We Don’t Have To
“Wait Until We Get Out”
April 17th, 2022
By: Mike, Lucasville, Ohio
One phrase I hear over and over is “when I get out”. Everything that everybody wants to do with their life will start when they get out. As if this time in prison, and what you do with it, doesn’t count.
I’ve created this platform for people like me. People who want change and will Do The Work to get it. This platform spans the gap between “waiting until I get out” and actually getting out.
Three Goals: for this platform to accomplish are establishing credibility, building bonds, and discussing topics that greatly impact our lives.
Two Requirements: are openness and honesty. One fact is that we have a lot to overcome. Launching this platform creates these opportunities and more!
My First Goal: is to establish credibility. So often being in prison and having a “criminal record” automatically discredits anything you do or say. With the percentage of criminals in & out of prison repeatedly, I can’t blame people for having that mindset.
There will be hard work done using this platform. Work done to earn the chance for people to open up their minds and give some of us the benefit of a doubt. Not everyone is a “criminal”. There are those whose past decisions and actions violated the law. For us, we need the opportunity for people to see that we do have the ability to learn and make better decisions. This platform is one of those opportunities.
My Second Goal: is building bonds through my Breaking Bread & Building Bonds program. Obviously, we can’t break bread on this platform, so that part will have to “wait until I get out”. People need to share the plans for their future. No plan, no future. We need to develop solutions for problems we will face. Problems in & out of prison alike. We need these plans and solutions before the problems present themselves.
A lot of prisoners in & out of prison don’t have a support system. No one to simply care, give them supportive advice—or just point them in the right direction. People can share and receive comments. They can build a network of support for themselves. People can connect to resources that might be the deciding factor in their success. There is an accountability as well. In putting it all out there for the world to see, we take ownership of our lives.
My Third Goal: is for this platform to be a safe place to discuss topics/issues that have impacted our lives greatly. Drug addiction, mental health, toxic relationships, employment, money, transportation, housing, racial issues, personality disorders, behavioral issues, gangs and dysfunctional families—just to name a few. These are real. They can be real hard to deal with. We all know someone, or are someone who has suffered. These topics do affect you whether directly or indirectly. These issues are not going anywhere and are likely to keep some of us imprisoned. At what cost to ourselves and our community?
The Prize: Creating a plan for dealing with life issues and problems. Build bonds by sharing with, learning from and teaching others. Earn credibility in what you say, by actually doing it. We don’t have to “wait until we get out”.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
4/17/2022
