UPDATE -a question for my readers
February 20, 2013 § 29 Comments
a few days ago i posted a question. many of you responded by posting comments, or sending e-mails. today i have decided to go through with this project.
i am not telling my story to convince others i am not guilty. nor am i attempting to say the prison systems in this country need to be abolished (there are people who belong in prison. trust me on that). i just want to share my stories and experiences. maybe that will help effect a change in the system, as well as our hearts and minds.
they will be recording the first one (or two) over the weekend, and posted early next week. i will keep you updated.
pax!
my amazon books/profile
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as many of you know, i spent some time in a federal prison. it was during that incarceration that i was able to rediscover my voice, and passion for writing. and that period of time has become the subject of my memoirs (to be published in 2014).
some fiends of mine, who find my stories interesting, would like to tape me telling stories of my time in prison, and post them to YouTube. some of these stories found their way into the book, many did not. would you be interested in seeing them?
these will not be video postings of one who seeks to deny his guilt. i was guilty of my crimes. rather, these would be the stories of my experiences: what i endured, witnessed, and felt. i do believe there are those who belong in prison; yet, the system of corrections needs to change.
so, if you feel it would be worthwhile for these videos to be made, and posted, please let me know.
thank you, in advance, for your reply.
with hands palm to palm, your servant,
steven
I know nothing about your story but would very much like to hear it.
Hi Steven, I have only started readinng your blog, but I think it is a great idea to do YouTube videos of your story. Especially since you are writing a memoir, the videos will help gather more readers for your upcoming memoir as well as drive more traffic to your blog.
Having worked in a prison before, I would love to hear of your experiences. Understanding that some people do deserve to be in prison, at some point in time, most will return to society. Some come out better, some not, but I definitely think it is important for people to understand what really goes on behind those walls. People will have opinions, but I’m sure your video will bless someone in ways unimaginable.
Hi Steven. I think you have a very compelling story to tell! I have someone very close to me who went through a dreadful period of loss and family breakdown. He suffered from terrible depression and lost himself in drink and drugs for a number of years. People thought I was mad sticking by him. But he was ill and had been abandoned by the system! I always knew that beyond his self-loathing and destructive behaviour there was a good and generous man. A few times I feared for him greatly wondering if things had gone too far and if he would ever find his way back. He didn’t spend any time in prison, though that was through luck more than anything else. The people he was associating with for the drugs were not good people! He lost virtually everything though through those years. I’m so proud of him for finally admitting his problems and seeking help. He’s managing his depression and has been sober for nearly 2yrs
Life can be very cruel (having several chronic illnesses I know this only too well) but I never judge a person by the falls they have taken, it’s how they get back up again that is the true test of character.
I think it would be a great way to express yourself in a video. Your audience will get a chance to “see” and feel your story through your facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, etc.
I agree with a lot of comments and think you should tell all!
Go for it!
Like so many on here, I think it’s a good thing and that a lot of people can learn from your experiences. So, yeah proud of you for doing this!
I was never in prison, but I did go to jail for not paying a fine, a fine that I’d gotten from drinking and driving. I have since learned a lot and think I too would like to share my experiences in jail and also why NOT to drink and drive. Though, I think I will write mine in a book….thank you for the inspiration and hey, again kudos to you and good luck!
The more people learn from you the better! I wish you the best of luck in this project.
I’m blown away by your courage and your willingness to help open our eyes about what goes on in the prison system. I’m encouraged by your openess and honesty. I’m looking very forward to hearing what you have to say and learn what you experienced.
Someone who almost became our son in law, someone we loved very much spent 5 years in prison. He’s SUCH a good person and it broke my heart to see how the world treated him after his time was served.
Anyway, I applaud you.
I think you will get “hits” on you tube. I personally like reading. It is of interest, because I have a close friend that is leaving federal prison himself tomorrow. IT the system, has been horrendous. It has been horrible for his family, to not get answers, to witness so many wrongs.
Yet,he went as a naive first time offender, and that is where I have seen the atrocities rendered to. Innocent until proven guilty is a myth in the system, and many get away that are guilty. But, too many innocents get caught up and are treated horribly. But, I always believe that Pain=Growth, and when GOD presents honest, authentic, truth centered stories from our experience, people will always grow with that information. Curiosity seekers aside, that is a different breed.
I think you already have your answer! Best of luck.
Reblogged this on AdilaZuber and commented:
Awesome.
Absolutely you should do this.
I think with posting to YouTube you could make a difference in a lot of lives.
thank you.
I have just started following your blog. First I would love to read your memoir. Memoirs are a top reader for me. Second your stories you speak of may be quite beneficial to those lost and trying to find there way. Go for it. Please keep me posted about your book if you will. God Bless.
Anytime you write from your deep, authentic voice, the weight of a “me” is lighter and lighter, and all benefit. Let the word-wings fly!
There is no telling like telling from inside the heart of the story. A worthwhile project for you and for the public.
First let me say, I can’t wait to read your memoir. And after being in prison ministry for over 15 years myself, I love your video idea.
I think I would definitelly be interested. Selfish as it sounds, one doesnt come across stories like that on WP.
Thank you posting this question.
I am interested in listening to your stories and experiences.
I for one would be very curious about your experiences. It’s something I’ve obviously never experienced. So your narrative would help give one like myself, insight into that world.
Yes, I think you should did this, Steve. If the Lord has placed this matter upon your heart and you feel strongly about doing it in your heart, then you are meant to do it and the want, drive, and determination is their as well. Would ♡ to hear them myself as well too! ツ
i feel that i am called to do this.
i am an educated individual (i hold an mfa in writing– poetry). most of the souls who find themselves in prison have not even completed high school, and their voices are discounted and ignored.
i feel strongly about this, and also wanted the opinion of others.
I believe there is a lot of potential in this, and your bravery in doing this would be commendable. The only thing I would say is take care to also protect yourself and how your videos may be used…I’m no expert in what happens with youtube video et al, but given how personally important this is I only am concerned that you get what you want from this and that you remain protected and safe in the process. If you feel these concerns are un-needed by all means ignore that, i certanly think the idea is great.
i have thought about this. what i want is others to see the good, and bad of prison life. and maybe help to create change.
Steven, I think this is such an important project. I think you could do written memoirs to accompany the videos too. Unless you’ve been in prison or had a loved one in prison, the abuses that take place there can seem very removed or unreal. It’s vital that prisoners be given back their humanity and it’s imperative that the injustices of the prison system be exposed to the general public.
thank you.
before my incarceration, i had a different view of the corrections system. once i was there, i underwent a paradigm shift.
yes, others need to know the whole story. there are those first time offenders that would benefit from programs to correct cognitive beliefs. and those programs are lacking. it’s no wonder so many people end up in prison time and again.
I agree. The problem is, the prison industry is so lucrative that if programs were implemented to actually help prisoners, the government would lose huge amounts of free labor. I think the amount of free labor still outweighs the costs, especially taxpayers pay for it and the government makes money off it. I wasn’t aware until recently that Victoria’s Secret panties are made by American prisoners who were made pennies on the hour. Corporations are starting to run prisons and then the prisoners are nothing more than disposable slaves. I think your work and project could be very meaningful and important.