Visit to Victorville

On Wednesday, July 16, I left my home in Orange County and set out for the Federal Correctional Complex in Victorville, California. By 7:30 a.m., I had arrived at the United States Penitentiary, where Ms. Bravo, the Reentry Coordinator, met me in the lobby. Warden Lepe also greeted me warmly. I had crossed paths with Warden Lepe years earlier when he served as the warden at the Federal Correctional Institution in Florence, Colorado. Also, while I was in Atwater at the tail end of my journey through the Bureau of Prisons, he was building his career there as a lieutenant.

I looked forward to beginning my day in Victorville, which involved delivering two presentations—one at the high-security United States Penitentiary and another at an adjacent medium-security facility. In preparation, I had created a flyer weeks earlier that Ms. Bravo posted on bulletin boards, allowing interested participants to sign up.

Ms. Bravo and Warden Lepe escorted me through a labyrinth of long corridors to a large room set up with neatly aligned plastic chairs. Those chairs brought back memories of my the time I served in various prisons. Although this was my first visit to the USP in Victorville, I had made presentations in many federal prisons before. I considreed each visit an opportunity to share my story and inspire others, just as many leaders had inspired me while I served my sentence.

As the men filed into the room, I greeted each of them with a handshake. Once everyone was seated, I spoke for two hours, emphasizing the power of self-directed learning and the importance of preparation for life after release. To illustrate these principles, I began with the story of Halim Flowers. Sentenced to two life terms at just 16 years old, Halim used his time in prison to cultivate skills and build a positive record. His dedication impressed a federal judge, who granted his release after 22 years. Today, Halim is a testament to the transformative power of preparation and persistence.

I also shared the inspiring journeys of Adam Clausen and Tommy Walker, both of whom had served life sentences. Their disciplined efforts and personal transformation inside the prison walls led to federal judges granting their release. These stories underscored my core message:

• An adjustment strategy in prison could lead to more opportunities, including the possibility of earning freedom.

After sharing these examples, I turned to my own journey. I explained why I was visiting Victorville and introduced the self-directed courses and programs I had developed. I encouraged the men:

• to focus on personal growth,
• to build resources that would help with self-advocacy, and
• to lay the groundwork for a brighter future upon release.

The participants were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions, which I was grateful to answer. I always consider it a privilege to connect with people going through the system, as it opens an opportunity for me to further reconcile with society—sharing strategies that anyone can use to reach a higher potential.

Following the presentation at the penitentiary, I moved to the medium-security prison, where I met Warden Araiza-Ramirez. She greeted me warmly and expressed her enthusiasm for the session. Over 100 people attended the presentation, and I delivered the same message, feeling deeply encouraged by the response from both participants and staff. Wardens Lepe and Araiza-Ramirez were particularly supportive, which I greatly appreciated.

At the end of the presentation, Warden Araiza-Ramirez playfully challenged Warden Lepe, asserting that the participants in her facility would earn more points using Prison Professors Talent than those at his prison. Warden Lepe accepted the challenge, and they agreed to track points, with the winning facility earning a celebratory party by the holidays. I am really enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with the wardens in Victorville to influece positive changes for the people serving time there.

This visit left me energized and optimistic about the program’s potential at the Federal Correctional Complex in Victorville. I plan to donate books and my time to help this initiative flourish. My hope is that Victorville becomes a model for other institutions in the Bureau of Prisons, inspiring more individuals to work toward earning freedom through merit and dedication. In time, I believe this effort can spark positive change on a much larger scale. Each person has to do his part, including me. I'll continue working to support the people who serve time in prisons, and the people who work in prisons, furthering my three promises:

1. I will never lie to the people,
2. I will never ask anyone to do anything that I didn't do, and
3. I will never ask anyone to pay a penny for the work that I do.

We all should strive to be the change that we want to see.

Self-Directed Questions for Reflection

1. What does preparing for success mean to you—and what are you doing today to move in that direction?
2. Describe the personal plan to build a positive record during your time in prison? 
3. What skills or knowledge can you begin developing right now that might lead to new opportunities in the future?
4. How are you taking responsibility for your future, regardless of your past?
5. If you had the chance to speak to a judge, a future employer, or your family—what story would you want to tell about how you’ve used your time inside?
6. What lessons can you take from the stories of Halim Flowers, Adam Clausen, or Tommy Walker?
7. If a reentry coordinator or warden asked about your adjustment, what would you want them to see in you?
8. What is one small action you can take this week that brings you closer to your goals?
9. How can you be a source of encouragement for others around you who also want to prepare for a better future?
10. How can your responses to these questions strengthen the personal profile you build that shows your preparation for success?

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