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Rehabilitation

The American criminal justice system holds almost 2.3 million people in 1,719 state prisons, 102 federal prisons, 1,852 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,163 local jails, and 80 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, immigration detention facilities, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories. But once on the outside, many of them will join the growing number of former inmates struggling to find work and get ahead.

Many will ask, where is the hope of surviving and providing for my family?

The second living child of a strong courageous woman, who worked day in and day out to provide for her three sons at the time, passed along her drive and ambition to my husband.  Growing up he loved the hustle of the game and wasn’t afraid to fight.  He “has hands,” people say.  From ex-boyfriends to a stranger on the street;  whenever something was going down they would call Keidy.  He would proudly storm out to conquer the enemy that was threatening his loved ones far and wide.  In his youth, he did not mind being put behind bars to protect his loved ones; however, his “not minding” paved a road of self-destruction.

Out partying one night, he was introduced to crack cocaine and chased that “pipe-dream” for over twenty years.  Invincible, well, at least he thought he was, he began boosting to support his habit while still answering to the beck and call of others who needed him to settle a matter of conflict.  Which led to a pathway of assaults and petty-theft arrests.  “Career Criminal” is how he’s labeled in the eyes of law enforcement.  In September 2014, at the age of 51, he was incarcerated yet again from a petty theft charge and released on November 1, 2014.  At that moment his life hit a 360.

It took four years before someone gave him a chance because of his vulgar background.

“I’m going to take care of you,” was his promise to me.  My husband never goes back on his word.   He ended his run of crack cocaine cold turkey and proceeded to work at a day labor job.  Two years later we were married celebrating his new path and a new outlook on life.  His only desire was to find a career with benefits, instead of going to a day labor every day; unsure whether he’d be selected to work or not.  It took four years before someone gave him a chance because of his vulgar background.  Four years of praying God would bless him.  Four years of traveling in the cold on public transportation for hours.  Four years of doors opening for the opportunity of a job then closing after a background check.  Four years of getting paid minimum wage, when he knew his worth was more.  Four years of paycheck to paycheck.  Four years of struggle.

You’re going to have doors opening and closing, but if you uphold working toward your goals, your goals will begin to work towards you.

I write this to share with you, especially to those who have a criminal record or have an addiction as an encouraging reminder to continue putting one foot in front of the other.  It may not be what you want to go through, but sometimes it’s what you have to go through to reach the “promised land.”  Once you realize you’ve overcome one obstacle, the others will not appear as challenging.  You’re going to have doors opening and closing, but if you uphold working toward your goals, your goals will begin to work towards you.  My husband had so many dilemmas working against him.  I’m sure it hurt his pride when he would get turned down for job offers because of his past.  But that’s just it, it was his past, and he wasn’t going to allow anything to hinder the future he wanted for himself, for us.

“The Problem-child” “The Protector” “The Hustler” “The Enthusiast” Seemingly, the odds were against him but he never gave up and sends his words of encouragement to continue to walk a straight path.  As he always says, “It’ll get greater later!”

Rehabilitated

I did the crime, but still doing time, even though I’ve been set free

Out brand new, so what am I to do, to earn equal opportunity?

I’ve turned around, but still let down, because of the mistakes I’ve made;

I just need a chance or even one glance from someone who’s not afraid.

I try so hard, but can’t get very far in making up for the things that I lack,

I’m staying focused, but they think I’m ferocious, and my mind is constantly under attack.

My future is imprisoned; I often have visions about everything that I’ve done wrong,

My every move is calculated, but I’m rehabilitated and determined to remain strong.

~From  Exposed Poetry Memoirs

Empress Pre
Empress Prehttps://letztalkq.com/
Owner of Yocheved Vision LLC and host of Letz TalkQ Podcast encouraging others to share their life journey without the stigma of fear.

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10 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Very powerful and touching. I used to be a big brother for students with high grades for a college prep program. It was heartbreaking because some of the parents were drug users and it could be very heart breaking. Pushing past all the challenges for a kid in that position could be very hard.

  2. Prekaya, as always your words are powerful and enlightening. Your work opens up a door to another world which educates the reader. It took your husband 4 years to prove to society that he could “walk his talk” and I am so proud of both of you because you were his inspiration for a change that is almost impossible to make after years on crack.

  3. Amazing strength to recount these experiences. I agree that our society does not forgive or forget. It is very tough on people who lose their way and come back. The fact that you kept a family and relationship around it all, is very encouraging.

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