This diary is in response to a recent diary by tehwondakitty which can be found here: Hillary or Obama: one question I won't get answered. I agree with all the points that she laid out in her diary, and she is correct that subject is the disenfranchisement none of the candidates will talk about.
However the point I directly wanted to address was this line in her diary:
there are practically no second chances in America. Land of Opportunity my dimpled butt. You walk out of jail in debt, you need a permanent address not co-occupied by any other ex-cons (which is, in some cases, the only people you know...or the only people who'll have anything to do with you), and you need a job. Oh, but the only people who'll hire you pay minimum wage, because they know you can't get any other jobs.
Follow me below the fold as I share my most personal story which will flip that talking point on its head....for I am an ex-con.
When I was 17 years old I was arrested by the FBI for Bank robbery, in addition I was wanted in the south for another armed robbery ( I will omit certain details here for the sake of my privacy and in protection of my new life) You see when I was 16 I left home and hitchhiked from my home state down south (on the coast) and was generally hustling to make enough money day to day. Winter was coming and I was getting desperate for shelter and I saw a sign which inspired me to try something which in retrospect was the biggest mistake in my life. The sign said "petty criminals go to jail, great criminals get elected".
I had been thinking of ways to make some easy money and I had read a story in the newspaper about a man who walking into a bank in California with a note that said he had a bomb. The story went on to say that it is the policy of most of those institutions to just give them the money (which is insured) so as to not endanger the customers. So that was my solution to my problem. I figured I could pull it off and go back up north (where Im from) and live large.
So I did it, I walked into a check cashing service, walked up to the cashier and handed her the note which read "In my bag I have a bomb. Give me all the money in your drawers. Do not panic, just give me the money and I will leave. Have a nice day" (my bit of criminal humor).
I then ended up north with around 12,000 in cash, and moved into an apartment with a friend of mine. We partied, did tons of drugs, met lots of girls and generally had a grand old time. Of course after a few months the money began to run out, so I talked to my friend about what I had done down south and if he wanted to try it with me. Except this time a bigger target. A bank. So we planned it, and I did the same thing except this time with my friend parked 3 blocks away as our getaway driver. It went flawlessly with the exception of one thing. Some old lady who I happened to bump into on my way running from the bank took notice of me, the car I got into and the out of state plates on the car (should have switched them, but then I wouldn't be writing this and my life would have continued down that dead-end path).
After the police found our car parked in the drive way of my apartment at around 4:30am, they surrounded the house, blocked off the streets and I was arrested by the FBI at 9:30 in the morning as I walked down to get my morning newpaper (always have been a news and politics hound).
After my friend agreed to testify against me, I negotiated a plea: 46 months in Federal prison, followed by 16-20 months in State prison for my crimes. Now this is the part where I decided to change my life for the better.
Now that you know a bit of my background and expertise on this subject, I wanted to elaborate on what a person can do to turn their life around.
You see most people in prison continue the habits and may talk a good game about wanting to change their lives, or not having a chance in life but in reality spend their days playing cards, doing drugs (yes there are plenty of drugs in prison), getting in fights, listening to music, watching TV and doing nothing that could change their status in life.
As a liberal I like to think that most people are good and if given the chance will succeed in life. With 97% of the prison population though this just isnt the case. They don't care, and only want to get out and go back to the life they left on the outside.
But I met a man who changed my life. His name is Ronald Del Ray who is serving life in prison with no parole for killing 2 police officers in a bank robbery in 1967, which he regretted for the rest of his life. We played chess every day, and he said something to me one day after we had known each other for about a year and a half. He said "TokyoProgressive, you have a second chance that I never had, so dont fucking screw it up. I have been here in this shithole for over 30 years, and I will die here. They will bury me in an unmarked grave. You though, you will get out in a couple years. Do something with your life. You see all these yahoos" he said pointing at all the cons playing games, watching TV "they are doing nothing to change, and they will be back if they get out. Dont be like them, study, finish your education, make a plan for when you get out. And when you do get out, work harder than everyone else and make a life for yourself. Promise me this, promise me you wont screw it up" He said, his old cold eyes which hadnt seen the light of a free day since before I was born, watering slightly.
That emotion was quickly blotted away, and he looked harder with his cold blue eyes staring at me and said "because if I ever see you here again, I will kill you the moment you walk in the door" smiling slightly.
I promise him and myself I would. And I studied and studied, finishing first my GED and then began my college studies. I took advantage of all the assistance the prisons provide which most do not take advantage of. I also became a mentor.
When I got out (which was the most beautiful day of my life) I worked some landscaping manual labor jobs for a while as I continued my education and saved money living with my parents who were so happy to see me turning my life around. When winter came I answered a advertisement for a timeshare sales position and I found something out.
I am one hell of a salesman. Apparently I am very good at reading people and convincing them to buy things they maybe wouldnt buy. I bought all the sales books I could find, and studied and studied. The beautiful thing about a sales job is that it doesnt matter what your background is. Some people can do it, some cant. And the only thing that matters to a sales manager is the bottom line.
I then developed my sales career and have become a world class closer. I moved to Tokyo (that is a WHOLE nother diary)speak fluent Japanese and work for a headhunting firm and make over 6 figures a year as a senior consultant. I have a beautiful little daughter who will be 3 next year, and a life I am proud of.
So when people tell me there are no second chances, thats bullshit. If you study and work you ass off, there are plenty of 2nd chances. Just 97% of the ones inside dont want to change. They want the easy money and easy life with no work involved.
I took the path less traveled, and it has made all the difference.