From Greg to the world outside the barbed wire...

 Well hello there!

This is my first blog entry and i'm actually very excited about putting my thoughts, feelings, and daily life into a context you can understand and hopefully feel. I'm curious to see who will take notice or even be interested in my life as a prisoner in the Virginia Prison System.

I have been to about 7 different prisons over the years and currently reside at Keen Mountain Correction Center. I've been behind bars now for 15 years (2005-) with a few more years to go until my "debt" to society is paid.

In 2006 I was sentenced to 28 years in prison for gun charges, property crimes, and drug related offenses along with a Capital Murder charge (dropped). I have earned "good time" and completing various self-help programs I will end up serving a reduced sentence. 

Why such a lengthy sentence for such minor offenses?

Simple - the system is broken!

You hear so much about prison reform and Black-lives Matter and while grateful these programs exists, you can look at my situation to see proof that not only have black lives rights been taken away by abuses of authority and power but all Americans that find themselves living lives "less-fortunate". 

Until recently prisoners have been overlooked as pariahs of American society - merely from the lack of a voice or face - just a number, crime or other derogatory label. That is, until now.

I know many others that have committed murder, rape and/or crimes against children have received far less time that I have only because they were afforded better representation due to financial considerations or influence/sway from family members with connections. Unfortunately, the majority of Virginia Prison Inmates fall into this underrepresented population.

I remember the day I was sentenced. I had to appear before the Judge - William Alexander - renowned for being no-nonsense, extremely harsh, and most of all, with a distinct reputation that was noted by the simple word on his tag - Million!. His magic number. It was common knowledge he planned to retire after handing down a combined judgement of 1 million years! Wow! What a wonderful example of justice to preside over a court and jury.

How would you feel standing before a judge that had openly professed his desired "goal" before retirement? As I was being escorted into the courthouse of Franklin county Virginia, I literally walked past the (believe it or not) original hanging gallows used in Centuries past as well as an old sentinel of the Civil War - a statue of some long-passed southern era hero.

I can still feel the sinking feeling of having my neck on the line - felt the imagined tightening of the noose as I walked up the steps of the Civil War era courthouse. Looking up at the huge Dixie-style Southern Plantation columns, with a steeple and clock, I imagined how the building was christened on the day of grand-opening so many decades ago as I walked through old doors adorned with the original hand carved wood and antique glass.

The first thing I noticed when walking into the courtroom was the smell. It was a smell acquired after years of settling and aging. If you have ever walked into an old house or church I'm sure you would recognize the smell.

My second thing I noticed after collecting myself was the huge oil paintings of Civil War Judges that adorned the walls on every side. As I looked up I saw the upper balcony where the "colored folk" were "allowed" to sit during the days of segregation.

My next thought? Where am I? Did I enter some kind of time warp; a different dimension? This can't be for real! Unfortunately it was real - and I was soon to be judged and sentenced. It all felt like a bad dream - well, actually a nightmare that continues to this day. A constant memory-reminder of the gallows, paintings and old courthouse smell with the shrivelled man passing judgement that has become a recurring nightmare .

As my trial progressed I had multiple character witnesses attest to the fact that I was a good person that had obviously made some bad decisions. My father was currently a pastor - I thought at the time advantageous - but in hindsight likely weighed against me. After all, I was raised to know right from wrong and chose - wrong.

After explaining to the judge the catalyst for my crimes was addiction, one fueled from a military inflicted injury for which I was prescribed Opiates that spiraled into a terrible pattern of addiction, I hoped he would realize the crimes were in fact the byproduct and not typical behavior. Rehab was what I needed, not prison. But of course "ol 1 million" didn't see it that way. He saw me sixty years closer to his retirement. Sixty years was my sentence - with the majority suspended but probation tacked on after release. 

Upon hearing the judgement my knees went weak. I turned to my wife just as she let out a painful yell and passed out. My mother burst into tears and the people that had shown up for support were stunned - total disbelief! "How is this justice?" I heard someone shout. and Poof! it was over. I was pushed hurriedly out of the courtroom straight into a holding cell and then to jail. Do not pass go and don't even think about collecting $200 dollars!

And so began my journey...