From stigma & stereotype to reality
Telling My Story is a great program that has inspired me — and many women like me. I have participated in many programs while in prison, but not many have empowered me with such direction in my life. Telling My Story helped me to understand what my voice and others can do to have a positive impact on change and to offer hope to those who have none.
One of the most important things that I saw Telling My Story accomplish was to bridge the gap and empower our future decision makers with the knowledge of the system by putting faces on those that are in the system who are motivated to change. The students who participated in the program with Pati are at an advantage because they are exposed to the other side of the fence, which allows them to make a connection with the reality rather than the stigma and stereotypes.
I saw many people change because of the program after being struck with the hope of new life after prison. I can certainly say that the program has given me much more than I have given it, but hope to reverse this in the coming future as I become part of the fabric that keeps the program running.
— Robin, Inmate Participant
Hi Robin:
It inspires me to know that you are looking forward to life after prison. I have never been in prison, and I cannot imagine that experience at all. However, I think that when you get out, your situation may be a bit like a situation when I was 15 and I became pregnant. It is shocking to some people. In some people’s minds, I was destined to make stupid choices again and again and again. I never thought it would happen to me, and I imagine whatever you did to get arrested, you didn’t think you would get caught either. But although I am not proud of myself for what I did then, I am proud of myself for what I’ve done since. And being that I was starting from a tougher spot than most girls my age, it is that much more impressive for others to see that I am educated, honest, creative, and respectful.
You will be starting from a tougher spot in life too – and I imagine there will be situations where your incarceration will come up, and you can tell other people about it or you can lie. And you will learn a lot about people for the rest of your life based on how they react to that information.
One thing being a pregnant teen taught me(and I think you might also feel this way) – it taught me to care and not to care (I cared more about the way society worked and about everyone being given a chance, and I learned not to care about ignorant people who could not see me as anything more than a girl gone wrong).
Anyway, good luck! I know that you can achieve anything you want to, despite your past. In fact, your past may make you a stronger person, a more interesting person, and an example of how someone can change their lives if they put their minds to it.
Sincerely,
Marina