Category: The Beat Without

by Floyd D. Collins, San Quentin State Prison, CA Life is a journey and on this road there are many streets, roads, detours and obstacles. For me coming to prison I didn’t have a GPS to help me navigate through the unknown. My first stop after going through the process of San Francisco County Jail “7th floor” was San Quentin reception center “Badger Section” 5th tier. Knowing nothing about prison I had to become a student. I looked and learned and spoke when spoked to. This taught me how to listen and talk less. Starting my 25 to life sentence

by Eddie Grande, Correctional Training Facility, Soledad, CA Power, how would like to be able to choose your own president? How would you like to be able to choose your own Bills and Laws? Decide who you want seated in office? Who your Governor is, who your Attorney General is? Your Mayor? Police Chief? Head City Prosecutor? How would you like to have a say in what taxes you pay and on what, to have the right to be able to do that is power and a power that is earned by privilege and  earned by remaining a productive and

by Jesse Manuel Ventura, Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, CA Christmas to me at this time is a reminder of the conclusion of another year that has culminated understanding the events that have taken place by absorbing all the bad with the good and after twenty years of being incarcerated I miss and love my family and friends so very much. The truth is that at this time in Christmas we are in a year living with a deadly virus that has spread worldwide where so many lives have been lost or have a loved one affected by this virus

by Taylor Kraig, Oregon Department of Corrections in Urialla, Oregon Spending time in lock-up or detention can be lonely and troubling. Time slows down and structure is brought upon you. It’s easy to be frustrated and annoyed. I know this from my own experience. I am 24 years old and I am 4 years in on my 10 year sentence. When I first got sentenced I was frustrated. I was confused and I was lost. I sat on the yard and asked myself, “What do I want to make of this time?” I went back to my cell that night

by Jesse Ayers, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA “You can’t always get what you want. But if yozzzzzzzu try sometimes, you just might find…You get what you need.” (Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones) for me it’s not that poetic. Kick rocks bro (The lady who rejected me). I know I am cute and funny. Some might say hilarious and handsome. I do my best. But there comes a time when you meet a woman and she laughs at all your jokes, I mean even the corny ones when there are moments where she is patient and

by Mesro Coles El, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA Being accepted is the greatest feeling in the world. It is my firm belief that so many people end up locked up because they want acceptance from their parents acceptance from their peers, and acceptance from themselves. As social creatures, we humans seek togetherness, acceptance and sometimes we change our outward appearance and beliefs just to “fit in” with a crowd. This usually leads to bad behavior, crime, and a rejection of their lives to accept the views of people that hate them or that do not know

by Angel Ruelas, Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA Playing sports has always been my identity. I remember running home from elementary school, just so I could get ready for my little league baseball games. I played all sports, from baseball, football, soccer, wrestling to even being on a swim team called Soledad Sharks. I just enjoyed wearing all of the uniforms and feeling like I was a part of something that was much bigger than me alone. I recall when playing football back then that I would put on my cleats and a rush of excitement would start

by Ernesto Alvarez, Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA How many second chances do we get in life? I have laid here in my prison cell thinking about that many times. I am not just talking about second chances in life after you have done something that completely derailed the course of your life, like taking your freedom, but even the second chance in life that may seem so irrelevant at the time like going back and finishing school. Second chances are what make life worth living because it is what drives us to become better people if we

by Floyd D. Collins, San Quentin State Prison I am humbled to be able to share life lessons and my experience through writing. In my lifetime I have suffered as well as endured rejection. What I’ve found to be very important is how I’ve reacted or responded when rejected. My life of crime is grounded on being rejected. I was a young man when my ex-girlfriend had an affair with a very close friend. I couldn’t comprehend why the two of them would hurt me in such a way. Back then I had zero coping mechanisms to deal with the

by Brotha Dee, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA Hello friends it’s your partner Brotha Dee. I pray that all is well with you and your families as you read on. I know that today is the day to spit fire at the corruption in power, however this day I’m going to sip on some cool water and give props where props are due. The Beat Within, Brotha Dee would like to say, Thank You! What for Brotha Dee? Huh, I’m glad you asked. Thank you for being a friend who over 24 years ago create a consistent