Carlos Santiago

Prisoner Re-Entry Program client

How I got into the criminal system. I had led this life that made no sense. I have been through everything and done it all. Through everything that I have been through I have learned to be a different man today. I've sold drugs, done drugs, I've done it all.

I caught a case because of selling drugs and went into jail. As I went into the system, I've learned that it's not easy being there especially when you have loved ones that love you for who you are. I did not realize that until I went into jail. When I went into jail, everyday that went by I was realizing that it was not for me. Therefore I started to become a better man in there and everyday that went by I tried to become a better man. What I've leaned through all this is that we could all change, we could all make a difference in our lives.

When I was in the system I ran into a counselor and I got selected for the Community Partners in Action (CPA) program. I was honestly not going to do it. I was focusing on doing outside clearance and other things that were not important. Thank God I had a real friend in there that spoke to me about the CPA program and he told me to think about this program and how it will benefit you and how it will do everything for you. I was still not listening and wanted to do what I wanted to do. Then I thought about it when I got to my dorm and said I would give myself a chance. I put everything to the side and wrote to my counselor and said if I could please join the program. I took the course and graduated inside, but still in my mind I was still saying to myself, is this program going to really work for me? Is it really going to change me? I did not know, but something inside me still told me to go for it. So I did.

Within a week when I came home, did not waste any time and went straight to the CPA program where they told me to go. I went and met awesome people. As soon as I went there they pulled my file and went to work. Ever since I've been home everything has been great for me. Everything is different now. I have change a lot from who I was. These people at the CPA program, they are the best. They have walked me through everything until this day. I have a lot of faith in them. They have not let me down. To anybody that is coming home, passing by or doesn't know about this program give yourself a change. It really works. If you really want to change your life, you have to do it. Just go for it 100%, you can't look back or have no excuses. These people do help you and change your life.

Now I'm working and taking a course in college. They are paying for everything and they are working on getting my driver's license. I have not had my license in years; over 10 to 13 years and these people are doing everything for me. Some times I ask myself, is this really happening' Are these people really doing this for me? Because I never thought they would go all out for us as inmates. People look at us different of who we were in the past and people still look at us and say if we are really going to change? Is he really going to prosper in life? I believe that if you believe within your self, you can do it. So far I've been doing, will continue to do. Jail is not for me I am not trying to go back.