Category: Piece of the Week

by CS, Sacramento My greatest teacher is life itself, or myself alone. Because I didn’t really have anybody to tell me right from wrong, so I taught myself to survive and fit in. I started learning what to do and what not to do by trial and error.  For a long time, I didn’t know how to tie my shoes, so I would tie the ends in knots and cut them short. Another teacher for me was my grandma. She didn’t physically or verbally teach me, but by watching her, I learned what not to do.  She was going through

by Jr., San Mateo My greatest teacher was my father, my mother, my brother and my grandma. My father was one of my greatest teachers because he was wiser than me, so he knew how to say things to me. My dad taught me how to make money legally without having to hurt someone. He normally told me about past experiences and how to hold my own weight. My dad and me had a lot of ideas to make legal money like travel agencies, real estate, stocks and becoming an entrepreneur.  My mom was also one of my greatest teachers

by Raul, San Diego My story is lifeHappiness, love, games, and unknownMy story is painHated instantly and gangsMy story is lavishMoney, sex, and experiencesMy story is crimeDesperation, time, and understandingMy story should end hereBut I won’t let itMy story has only just startedMy story will be told to those who have chosen thatThey will not lose to the handOf statistics and stereotypesOur story must be heard

by Jeramiah, Albuquerque, New Mexico My grandparents are Isabella and Randy. These two amazing and significant individuals have been around me my entire life. I say they are amazing because they have been with me through my ups and downs.  When I got locked up, they were one of the very few who actually wrote me and wanted to talk to me. They made me so happy to have them around. I thank them for giving me the best life they could give to me. I have learned that I appreciate and respect them with my entire being. They are

by Adam, Albuquerque, New Mexico The one thing that I haven’t done that I really want to do is spend time with my daughter. She is about to be six months in a couple of days. This has been on my mind ever since she was born. I have a couple of pictures of her, and I can’t stop looking at them. She’s the one that keeps me going.  She made me realize the purpose of my life. She made me a better person. To see my daughter, I will have to get out of JDC. I need and want

by Lalo, San Francisco I am writing this letter to share my sincere apologies to you for the incident on February  2021. I am really sorry for what I did. I feel your struggle and pain and I’m sorry for putting you and your family through these moments. I didn’t want to do what I did and I wish I could take the day back and things would be different. That night, things happened so fast that I did not think. I just acted. At first, I thought I had killed you and I panicked. I remember when I got

by JU, San Francisco If you can use one word to describe who I am right now, I would say I am ready. I am ready to push through whatever I need to. I am ready to do whatever I need to do to get through the next phase of my life. I’m ready to knock the rest of my sentence out, and ultimately, I am ready to get out and be a productive member of society so I can provide for my family. I want to put an end to all the stress I have caused from being locked

by Jeramiah, Albuquerque, New Mexico The hardest task that I had to do was getting my high school diploma. I say this was the most difficult task for me because I would never try or push past my limits. It took many sacrifices and being in trouble for me to realize that I need to get my life straight. It was not easy, but I got through it. I thank my mom and family members so much for their support. If I didn’t have them around, I don’t think I would have made it this far. I also had many

by Carlos, Santa Clara One important man in my life is my father. He always tries to push me to do better than I’m doing. He is also a motivational speaker, always telling me to think ahead. He means a lot to me because he makes me re-think my actions and consequences.  We always have a good connection but not when I’m in trouble. He likes to say if I get in trouble then he doesn’t want anything to do with me, but I feel like he only says that so I don’t get in trouble.  He really pushes me

by Abraham, San Diego My family realized that when I was in kindergarten I had talent. I remember, every other kid would draw sticks and dots as their characters, but I drew body parts in my art. I would draw ears, eyes, a nose, and lips.   I grew up watching my father tattoo all sorts of people in my momma’s kitchen. I would sit there spaced out in my own world, blurred vision because I needed glasses but I still drew.  I never paid attention in school because I was always too busy drawing something, whether it was my