by O Dear Juvenile Hall, Thank you for teaching me how To appreciate the little things Being locked up really got me thinking ‘Bout how I take my freedom for granted. You taught me how lonely I would be Without my friends or family. You showed Me how lucky I was to be able to wear My own clothes and eat home-cooked Meals. Thank you for showing me how Lovely my life is. After I’m out of here, I’ll never make the mistake of coming Back again. BELIEVE THAT!
Continue ReadingAuthor: mpau@thebeatwithin.org
VOLUME 23.15/16
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingMy Brief Bio Keys to Change
by Henry Inocencio I am thirty-eight years old. I have been incarcerated almost fifteen years now. I have a sentence of LWOP (life without parole) plus twenty- five to life for a first-degree murder with drive-by enhancement. I was raised in the Bay Area on the Oakland side of the water. My family was big. Dad’s side was Mexican, mom’s side was white. In the 1980’s life for a kid was fresh and exciting. There was music and break-dancing in the street. All the older people were fun and cool and I gravitated towards those qualities. Then, as if it
Continue ReadingAdults in My Life
by Brandon Growing up I was raised by my dad and my grandma. My mom left my sister and I at a very young age. I think my dad has prepared me well for adulthood because he has helped me learn many things from his mistakes. He always tried to look out for me and lead me down the right path. He was always supportive of my decisions but also made sure I was careful about choosing my decisions. I think that it is very important for an adult that teaches you how to adapt to adulthood to be supportive. Furthermore,
Continue ReadingVOLUME 23.13/14
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingInquire Within
by Anson Mooney Who am I? I am a man, a grandson, a son, a brother, a father who is blessed with many talents and gifts. I am an artist and designer. A leader whose direction is only just begun. I am a traveler of both time and space. I am a dreamer with a lack of sleep. I am both the end of my past and the beginning of my future. I am inspiration. I am the pupil of all of life’s lessons. 2. Why am I here? I am here for every opportunity to learn how to love,
Continue ReadingDear Society
by Hayden Today is February 7th, 2018. Every day that passes me by is like a silent scream for help emanating from my heart. I’m counting down the days to an unknown deadline. I don’t know when I will be free. I feel angry at the system, the prosecutors and judges for keeping me locked up without a warrant or charges. Fighting an impervious system is tiring in so many ways. It reminds me of fighting with my father when I still lived with my family. I’m tired of the constant pain tugging at the essence of my being. As
Continue ReadingVOLUME 23.11/12
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingVOLUME 23.09/10
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingAn excerpt from My Novel, “Neutral; The Journey Manifest,” Book 1:
by Bednango Harper Not that it really matters, but I nd myself very, very, very disturbed by many of the things that I have witnessed during this time. I hope and I pray that this will be the last time that I will ever be incarcerated. I’ve grown to suspect that my incarceration was preordained by my higher power as a sacri cial expenditure for me to gain the costly knowledge of which is to measure the priceless value of my freedom by. When I look around this room, and I draw upon all that I have come to know
Continue Reading