Tag: freedom

4 Years After Prison, I Reached a Milestone

Posted on October 3, 2016October 3, 2016 by Texas Magnum

Well, y’all, I have officially reached a milestone of sorts. I have now been OUT of trouble… that means living fine, working hard, and loving life in general… longer than I have been IN trouble, as an adult at least. I guess this is sort of a skewed way of looking at it, because I am counting the time since I got locked up, rather than since I got let free. That is because, for me, locking me up is what got me on the right path. So since that day they closed the cell door and I knew I

Just like in prison – To divide is to conquer.

Posted on June 18, 2016June 20, 2016 by Texas Magnum

With all the hate going on in the world, it can be hard to keep a good outlook and positive attitude. In prison it was much the same way – the overall feeling of hate and disrespect and ongoing oppression could get to you if you weren’t careful. You had to stay mindful to keep your head in the right place, and not let the hate become part of who you were. You had to choose to rise above it on a daily basis. If you ask me, this hateful attitude everyone is carrying around is turning our country into

4th of July, 2015 – Can you find freedom while in prison?

Posted on July 3, 2015July 9, 2015 by Texas Magnum

For those of you with family and loved ones in prison on this 4th of July holiday weekend, especially those imprisoned for crimes of drug use, I will tell you this – freedom is a state of mind. A person can be more free while incarcerated than they ever were on the outside. When I was going through real bad times with drug use I was not free. Sure, maybe I could jump in my truck and drive to a party on the 4th, drink some beer and eat some barbecue and that is so-called freedom, compared to being locked

Christmas in prison – a time for reflection

Posted on December 23, 2014April 8, 2015 by Texas Magnum

The holidays can be some of the toughest time for prison inmates and their families and loved ones. An inmate can feel incredibly alone and sad being in prison during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and New Years. It’s a time we associate with family and the reality of being locked up can hit hard. It’s a time when mothers and fathers cry for their sons and daughters, and wives and husbands yearn for the touch of their mate. As a former inmate, I can tell you there were bright spots to the holidays. For one, the inmates tend to have

Short Timer Here

Posted on March 2, 2014March 2, 2014 by Texas Magnum

I feel like I am a short timer on my parole these days. I can see that light at the end of the tunnel. Can’t wait. it will be the first time in 7 years that I am not either locked up or on paper. My choices will be mine. Nobody looking over my shoulder. Just got to mind my business for another couple of months. I can do it, that’s not a problem at all. I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but I can’t help but start to feel anxious for this all to be

The Holidays – Then and Now

Posted on December 29, 2013December 29, 2013 by Texas Magnum

While I was in prison, the holidays were sad days. I couldn’t help but feel alone and sad and think of my family and friends more than usual. I think it’s safe to say that was something almost all of us in prison dealt with, although some tried to act like they didn’t care. Maybe they didn’t, who knows. We did try to make the best of it. We were given a better meal than usual, with baked chicken and turkey. Baked chicken is one of the few things that prison cooking can’t screw up, since it’s relatively simple and

Johnny Cash and His Work for Prison Reform

Posted on January 24, 2013January 24, 2013 by Texas Magnum

Here is a great piece about Johnny Cash and his work for prisoners and prison reform from BBC. Take note of the additional links and info about prison included in the right hand side bar of the article.

Is that light at the end of the tunnel?

Posted on November 9, 2011November 13, 2011 by Texas Magnum

I am tired. Tired of being here, tired of the classes I am in, tired of the work I do and mostly REALLY tired of this dorm I live in. I am tired of the loud mouths and the bad attitudes. I am tired of the CO’s and tired of the other inmates. I am tired of writing letters to family because there really isn’t any news to talk about with them anymore. I am tired of drinking coffee that tastes like rusty nails. I am tired of having to strip down for every little thing and I am tired

Missing out on life

Posted on March 7, 2011March 7, 2011 by Texas Magnum

After being incarcerated for the last seven months, I have learned the truth about what being locked up and the loss of freedom means to a man. Before all this happened, losing my freedom meant something completely different to me than what it does now. I thought losing my freedom meant not being able to come and go as I wanted, not being able to sleep in when I wanted, stay out late when I wanted and to do what I wanted. I thought it meant not having a corrections officer telling me where to go or not go, and

Prison is a funny place.

Posted on February 8, 2011February 8, 2011 by Texas Magnum

Prison is a funny place. You sit in here, day after day, imagining what it will feel like when you are released.Â We allÂ make a list of things to do, whenÂ we areÂ “free”. Most mens’ list are a little like this: 1) Get laid 2) Eat a huge steak 3) Sleep in a comfortable bed Everyone’s list is somewhat different but most men have a list similar to my example. (Ask them, if you don’t believe me.) Of course, I myself know that I look forward to MANY things. From women, to work, to spending time with my family. What I wonder