Did Prison Serve as My Finishing School? 🎓

Summary

In 2009, the speaker was incarcerated for 66 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections after pleading no contest to a charge. Despite being a married father of three with a decent job and education, he found himself in trouble. Viewing prison as a 'finishing school,' he used the time to reflect on his identity, strengths, and self-improvement without external distractions. The experience humbled him and provided clarity on his personal growth.

Takeaways

• 🚨 In 2009, the speaker pleaded no contest to a charge and was sentenced to 66 months in prison.
• 📅 The speaker served time in the Michigan Department of Corrections from 2009 to 2014.
• 🔄 The speaker viewed prison as a form of 'finishing school' to better understand themselves.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Prior to incarceration, the speaker was already a father.
• 🎓 The speaker had graduated from high school before their prison sentence.
• 🏢 The speaker had work experience with various larger companies before their incarceration.
• ⛓️ At the time of the offense, the speaker was working at the Renaissance Center and was a student.
• 🏠 The speaker was a married father of three when they committed the offense.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on prison as a humbling experience that contributed to self-understanding.
• 💪 The speaker learned about their personal strengths and survival skills during their time in prison, away from external distractions.

Q & A

What year did the speaker go to prison?

2009

How long was the speaker in prison?

66 months

When was the speaker released from prison?

2014

Where was the speaker incarcerated?

Michigan Department of Corrections

How does the speaker describe their time in prison?

The speaker describes it as 'finishing school,' a time for personal growth and understanding.

What roles did the speaker hold before going to prison?

The speaker was a father, high school graduate, and had worked at various larger companies.

What was the speaker's job when they 'caught the case'?

The speaker was working at the Renaissance Center.

How did the speaker view their normal life before going to prison?

The speaker saw their normal life as being stable, with a decent job and being a student.

How did the speaker perceive the impact of prison on their personal development?

The speaker saw prison as a humbling experience that helped them understand their personal strengths and how to survive independently.

What personal insights did the speaker gain from their time in prison?

The speaker gained insights into their identity, personal strengths, and the ability to improve themselves without outside distractions.