The interviewee describes how the first 10 years of her 20-year prison sentence were hard, but that was the beginning of for getting and staying clean.

The interviewee describes encouraging others by reminding them of their inherent worth and ability to choose the right path.

The interviewee recounts acknowledging the harm she caused others and commits to turning over a new leaf.

The interviewee describes her stepfather experiencing abuse in childhood and him carrying that trauma into his adult behavior.

The interviewee describes frequently fighting back to earn respect from her peers.

The interviewee describes how losing a friend to drug-related theft served as a motivation to turn her life around.

The interviewee describes a willingness to take any necessary action when she was an addict.

The interviewee describes connecting with an AA volunteer who picked him up upon his release and took him to a 50's cafe.

Interviewee describes how groups assisted in his initial transition; however, he shifted toward engaging primarily on an individual basis.

The interviewee describes the rotation of parole agents as just another signature on his file, confirming his gradual progress.

The interviewee notes being engaged after 6 months of dating, with plans to marry at their own pace.

The interviewee describes how 'messing around' in prison was more tolerable and acceptable.

The interviewee describes involvement in hunger strikes, where force-feeding was administered within 72 hours.

The interviewee describes being raised alongside two brothers by a mother with a disability and an abusive stepfather.

The interviewee recounts the loss of his mother in 2012 and the tragedy of his father dying just five days before his release.

The interviewee recounts learning to drive, acquiring his license, and buying his first $1,000 car.

The interviewee describes his gradual transition toward self-improvement and his efforts to turn his life around.

The interviewee discusses selling drugs as a source of income due to personal circumstances.

The interviewee discusses some of the violence and threats of violence he experienced moving from juvi to adult prison.

The interviewee describes how he was not allowed to be tried as a juvenile and that his lawyers repeatedly waived his right to a speedy trial.

The interviewee describes how the cards were always stacked against him in prison even when he was doing things right.

The interviewee describes the joy of being found suitable for parole and how he mentally survived prison.

The interviewee describes his experience before the parole board.

The interviewee describes his first few days as a free man.

The interviewee discusses how he learned to deal with the violence in prison.

The interviewee describes his first time in county jail as a young person.

The interviewee describes how he felt he couldn’t fully understand his trial experience.

The interviewee describes how he used his prison job to deliver bags of dope as a way to feed his habit.

The interviewee talks about some of the reasons he was a drug addict.

The interviewee discusses how it took him a while to understand how serious his crime was and how many people he hurt.

The interviewee discusses how difficult the trial process and period was and his refusal to take a deal.

The interviewee describes how he lost everything when he went to prison and how his life and identity became a blank canvas.

The interviewee discusses the emotions he feels about his life sentence crime.

The interviewee describes his internal struggle to understand what to do after stumbling upon a crime scene.

The interviewee discusses how he was convicted of felony murder for being a look out.

The subject discusses how he is able to find peace and continue to grow as a person.

The interviewee describes his relationship with his parents and experiences in the community.

The interviewee describes how much some of his in-prison classes meant to him.

The interviewee discusses some of the challenges of living in highly race segregated prisons.

The interviewee discusses his first time being locked up as a 12 year old and how scary that is.

The interviewee describes how he used negative coping patterns to survive prison and how he was able to change that.

The interviewee discusses some of his challenges and successes around learning to feel and show his emotions again.

The interviewee describes how he lost friends after quitting smoking in prison.

The interviewee discusses how he was able to change his life by improving his self esteem.

The interviewee describes the constant undertone of violence in prison.

The interviewee describes his experiences in solitary confinement and some of the reasons he ended up there.

The interviewee describes how prison labor was divided by race.

The interviewee describes how his first experience in adult prison was similar to juvenile detention.

The interviewee describes how is life is limited in the reentry process.

The interviewee describes establishing status in prison and not getting caught.

The interviewee describes some of the codes and rules of prison.

The interviewee talks about how he isolated himself from everyone after running away from home.

The interviewee talks about his successful escape from jail.

The interviewee describes his trial experience and they heavy weight and stress of it all.

The interviewee describes a conflict with one of his program leaders that may have interfered with him gaining a “chrono” from her.

The interviewee talks about how he was failed because his attorneys did not fight for him and that's how they system works for Black people.

The interviewee describes how they could only count on themselves to police and check themselves because the guards ignored everything.

The interviewee talks about how he did as he wanted in prison because he didn’t cause any trouble and got along with everyone.

The interviewee's oldest brother became the father figure of the house in terms of financing the family.

The interviewee describes what is was like to leave prison.

The interviewee describes the neighborhoods he grew up in as “bad” and details his family structure, which includes divorce and his need for a male role model.

The interviewee describes his difficult childhood as a child surrounded by neglect, addictions, and a toxic environment.

The interviewee describes how he turned into an angry man to cope with his reality.

The interviewee discusses his experience before the parole board.

The interviewee describes making "easy money" when he was a teen runaway.

The interviewee describes the circumstances that led up to his life sentence crime.

The interviewee describes the frequency of gang fights in his community and how his brother joined a gang.

The interviewee talks about how he saw gates and bars everywhere, which affected him and everyone else, and how the community has been taken away from Black people.

The interviewee describes how, in his community, there are many gangs and the culture of gangs in his neighborhood. He uses humor as a defense mechanism to prevent gang members from bothering him.

The interviewee discusses his process as a returning citizen and the multiple activities he has been involved with to maintain a productive life and enjoy every opportunity presented to him.

The interviewee talks about her experience in prison, becoming clean, going to board, and figuring out who she is. She does this by going to groups and classes.

Interviewee discusses the sentences he has received and his three strikes that lead to his life sentence.

Interviewee shares his turning point in prison. Witnessing other individuals who were incarcerated taking their own lives he chose to make life changes that supported his recovery.

Interviewee discusses his desire to help others who have been through the criminal justice system. He expresses the joy he feels when witnessing their healing.

The interviewee talks about getting a ten year denial from the board was devastating, but he wasn’t willing to give up.

Interviewee describes how his reputation in the SHU smoothed his transition onto a level 4 general population yard.

The interviewee describes his initial release process after prison and his experiences with parole and the board. This is how he finally got to walk out of prison.

The interviewee speaks on how important it is to have family support because he says that he didn’t have that while growing up which made him look for it somewhere else.

The interviewee tells a bit of his home as a child as well as his family dynamic. He also speaks a bit of how he turned Pro in boxing.

The interviewee speaks on the loss of his son and his son’s mother and how the pain he felt will always be there no matter if he goes to therapy or not.

The interviewee speaks on his experience with a specific gang in prison and also on how he no longer drinks.

The interviewee describes her relationship with her family members. Though her relationship with some people in her family were rocky, she overall appreciates many of them.

The interviewee explains why he believes his life took a turn for the worse after being on his own.

Interviewee describes the process of joining a gang in her hometown and how she was very badly beaten in order to join the gang.

The interviewee tries to move forward, leaving her past behind. But eventually, the past catches up to her and gets arrested.

Interviewee explains his sobering process during his trial and becoming more aware of his charges and situation. He describes all the trials that had been stacking up until his final arrest for murder.

The interviewee realizes he hasn’t fully healed when he gets in a fight. He describes transforming when he goes to KYROS, a spiritual gathering.

The interviewee describes having a dream where he is enveloped in light and told he can be healed and forgiven if he puts in the work. He realizes that his traumatic childhood is connected to his actions later in life.

The interviewee describes how race no longer matters when in the rehabilitation groups.

The interviewee recalls his girlfriend cheating on him with his best friend shortly after the passing of his stepfather.

The interviewee describes becoming an meth addict in his teen years.

The interviewee describes his battle against alcoholism and the events that lead up to his life crime.

The interviewee talks about how he recently got back in touch with his son and their relationship.

Interviewee talks about how he lives life with no regrets and how he has made terms with everything he has done claiming “it is a part of my destiny”.

Interviewee describes the how his hope in a new law allowed him to reflect on his actions and create a positive impact in his life.

Interviewee recounts the acceptance he felt from being in a gang and how his main job within the gang had him in survival mode.

Interviewee shares his excitement about his future outside of prison, including getting engaged. He expresses the eagerness he feels.

The interviewee talks about how he is working through the process of forgiving himself.

Interviewee shares about his experience losing his grandfather at a young age.

The interviewee describes how he was able to share his story with others to help drive change. He also shares some of his passions and how they have evolved thus far.