hill. It had four different hoops. I used to play basketball all day, even if it was raining. They also had a track field with an oval shape grass area in the middle. They also had a horse program, and I had a job, and
Continue ReadingGrowing Up
by Harry Goodall Jr., San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, CA For me growing up was hard because I felt I knew everything that life had to offer at the age of sixteen. Why would anyone want to stay young? At the age of sixteen, I obtained a fake ID (identification) saying I was 21 years old. Being an adult was a very hard act, one that was worthy of an academy award. The idea of growing up can be a hard decision for most of us. Struggling with personal ignorance was a hard thing to let go. Some of
Continue ReadingMetamorphosis of the Mind, Prison Education Programs
by Shon Pernice, Moberly Correctional Center in Moberly, MO “Education has for its object the formation of character”- Herbert Spencer 1820-1903 The American prison system is a place that is filled with many dark voices. When you have failed in society, how does one rebuild their sense of self-worth? A day in prison is so rigidly controlled, structured, and dictated that a prisoner loses the ability to make decisions for themselves. A prisoner does what he or she is told (if they know what is good for them) which is not conducive to the development of strong critical thinking skills.
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Volume 27.35/36
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 27.35/36
Happy 26th anniversary to The Beat Within! It is a blessing to say that we have been going strong for this long! Who would have ever imagined The Beat Within would be touching so many lives? The power of our program speaks volumes as we continue to stay true to our mission to provide incarcerated youth (and adults) with consistent opportunities to share their ideas and life experiences in a safe space that encourages literacy, self-expression, some critical thinking skills, and healthy, supportive relationships with adults and their community. Outside of the juvenile justice system, The Beat Within partners with
Continue ReadingSaying Sorry to Mom
by SP, San Mateo The last time I said sorry to my mom was last Sunday. I felt I had to sorry because she was mad at me because I felt it was right in the situation and I always just say sorry. I always feel bad and sorry for making my mom’s life harder, even though she goes through so much without me stressing her out more and causing her pain. There have been times when I said sorry but didn’t mean it. I only said it to please my mom and try to make her happy, instead of
Continue ReadingThe Way of Life
by Chasing, Miles City, Montana I’m chasing my dreamsI’m chasing my goalsI’m chasing my heartI’m chasing my soulI walk beside youAnd ponder my fearsThis life isn’t overBut the end is still nearI’m in the darknessBut I see the lightMy soul is fragileBut it’s shining brightAnd when it’s morningI think it’s nightThis is the systemThe way of life.
Continue ReadingThe American Dream and Success
by Curry, San Francisco For me, the American dream is being from another country or having roots from a different country and being in America and becoming successful. Success can have plenty of different definitions for different people. In my eyes, the success is coming here for a new start and prospering in life by obtaining a good job that you are content with that gives you the opportunity to take care of yourself and your family, and give you the freedom to do what you want in life. For my family, fortunately they were able to experience that “American
Continue ReadingHow I Need To Prepare
by JS, Sacramento For me personally, it’s challenging for me to prepare for something because I don’t really prepare. I just do whatever it is when the time comes for me to do that thing. Something that I am preparing for is me to do a little bit of time and really focus on what I got planned for when I get home, and how I will turn my life around. The steps I will need to take to be a very successful person after my incarceration is first – I want to finish college and get my degree in
Continue ReadingTo Wish For Freedom
by Osbun Walton, San Quentin State Prison, CA In truth, from the time of my arrest, when I was handcuffed, it was in that moment I wished for freedom. And in my conviction, my sentencing, was not a hope nor prayer for me to wish for freedom but I did. Physically, for 28 years I am enslaved behind prison concrete high walls, with gun towers, to secure my physical body within the bounds of incarceration for a time more than my life could endure. Small cages, I and other prisoners are assigned to our unit for an animal captured or
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