When I arrived to prison about seven years ago there was talk about reducing prison populations and closing prisons. Since then, at least three new prisons have opened in my state. Now, I have to give the spin doctors their due: They are not new prisons, they are a new mental health facility and the new re-entry facilities. Leo Cardez, Illinois

Because of my open advocacy of the inmate grievance procedure and 1983 litigation, I was removed from my position as law clerk as well. What was meant to douse the flame that we sparked, only added fuel to our fire, and now we are more determined than ever to spread knowledge, raise the level of consciousness in our prison, and arm our incarcerated brothers with the proper tools they need to enforce their constitutional rights. Brandon Tieuel, Texas

There ain’t a night I don’t look beyond these walls with cataract eyes and pull in the stars. Today’s a blessing. Every good one I’ll record them. Tomorrow I’ll wake up a slave behind these bars. Mocha Scroggins, Texas

I’m serving a 90 Year sentence in the OKDOC for a crime that I did not commit. I have 25 Years clear conduct, all programs completed and a Certified Paralegal. I have never made it Past the first stage to get a Personal appearance, This is my first incarceration, But Yet I still rise, and I am going to continue to help others get out of Prison, because when we help others, we actually help a small division of ourselves. Major H, Virginia

I’m tired today. The night officer woke me up 4 times last night. They say it’s to make sure I’m not dead yet. That logic is wrong on so many levels, then again, government reason is always tenuous at best. We all know the truth, it’s really about oppression, the deepest control. If I’m such a “Bad” guy then why not grant me the mercy of a death penalty ? Why torture me every day for the rest of my life ? Only the government is guilty of that kind of evil. Joseph Davall, California

Within seconds, Hashi was at my cell with his hand thrust through the bars in search of mine, in that one gesture my resolve dissipated to nothing. I grasped his hand with mine and reached my other arm out the bars and hugged him. “I love you, brother,” is all I could manage. The dam broke and my eyes flooded with tears. Hashi squeezed my hand one final time and told me, “I love you, too, little brother,” and walked away. In that moment, there was a dignity and grace to him that I had never seen. Even in what were to be his final days, he was still teaching, and I was still learning. I sat back down and sat vigil for the next three days. We all knew that Hashi had about 72 hours to live. And as it is with all who are transported to the “death house” we prayed for that last minute stay of execution, but God decided to say “no” this time and at 12:07 am, Hashi was pronounced dead by lethal injection. Tony Enis, Illinois

The more I have applied myself into making a change inside of the Nebraska Correctional Center for women, the more I have had to worry about how the administration was going to use my housing as an underhanded way to punish me for doing what my heart and soul tells me I have to do. Christian Mikel Henderson, Nebraska

Through sharing of my personal experiences I hope to bring some enlightenment or consciousness to the oppressed, and specially to youth, the future of our generation. Xinachtli, Texas

I am now sharing my story with you in hopes that perhaps, just for a brief moment in time, you can see life through my weary eyes and understand my struggle, my anguish, and also the reason why I continue to hold onto hope despite being trapped within a severely flawed and biased judicial system; allowing that hope to forever be my beacon light towards mental freedom as I anxiously await the day when that becomes my physical freedom as well. Antwann Johnson, Missouri

How do prisoners receive help on legal work, when we’re punished ? Why is helping others a crime where violence and threats must be used, against those who cannot fight back? Where can we find help, or assistance in getting help, when we are punished, and violently attacked, for trying to help? Ibrahim Hamora, Federal Prison

The cumulative effect of collateral consequences: carceral citizenship. It’s a second-class citizenship for people with criminal records, marked by the reality that carceral citizens are made to do things other people cannot be made to do, like attend meetings for drug treatment, whether they have a drug problem or not. And they can arrest be arrested if they be have in ways that are perfectly legal for everyone else , like crossing state lines while on probation. Tiger, Texas

I cannot tell you how excited I am about JLI, organizations like yours give people hope, hope that people out there care, in a system that so easily casts those in need to the side, hope is all we have. Dylan H., Illinois

I am serving a life sentence in North Carolina. There exists a blanket-ban on law libraries at all facilities in this prison system. As an alternative to law library access, the State Maintains a contractual - agreement with an organization called North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services (“NCPLS”), who in theory is supposed to provide legal assistance to prisoners confined within NC DOC. In theory. In reality they provide virtually none… Retaliation by prison staff for the use of grievance procedures occurs as a matter of course. Mail is treated as a you’ll-get-it-if-you’re-lucky” privilege, and not the right that it is. Very rarely do prisoners challenge any of this through litigation, for there aren’t law libraries so they have no clue where to begin. Cobey LaKemper, North Carolina

When they hear our stories of tragedy and triumph when they see our meaningful contributions to the world then they will begin to feel the pain of an oppressed population, and rally behind us as fellow humans to transform a failed system that has been in place for far too long. Brandon Tieuel, Texas

Beliefs must be viewed as a consequence of personal trauma. This trauma must be dealt with honestly in order to effect change. People must be shown how to separate their past ordeals from their future interactions. That is the key to rehabilitation. Brother Darty, California

Being incarcerated in the U.S. is not a trivial experience, and even more so, being housed in a Florida State prison as a woman is extra challenging. Our judicial system can be biased at best, (I’ve filed countless direct appeals, post conviction motions, Federal Habeas Corpus, COA’s and Certiorari’s challenging this fact and many other viable arguments in some form or fashion) these sentences are disparate and the prisons dilapidated. Florida sees us as a payday as well as a problem but what is being lost in translation is the fact that the “problem” holds the solution. Kenya Hill, Florida

Honestly I think the priority issue of abolition needs to start with the abolition of life sentences, No one should ever have to do more than 20 years in this cold Hell. Joseph Davall, California

I’ve learned all, about the laws in California, as once you start to challenge your Conditions , they will place you in Administrative Segregation (Ad- seg/ The hole) for inciting. A Jailhouse lawyer it not a good thing in this prison system, because it labels you a trouble maker by staff, who will retaliate if you bring them up on charges. They expect you to be subordinate to their control over you and not challenge their authority. Mwalimu Shakur, California

It is imperative for us to stress the importance of self advocacy to the prison population. We can no longer put our lives into the hands of public defenders who only see us as numbers on their overloaded caseloads, and parole and appeal lawyers who just plug our information into cut-and-paste legal briefs while they sit back and collect tens and thousands of dollars each month. We, the actual human beings who spend our lives in cages, are the best suited to talk about our own experiences, and you know what the most surprising fact about that is ??? The public is actually interested! Brandon Tieuel, Texas

We have the power as women in prison to change the narrative as well, we just have to be willing to build those bridges as we go along and not be afraid to seize the opportunities presented to us. What we are all doing together in concert has more of an effect than what we can truly ever realize. Its so exciting. And its great to hear the excitement of other women everywhere. Kenya Hill, Florida

Understanding that I am not my past has helped me become who I was always suppose to be. I look at nobody as beneath or above me. Everyone is strong in their purpose. Their knowledge may be different then mine, stronger in some areas and weaker in others. We all can learn from one another, even from behind these walls. Sharee Miller Williams, Michigan

I would insist on Minimum Wages for those incarcerated, because prices on everything for those incarcerated are more than what the public pays for anything including items from the canteen. And the Minimum Wage effect would have everyone incarcerated seriously vying to work for minimum wage! The work inmates do at this current time is forced, because no one I’ve been in contact with in here wants to work for the amount provided at this current time, which is pennies, which is basically forced labor! The threat of forced labor can be eliminated from the prison system if minimum wages were paid to inmates! If corporations are allowed to benefit from prison labor, why shouldn’t prisoners make minimum wages? Because this is how exploitation happens when the powers that be know they don’t have to pay fair wages for prisoners they will just do whatever! Dallas Taybo, California

To whomever is reading this story, I wish that for a brief moment you could tap into my mind and my heart and experience the overwhelming anguish that I have carried for so long as I fight to reclaim the freedom that was taken from me over two decades ago. Tears flow from my face onto this paper simply because no one knows the pain that comes along with being in prison…I’m tired of asking for help only to continue being ignored. I’m tired of pleading for my life just for it to fall on deaf ears. I’m tired of being placed in Administrative Segregation because of my concerns due to complaining about conditions being frowned upon in the eyes of the institution. Where is the conflict resolution? Where is the true care and concern? Where is the real justice? Antwann Johnson, Missouri

Thank you very much for reaching into this State Dump for so many uplifting reasons like recycling some of us, strengthening all of our Eighth Amendment, & educating-correcting the typical misinformation. Thanks for removing some of the boots from our necks so we can have a voice. Another great Module for my collection! l copy & share one, keeping the original for my use & recopy. jamesdegorski.com, Illinois

This kind of deliberate indifference and gross negligence is inexcusable considering that Texas had a surplus windfall budget of $30 billion. What the public must understand is that Texas must pay up front for new AC Units for inmates and staff health alike, or, it can pay dearly later to wrongful death judgment and costs of litigation. Iron T., Texas

I’ve been incarcerated since 2011. But during my long Journey, I’ve enrolled myself into a School of Law, where I learned all this food for thought, overcoming all of my obstacles, developing a skill, and becoming so passionate with the law. I became a law check, obtained a lot of knowledge and assisted hundreds of prisoners, to get out of jail or prison. Or get new trials, reduce their sentences with over 10 years of crimes, post convictions and civil litigation experience who are seeking criminal justice reform for all inmates around the United States. Jimmie E. Evans, Florida

I don’t have the finance to pay for the most respected and knowledgeable defense attorney. I’ve decided to get educated in litigating criminal/civil law, so I can assist myself and any attorney over my legal proceeding. Hakim Abu Samad, Illinois

We are bridges for one another, our families, communities and societies. We are the light that exposes the way towards true freedom and justice. I believe that we are what the world is waiting for. Latif, New York

My situation is so simple yet complicated because my Family WAS poor and the Lawyer I hired allowed the state to railroad me. Knowing What I know Now has evolved my Level of Understanding the LAW. Yet when I show and prove my wrongful conviction claim and Legal Innocence on my own the Buddy Buddy system won’t provide relief . They Force you to be represented by state appointed Attorneys who only do the minimum to push you through the system. Demetrius, South Carolina

Myself being a jailhouse lawyer, I have read numerous prisoners Reporter’s Record and discovered that many of them have meritorious constitutional claim(s) which begs the court’s reviewal but due to the AEDPA 1-year limitation period they are forever “timed-barred’ from presenting their meritorious constitutional clam(s) to the federal court. (including myself). Sam, Texas

Thank you again for all you give my JLI’S family you all are a light in my darkness and with your help and unselfishness let’s work together to make everything we can control a better version on what it was meant to be to what it could be with a little attention and Passion. Jose, Indiana

Although illicit drugs in Texas prisons is a problem (and has been for some time) it is not the reason for the increase in prisoner-on-prisoner homicides. It is actually a symptom of a larger humanitarian crisis which TDCJ is attempting to hide from public scrutiny. The real issue is the dangerous combination of understaffing, excessive heat, insufficient food, and a dysfunctional Texas judicial system that has nullified any hope of meaningful appeal or redress of grievances. These factors have not only resulted in increased drug use and prisoners on prisoner violence and homicide, but also a significant increase in suicide rates and self-harm. Scott Zirus, Texas

I am [being] targeted by IDOC for Helping Inmates and their Loved One’s throughout the State. So I would ask you to PLEASE keep tabs on me and Advocate for me when they try to shut me down. I like to think of myself as a Freedom Fighter. So while I’m Fighting my Wrongful Conviction, I’m HELPING ALL those I can on my way out!! And since doing Legal Work and HELPING Inmates Fight their Cases is a Passion and my Life’s Calling, I Plan on pursuing a Law Degree once I’m released so I can not only HELP Inmates with Post-Trial Motions, but would be able to actually go into a Court Room and Argue the Case too!! Craig Herrick, Illinois

The system goes to great lengths to condition prison staff to see us as anything other than human. They shave our heads, take our names, restrict any meaningful human contact, steal our individuality, and label us “Offender”. This is a strategic move that forces the staff to view us as beneath them, so when they witness our mistreatment they are not able to feel empathy because they do not view us as fellow human beings. It’s like when a person squashes a bug. We don’t view that as murder because it’s just a bug. When an officer sees me get slammed on my head while I’m in handcuffs, it’s not a big deal. I’m just an offender Brandon Tieuel, Texas