I Choose Hope

  Playing To Win "As long as God wakes you up, that means He ain't through with you yet. And if He wakes you up, you got a shot to correct it and get it right." -Steve Harvey The first time I met him, his bald head and skinny frame made me wonder if he was eating at all. His eyes seemed to walk the fine line between disconnect and broken with tears constantly pushing themselves for freedom, but somehow he managed to maintain a functional level of conversation. I didn't know him yet, but my heart broke for him and so I cautiously engaged in the same manner one might approach a scared and shivering puppy cowering fearful in the corner of an abandoned house. He had to be at least 18-years old to be in this prison multipurpose room but he could have easily been part of any high school marching band. "Are you doing okay?" I entered into the conversation with my own trepidation. His eyes snapped to mine and too quickly he shared that his grandmother had just pa...

How To Fight An Invisible Enemy The first question my family asked every time I had the chance to use the phone or get a visit was, "Are you safe?" My safety was paramount to my family and I am certain that my mother lost sleep during my first few years of incarceration. I was in my early 20s and knew very little about the world and even less about prison. I was not particularly vulnerable, per se, as I was in decent shape, had played football in high school, and was 6'2" but I was not street smart and had a tendency to trust people way too easily. My main fight would not be a physical one, it would end up being internal monsters that I have had to battle regularly in order to make it inside these prison walls. Over the years I have noticed that almost every inmate battles at least one of three distinct monsters and oftentimes these invisible enemies move so stealthily that unless we are actively looking for them we lose the war without even realizing we are in a ...

10 Tips To Get Through Annual Lockdown "I heard we're about to go on lockdown." The rumors begin as early as one week after we get off lockdown and they continue until eventually it is true. Lockdowns are just part of prison culture. At least one time a year each unit in the prison system will be placed on lockdown so unit security can shakedown the unit looking for contraband and ensure that the unit is clean, safe, and ready for normal operations. Depending on the size of the unit, a lockdown can last anywhere from 10-days to 30-days. Inmates will not be allowed to leave their cell or cubicle for any reason until their wing has gone through shakedown. Shakedown involves security staff going through each individuals property and searching common areas of a dorm looking for anything not allowed in the system. This can include major contraband like weapons and drugs, to minor contraband like extra necessities and the like. All meals are delivered to the residents in a br...

New Prison Course For Texas Inmates Photo credit: TDCJ-French Robertson Unit It's one thing to watch prison movies and TV shows in the free world but it's a completely different ballgame to watch them while sitting in a prison day room. "The Green Mile," starring a younger Tom Hanks takes place on death row of a prison. "Dead man walking," is repeatedly announced when an inmate is transported from his cell to a different location. As I look around my prison day room I cannot help but notice that although some were given a life-sentence, none were sentenced to death, and yet the attitude and spirit of many around me was that of a "dead man walking." In early 2023 I felt that all too familiar nudge to create a program that would challenge and encourage my incarcerated peers to stop waiting to be free from the razor wire before they started to live again. We do not get these days, weeks, or decades back in our lives... this IS part of our life! Wat...

Revival In Texas Prisons Photo Credit: TDCJ-French Robertson Unit Some balk at the idea that a group of men in a maximum security prison in Texas would "find Jesus" and turn their lives around, but not Mike Barber Ministries. For four decades the retired Houston Oiler tight end has gone into prisons and jails around the world sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with thousands of incarcerated people. In April 2025 I experienced this first hand. Even after a recent knee surgery, Mr. Barber walked throughout the entire prison complex his humble, approachable demeanor and hugged every willing individual reminding each one that God loves them and wants a relationship with them. A week before Mike Barber Ministries arrived to the unit a handpicked team of inmate ministers were sent from other units to get to know the people assigned here. Their job was to meet as many people living here as possible and make sure they knew what was coming. A weeklong revival consisting of two serv...

7 Musts Before Visiting Your Loved One Getting a visit in prison is one of the most significant blessings an incarcerated person can receive. When someone I love chooses to take time out of their life to drive to my unit, spend their time off, and endure metal detectors and razor wire to sit with me for a few short hours makes me remember how incredibly loved I truly am. Prison visitation can also spike anxiety for both the visitor and the person being visited. I have had visits where I feel the need to talk quickly to make sure everything can be said, I've also had visits when the conversation lulls and we both feel lost for words. Sometimes tears flow, sometimes laughter carries, but every visit is special. Regardless of who you are visiting there are a few things you can do to help make the visitation process easier on all parties. Here are seven recommendations for your prison visits. Before you visit your incarcerated loved one: 1. Check the dress code. Prisons will have ...