6/17/15
I've been fortunate enough not to have to work my entire sentence. Many things go down in the kitchen, fights, drug abuse, thefts, you name it. Before going into horticulture I went out of my way to acquire a position as a porter in my unit, that way I wouldn't have to worry about being sent to the prison. Knowing that my horticulture is coming to an end, I've been putting a bug in the unit guard’s ear about acquiring another position as a porter once my horticulture is up. Seeing that I'm consistent in my daily routine, I keep to myself and I stay out of trouble, the regular shift guard was fine with giving me a coveted position, cleaning the microwaves once a day. He said in order for me to get the job, I would have to start volunteering immediately, before horticulture is over. I gladly took the position. I only hope it will be this easy for me to acquire a porter position at the prison next door. I'm confident in my abilities, being fairly well spoken, sincere and polite when speaking to others in here is a rarity, giving me a 'leg up'. I'm relieved, thankful to my role models and to myself as well, for working hard to ensure that prison didn't have a major influence on my thought process, allowing all the bad slang and lingo to invade my speech like I've seen it done to so many others. I came into prison with goals and barriers and adhered to those goals. I told myself I wouldn't get any tattoos, use any substances, join any gangs, I committed myself to health, fitness, knowledge, preparations for a future outside of prison and that's just what I did. I went from talking about a porter position to how well I've done over the last five years. I guess I just feel good about myself and how far I've come. I haven't felt good about myself in a long, long time.
Steven Dybvad
