Today my caseworker called me into his office before lunch. He wanted me to know my parole hearing has been rescheduled for January 30th of 2017. We're going to try this again.
I'm excited. Hopeful.
​I don't think they would move my parole consideration date again. Who could be that unlucky?

This update is long overdue. My friends, I've been on an emotional rollercoaster ride since July 14th, which I can now share with you. 

On July 14th of this past summer, the ride took off when my correctional caseworker called me into his office and told me that I had a parole consideration hearing scheduled for December 13th of this year. My mind reeled with the good news and the fact that I had a little less than four months (120 days) to get completely ready for a hearing that could change the rest of my life. 

The ride sped up as I made haste to write essays on accountability, line up support letters, and type up parole plans. It was exciting. My family was happy.

On August 16th I was given a Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation to determine whether I would be classified as a low, moderate, or high risk for parole. I thought the psych evaluation was the final piece needed before my upcoming parole hearing, so after it was over and the psychologist said I did well, I took a big sigh of relief.

Then the rollercoaster took a sharp and unexpected turn. Seemingly out of the blue, on August 23rd my attorney notified me that my parole consideration date had been snatched; he was told that it would be rescheduled for April or May of 2018. I was shocked by that news. My exciting rollercoaster ride ended in a cold splash. I'm still shocked.

Since receiving that news, I pulled out my copy of SB261, the Youth Offender Parole Law, to see if it could give me any clarity. I think it says it gave me a right to a Yough Offender Parole Hearing by January 1st of 2018. Maybe the person who had my parole consideration date snatched has a different understanding. 

With that said, all I can do is ask politely for clarification and patiently wait, while taking care to reassure my family that I'm okay. Together we're praying.

While we're waiting for the Board of Parole Hearings to schedule a new parole consideration hearing, I still go to work and try to help people every day. On my spare time I still work on Sudoku. I get out to the prison library and I read books. The latest one I started is The Biology of Belief, by Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.

Please note that I have updated my updated mailing address in the "Join the Team" page of my website: I'm no longer at Solano State Prison, I was transferred to Wasco where my skills and training are most needed right now. I'd still love to hear from you. Leave a comment for me and my webmaster will print and mail it to me. You'll hear back from me soon(ish).

There is a small Caribbean community at Solano State Prison. It is comprised of three Belizeans and three Jamaicans. I've known one of the Belizeans since he was six years old (and I was eight). I met the other Belizean about five years ago in another prison. I met the rest of the men when I came to Solano. Now one of the three Jamaicans is dying. His name is Happy. He has pancreatic cancer, and doctors say he has maybe four more months to live.

Happy is about fifty-five years old and he's spent the last twenty-eight of those years in prison. Just two months ago he had some good news when the Board of Parole Hearings found him suitable for release. This last minute cancer diagnosis is robbing him of that final victory. The brother is rejecting treatment and isolating himself inside his dorm, not even letting his brethren in to see him.

OMG. Stephen Colbert is really funny. This year, political satire will reach a new level of funny.

Saw a great sermon by Joel Osteen today. It was about the need to have an inner sanctuary and protect it. I agreed with Joel when he said that in life we will experience trouble, but we must keep the troubles on the outside, not allowing them into our inner sanctuary. He summarized: don't allow the turmoil, worry, and discouragement on the outside to get in.

No matter what comes, if we don't let it move us, it can't bring us down. We can operate from a position of peace and hope every day. Those who do can produce amazing results. 

Some people say that Joel Osteen isn't their type of preacher, but I like him. His message is always positive.

I'm exhausted. The Rocket Pitch Competition was big. You know how you feel drained after the end of a long day full of excitement and pressure? That's how I feel. The event was huge. The press and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections showed up. The reporter from KCRA filmed everything, interviewed the winners and told us the highlights will air tonight at 10pm and 11pm. I'll ask my mom to go online and watch that segment.

​She'll be able to see me receive the Career Readiness Certificate from Baylor which was presented at the end of the day's events.

Had an eventful day. Spent the morning trying to memorize the 3-minute pitch that I'm supposed to deliver at the big event tomorrow. After dinner, the CEO of Defy Ventures, Catherine Hoke, stopped by the Level III gym to speak to all the men who will be pitching tomorrow, to give us last-minute tips.

Preparing for my first Rocket Pitch Competition. The RPC is a chance for Defy EITs (Entrepreneurs In Training) to present themselves and their product in a Sharktank-style competition. Hundreds of people will be there. Judges, investors, well-wishers and other EITs. I'm a little nervous, Fortunately, I'm also a little cocky.
Gave a practice pitch today which exposed some areas I need to work on.

Took a Defy Ventures Employment Readiness Exam. It's a big deal because if I pass I'll earn a certificate from Baylor University, the one in Texas. That's a big deal. Baylor has a top-notch entrepreneurship program and a partnership with Defy Ventures.

I was finally told the outcome of my CATC exam. Drumroll please... I passed! My actual score was 84 out of 100. All of the studying paid off. Now I am a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC). I will be going to work for a prison Substance Abuse Treatment Program full time.