A Community Where The People’s Walk Matches Their Talk

Joe | Graduated July 2022

Some would say, almost fifty years ago, I was a rebel, an outlaw, a lone wolf.

I cannot adequately express through words the gratitude in my heart to be writing you as a free man. There was a time in my life when I wouldn’t have predicted that was possible. It wasn’t by my own Power that I am where I am today, I must give that Glory to God.

When I ran my life, on my own, the results spoke for themselves. In the late seventies I was a young man who had a problem with authority. I wanted to chase girls, hang with the boys, and get fast money for doing very little. I loved to drink alcohol, it always lifted my spirits and made me feel like everything was going to be fine. I tended to drink even when I knew I couldn’t get any more drunk. These behaviors and attitudes landed me in prison, which was a very different place than it is today.

Back then, you could take passes out of the yard to see family, and you could work jobs outside of the prison.

At one point, they denied a pass for one of my friends and I joined a conversation about walking off the yard and leaving it all behind. After listening to what these guys were suggesting, I figured I’d like to join them, and I did. We walked off the yard, through the high desert in Safford, not fully realizing the gravity that was to come out of our actions. Life on the run proved to be difficult, disappearing and never looking back was not a simple process emotionally or physically. On the run from the state and federal authorities, considered to be armed and dangerous, I committed new crimes to survive. Desperation and self-centeredness brought me to uncharted territory in my thinking and actions.

“Even though I have graduated New Freedom, I come back several times a week. Everyone knows me and calls me Uncle Joe as a term of endearment. I would say that I am a miracle, and I would say that the people that allow New Freedom to touch so many lives, are a miracle too.”

Eventually, we were all found and apprehended with a laundry list of new charges.

They were determined to make an example of me. In the end, I was sentenced to 48 years in the Department of Corrections. At first, I was angry and unwilling to change. Looking at that much time, I was convinced I would never see light again. Those were dark times but even in the worst of it, I knew that there must be purpose to life, even behind a wall. I stopped drinking in prison and began a time of introspection.

I was raised Christian, but I never practiced as I should. On the yard, I converted as a Muslim and studied for 19 years. I enjoyed the fellowship, positivity, and devotion to God. I have always been more introverted and reserved than outgoing. Eventually, I found my way back to my Christian roots. Over all those years, 43 in total that I spent in prison, I can’t say it was great or that it was enjoyable. It wasn’t meant to be that. What it was for me, was a time to get to know myself and my fellow man in all walks of life.

Learning has proved to be one of the most rewarding aspects of life.

When I heard about New Freedom and the people that were behind it, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Returning to society has been a challenge and a blessing. A blessing because I found a community where the people’s walk matches their talk. It’s been a challenge because, frankly, the world has changed so much. I’ve been blessed with the chance to take things in, slow and steady. Even though I have graduated New Freedom, I come back several times a week. Everyone knows me and calls me Uncle Joe as a term of endearment. I would say that I am a miracle, and I would say that the people that allow New Freedom to touch so many lives, are a miracle too. Never stop learning, having faith, and giving back, is my message to you. God Bless.