My Transformation Story

I've been incarcerated for 25 ½ years and still counting. Let me be the first to say it's been a “hell” of a ride, real tough but I kept pushing forward. Menard Correctional Center was my first stop at 19 years old with a fresh 50 years for a murder I committed at the age of 16 years old, a juvenile.

The School of Menard

Now Menard is where the real lessons started, where I got my teachings. First with the culture, the environment was crazy then with the gangs. I immediately started learning observing, also participating in such activities as the gang. I always kept my head in those law books.

I stood out from the crowd, the young individuals because I always asked questions despite being a hardheaded individual when I was young, before I arrived in prison. Now I started listening, taking heed to a lot of older individuals. Even in different gangs I was in class, speaking everything up, moving forward, learning and advancing in my position. I always challenged authority when it wasn't right, so I advanced further in my position. I started treating individuals how I felt they should be treated with respect and fairness, so I advanced. This time I'm in too deep with taking charge and standing on the business, the wrong business.

Enough Was Enough

But throughout the years, struggling, going to seg a lot of time. A long period of time I felt so tired. So enough was enough. Once my heart shift to a different beat and my mind, mentally being tired of being “sick” tired, the change began, but not without adversity.

I tried to go to school all the while I'm making steps in stepping away from the gang. Now they had me on the waiting list to go to school. So eventually I went to the east house, from being in the west house for so long. I eventually made it into two programs that they had going on: House of Healing and Healing for a Change. I successfully completed that.

A Door Opens

So, I eventually got some rhythm on my situation, and I got my evidentiary hearing granted in 2015. I left, going back and forth on that for some years. I finally made it up front. Now I've gotten the blessing I have been waiting for, to step away from my gang. Once my action shown that I was doing what I said then it was done deal.

Right around that time I messed up being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the yard went up. I was kicked out of Menard and sent to Pontiac where I had to do 90 days which was a blessing. While I was there, I was able to get my thoughts fully together and I did so they sent me to Stateville. I kept my word and put my focus on the right thing and that's my freedom. While in Stateville I made it count looking back, forward to Court finally my Evidentiary Hearing was lost in 2019, but the blessing came with it. The same Judge that denied my Evidentiary Hearing turned around and granted me a Juvenile Resentence Hearing in 2021. He took 15 years off the 50 years and gave me 35 years which made me eligible for Juvenile Parole, which is called the Youthful Offender Parole. When I got back to Stateville after I was resentenced, I finally got in school and a job working in the kitchen.

Faith and Forward Motion

Thanking God my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, part of my change, the Lord was walking with me while I was learning to follow Him, as I allowed Him to direct my step and path. I started getting into programs: Reading and Comprehension class, Math Workshop class, Poetry class, and a victim impact class called Healing Beyond Harm.

Now with Stateville shut down, closure had individuals being displaced to different prisons. They sent me to Big Muddy River; that place I couldn't adjust to its environment. You see I didn't put in to be transferred to Big Muddy River, I was displaced there due to Stateville closure. They didn't want to give me a job or allow me to go to school or any type of programs. I caught two tickets down there in 2024 and 2025. They sent me to Seg. Now mind you, I haven't been to Seg in seven years, since Menard. It was as if they were trying to stop my progress.

Illinois River and a New Beginning

I heard Illinois River was decent and had a lot of programs, so I got moved thanks to Grievance and my support team. I arrived here last year 2025, May 14th, but when I arrived here a couple of upsets happened to me as well. That C grade kicked in from being in Seg in Big Muddy River. I only had a week left; they still threw me on the C Grade wing.

Once those tablets came, I found something that I needed to help me continue my own personal journey of progressing, growing, and improving myself. Edovo was my window and I climbed right through and started working. Now I have 441 certificates on the Edovo app, yes, the educational app.

Building Blocks and a Parole Date

A door was opened for me, and I was fortunate to make it on the Building Block Wing. So, I did and I finished it. During that time my lawyer played with me, took my bread, my money and got out of there. So, I started asking questions. My support team reached out to some people and found out that I was nowhere on the docket for having a date for parole. My lawyer didn't do anything. I had been eligible for Youthful Offender Parole for five years. I had him for three years.

Not allowing the delay to be my deterrence, I just did it myself with the Lord guiding me, I finished it. They accepted it. As soon as they received that package, they sent me my parole hearing date 6-2-27. God is great.

Finding T.R.I.P.

So, as I'm finishing up the Building Block Program, I tried to get into more programs. I was told no that I couldn't get in any more programs due to my low risk assessment. So, I started praying. I went to the tablet because Edovo has become my go-to coping mechanism, but I went to the bulletin instead. I seen T.R.I.P. and decided to hit it and see what it was about. I seen something that I was already representing: the same seven core values — purpose, growth, accountability, service, hope, leadership and community. So, I wrote and was accepted and glad that I was. Today is 8-10-26 month. Yes, they are the real deal. They represent the core values, the “community is real,” making it happen.

As I finish my quest to get my last stitches, God sent me to the T.R.I.P. wing for a reason, like fine linen they can give me the proper stitching. I thank the T.R.I.P. wing, the community, for allowing me to be a part of history, something wonderful, something individuals can feel and see that they do matter; not allowing circumstances to define them but overcome adversity.

From West Side Chicago to a New Identity

Thank you all for listening to this story; know that y'all can use this for hope. It's not over, keep fighting. Keep God at your front center; allow Him to drive. Don't worry He's going to teach you how to steer. T.R.I.P. accepted me to be a part of the community, so it is trip love!

Oh, I forgot I'm from the west side of Chicago, born and raised. I grew up in the streets at a very young age. I also come from a dysfunctional house where neglect, abuse and abandonment were the norm. Gang and drugs were all around my neighborhood! But my past doesn't define me, it's only in my review mirror now. I am a man with integrity that moves with purpose. I'm a man that fully accepts responsibility, with leadership, service and growth. I will spread hope to those that need it. I am a part of a community thanks to T.R.I.P.

I'm giving back to the community. I just became a mentor through correspondence, Inside Out Mentor Program in Mississippi at risk youth in the P.R.A.Y Foundation which means Parents Reaching All Youth. They help getting young individuals away from the gangs, preventing them from making the same mistake I did, helping them through the struggle.

No More Roadblocks

You see behind these doors in private I thrived and in public I soar. I don't have any roadblocks in front of me. The only thing or person in my way is me. The only one who can prevent me from doing my service is me. I'm my own roadblock. Now watch me work!