A New Perspective

The Beat Without

by Richard Angulo As a kid, I used to look back on my life and realize I wasn’t dealt the best hand. Danny had a mom and dad that absolutely loved and adored him. His parents were involved in his life, heck, Danny’s mom was a regular on our middle school campus volunteering her time. Sylvia, on the other hand, came from a family that embraced high education. Sylvia’s father went to work every day in a suit and tie. He was the president of his own company while Sylvia’s mom was a high school teacher. While visiting their home, conversations

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The Tenderloin

Piece of the Week

by Aimee I live in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. There are a lot of homeless people in my neighborhood which makes my neighborhood different from other neighborhoods. My neighborhood is very diverse with Mexicans, Blacks and Filipinos.  I miss all my “uncles” (family friends) that hang around my block barbequing. If I grew up in a different neighborhood I wouldn’t be who I am today, which is a strong girl with a strong personality.  In my neighborhood I connect mostly with Turk and Jones which is the intersection of where I live. My neighbors are cool, and I know

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Ed Note 23.39/40

Editor's Note

Welcome friends to our amazing publication, 23.39/40, of writing and art from inside juvenile hall and beyond.  This latest issue has our initial writings from our recent workshops inside  Sacramento County Juvenile Hall and Sonoma County Juvenile Hall. We are thrilled about our new partnerships and all the potential.  Like every issue, there is plenty to read and find inspiration from, if it’s the featured writings, POW writings, Community writings or the BWO, we know you will find something in this issue that speaks to you.  All right, allow us to cut to the chase and hand over the keyboard

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Why?

Piece of the Week

by King J God if you’re good, why did you put him in a grave? God if you could would his life have been saved? See, I’m mad at God but really I’m mad at myself. I never got to say goodbye or thank you for the help. See you picked me off the streets, told me how you really felt. As a young boy, you took me under your wing, And showed me how the game’s cards are going to be dealt. I hope you’re listening because I appreciate every little thing that you did for me. You’re the

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To The Youth At All Juvenile Detention Centers

The Beat Without

by Noel Rodriguez My names’ Noel Joe Rodriguez and I’m writing this piece and message to you straight from the penitentiary at Calipatria State Prison, where I am currently serving a sixty to life sentence for two murders. Not something to say or be proud of. I don’t even know how to begin or whether I am even worthy of expressing and sharing my past and thoughts with you all. But I write this message with the hope that what I share will help at least one of you to find a better path in life. At this point in your

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“Starin’ In The Rearview”

The Beat Without

by Michael Carter When I took my first breath in this world, it was while being placed into the arms of a child herself.  A drug-addicted and alcoholic Mother at the age of just sixteen and needless to say my Mother was a very reckless sad incapable parent. It took a lot of years for me to be able to look back and begin to truly accept my childhood and learn from it. I would later use my afflictions as normal. It began to feel when the neighbors would call 911 and the police would a show up to whatever run-down

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Invisible

Piece of the Week

by Hayden It’s evening now, and other people are having visits with their families. To be honest, I’m really jealous. My family never comes to see me. They live so far away, in Seattle where I grew up. They felt compelled to get rid of me. It’s a pain I have been holding within for my entire life. They preach justice and practice lies and abandonment. I think it’s messed up for the staff to hold visiting hours inside the unit where I have to watch. There is a separate visiting room, so why don’t they use it? The answer is

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