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Mallah's Insight

The raw truth based off my observations and experiences.
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Beating the Odds: Recidivism

9/9/2017

8 Comments

 
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            September 10, 2014, I escape through the flaming gates of hell. I felt like some returning mystical warrior in a Netflix original series Return of the King. I knew my journey just had begun. The odds were stacked against me. I was almost 40yrs old, just had done 19 ½ years in the Virginia prison system, on parole, resource poor, and returning home to land 513 miles away.
            All that was flashing in my mind is how do I beat the statistical odds and not be a recidivism stat. It states that most returning citizens reoffend in 3 years at a 68.2 % rate.
            But I was prepared to be a part of the 32.8%!
            Every second that ticked through my humiliation process I vowed to never be captured and held in bondage again. And so far, I have been accomplishing that. I want to share some of my insights of what I have learned in the 3 years I have been home.
            I often heard people use the phrase “Your network is your net worth.” In an application sense, it’s the truth. I re-establish bonds with family and some friends. That is going to be your greatest support system. If I ran across people I knew and felt like I had to ask them too many questions on how they were living; I kept our association in the 90’s. My days of being a ‘real nigga, stand-up dude’ was over for these streets. I also knew I am too thorough to be a ‘snitch’ for the police. My best move was to stay in my lane and let them stay in theirs.
            All the new friends and associates I met them on my path as I build equity in my character. I knew I had to discard social skills developed in hazardous atmospheres and acquire new ones to successfully navigate amongst people that didn’t live by street codes or prison rules. And not attack others who crossed a line I felt was disrespectful.
            I think one of the greatest keys I incorporated was taking moments to myself to gauge and reflect on where I am at on my path and review the choices I was making. As well as re-evaluate my agenda as facts, circumstances, and opportunities change. I did this in a systematic manner, every 10th of the month.
            I understand that It would not have been wise to rush into a relationship with a woman. I had to awaken from an emotional slumber that I was comfortable in. I had been emotional dead for a long time. It was my way to survival in purgatory. I had debriefed many brothers who had made this mistake countless of time and saw a few firsthand accounts. I am definitely in a better place emotionally than I was 3 years ago and it is because I let my emotions naturally filter back into my body.
            Prison ill-prepares most hostages for today's and the future job market. Only the brothers I knew that were able to study electrician trade came home job ready and secured better than average employment. I took upon myself to acquire skills that would allow me to compete in today’s job market and has an opportunity for me to use it as a future consultant. I choose computer network. I just graduated in June with a Computer Networking Technology AAS, and I am working on a Computer System BTech BA.
            I am a writer by love. I also self-published my first book The Hidden Hand: Duality of Self. I also am finishing up my second book Prison Survival & Urban Refinement. I kept doing what I love to do and learning how to use the technology of today made it possible. My passion will create opportunities for me in the future.
            If I could write and speak to people on my experience and earned a living from it I would probably just do that. I realize you have to be a credible messenger when it comes to talking to the youth or anybody that wants to know a real perspective about prison and the streets. I was honored to be an Arches Mentor (I worked with youth/young adults on probation) participate in the CLOSErikers Campaign, was a national organizer and speaker at The Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March. I still take moments to give a few words of wisdom to younger brothers when their ear is available.
            I know I am securing a better tomorrow by preparing now. I realize that I must be a mentor to those who want to walk the path of freedom. I have my ups and downs but that’s regular people sh*t. I know only those who successfully navigated a storm can tell somebody else on the method they have used to get through it. I am honored to be amongst the 32.8% who never get talked about.
            "When the prison doors are opened, the real dragon will fly out." - Ho Chi Minh 
            

8 Comments
Mori
9/10/2017 05:23:29 am

Thank you for sharing your personal and inspirational journey.

Reply
Mallah-Divine
9/10/2017 07:37:12 pm

I deal with each one teach one. If we don't share then who will.

Reply
Kristie Harris
9/10/2017 05:33:13 am

My husband has been in prison for 24 years now hoping to get paroled in three. He has been a member of the note approximately 20 years. He's having a hard time getting through these last few years and is worried and nervous about coming home his name is Kevin Harris inmate number to 25248 address 50 nunnawauk Road Newtown Connecticut Garner Correctional Institution if you could be so kind as to send him some positive and uplifting words that would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to write back to me to know a little bit more about him before you do that I would be honored to hear from you. Thank you, sincerely mrs. Kevin Harris

Reply
Mallah
9/10/2017 07:39:42 pm

I am on FaceBook inbox me and we can talk

Reply
Queen Watesha
9/10/2017 11:33:10 am

Peace u are the man that i want my son's to look up to and learn from, but that is only the beginning of a new you, u are so bless and highly favored... that only the wise and civilized will see your accomplishment, and to you winner, i do hope that u teach the youth the truth to save them from the belly of the beast, cause they are our future and need alot of attention... <3 u always...and i'm waiting for that second book...U got my support ...

Reply
Mallah-Divine
9/10/2017 07:41:53 pm

I know those who been through the worst can share with others what is like to stir them into a different path in life. As for as the second book if all thing favors me it will be out before the Spring.

Reply
QueenRefined Earth
12/1/2017 08:04:34 am

Peace! Powerful build! I will be passing this build along to my nephew that, I'm sure, can benefit from it. Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Mallah-Divine Mallah
12/1/2017 08:53:27 am

Peace Queen Refinement,

Thank you

Reply



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  • About
  • MallahInsights
  • Prison Survival
  • The Hidden Hand: Duality of Self
  • Reentry Strategies & Straying Free
  • The Struggle is Real
  • Contact