November 23rd 2021
Dear Initiate Justice,
I just want to say “thank you” to all your staff and volunteers for all you’ve done and continue to do for us, inmates. I am grateful for the updates your newsletter/magazine provides on the changes to laws that affect the CDCR prisoner population. I am enclosing a Holiday ornament I handmade out of the first newsletter I received.
Personally I am 21 months into a five year prison sentence. I was arrested for an attempted murder, but accepted a no-contest plea deal for an assault with a deadly weapon and a gross bodily injury enhancement. I am one of the fortunate inmates to have benefited from private legal representation and the ability to be out on bail while fighting my case. All this because I had / have the support of a large loving family.
Being incarcerated, though, has opened my eyes to not only how bad prisons are to the process of rehabilitation, but also to how unfair the whole justice process can be to the less fortunate. I am housed with an inmate who is a third striker doing a life sentence. Also, another inmate who is on his 30th year incarcerated even though his actions did not cause the murder of the victim in his case and as a matter of fact, another prisoner is doing Life without Parole for that crime. These stories are tragic and humbling.
Which is why I am very enthusiastic about your organization and its mission. I look forward to updates on your endeavors to have laws changed to be more just and fair. I await the day the three strikes law is deemed unconstitutional and my fellow inmate “[name redacted]” will see freedom once again. I’m also hopeful that the legislative changes that have been made, will result in “[name redacted]” (the inmate on his 30th year) being released from custody this coming year.
With all that said, I’ve personally benefited from these changes. My credit earning has changed from 80% to 66%. My out date advanced to almost 6 months sooner! My wife, kids, and family are happy that I’ll be home earlier, as am I. Keep up the good work. You are all touching many lives in a powerful positive way. God Bless.
Sincerely,
[name redacted]
Letters have been edited to remove names, locations, and any other information that helps keep our incarcerated members safe. Transcriptions appear as close to the written letters as possible, any adjustments are made for the purpose of legibility.