Having spent more than half of my life in prison, I can vividly recall the days when society responded to the needs for prison reform. Mobs of protestors stood outside of prison walls “megaphoning” and picketing against inhumane conditions while businessmen came inside to offer inmates jobs upon their release.
   Along with the businessmen came college students to share their insights and musicians with melodies to soothe one’s soul. Housewives brought in baked cookies as magicians, hula dancers, and comedians took the stage to lift the prisoner’s spirits. The Jaycee’s and gavel clubs came in to recruit members and church groups from every denomination held hands with prisoners in song and prayer…………


The war on crime is a positive war, but its failure to provide the convicted with effective rehabilitation plugs it into an ongoing cycle. The prison reform movement created conditions for thousands of prisoners to transform their lives and return to society with healthy and positive outlooks- outlooks that influenced and corrected the troubled youths of their communities. Today, a few prisoners are returning with positive outlooks, but on the whole, prisons are pumping scores of lifeless beings back into society. Beings who had no chance at rehabilitation, Beings with no sense of direction, no feelings of consequence, no regards for others, no senses of morality and a hardened contagious attitude that affects and infects our children of tomorrow.
   How many Frankenstein‘s will it take for us to close down the prison labs, and replace them with substances of rehabilitation? How many lives will be lost?
How many establishments will be robbed? How many crimes will be committed before we realize that today’s war on crime has to be adjusted to include a real concern for prisoners who are walking around like zombies? How many years will it take for society to warm up again and reassert its sense of compassion? A year? Five years? 10?
   Whatever, just bear in mind that hundreds of ex prisoners have been released today and another group will be free tomorrow.

Dear son,

Instead of calling you back at 10 tonight, I prefer to write (if you don't mind). It's always a pleasure hearing your voice, Marcus. Just knowing that you are spiritually progressing does wonders for my own spirit. But because my time is usually limited on the phone, I find myself trying to cram everything into a 10- or 15-minute time span. So let me write this time, and I'll call you on Tuesday or Wednesday.

You know, whenever you come to mind, the first emotion that strikes me is pride. Your whole life has been a struggle, not with the world, but more with yourself. There was a time in your life when you'd wake up in the mornings with "Why me?" Then (it seems) that question matured into "What is my purpose in life?" There is no doubt in my mind that when you discover your purpose, you will respond to it in a way that is consistent with God's Will. You have — or should I say, you were blessed with — a compassionate spirit, son, and when you know Yeshua as much as He knows you, all things will be added unto you.

I want to share something with you. For as long as I can remember, I have sensed prosperity. I've sensed it, but I could never put my hands on it. I've tried to get it by robbing and stealing, and the more I did that, the further it got away from me. It wasn't until I slowed down and listened to God that my sense of prosperity returned. It's like a fire inside of me now, and everywhere I go, everything I do, God is in the picture, making Himself known through Yeshua. Unlike many, who have been blessed with a drive and intellect, I can't realize prosperity without Yeshua. That is a stipulation I was branded with at birth … and I think that stipulation has been passed on to you and Christina. I'm not saved yet. I'm not filled with the Holy Spirit, nor am I walking around, thumping on my Bible. But God has — is — making His love for me so clear and apparent. He's blessing you, Christina, your mother, my grandchildren, Sandra, her children … His blessings are drawing me closer and closer to Yeshua, Marcus … erasing my fears and hangups, and giving me the courage to let go of my ego.

You don't know how many times I have thanked God for blessing my children with a mother who knows Yeshua. That alone has dispelled much of my fears and apprehensions over your well-being. I prayed for her health and the next time Kathy comes down, will pray for her health together.

I hope things go well with your new job. I truly appreciate you keeping your lifestyle on a legitimate level. I'm really going to need you when I get out.

Did you ever go back to that (predominantly white) church you were telling me about? It would be a class act on your part if you did.

Stay in touch with your children, Marcus, and keep your chin up. God loves you, I love you and your family loves you.

Love,

Pops

You will hear faint echoes of my thoughts surrounding you with warmth and prayers for your well-being
In the background you will hear my sincerity knocking on the doors of your heart and my softest feelings harmonizing with the songs of your dreams
If you listen close enough you will hear my LOVE for you speaking in a language that understands you and appreciates you for who you are
LLOYD