FCC Coleman, Day 2 and 3
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, I returned to the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Coleman, Florida, for a second day of presentations. Before meeting with the men, I had the opportunity to sit down with Warden Carlton, who described some of the persistent challenges that his high-security facility faces—chief among them, substance abuse. As in society, addiction remains a destructive force behind many disciplinary problems in prison. I assured him that I would weave stories about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of living intentionally into my presentations that day.
Entering the Penitentiary
Staff members escorted me into the United States Penitentiary (USP) at Coleman for the morning sessions. Stepping through those gates always brings back memories. I began my own journey through the federal prison system in high-security institutions, so I understand how important it is to bring hope into those environments.
As we walked across the compound, I noticed a difference from when I began serving my sentence. Fences divided the yard into separate areas. During my early years of confinement, the yards were open and everyone mixed together. Back then, the Bureau of Prisons held far fewer people, and only a handful of high-security penitentiaries existed—Marion, Lewisburg, Terre Haute, Lompoc, Leavenworth, and Atlanta. I spent most of my time at USP Atlanta, but frequent transfers among those institutions created a shared community. Few made a commitment to improve their lives.
Sharing the Message of Hope
We reached the chapel, where I would make my 150-minute presentation. Men began filling the seats, greeting me warmly and eager to listen. I shook hands and introduced myself, grateful for their respect and attention. My presentation centered on our Preparing for Success after Prison program—a self-directed pathway designed to help people use time inside to build skills, discipline, and confidence for life after release.
In addition to my own story, I spoke about others who have transformed their lives despite serving decades behind bars. I told them about Adam Clausen, once serving a 213-year sentence at USP Allenwood, who earned release through his remarkable adjustment and now advocates for criminal justice reform. I shared the story of Tommy Walker, who served multiple life sentences at USP Lewisburg before a federal judge granted his compassionate-release request. And I highlighted Halim Flowers, who overcame a double-life sentence to become a globally recognized artist and speaker. Each story reinforces a central truth: transformation is always possible for those willing to work for it.
Continuing the Partnership
After the session, Warden Carlton asked if I would return the following day to make another presentation inside the penitentiary. Warden Brown, who presided over the adjacent medium-security prison also invited me back to deliver a second presentation there. These invitations reflected a shared commitment between staff and our organization to promote meaningful rehabilitation and preparation for reentry.
Advancing Pathways to Advocacy
Building pathways to advocacy requires engagement with all levels of the system—from executive leadership to the people serving time. I’m deeply grateful to the entire team at FCC Coleman for welcoming me and allowing me to share how participants in our program can memorialize their progress. Even during lockdowns, people can use their time productively by developing stronger vocabularies, reading and writing skills, critical-thinking abilities, and self-discipline.
Through consistent journaling, writing biographies, completing book reports, and developing comprehensive release plans, participants can document their growth. Those written records become tangible evidence of change—proof that they’re ready to reenter society as contributing citizens. I learned those lessons from leaders who helped me along my own journey, and I’m honored to pass them forward to others across the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
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