Category Archives: life in prison

Lindsay Lohan’s jail break

Jail is an awful, dehumanizing place, and I don’t envy Lindsay Lohan for having to spend time there. In case you’ve fallen behind in your tabloid reading: Lohan, the talented, but increasingly troubled actress, began serving a 90-day sentence today … Continue reading

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Filed under addiction and recovery, alternatives to incarceration, life in prison, personal responsibility, second chances, sentencing alternatives, starting over, taking responsibility, women ex-offenders

What you have the power to do

“The most common way  people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”                      Alice Walker, author of “The Color Purple” I love this quote.  It reminds me of something I’ve struggled with on occasion.  Like say, last … Continue reading

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Filed under addiction and recovery, companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, employment ex-offenders, ex-offender psychology, goal-setting, life in prison, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, starting over, talents

More inspiration…blogathon style

I’m having a hard time believing that Wordcount Blogathon 2010 ends tomorrow.  I’ve  blogged for 30 straight days, something I wasn’t sure I could do when I agreed to take part in this crazy thing.  Looking back now, it feels like the time … Continue reading

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Filed under ex-offender psychology, inspiration, life in prison, offender health, prison reform

Robert Frost on surviving the night

I was looking for inspirational poems and came upon this one –Acquainted With the Night — by the American poet Robert Frost. Frost  experienced his share of heartache and depression during his  life.  Some scholars say this poem alludes to feelings of … Continue reading

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Filed under hope for ex-offenders, life in prison

What I learned in prison: an interview with author and ex-offender Piper Kerman

If you follow this space you know  I was initially skeptical of Piper Kerman and her recently released memoir, Orange is the New Black.  The book  chronicles the 13 months that Kerman, a blue-eyed blond with an East Coast pedigree, spent  in federal prison for money-laundering.   … Continue reading

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Filed under employment ex-offenders, hope for ex-offenders, life in prison, prison reform, reentry resources, resumes, Uncategorized

Where books are scary

Believe it or not, one of the places is Virginia, which recently instituted  a ban the books campaign in all state correctional facilities. Yes, it sounded a little crazy to me too.  But apparently a free program that’s been providing prisoners with … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, job training, life in prison