Words From Within

Words From Within»

Adult inmates at a women's county jail in California wrote the poems included in this section of our magazine. The literacy program they are a part of works towards improving the educational levels of the inmates by promoting literacy instruction, and fostering positive and supportive relationships. Below is an excerpt from the Literacy Coordinator that facilitates the jail program.

Rehabilitation:
More than four years have passed, and there is not a day that goes by that I am not awed by the raw talent, insight, and intelligence of the participants in our literacy program for adult inmates. While these qualities are present in both the men and women in our program, it is the ripeness of the women that sets them apart. Despite their obsolete facility, where overcrowded dormitory style "living" conditions and limited programming for "correcting" is the norm, these women need no more than a physical space to make art. I hope you enjoy reading their compositions and feel for a moment what I get to experience daily by simply being in their presence.

Literacy Coordinator, Women's County Jail, CA

Rehabilitation by Mrs. Boxer
Dominic Sparano

"Recovery Inside" Anonymous
Rehabilitation is a life process, in recovering from alcoholism. I learned that I will never be rehabilitated.
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The Story of My Life Anonymous
The story of my life.
I was born in the 1971 to my parents both in prison.
Raised by my grandparents and a house full of men, my uncles.
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Finding My Backbone Anonymous
I joined a program with an idea in mind: to get sober and stay sober. So, when I heard, "You don't have a backbone," I didn't know what that meant. I looked at the people that were telling me I needed a backbone
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Running Anonymous
Running always Running away.
Can never stay in one spot for too long.
Running away from people, places, things.
Running in circles, Running away from,
Then back to the same things.
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