BFH
My Life Inside
In April of 1994, I made a very bad decision which resulted in the deaths of two young men.
I take responsibility for my actions, and I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering my actions caused to all who were affected by the loss of those two young lives.
I realize saying sorry will never be enough to heal the pain I caused, but I try to live my life in a way that reflects my deep remorse, and a sincere desire to demonstrate that I have changed significantly over the past 28 years.
I strive on a daily basis to become a better version of my former self. By living each day in service to others, I hope to give back to those I have harmed in some small way.
Since my incarceration, I have gone through many periods of personal growth and change.
I know I cannot undo the past, but I can control to some degree the present, and the future trajectory of my life.
Although being incarcerated has limitations on what I can do, I have made it my goal to be as
positive and productive as possible.
Within these pages, you will be given a small glimpse of my life inside,
and the progress I have made over the years.
Family Support
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the love and support of family throughout their incarceration.
I am blessed in that my family has remained by my side.
My mother and father have been very supportive of my rehabilitation efforts over the years,
and they have never given up on me, even when I was struggling to find my way.
In 2011 I received another blessing, and that came through the introduction of my wife Angela, and my two step-children, Brianna and Brandon. We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary in July, 2020 and look forward to many more.
It isn't easy being a husband and father while incarcerated, but I do my best,
and I am thankful to have the opportunity to have a place in their lives.
Our family has grown over the years to include several nephews and nieces, and more recently my first grandchild!
They visit as often as possible and we communicate with one another on a daily basis. They are ever present in my daily life.
It is my dream to one day join them in the free world, but until that time, we make our life together as full and loving as possible.
I have also developed many healthy friendships with fellow incarcerated brothers over the years!
A man who has the love of his family and friends is rich indeed!
Dog Obedience Trainer
One of my more notable accomplishments over the years has been earning the opportunity to study, train and become a certified dog handler and instructor.
Not only did I receive training from licensed and certified dog handlers who volunteered their time to teach us, but I also obtained a career diploma in Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor from Penn State University.
I enjoy working with animals. The dogs come to us from shelters, or are turned over to us from previous owners who can no longer care for them for a variety of reasons.
I have found I can relate to these dogs.
They often come to us with behavioral issues and find themselves rejected,
or labeled unfit for adoption. Often times they simply need a little guidance,
and a loving hand to get them back on track.
It is very rewarding having the responsibility to care for a life other than your own.
It teaches us a great deal about empathy and compassion for others.
Education and Programming
I am currently Offender Management Program (OMP) complete which means I have completed all required and available programs for my rehabilitation which includes such topics as Anger Management, Substance Use Treatment, Parenting Classes, and numerous others over the years. I also obtained my General Education Diploma (GED) while incarcerated, and am in the lifelong process of learning two other languages, Cherokee and Lakota.
I also participated in The Concerned Offenders for Youth Awareness Program (COYA).
This was a prison deterrence program where we were able to meet and talk with at-risk youths in order to offer them guidance and insight so that they might lead more successful lives and avoid the pitfalls that might lead them to prison.
Interests and Hobbies
Over the years I have accumulated many interests and engaged in a variety of hobbies to further my skills and broaden my knowledge. I find staying busy is good for the spirit.
Most recently I have learned wood turning and I enjoy making gifts for my family and friends.
Most rewarding has been participation in the toy making program. Some of us were given the opportunity to hand craft toys for children in the community for Christmas as part of a local charity group.
It was a great feeling to know that the gifts we were making would go to kids!
