This institution is fairly new compared to many other institutions in California. It was built into a mountain of beautiful trees. Although we don’t have trees in our concrete jungle, we do have them right outside the facility. I enjoy looking beyond the razor-wired fences and walls, taking in the majesty of the tall, beautiful green trees.
Today, however, I began to notice that the green trees were all brown. The trees had shed off their green and stood proudly in their all-natural color. I’m no tree expert, but at times I wondered if the absence of the green is a tree’s real color. The brown, yellow, and maple colors reveal the true nature of the tree.
Within the walls of all institutions, there are many hurting people who don’t want others to see they are hurting. So they hide behind a behavior that helps distract from their real hurts, scars, and needs. Not until the season changes in their lives, through deep work within oneself, are they able to show their true colors. Becoming vulnerable and allowing others to see the hurts not only helps heal self, but others too.
I hope that when you see inside the walls and razor-wired fences of prisons, you will see the true colors of the men and women inside. And by doing so, you might help them see the true beauty they truly hold.
Free the Artist bio: My name is Adrian, I've been serving 25-to-Life in the California Department of Corrections. I was arrested in December 1999, and have not seen freedom since. And rightly so. Unfortunately, I callously and heinously killed Vyncent, an innocent human being. By law, I'm considered a "youth offender", but since I've been in the system for 25+ years, and I will be 50 in October 2025, I'm also considered "elderly." I'm Mexican but was born in the United States, and speak both English and Spanish. It took me a long time to find "me" between both cultures. Which was a big source of much of my childhood trauma. Currently I spend hours and hours in a week learning more about me, but also utilize what I learn to guide others through their trauma too. I love writing. Although I was literally illiterate all my life, I managed to find joy in creative writing. Being able to express my personality on paper has allowed me to purge many unvoiced hurts that once lingered deep within my body. I love love love love love to laugh and especially make others laugh. If I could live in a world of joy, laughter, and good humor I would be content. This year, 2025, I'm scheduled to go (for the third time) up in front of the California Board to see if I am found no longer a risk to society. Although I deeply know I no longer live a life of any type of violence, I have deep doubt I will ever be let go. So please, hold me in your thoughts and prayers. Its not easy. Thank you for reading my submissions. I hope to send more in soon.