Our Member's spotlight

 I want to give my personal opinion on what we must do to change the way society views incarcerated individuals and what we can do to earn second chances. I hear guys talking all the time saying politicians have to do something so they will have to change the law. these same guys do nothing to prove themselves, they simply want to sit back and let someone else fight for them and then expect to reap benefits. this is a huge misconception, second chances are not a right they are earned, we are not entitled to receive a second chance, we must prove ourselves worthy to obtain this. this takes work and very hard work because we have a stigma that is portrayed that we are ruthless criminals and monsters, just because a person is incarcerated does not mean they are a criminal and far from being monsters, people become afraid and defensive when they hear the words inmate or convict etc; we must change this narrative, we must work to show we are individuals who made mistakes and that we are better than the mistakes we made, we must work to build relationships with our community, we are tasked with proving we are not defined by the charges we have been convicted of. our lives have purpose, and we are individuals who can and will make the community a better place by becoming the best versions of ourselves. we as incarcerated individuals are a community separated from our communities, and we must bridge the gap and make amends by educating ourselves and mentoring others around us to become better humans. we must put our neighborhood at ease about allowing us back into their world. this takes work. "We must work" is a theme we must live by. work covers every aspect of life from improving self to making the world a better place will take work. I want to work with my community to become our best versions, but we must work on self before we can work with others. reflect on self and think if I were to work on myself what can I improve and what must I work on to make self-better than I found it, we are forever evolving and learning so self-improvement is a lifelong job, if you are complacent with your life, you have failed yourself and your community. if you are hurting others that you claim to love then you must look within your life and see what it is that is causing this pain. if you are choosing to do something that is hurting those you love then it means you love that more. this is a fact that we chose what we love above all else. love conquers all is a very powerful statement, if one loves what harms then it can destroy everything but if you love what loves back it will create life, love can build a bridge but can also burn a bridge to the ground. So, reflect on self and see where your love is and what you are most loyal too. this becomes our foundation, is it strong never breaking or is it solitary and weak, our foundation can only be as strong as what we love most. this is where our work to earn second chances begins, it starts with self, when we all begin with a solid foundation we can meet and build the most solid bridge to allow our community to see us. right now, they look see our mistakes. social media is one of our greatest tools for success with this, post about your achievements and what we endure on a daily basis. post about the emotions we experience because this will humanize us and above all post what your plans are to help the community you will return to. write poetry, create art. write literature or inspirational pieces. we must work and this work is unending but very rewarding, this is what I have been doing to improve myself and others around me. I do not tear down another to make me feel better, I give my hand to help them on their way up never leaving a man behind unless he is complacent in his misery. we must fight for ourselves in order to help the ones fighting for us or this will be very difficult to accomplish, it takes a village and we with our loved ones are that village. great thanks and love to the forty strong, my family and friends for the support they provide and the love they have shown me. I follow to learn and I lead by example my name is Christopher Bennett thank you for your time 

 Hey,
I've written a poem for submission in your next news letter. Thank you for your time and consideration. Also in the future I would like to speak with you about a program I'm putting together here at Lawrenceville Correctional Center called A.C.O.T.S. ( Ambassadors Creating Opportunities Through Speech). Its a program that teaches public speaking critical thinking and effective communication. We are currently in the proposal phase but we've gotten a lot support from staff and administration, they just wanted something concrete laid out for them. When we get approved to begin, I will be sending you a copy of the program's proposal, the lesson elements, and lesson outline. What I would like to accomplish, is building a working relationship with you guys by assisting you guys in shining a light on criminal justice, prison reform, and sharing the stories of change many of us have experienced. We plan on holding events similar to the TEDx event held at Green Rock and we would love to provide 40Strong the opportunity to participate in this special gem were creating here. But all that in due time. Thank you for the opportunities you've provided many of us and may you all continue to succeed in your fight for change.

From Springfield to New York City

I've made up my mind, I'm certain
my futures set in stone.
This journey I plan on taking now,
will lead me far from home.
The glitz and glamour of the destination,
makes anticipation a grand feeling.
because this journeys from Springfield,
and ends in New York City.

I pack my bags with what I may need,
be prepared is what I say.
I don't know how long the trip will be,
but I'm sure I'll make a way.
I see it now... its Broadway,
the New York stock exchange,
building so high, they touch the sky.
Man, my life's gonna change.

Ready or not hear I come,
set off on this Journey.
I hit the street and make a right
but now I start to worry.
On the interstate, I see the signs,
and follow the city's seeming closer to my destination.
But these circles I drive, cause a miserable ride.
this plan may need reevaluation.

I stop to get gas and see this old man,
who's stoic but to me seems inviting.
I walk up to him and express how tired I am,
from the circles that I have been driving.

His concern for my troubles was genuine,
then asked me where I was going.
I told him Springfield to New York City,
is where the wind shall blow me.
but I have been all over this country,
and still haven't made it to my city.
If you could, I need your help,
cuz these circles are making me dizzy.

The old man pauses, he takes a beat
then ask me his next question.
a question so simple and so sweet,
it laid the frame for a lesson.

He said this journey is great,
I wish you good fortune in life when you're done...
but I couldn't help but ask myself,
which Springfield was it that you come.

See A trip has 3 parts,
a beginning middle and end
and the end is easiest to lay.
The middles the journey and constantly changing,
so, the beginning is always today.
What doesn't matter is the circles you driven,
the wrong turns taken on road.
If you can't define your current location,
your arrival will forever be slowed.
He sent me a link to a GPS app and told me I'll find my way.
For my destination may be New York City
And my location is where I am today.

Thank You
Alejandro Ruiz
.