Day 104: The Blueprint – From Reading to Advocacy

Original Entry: October 4, 2021

Slept until 7:30 AM when the big lights came on. Drag-ass tired. Lunch was tuna—Fish Friday on a Monday, apparently. I mixed the cucumbers and picked out the  onions into the MAC; actually pretty good.

The highlight of the day was digging deeper into Orange is the New Black. Beyond the story, the back of the book is a goldmine of resources: Books for Prisoners, PEN, and more. I drafted three letters today to these organizations to start sharing my story. I also sent a copy of my poem, "Shadows on a Window," to my mom. Finished the letters, mailed them off, and got another email from MyTrina to answer tomorrow.

Four Years Later: The Pirate’s Perspective (2026)

Orange is the New Black wasn't a masterpiece of prose, but its "realness" hit me hard while I was living it. Piper’s interactions with staff and inmates encouraged me to do more than just sit through my sentence; I had to try.

The most impactful part was the resource list at the end. Reaching out to those groups led me to a book that changed everything: The Sentences That Create Us: Crafting A Writer’s Life in Prison. That book taught me the mantra I still live by: Never Stop Trying. It turned me from an inmate who wrote letters into an advocate and a "Jailhouse Lawyer".

The Pirate’s Resource Bridge: Breaking the Isolation

“The system is designed to separate you. These resources are designed to connect you. Never stop trying.” — Lucas Knight

In 2021, a dogeared copy of Orange is the New Black changed my trajectory—not because of the story, but because of the list of addresses at the back. Those addresses led me to the PEN America community and the books that turned me into an advocate. Whether you are currently incarcerated or have a loved one behind bars, these are the bridges back to the world.

1. The Power of the Written Word

• PEN America Prison and Justice Writing: They offer a handbook for writers, a mentor program, and an annual contest. Getting published is the first step to being seen.

• The Sentences That Create Us: If you can only get one book into a cell, make it this one. It is the definitive guide to building a creative life while inside.

2. Building the Library (Free Books for Prisoners)

Prison libraries are often "gatekeepers." These organizations bypass the gate:

• Books Through Bars: A volunteer-run organization that sends free books to incarcerated people.

• Prison Book Program: They emphasize high-quality educational and legal materials.

3. For the Families & Friends

The "other side" of the wall is often the most isolated.

• Inside Books Project: A great resource for understanding how to navigate the mailing rules.

• The "Paper Trail" Strategy: Always keep copies of every letter sent and received. Build your own archive.