I made a partially life-altering decision and not many people were content with it. For whatever reason, people think they are supposed to tell you how to live your life.  A few weeks ago, I signed up to become part of the Global Leadership Academy. It’s a prison program designed to improve prison culture among the inmates and prison staff. It also helps residents (inmates) to learn self-improvement, self-development, and spiritual growth in order to create a successful re-entry back into society. FCI-Ashland is the first prison to adopt this pilot program.

   Today, my name (and 117 other names) were on the list to move to another housing unit. The purpose is to unify individuals who are like-minded; inmates who are willing to set a living example of what a Global Leadership Program participant looks like. The moment I began to pack my personal belongings, a few inmates, including my cellmate, started giving me life-advice: “You’re making a mistake.” “Those prison programs don’t work.” “The Bureau of Prisons just wants to look good in front of the media and the community.” “This ain’t going to reduce your sentence.” “You’ll be back in a few days.”

   I ignored them all. Just like I have ignored all the haters and naysayers over the years who said I couldn’t obtain my three college degrees, finish over 30 rehabilitation programs, and write a self-help book. Just like I have refused to be part of a gang or disruptive group or any other thing holding me back from what I want to accomplish in life. My personal mission statement aligns with what the program offers: faith, humility, integrity, effort and discipline. Life values that have enabled me to survive and thrive for the past 28 years of my incarceration. These values have convinced sponsors (like Hopkins Dispensary in Rochester, Minnesota; Prophet Brands in Modesto, California; Sespe in Ojai, California, among others) to believe I can become a better version of myself.

   When I was sentenced to 40 years back in 1998, I stood on my own. When I entered Beaumont USP, a maximum security penitentiary plagued with prison gangs, drugs, and violence, I stood on my own. When I almost died in 2001 due to a medical illness, I laid on a prison hospital bed all alone. When I tried to commit suicide and was consequently strapped in a straitjacket, no one was there. When my wife left me and took the children with her … must I say anymore? If you don’t know my life story, don’t offer me life advice. I am the main character of my own movie called life. I know the script I am supposed to follow. Mine. Not yours. There’s no other way to say it. #freedwinrubis #iamlivingtruth