Friend of Adopt an Inmate Ryan Forbes has a new podcast, The Shakedown, and it’s great!
From Law and Order reruns to cold case podcasts, criminal justice has a very well known image in the media. However, is this image accurate? Ryan Forbes spent six years in prison after trying to negotiate a legal system that surprised him at every turn. In prison he met Malone, who spent 30 years in Texas prisons finding purpose in a place designed to instill obedience. Now both are out of prison trying to show the public that everyday justice is anything but another Law and Order episode. On their podcast, The Shakedown, they share their experiences dealing with the criminal justice system and even offer ways to improve it. Each week they discuss questions like “Who are trustees?” “What is ad-seg?” And “Do we need prisons?” As friends who have been through tough times together, Forbes and Malone try to keep the tone light and want to get listeners in on the jokes they have learned over the years. Even when a friend struggling with addiction crashes the podcast, the two try to handle it with humor and relate it back to experiences dealing with the criminal justice system. If you want to know what a first hand experience with the criminal justice system sounds like, and what can be done to improve it, check out The Shakedown.
Also check out Wayword Press. First imagined as a cool name for a comic book company. Now, Wayword Press is all about getting the word out. Wayword Press produces comics, posters, stickers, clothing, and podcasts.produces comics, posters, stickers, clothing, and podcasts.
I would like to take a bit and tell you about something that a large number of prisoners do, and have done for a very long time, each for their own reasons. It’s something that has helped me in more ways than I can express, yet it is something so simple and pure, it’s pen paling.
I first learned about pen paling when I served my 29-month sentence in prison work camp. Mail call quickly became the highlight of my day, hoping that I would receive a letter from someone I was writing to. I’ve written to people from all over the world, and I’ve created some very special lifelong friendships with some amazing women who have stuck by my side for the past 15 to 20+ years. It’s those dear friends who have always made sure I have not been forgotten in here, and who have reminded me that I am still a human being, even though I live in such an inhumane place. One of my biggest fears has been to be forgotten in here and lose my reason to exist. I’ve seen so many people in prison over the years who have nobody out there in the free world and it’s caused their existence to be limited to the inside of the prison walls and fences. I may be in prison for a very long time, but this is not where I will stay! I have had one constant goal set since the very beginning of my sentence, and that is to reach my release date and enter the free world once again. The many different people I’ve met over the years of pen-paling have helped to always keep my goal focused and clear in my mind as they are a constant reminder of a world I’m striving to get back to.
Over the years the networking system for inmates to meet pen pals has changed in many ways. It’s gone from word of mouth, to posting ads in magazines and newspapers, to FB’s (Friendship Books), friendship sheets and things like that — to placing ads online. Now that the internet is such a daily part of everyone’s lives out there, many companies have created online pen pal sites where inmates can post profiles in the hopes of meeting someone to write to. Technology has also changed the way we are able to correspond with our pen pals. It used to be old fashion snail mail (pen, pencil, writing paper, envelopes and stamps). But now the prison systems have allowed a handful of companies, such as “Jpay.com,” to set up kiosks throughout the living units which enable us to correspond through a secure form of e-mail. We are also now able to purchase touch screen 7″ tablets that allow us to write our messages then upload and send them. We can also download any messages, photos, or 30-second videograms to our tablets so we can view them anytime we want to.
Even though technology has changed the way we are able to pen pal, the purpose for pen paling will always be the same. Instead of waiting in line for mail call now, I log on to Jpay to see if I have any new messages waiting for me and it always brightens my day when I see that one of my friends has written to me, or sent me photos, or a 30-second video to watch. Even to this day, when I read something I’ve received from someone I write to, I completely forget about where I’m at as I’m caught up in the words they’ve sent to me. It’s those small moments of not having to think about this place that help so much.
*** This was written before covid hit, since covid hit I have lost contact with everyone I had been writing to 😔
Religion, it’s a complicated subject among a population of many different walks of life and religious beliefs. Wars are fought and people die in the name of Gods and causes. Even today things are the same, take what’s happening in Jerusalem right now with the Israelites. Quarrels are still seriously prevalent among the culture. So this is serious business we are talking about, just to point out the obvious. According to many beliefs the seventh day is for rest, meaning no work or celebration, leisure time only to heal and recuperate. To prepare for the work week to come. To some the seventh day is Saturday, to others its Sunday. To me, only one day can be my seventh day so which will I choose?
Why can’t my seventh day be Monday? Wasn’t I blessed with the freedom of choice by God or was that just something man came up with on his own? Must I conform to what everyone else does and is? I thought I was an individual, and if that’s the case in that I divide myself from what others expect me to be and do. This doesn’t mean I’m a bad person or I don’t believe in God. In fact this character trait is one that God has blessed me with to exercise as I see fit and as long as I show love to my fellow human beings then I am a righteous person. It is in this that I find my strength. Furthermore, who is God?
Who is my God? My God made me who I am today. He made me walk a hard road to strengthen me and ready me for what he has planned for me to do. Looking back He’s shown me signs, symbols of his expectations. He’s sent me blessings when I did good and humbled me when I was arrogant. He’s given me the strength to pick up the pieces when it all fell apart and the knowledge to recognize my mistakes in order to change my behavior. He shows me love by sending fellow humans to love me, His love is through them. He put me in school so I could find myself and who I am. This is the most powerful sign I’ve seen to this day. So this is where I am at in life, walking the exact path He had for me in his sights. My momma always told me “God never gives us more than we can handle.” Now I see that it’s true because out of all the times I thought it was all over I still made it through. At this point I feel I’m only scratching the surface of my purpose in this thing we humans call life. I’ll make today my seventh day to recoup and reflect on what my purpose is for this week that follows.
This is a subject that is especially personal to me. I have two children. One I have never met and another I barely know and haven’t seen in about 16 years. She and I once had a very strong relationship. But it seems time works both ways. Time will heal wounds and it will also kill relationships. As time goes by I feel just a bit further away from my kids and a little less like their father (even though in reality I’m just their dad by DNA right now). I do have faith that will one day change. But with so much time gone by that faith has taken a hit. The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves. So I won’t lie and say I have this happy, rosy outlook for the future. My future looks bleak at the moment. But I am holding on to the hope that something will happen that changes things. You can’t go on living without some kind of hope and faith. Otherwise what is the point of life and living?
While I have had such a bad experience in prison with parenthood. I have seen others make it work. I have seen guys see their kids every weekend and have great relationships with their kids. They will talk to them and be in their lives through letters, emails, and phone calls. I have seen though that it only works if the kids have a support system around them that encourages and fosters that connection. During the first years of my criminal sentence I had a great relationship with my daughter because her mother wanted to be in a relationship with me. As soon as she decided to be with someone else she killed my relationship with my daughter.
So with that personal experience I see that the guys who have maintained a relationship with their kids had either a former or current spouse that was approving of that relationship. Or the child’s guardian approves it. Therefore my advice to those in prison is to maintain a healthy friendly relationship with who ever is raising your child. That is just as important as the actual parent child relationship itself. If your child is already grown then you can focus just on that relationship.
I encourage the mothers, fathers, and guardians out there to think long and hard about fostering a relationship between the children and their incarcerated parent. It is not always about you or how the romantic relationship turned out. Think twice before you use the relationship between your kids and their parent in prison to punish the person in prison. A relationship with one’s child is very important to rehabilitation and also the mental health of both the child and the imprisoned parent. Think about it and always remember, with the right thought and care even an already damaged relationship can be healed.
Hi everyone. My name is Bobby Bostic. Look me up to learn about my story. I came to prison at 16 years old for robbery and I was sentenced to die in prison although no one was seriously injured in my crime. The judge told me “Bobby Bostic you will die in the Department of Corrections.” Now by true grace of God I will be released from prison in November. If you want to know about what life is really like in prison please read my books Life Goes On Inside Prison, and Time: Endless Moments In Prison. If you want to learn about prison please order those books. As for me I am a tutor at the G.E.D. school. I work on my goals everyday. I am doing good work and I have co-founded a nonprofit for single mothers in St. Louis Missouri. I have a lot of work to do in the world once I am released.
If you want to learn more you can look me up and also write me:
Bobby Bostic 526795
Algoa Correctional Center 8501
No More Victims Road
Jefferson City, MO 65101
My story is very unique. Look it up and I look forward to knowing you and working with you.
From the Texas Center for Justice & Equality: A new report, Reversing the War on Drugs in Texas, authored by Policy Analyst Sarah Reyes and Director of Policy and Advocacy Alycia Castillo, shares research on who’s actually using drugs in Texas, the harmful consequences of the drug war, the failures of “just say no” approaches to drug use, and more.
Sarah and Alycia’s report recommendations focus on REAL public health and safety—not the mass criminalization and punishment that have been the status quo since the 1980’s. They include implementing harm reduction, phasing out certain state facilities, expanding health care access, and decriminalizing drug possession (like the marijuana decrim on the ballot in Austin right now). You can read the full report here.
Sarah sat down for a 30-minute radio interview on KBOO-FM; listen here!
Once upon a time, there existed a bird with a broken wing. Singing out loud for healing, so as to fly once again.
Time seemed to stand still, while this bird sat painfully alone. Its own neighbors, looked the other way, while this birds song had no end, to its tone.
Little comfort came, through the sun or the rain. Just fear of dying alone, and in shame. That’s when the bird noticed a shadow draw near.
As I was walking in the prison yard the other day, I came across a bird with a wing broken, and in pain. As I got closer, the bird didn’t try to run away. Its song was for love, and an end to the pain.
I sat down with this bird. Showed it love. This got the attention of neighbors. I noticed the other birds began to sing this injured birds song.
The other birds too wanted someone to love. For to love, and be loved was indeed rare for this flock of birds.
As I was preparing to depart, the bird sat up and thanked me, by singing to me a beautiful song. As the bird sang its heart out, I embraced it.
It then transformed itself into a tiny mirror. Its injury was healed.
I looked into the mirror, and saw the bird smiling back at me.
There are many ideas of what it is like to be incarcerated. I have often heard people say they would not be able to cope if they were ever “Put Away,” and to be honest, I, too, thought as much before my lock up. But come to find out “adjusting” to confinement IS NOT the biggest dread of prison life. To me, the greatest worry is not anything physical at all. The idea of being beaten, stabbed, raped, or even just living out the slow, tedious, ho-hum days, that seem to drag on forever, is somehow tolerated after a period of time.
Rather, for me, the biggest fear of prison is being forgotten by the ones I love.
Many of our followers are familiar with Eric, who is a frequent contributor to our blog. Read below to learn more about his moving story. The world loves people who help themselves, and now Eric needs some support from the world. Please share his fundraiser, and let’s help him get off to a good start out here.
A few words from Eric
I need your help. Please take a few moments to learn my story, and once you do, I really hope you can find it in your heart to lend a hand. Elements of my story may seem extraordinary, but I assure you that everything you are about to read is completely true and verifiable. Please… read on.
I have been incarcerated for twenty-one years, but I have not wasted my time. I have worked extremely hard, changed my life, earned a PhD in Psychology and Counseling, and dedicated my life to helping others. I have worked as a tutor in the GED program here at the prison for the last fourteen years. I am nearing release, and although I have saved as much as I can, it is not nearly enough to re-launch my life. I desperately need re-entry assistance, and I would greatly appreciate anything you would be willing to give.
Allow me to tell you a little about my journey. In 2001, I took a man’s life in a fight while drunk. I was 21-years-old and addicted to alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamines in a misguided attempt to self-medicate my internal dysfunction. I was staggeringly self-absorbed, and I take total responsibility for both the actions and lifestyle that put me in prison — I did this to myself. And worse, I hurt so many people. I cannot ever change that, as much as I wish I could. I unquestionably deserved to be sent to prison, but I have worked hard to never be a man who belongs here. I have had plenty of time to reflect upon both who I was and who I want to be.
When I was arrested in 2001, I was angry at the world, confused about who I was, oblivious to the pain and suffering I left in my wake, and profoundly undereducated. I didn’t even have a GED. I was stuck in perpetual adolescence, unable to move beyond an egotistical “teenage” mindset. I didn’t care how I affected the world; I only thought about how the world affected me. I had no conception of how backward that was. Once I took responsibility for the pain I caused as a result of my selfishness and violence, I regained the power to determine the direction of my life, and through a dedication to authentic personal, emotional, and spiritual growth, I have arrived at a place where I genuinely want to use my education and personal experiences to positively impact others.
A transformational moment in my life came while I was serving time in disciplinary segregation for fighting. I believe I had a spiritual experience, yet I never want to push my perspective upon others. Although nothing happened that broke the laws of physics, I believe God illuminated to me the fact that I am worth more than the way I had been living, an idea I had never internalized before, and it permanently altered the focus of my life. I didn’t know how to be anything other than what I had always been, and I certainly didn’t know what the future held. Yet, I knew I would never be the same, but I also knew I had to work hard.
I use the metaphor of a weed often — I look back on my young life, and I see that I was a weed. I was ultimately removed from society because my impact was ugly. I brought nothing of worth to anyone. In fact, I was a burden to those who love me the most, and when I finally realized this, I didn’t want to live anymore. I really didn’t. It was at this low point that some educational opportunities came into my life, and I found purpose.
I went on to earn my GED in 2003, and I was given a job as a tutor in 2008, a job I still hold today. I earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2013 and a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling in 2015, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.98 GPA. I earned a Master of Counseling degree in 2017, and on December 10, 2021 I completed my doctoral program, earning a PhD in Psychology and Counseling. Moreover, I have accumulated over 350 additional CEU credits toward certification in alcohol and drug counseling. I have everything I need for my license except the 4000 hours of supervised clinical counseling, which I cannot accrue until I am released. However, I am immediately employable in my field. Furthermore, my doctoral research revolved around the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual issues and struggles of homosexuality. I am well-trained and ready to pursue a career of service to hurting people with the second half of my life.
My aim is to positively impact those who struggle with substance abuse problems, identity issues, and spiritual direction. I have overcome similar problems in my own life, and I believe my experiences and insight can provide a unique voice that lends credibility to the counseling of struggling people.
I have made so many mistakes in my life and hurt so many people, and although my violence was over twenty years ago, it remains powerfully present for me. It is the motivating factor behind my desire to help others. I don’t want to hurt anyone ever again. I want to be a channel for light in the world by using my faith in God, my education in counseling, and my experiences of failure, incarceration, and personal growth to benefit others. I can never repay all I have taken from this world, but I can spend the rest of my life giving back.
Although my educational achievements are considerable, I think the best lessons I have learned go beyond academics. I have learned what it means to know who I am, to know my purpose, and to find meaning in my mistakes. I have learned that who I am is okay; I don’t need to hide my imperfections behind a mask or to numb my emotional struggles with alcohol or drugs. I have learned self-awareness, empathy, and personal responsibility. I have learned that my life impacts others and that I have a choice about that impact.
Below is video of Eric’s graduation in prison:
I am a featured writer on this website, and you can read my posts here. It will help you see that I am genuine and serious about helping others. I simply need some help to get started — housing, clothing, food, a phone, and transportation all cost money, and while it is not anyone’s responsibility to provide these things, I am asking for some initial assistance. I am extremely grateful for anything you would be willing to give. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Stay safe.
I was given an article recently by Katie Rose Quandt and Alexi Jones titled Research Roundup: Incarceration can cause lasting damage to mental health. The article went in depth about the effects of our current system of penology on the mental health of those affected with mental health issues prior to being incarcerated. But what was most fascinating for me was the evidence that those who previously had no mental health issues were being subjected to such cruel conditions that even those leaving prison are experiencing lasting detrimental affects to their mental health. The affectation is known as “Post Incarceration Syndrome.”
The article took into consideration what I have found to be the most prevalent factor surrounding the mental deterioration in the carceral environment… STAFF. I will always remain fair in my assessments and never place all staff in the same category, but like the inmates, the staff that make the incarcerative experience a pure living hell, as opposed to a corrective endeavor, without a doubt have the most influence, and hence, the biggest impact on the mental health of prisoners.
A recent experience may explain. I am currently housed at a prison in Lake County Florida, appropriately Lake Correctional Institution. At this prison there is no library, no law library, nor any vocational education programs. There is space for a limited number of prisoners to work on obtaining a G.E.D., and a recently-begun wellness education program. There are also some religious volunteers and someone from Toastmaster’s International that comes in once a week to facilitate a group known as the Gavel Club. I am a member of the Gavel Club and the Wellness class. Unfortunately, although the Wellness instructor is very adept at relating her subject matter, almost none of the material is applicable to prison life. We have wellness education in the morning, and a coinciding recreation period in the afternoon. On this particular afternoon after walking several laps around the rec yard I sat my arthritic self on an incline in the grass to rest my knees. The next thing I knew two newer officers, officers, arroyo and stewart, were standing over me ordering me to get up and get moving. I attempted to explain that I had just walked several laps around the rec yard and was resting because I suffer from arthritis. None of the precipitating factors made any difference to these two officers. I know this because they said so when they replied, “I don’t care, get up and get moving like I told you.” I then tried to explain that the Wellness instructor is aware of my situation but was again informed that that held no weight with these two power hungry officers, that they had given me an order. When I asked if they would treat their grandfather this way that was all the reason they needed to whip out the handcuffs and begin the walk of shame across the rec yard with their quota of radical senior citizens in tow on the road to confinement where I would begin days if not weeks…yes you guessed it, doing nothing but lying on my back. The worst part for me would not be the loss of what little stimuli we do have by being placed into confinement, it was being essentially arrested by these two officers simply because of the power play that was created by them in the first place. When we reached the captain for approval to “lock me up,” thankfully he was somewhat level-headed and had the presence of mind to inform the officers that “the thing that started the whole thing,” my laying in the grass during recreation, I was actually allowed to do. The captain left it up to the officers whether or not to place me in confinement and I have no idea why they declined but by that time the damage to my psyche had already been done. While removing the hand cuffs the other officer had to get in one last jab by making the statement, “and wipe that smirk off your face.”
Now mind you, I’m sixty years old being ordered around by two recent high school graduate misandrists because FDC has lowered the recruitment age to 18. What can possibly be accomplished by placing an 18 year old in a position of authority over a sixty year old? The only thing to be accomplished is having a body to fill the position. There is absolutely zero rehabilitation even if that were the goal. Which it is not. The end result was that I was ordered to leave the rec yard and return to the dormitory. So instead of hitting what they were shooting at, me to be physically active on the rec yard, I went to the dorm and proceeded to lay back on my bunk doing nothing. Not only was my physical well being completely disregarded by officers arroyo and stewart, but it was literally days before my mental functioning began to process the event without anger, depression, and the feeling of degradation. And to be quite honest I still have not gotten completely over it because I find myself doing everything possible to avoid these two officers even in passing. The real question is will I ever be able to deal with life on life’s own terms again whether inside or outside these fences?
It is not surprising the recidivism rate is as high as it is as mental illness appears to be the touchstone of the largest incarceral system the world has ever known.
By the way, did I mention Lake C.I. is a designated mental health facility. A lot of good that does.
