My name is Joseph Jackson and I’m a 39 year old man who has now been in prison longer than I’ve been in the free world. When I was 19 I was convicted of taking two lives. I must say that I take responsibility for my actions. All of the things that I did to destroy the safety of our community had to be punished.
I also believe in rehabilitation, which I know I am on that path. Some years ago I started to search for the answer to what is the purpose of my life. That search lead me to a place called Men’s Group and there I tackled all my childhood trauma and adult lifestyle. I was able to remove the hate and anger from my life. I gave away the old man in a slow process of spiritual searching for peace and love. Through my 
transformation I was blessed to find a wife who loves and pushes me to be a better man. To take responsibility for my life.
I know that one of the best ways to help myself is by helping others. That’s why I’m a mentor in the Youth Offender program and a member of the LWOP Group. Through helping others by sharing my story and supporting the young people in reaching their goals I have moved along my path with motivation for myself and others. The LWOP Group is a wonderful group of men who are all searching for the same thing freedom. We get the chance to know people and get closer because of the common goal.
Helping the young people gives me the chance to give back instead of taking away. It’s good to give back in whatever way I can. I am also a facilitator of self-help classes, anger management, denial management, relapse prevention, victim’s awareness and others.
Also 6 years ago I was able to share my marriage with the world on the Oprah show which was cool. Last year I played in a Shakespeare play and it can be found on youtube.shakespeareatsolano/tempest. The Oprah show can be Googled as well. I also did an interview with CNN about the play. I mention all of those things because I want to let people know that prison can’t stop you from doing things that are considered successful.
Thank you for letting me share a little of my life with you guys. Peace and blessings.
Joseph
Joseph Jackson P-14671
CSP Solano
P.O. Box 4000
Vacaville California 95696
Lifers With Optimistic Progress (LWOP) 
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