I grew up in Mt. Vernon, South Dakota, a small town where everyone knew each other. The oldest of six children, I was the only boy in the family. I began drinking at the age of 9 years old. Alcohol came to play a significant role in my growing up. I was angry about circumstances in my life, and alcohol served to mask those feelings for the moment. I was on my own by the age of 15, after having been kicked out of school - my life was out of control. I blamed my father for everything bad that happened in my life. This caused many problems with the authorities including the police. I got involved with the wrong crowd and started getting high. After awhile, my antics put me in the Plankinton Training School for stealing. At age 18, my mother died suddenly and I felt like my world had ended. I thought my mother was the only person that really cared about me, and now she was gone. Shortly after that I was run over by a tractor, and ended up on the hospital. After being sent home to recuperate, I decided maybe joining the Marines would help me, so I joined. Unfortunately, my drinking followed me there and after a few months I ended up with a 2 1/2 year sentence for taking a joy ride in someone else's car and did time in a North Carolina prison. After I was released, I married and had two children - but my drinking and drug habits eventually cost me my family. I did some more time in prison, this time in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for burglary. After my release I tried treatment several times for my alcoholism, but I was not ready to give up my anger and still blamed everyone else for my problems. When I was 26 years old, I was set up on a murder charge, and am now serving a life (without parole) sentence. It wasn't until I ended up behind bars for life that I began to know what true freedom meant. As I think back over my life, I realize I've made some pretty poor choices. I wasted so many years by blaming others for my problems. I have come to realize over the years that I alone am to blame for the way things have turned out. I maintain my innocence of the crime I am in here for, but I know my actions and the people I chose to hang around led me to the place where I am now. After I was convicted and sentenced to spend the rest of my life behind bars, I spent five years filled with anger and hatred, blaming everyone but myself for what had become of me. I did not know who had murdered my former roommate, but I knew it wasn't me and I was angry that one more thing had been done to me that was not fair! After about five years behind bars, I went to my first AA meeting. That is when my life began to change. For over eleven years now, I have tried to learn the principles of the 12 steps and apply them to my life. I have turned my life over to the care of Jesus Christ as my higher power. In many ways, I have found freedom that I never had outside the walls. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. Many people become Christians but do not truly turn their life over to God. But, as I sought to turn my life around, I began to realize that there was more to it. About three years ago, Residents Encounter Christ (R.E.C.) brought their program in here and it was there that I met Jesus Christ in a real and personal way. Since then I have learned what it means to walk with the Lord, to daily turn my life over to Him. Don't get me wrong, I am far from perfect and have a lot to learn. I have sought out others to help me and am no longer the loner that I was before. I meet regularly with my girlfriend, Judee, and we take time out at each visit to read the Bible together and pray. I have met others both behind the walls and on the outside that help me to keep on track, although I know ultimately it up to me how I want to live my life - with Jesus Christ.

"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12: 1 & 2.