40 Years of Staying Out Successfully!

The statistics appear to be overwhelming! Every year, state and federal prisons in this country release more than 600,000 men and women. Less than three years later, about 480,000 of them return to prison. Each year, approximately 200,000 criminals go to prison for the first time. During the past 30 to 35 years, hundreds of nonprofit organizations and ministries have tried to make a dent in these statistics, with minimum success. I do not criticize the efforts of these organizations and ministries, but the facts remain. When you consider recidivism over the long term--25 years or longer--only a few criminals--maybe fewer than 50,000 each year, get out, stay out, and become successful citizens.

Frankly, I do not know what percentage of individuals released from prison stay out for 25 years or more and become change conquerors. But whatever the numbers might be, I want to increase them! So in addition to this introductory article, I will write a 12-part series during the next three weeks, designed to open the door of possibilities for men and women who need to make the same arduous trek I have made, from crime to contribution.

I consider this series my gift to the more than two million incarcerated criminals and the more than seven million who are not really free, but simply existing between prison sentences. I am blessed that not only have I exited the ravages of crime and prison, but I have also achieved tremendous success.

Consider this summary of 60 years experience with crime and change.

I committed my first crime when I was six years old. I stole five dollars from my aunt's pocketbook. For the next 20 years, I did something criminal every day. Durham (NC) police arrested me for the first time when I was 11-years-old, and six years later, at 17, a judge sentenced me to 2-5 years in prison. That was my initial sentence. Prison officials released me in May 1962 and I continued doing crime. Another judge sent me to prison again in August 1963, and prison officials released me on parole in December 1965 in Washington, NC. I thouight I was trying to stay out of prison, but sure enough in July 1966, because I had attacked my wife, at the time, stole a car in my attempt to escape arrest and broke numerous traffic laws in the ensuing escape attempt, a judge sentenced me to prison again. Prison officials at the now defunct Creswell (NC) prison unit released me from incarceration on Dec. 9, 1968. On Dec. 9, 2008, I celebrated my 40th anniversary out of crime and prison. During those 40 years, I have been a successful journalist and professional writer, a college professor, a radio and television program producer, and a network marketer. Today, I operate a successful home based business, with contracts with several national and international producers of quality products and services.

What happened? What changed? Why was I able to exit crime and prison in 1968, when I had failed so miserably before. I will introduce answers to these and other questions in this 12-part series. Anyone trapped in crime, serving time, along with anyone who loves those inidividuals should read this series.

The topics include the following:

(1) Stop! You don't have to do crime!

(2) Stop! You don't have to do time!

(3) Can you see the vision?

(4) Will you embrace the mission?

(5) Criminal v Change Activist, part 1!

(6) Criminal v. Change Activist, part 2!

(7) Let's gather the FLOC (Families and Loved Ones of Criminals), part 1!

(8) Let's gather the FLOC, part 2!

(9) How to plan to stay out!

(10) How to plan your work and work your plan!

(11) How to mind your business!

(12) Welcome to S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

I guarantee that this series will be the most significant collection of useful articles for hundreds of thousands of individuals. We must face facts! Criminals cause crime and therefore only criminals can reduce crime. It's no mystery why criminals do crime. They believe it is okay to harm others to gain for self. How criminals can learn to stop doing crime looms as one of the most important and critical issues confronting our nation today. I know those answers. I will open the door to them in this series.

Help me spread the word! Contact any FLOC member you know and recommend this series. I have been learning, experiencing and waiting for four decades to write this series. I want to be certain that I had the knowledge, the insight and the understanding necessary to write this series and additional information that will help anyone who really wants to change to move along that continuum and make the trek from crime to contribution

See you at the top!.