From Warrior (Letter 7)

Warrior - Serving fourteen years for kidnapping and aggravated assault. Half Hispanic and Scottish-Irish with family still in Mexico. Brought up by a family steeped in drug commerce. He writes some of the best prison-fight stories on the Internet.

Shaun,

The holidays here were memorable in a negative way. Three stabbings and three vicious fights in the month of December. One prisoner lost an ear. A few had to be medevaced (helicoptered) to the hospital. And that doesn’t include the riots that went down.

I try to be optimistic:

“Half of the yard is rioting.”
“Oh, well, at least it’s not the whole yard.”

“A prisoner lost an ear.”
“At least it wasn’t an eye, and he still has a spare ear.”

“A prisoner had to be medevaced.”
“At least he was free among the birds in the chopper for a while.”

But to be honest, all of the stress and violence is wearing me down. After 10 years, it gets harder to hold onto your sanity and civility.

At least the pressure caused me to explode in a productive way. I’ve filed a federal appeal and another state one. I stumbled upon some new evidence that could help me get a reduced sentence.

Well, bro, it’s 2010. Here’s to a future full of good due to class, character and hard work. Let’s redefine ourselves and the definition of success not by politicians, celebrities and sports stars but by those making a difference in our lives and the world at large like Mom and Dad, prison volunteers, teachers, mentors like your Sally Hinchcliffe, those that invest their time, not air time. Most of all, lets be good to one another.

Tell the readers to keep me in their prayers. I have them in mine.

Much Love Bro,

Warrior

P.S. Let’s all turn on the light bulb of our minds, to brighten up this freakin’ world. One small act has the potential to impact thousands, millions, and more.

Click here for letter 6 from Warrior

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Shaun P. Attwood