In My Own Words
Stories of Crime, Punishment & Humanity
Everyone has a story. Some stories begin in freedom, others behind bars. Some are about mistakes, second chances, and the long road back. But above all, we are storytellers. More than any other creature, we shape our world through the stories we tell – about ourselves, about others, about what is right and what is unforgivable.
This site is not about excusing the things people have done. It is not about seeking absolution or forgiveness. It is about understanding.
This is a space for the incarcerated, the formerly incarcerated, their families, and the people who have walked beside them – whether in hope, pain, regret, or redemption. The voices here will not always be easy to hear. Some stories will be about rebuilding, some about failure. Some will be about those who never got a second chance. But through them all, one thing remains: despite everything, they are human.
What You’ll Find Here
- First-hand accounts from those who have lived inside the system, from the first day in prison to the struggle of starting over after release.
- Perspectives from families – parents, spouses, and children whose lives were changed by incarceration, whether through distance, heartbreak, or unexpected strength.
- Stories of second chances from people rebuilding their lives, proving that a sentence doesn’t have to define a future.
- The realities of reentry – the barriers faced by those trying to reintegrate, the ones who succeeded, and the ones who fell back.
- Employers who took the risk – those who found success hiring the formerly incarcerated, and those who faced challenges or failure.
- A system beyond the statistics – stories that show the human side of crime, justice, and the long-lasting impact of punishment.
- Resources for rebuilding – practical guides for those leaving prison, families trying to reconnect, and communities looking to support second chances.
- And more things to come …
Why This Matters
A prison sentence does not erase a person. A crime does not erase a life. Beyond statistics and headlines, there are human beings. People who have laughed, cried, made mistakes, and tried to move forward.
This site exists to bring their words to light.
Want to Share Your Story?
If you have lived this experience – whether as an inmate, an ex-convict, a family member, or someone impacted by the justice system – you are invited to share your own words.
Curious about life inside? Wondering what it’s really like to serve time, face reentry, or deal with the justice system firsthand? We have contact with a number of prisoners and can pass your question along, giving you a first-person perspective from someone living it.
Your story, your choice. Your question, their answer.