LIFE Sentences

It happens all the time. But Willie X Brown, others and myself are working to end these disparities.

BLOG: 04/19/19; UPDATE
MY LAST UPDATE WAS in January. But, a lot has transpired over the past six months and I've been on an emotional rollercoaster like never before, since. I want to make sure everyone is UP TO DATE ON MY LIFE:

* NOV... Since transferring to this prison in April/2018, I advocated for a 64 man, Veterans Dorm. In November, it was approved with two conditions. Only 32 veterans and share the dorm with 32 men in the Substance Abuse program. We agreed but there has been, and still is, a lot of contention between the two "communities". I am still advocating for a full veterans dorm.

* DEC... I was denied parole for the 13th time. As always, I was extremely optimistic while waiting for six months. Then, as always, I went into a bout of depression once denied. I just had to struggle and pull myself out of it. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months.

* NOV - MAR... Conversely, 30 men at this prison have been paroled over the past five months. Three were veterans, in the new veterans dorm. One was my friend, Greg Goodman (USMC). He and I had worked on many positive ventures together over the past ten years. Such as parole plans, Veterans issues, N2C, fundraisers, etc. Now, I am confident there is another person who is ready, willing, and able to help me secure my freedom. In the end, I was very happy for all of them, sad for me, yet optimistic for my next parole hearing.

* JAN... My wife, daughter, and granddaughter moved into our new home, in Fredericksburg, VA. It is a beautiful home and community for my wife and family. Also, it is a great place for my transition once released. It is located between Washington, DC and Richmond, VA where most of my supporters are based. This was a very emotional because I was severely limited in being able to help. And when I could help, it came through my father and my friend Donald.

* JAN... I've been in contact with some recently paroled, "Reformed Citizens". They have hit the ground running as community activists, prison reform advocates, motivational speakers, etc. And, they know my commitment to do likewise. We are establishing a network of reformed offenders and ex-offenders, to affect positive change together. Also, three have agreed to accompany my wife and mother to their parole board meeting in June or July.

* JAN... With January being National Mentoring Month; I proposed a fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Richmond, VA. This was the first offender fundraiser at Augusta. So I took the lead in organizing it, recruiting two offenders to assist me, and inspiring others to donate. In the end, we donated $200.

* FEB... I began the newest therapeutic program, Victims Impact: Listen and Learn. It is a 13 week program that teaches the impact of every type of crime. It is very intense with crime victims or survivors speaking to our class weekly, either via video or in person.

* FEB... Parole Board Member, Linda Bryant, visited and spoke to the Veterans Support Group. She gave a lot of information which another veteran and I compiled into 7 pages of notes. I later distributed a copy to each dorm. I am working to obtain certain documents she suggested our supporters have for their meeting with the parole board. My supporters will meet with them in June or July. My parole hearing is in July.

* MAR... I (almost) finished my first book, "L.I.F.E. Sentences: Liberating, Inspiring, Fomenting, and Encouraging Sentences for Incarcerated Offenders". The book is a collection of quotes and maxims, with my commentary, to help offenders overcome obstacles and strive towards success during incarceration. However, once my wife began editing and we discussed it, we realized something. Most of the books written in a short/slim version, from prisoners, lack a certain substance we are striving for. So, we decided I would write the additional pages needed to create a 365, daily reader/affirmations book. Plus, my wife has published the first 90 pages in e/format through Amazon for another idea. We are asking our relatives, friends, and supporters to purchase it, read it, and give us feedback. This way, I can fine tune it before it is completed and published in paperback.

* APR... The month of April honors Crime Victims' Rights Week. I and two other offenders are organizing a special event featuring speeches, poems, and presentations by offenders to honor this occasion. We have a tentative date set for Friday, April 26th.

* APR... Building upon our success, I and the two other offenders are organizing a fundraiser to benefit the Kendra Smith Family Lifeline Movement. This nonprofit provides school clothing to the children of homicide victims.

* APR... Submitted an essay to be considered for a college class sponsored by Washington and Lee University. It is a 4 credit course, titled: Leading Teams. It focuses on leadership and empowerment, to enact positive change in a variety of contexts. Only ten prisoners are chosen to be in a class with ten students from Washington and Lee University. From April 22 - May 15, 2019; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 1:30 - 4:30. I was selected for a class last year and it was a great experience plus I earned 3 credits. Thankfully, I was chosen for this one too. I start class on Monday.

* TODAY... I am finishing every project or class I started, preparing to observe Ramadan (30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset and spiritual rejuvenation through prayer) in May, gearing up for my parole hearing in July, formulating a fundraiser for National Night Out in Fredericksburg, VA in August, and writing the second half of my book.

IN CLOSING, I will go in detail about a few of these highlights in my next blogs. May The Most High God continue to bless all of you and your families.

Respectfully,

Victor Alvelais

Conscious Muslim / Veteran Advocate / Social Activist / Reformed Offender

BLOG: 02/06/19; (part 3) CHARITY DONATION DRIVE

OUR DONATIONS TO Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Richmond, VA was a total of $199! However, that was just the beginning. One of my comrades, Brother Willie X. Brown of Richmond, VA was recently paroled from prison after serving 36 years! While incarcerated, he and I worked together on many conscious and righteous projects. Also, he was the photographer at my wedding in 2016 to my beautiful wife, Andrea.

I SUGGESTED HE MAKE time to visit Big Brothers, Big Sisters, follow up on the donations, and network. At first he did not understand why until I told him, it's about letting others know the positive work we are doing in here as reformed offenders and the positive work we are trying to do out there as Returned & Reformed Citizens. He then understood, met with them, said he was well received, and believes he made some good contacts. They told him because of his felony, he could not be a mentor. But they would still be able to work together on other ventures. At present, I am composing a letter inviting them to come and speak to us about all aspects of mentoring.

ALL OF THIS IS because I strongly believe two keys to success after release is: 1) networking with like minded citizens while incarcerated and 2) doing the work while incarcerated, you desire to do after incarceration. I call it... laying stones in the path you intend to walk. The more stones you lay in your path, the easier it will be for you to walk on it and the harder it will be for you to get knocked off it.

IN HERE, WE RECEIVED a lot of positive feedback from the fundraising event. Staff members were surprised and impressed offenders would support it. While offenders not in the three offender communities wanted to be part of the fundraiser. The new building lieutenant, Lt. Stokes, was very impressed and engaged with the fundraiser. And he got a lot of questions from other offenders not part of the three offender communities. He decided for all future fundraisers, he will allow anyone housed in the two buildings he oversees to donate. We will go from a possible donations pool of 120 offenders to 480 offenders. The next two fundraisers are planned for:

APRIL (National Reentry Month)
Restore Justice Virginia; Tidewater, VA.
Restore Justice Virginia is a non profit that advocates for prison reform, helps ex offenders successfully reenter society, and performs wellness checks on incarcerated offenders on behalf of their loved ones.

JULY
National Night Out, Fredericksburg, VA.
National Night Out is annually celebrated the first Tuesday in August. Their events develop community-police partnerships and promotes neighborhood watch programs to reduce crime. Community events include block parties, cookouts, parades, youth sports contests, and seminars.

IN CLOSING, ALTHOUGH MY NONPROFIT, National Second Chance Organization (N2C) is no longer operating, it's legacy still lives on. N2C started organizing fundraisers like these in 2010. These fundraisers from incarcerated offenders have done so much to affect positive change on the peoples and communities we negatively impacted. While also changing the image, narrative, and perception society has of incarcerated offenders. And, there are more special events planned to do the same. Making a difference, in peoples lives and minds. More coming soon, Inshallah.

Respectfully,

Victor Alvelais

Conscious Muslim / Veterans Advocate / Social Activist / Reformed Offender

BLOG: 01/31/19; CHARITY DONATION DRIVE, part 1

THE FIRST SPECIAL PROJECT I organized was a charity donation drive on behalf of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Richmond. January is National Mentoring Month and we will honor them for all the mentoring they do in our communities. Mentoring is a major component of the three specialized offender communities I am engaged with now. And, I believe it is a subject matter all the offenders could get behind and support. Plus, National Mentoring Month is part of the N2C Calendar for social engagement. It was WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN as Jay Rock raps.

FUNDRAISING FOR NON PROFITS or good causes has been one of my passions since 2010. I have found it is one of the best, and easiest, ways for reformed offenders to express their repentance, show their reformation, work towards their redemption, and prepare for their reentry. Also, it begins to change the image and narrative society has of incarcerated offenders. Let's face it, most in society believe all we do is sit down all day, lift weights, and figure out how to become better criminals.

SO, I GOT APPROVAL FROM the Unit Manager Mr. Brown and pledges of assistance from Cognitive Counselor Glass then moved forward. First I engaged a few men to gauge their interest and desire to help. Got firm commitments from them. Then, I crafted a flyer that everyone, including the Unit Manager, had input on and posted it throughout the two dorms that house the three specialized offender communities. This is the flyer:

CHARITY DONATION DRIVE

To Benefit:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Richmond
1707 Summit Ave #200
Richmond, VA 23230

In honor of January being National Mentoring Month a group of reformed offenders are organizing a donation drive to Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. Children and teenagers throughout the Commonwealth have benefited greatly from the work of Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Therefore, we are asking all the men in the Pre-Reentry, Veterans, and S.O.A.R. community to be a part of this venture.

Unit Manager Brown, Lt. Armstrong, Cognitive Counselor Glass, and Pre-Reentry Counselor Duquesne are strong advocates of mentoring. Not only have they encouraged each offender and each community to utilize mentoring practices in our daily interactions. They have been creative leaders in support of Mentors, their valued service to our fellow man, and giving back to our community.

It may seem like a huge sacrifice for offenders earning pennies on the dollar from work assignments to donate a portion of their pay. However, 1$, 5$, or 10$ from up to 120 offenders will truly make a difference. So, if you have benefited from mentoring, we are asking for your donations at the end of January. A date to sign and collect the money release forms will be announced soon.

WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Charity Drive Organizers,

Hassan Shabazz; Pre-Reentry Sr. Mentor
Sky Reese; Pre-Reentry Jr. Mentor
Lawrence Williams; S.O.A.R. Sr. Coordinator
Victor Alvelais; Veterans Administrative Coordinator

PART 2 COMING SOON, Inshallah.

Respectfully,

Victor Alvelais

Conscious Muslim / Veteran Advocate / Social Activist / Reformed Offender